Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Do I have to pay a loan if the lender lost my payment records?
In general, yes — losing payment records does not automatically erase a loan or end your obligation to pay it. If you still owe money on a valid loan, the lender’s missing records usually do not by themselves cancel the...
Do I have to accept arbitration when a home warranty company refuses to cover my broken air conditioner?
In South Carolina, you usually have to start with the terms of the home warranty contract. Many home warranty agreements include an arbitration clause, which may require disputes to go through arbitration instead of cour...
Do I have to pay HOA dues included in rent if the lease does not mention them?
In general, if your Maryland lease does not mention HOA dues, the answer depends on what the rental agreement actually says, how the rent was set, and whether the landlord communicated that HOA dues were part of your pay...
Can I recover lost tips if I am a server and missed shifts because of an injury?
In general, a server who misses shifts because of an injury may be able to seek compensation for lost earnings, and that can sometimes include tips if the tips were a regular part of the person’s income and can be shown...
How do I get my deposit back from a landlord who claims excessive cleaning costs?
If a landlord in Indiana says they kept part or all of your deposit for excessive cleaning, the first step is usually to ask for a clear, written explanation of the charges and any supporting documentation. In general, y...
What happens if I was partly at fault because I was looking at my phone when I fell?
If you were looking at your phone when you fell, that fact may affect a claim for injuries, but it does not automatically end the claim. In Colorado, fault is often compared between the injured person and other responsib...
Do I have to pay storage charges while arguing with insurance about whether my car is totaled?
In general, maybe. In Rhode Island, whether you have to pay storage charges while an insurance company is deciding if your car is totaled usually depends on the insurance policy, who ordered the tow or storage, how long...
How do I respond if my landlord gives me a notice for unauthorized occupants but it is just my babysitter?
If you are in Vermont and your landlord says your babysitter is an “unauthorized occupant,” the first step is usually to read the notice carefully and compare it to your lease. In general, landlords often use terms like...
Do I have to record or file a prenup with the court before marriage?
In general, a prenup does not have to be filed with the court before a marriage takes place. A premarital agreement is usually a private contract between two people who plan to marry. The fact that it is signed before th...
Is it legal for a landlord to blame me for falling down stairs that had poor lighting?
In general, a landlord in Arkansas may try to blame a tenant or visitor for a fall on stairs, including a claim that the person was not watching where they were going or was using the stairs carelessly. But that does not...
What are my rights if my renters insurance claim is denied for water damage from a burst pipe?
If your renters insurance claim is denied for water damage from a burst pipe, you usually have the right to ask the insurer for a clear explanation of the denial and a copy of the policy language it relied on. In general...
How do I dispute a credit card charge for a $750 appliance repair that did not fix the problem?
If you paid $750 for an appliance repair with a credit card and the repair did not fix the problem, you may be able to dispute the charge through your card issuer. In general, a card dispute is different from complaining...
Is it legal to record a customer service call if the company’s automated message says calls may be recorded?
In Illinois, the answer is usually not as simple as “yes” or “no.” An automated message that says calls may be recorded does not automatically mean that you may record the call yourself. It often means the company is tel...
What are my rights if my landlord refuses to fix a broken air conditioner during a heatwave?
In New York, a tenant’s rights if a landlord refuses to fix a broken air conditioner during a heatwave usually depend on the lease, the building conditions, and whether the apartment is otherwise livable. In general, New...
Can My Ex Keep a Dog We Bought Together During the Relationship?
In West Virginia, a dog is usually treated as property for legal purposes, even though many people see a pet as part of the family. That means a court or other decision-maker may focus on ownership evidence rather than o...