Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
How do I handle a crash where the other driver was texting but the police report does not mention it?
In general, a police report is only one piece of evidence after a crash. If the report does not mention texting, that does not necessarily mean the issue cannot be raised later. In New Mexico, as in many states, fault an...
What are my rights if a defective traffic light caused the accident?
If a defective traffic light may have caused a crash in North Dakota, you may have the right to seek compensation through one or more legal claims, depending on the facts. In general, that can include claims involving a...
Can I be evicted for letting my sister stay with me for three weeks?
In Maine, whether a landlord can evict you for letting your sister stay for three weeks usually depends on your lease, house rules, and the facts of the situation. A short visit by a family member is often treated differ...
Is it legal for a company to automatically enroll me in a paid plan after a free trial ends?
In general, a company may be allowed to convert a free trial into a paid subscription if the terms were clearly disclosed and you agreed to them. The legal issue is usually not the automatic billing by itself, but whethe...
Do I Have to Pay HOA Fines If I Never Got the Violation Notice?
In general, whether you have to pay an HOA fine after not receiving the violation notice depends on the HOA’s governing documents, how notice was supposed to be delivered, and whether the association can show it followed...
Is it legal for a prenup to limit spousal support to $1,000 a month for two years?
In South Dakota, a prenuptial agreement may be able to limit or waive spousal support, but that is not automatic. Whether a specific limit like $1,000 per month for two years will be enforceable usually depends on the ag...
Can I get my student loans discharged if the school falsely certified my eligibility?
In general, possibly yes, but only in certain situations and depending on the type of loan, the school’s conduct, and the facts surrounding the certification. If a school falsely certified your eligibility for a federal...
How do I prove a pattern of harassment if most of it happened through Instagram messages?
If most of the conduct happened through Instagram messages, the messages themselves may be some of the most important evidence of a pattern of harassment. In general, a pattern is usually shown by repeated conduct, not b...
What are my rights if my private student loan interest rate increased without clear notice?
If your private student loan interest rate increased without clear notice, you may have rights under your loan contract, general consumer-protection principles, and any notice rules that apply to your lender or servicer....
What happens if the financial disclosure attached to the prenup was incomplete?
In Louisiana, an incomplete financial disclosure attached to a prenuptial agreement may create a problem for the agreement’s enforceability. In general, prenuptial agreements depend on voluntary signing, fair dealing, an...
Can a landlord deny my application because I had an eviction case that was dismissed?
In general, a landlord in North Dakota may be able to deny a rental application because of a dismissed eviction case, but the answer often depends on what the landlord is using as the reason and whether any fair housing...
Do I Have a Small Claims Case if My Boss Destroyed My Personal Property at Work?
If your boss destroyed your personal property at work, you may have a small claims issue in Montana, but the answer usually depends on the facts. In general, a small claims case is about trying to recover the value of pr...
Do I have to show the dog was dangerous before the bite happened?
In South Carolina, the answer usually depends on the legal theory being used and the facts of the incident. In many dog bite claims, a person does not necessarily have to prove the dog had a long history of aggression be...
Can I bring a claim if I tripped on a broken sidewalk outside a store and needed stitches?
In Virginia, a broken-sidewalk trip-and-fall may sometimes lead to a claim, but the legal analysis usually depends on who owned, controlled, or was responsible for maintaining the sidewalk and whether that person or busi...
Is it legal for an insurer to send payment directly to the lienholder after totaling my car?
In general, yes. If your car is financed or leased, the lienholder usually has a legal interest in the vehicle and the insurance proceeds tied to it. After a total loss, an insurer often may send some or all of the payme...