Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
What happens if someone records a confidential conversation and posts a clip online?
In California, recording a confidential conversation and then posting a clip online can raise serious legal issues, but what happens depends heavily on the facts. The main questions usually are whether the conversation w...
What are my rights if my spouse threatens to report me to immigration during divorce?
If a spouse threatens to report you to immigration during a divorce, that can be frightening and stressful. In general, a threat like that does not automatically change your legal rights in the divorce itself. Property d...
What happens if I was hit while riding my bicycle and the driver says I crossed too late?
In New Hampshire, a driver’s claim that you “crossed too late” does not automatically decide fault after a bicycle crash. In general, fault in a bicycle-versus-car collision depends on the full facts, including where the...
Is It Legal for a Gym to Require Certified Mail to Cancel a Membership?
In general, a gym may be able to require a particular cancellation method if that requirement is clearly stated in the membership contract and does not violate applicable law. That means a certified mail requirement is n...
What are my rights if I was arrested for DUI after taking prescribed anxiety medication?
If you were arrested for DUI after taking prescribed anxiety medication in Washington, you generally have the same basic criminal procedure rights as any other person accused of a crime. That usually includes the right t...
Do I have to divide my 401(k) if my spouse stayed home with the kids for 12 years?
In Pennsylvania, a 401(k) may be considered marital property to the extent it was earned or grew during the marriage, even if one spouse stayed home to care for the children. That means a stay-at-home parent is often tre...
Do I have to get written consent before recording a private call about a car sale?
In Florida, the short answer is usually yes if you want to record a private phone call and the other person does not already know about and agree to the recording. Florida is generally treated as a two-party consent stat...
Is it legal to record a conversation in a coffee shop where other people could hear us?
In Pennsylvania, whether it is legal to record a conversation in a coffee shop usually depends on several factors, including whether you are a participant in the conversation, whether the people being recorded know about...
Is it legal to sell the family car before the divorce is final?
In Arkansas, selling the family car before the divorce is final may be legal in some situations, but it can also create problems if the vehicle is marital property, jointly owned, or needed for the family’s use. In gener...
What happens if police read Miranda rights after I already made damaging statements?
In general, Miranda warnings are meant to protect a person during custodial police questioning. If police read the warnings only after you have already made damaging statements, that does not automatically erase the earl...
What happens if an eviction notice has the wrong apartment number on it?
In Michigan, an eviction notice with the wrong apartment number may matter, but the effect usually depends on whether the notice still clearly identified the intended tenant and rental unit. A small clerical error does n...
What are my rights if someone falsely accused my teenager of a crime on Snapchat?
If someone falsely accused your teenager of a crime on Snapchat, you may have several possible concerns, depending on what was posted, who saw it, and whether it caused harm. In general, false statements that accuse a pe...
Do I have to split retirement accounts earned during the marriage?
In New York, retirement accounts earned during a marriage are often treated as part of the marital property that may be divided in a divorce. That does not always mean every dollar in every account gets split equally, bu...
What are my rights if my insurance company undervalues my totaled car by $3,000?
If your insurance company says your car was totaled but offers less than you believe it was worth, you generally have the right to question the valuation and ask for a review. In New Jersey, the amount an insurer pays of...
Is it legal for a dog owner to refuse to give proof of rabies vaccination?
In Nevada, the answer may depend on who is asking, why they are asking, and whether a local animal control or health rule applies. In general, a dog owner may not have to hand over vaccination records to every private pe...