Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
What happens if my landlord enters my apartment while I’m at work without giving me notice?
In Wisconsin, a landlord generally does not have unlimited access to a rented apartment just because the tenant is away. Even if you are at work, your apartment is still your home for legal purposes, and a landlord usual...
Is it legal for a nanny cam to record audio without telling the babysitter?
In Arizona, the answer can depend on the facts, especially where the camera is placed, whether the people being recorded expect privacy, and whether any state or federal wiretap or privacy law applies. A nanny cam that r...
Is it legal for a dealership to charge a document fee of $899?
In Colorado, a dealership may be able to charge a document fee, but whether an $899 fee is legally allowed depends on several factors, including how the fee is disclosed, what it is for, and whether the dealer is followi...
My boss reduced my hours right after I asked about overtime. Is that retaliation?
In Florida, a sudden reduction in hours after you asked about overtime may raise a retaliation concern, but it does not automatically mean the law was violated. In general, retaliation questions depend on what you asked,...
Do Property Showings While Selling a House Affect My Lease Rights in Rhode Island?
In general, property showings while a landlord is selling a house do not automatically cancel or reduce a tenant’s lease rights in Rhode Island. If you have a valid lease, the landlord usually still has to honor its term...
What happens if my landlord gave me a 5-day notice but the lease says I get 10 days?
In Colorado, the answer usually depends on what kind of notice the landlord gave, what the lease says, and whether the lease term is allowed under Colorado law. In general, a lease can add tenant protections, but it cann...
Can I file for divorce if my spouse moved out six months ago and refuses to talk about paperwork?
In California, you can usually start the divorce process even if your spouse moved out months ago and will not communicate about paperwork. A spouse does not generally need to agree for you to file a petition for divorce...
How do I handle a dog bite claim if the owner rents and does not have insurance?
If the dog’s owner rents and does not appear to have insurance, the claim is often more complicated, but it is not automatically hopeless. In Minnesota, the facts matter a lot: who owned the dog, where the bite happened,...
Is it legal for a competitor to post fake Yelp reviews claiming my salon injured customers?
In general, no. If a competitor is posting fake online reviews that claim your salon injured customers, that can raise serious legal issues in Nevada and under federal law. False statements about a business may be treate...
Can my landlord make me pay an extra $150 a month because my adult son moved in temporarily?
In Maryland, a landlord usually cannot raise your rent just because an adult family member visits or stays temporarily, but the answer often depends on the lease, the length of the stay, and whether the person is being t...
Do I have to pay court costs mentioned in an eviction notice that has not been filed yet?
In general, not necessarily. If an eviction notice has not yet been filed in court, the amount listed for “court costs” is often part of a demand from the landlord, not yet a court-ordered charge. Whether you must pay it...
Can I recover future medical costs if my doctor says I may need surgery later?
In general, yes, future medical costs may sometimes be recoverable in an Ohio personal injury claim if they are reasonably related to the injury and can be supported by medical evidence. If a doctor says you may need sur...
What happens if I was hurt at a neighbor’s house during a backyard party?
If you were hurt at a neighbor’s house during a backyard party in Wisconsin, the first question is usually why the injury happened and whether the property owner may have been legally responsible. In general, injuries on...
Do I have to pay rent if my apartment ceiling collapsed and I cannot use the bedroom?
In Alabama, a ceiling collapse that makes a bedroom unusable may affect whether full rent is still owed, but the answer usually depends on the facts, the lease terms, and the landlord’s response. In general, if part of a...
How do I dispute a hospital bill for an out-of-network doctor I did not choose during an emergency visit?
If you received care in an emergency and were billed for an out-of-network doctor you did not choose, there may be ways to dispute the bill, but the options depend on the facts, your insurance plan, and whether state or...