Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
What happens if I bought a used car yesterday and the check engine light came on during the drive home?
If the check engine light came on during the drive home after you bought a used car in Iowa, that does not automatically mean the seller did something unlawful, but it may raise concerns about the car’s condition, the se...
What are my rights if my child was injured at daycare because staff were not watching?
If a child is injured at daycare because staff were not watching, the parents or guardians may have several possible legal and practical rights, depending on what happened and what Alabama law applies. In general, a dayc...
What happens if a dealership adds fees after I agreed on a price?
In general, if a dealership adds fees after you thought you had agreed on a price, the result depends on what was actually agreed to, what was written down, and whether you had already signed a final contract. In South C...
What happens if I made 120 payments but some were under the wrong repayment plan?
If you made 120 payments but some of them were made under the wrong repayment plan, the key issue is usually whether those payments still count toward the forgiveness or loan-relief program you were trying to qualify for...
How do I protect rental property income in a prenuptial agreement?
In general, a prenuptial agreement can be one way to define how rental property and rental income will be treated during a marriage. For example, the agreement may state that a particular building remains separate proper...
Is it legal for an apartment complex to ban a dog after it bites another tenant?
In Arizona, an apartment complex may be able to restrict or remove a dog after a bite, but it usually depends on the lease, the property’s pet policy, the severity of the incident, and whether the dog is covered by any d...
Do I have to prove the exact time a spill appeared before I slipped?
In general, no. In a Rhode Island slip-and-fall claim, people usually do not have to prove the exact minute a spill appeared before the fall. What often matters more is whether the property owner or occupier knew, or rea...
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...
My Landlord Changed the Locks After I Fell Behind on Rent — What Should I Do?
If you are in Nevada and your landlord changed the locks after you fell behind on rent, that may be an unlawful lockout depending on the facts. In general, a landlord usually cannot use self-help to remove a tenant witho...
My Neighbor Keeps Blocking My Shared Driveway — What Are My Options?
If you live in Massachusetts and a neighbor keeps blocking a shared driveway, the first issue is usually whether you have a legal right to use that driveway and how that right is defined. Shared driveways are often gover...
Do I have to sign a prenup if my fiancé’s parents are pressuring me?
No, not simply because your fiancé’s parents want you to. In general, a prenuptial agreement is a contract, and like most contracts, it usually must be signed voluntarily to be effective. If you are being pressured, rush...
Is it legal for a state to keep interest earned on money after it is escheated?
In general, the answer depends on the law that governs the unclaimed property and on what happened to the money while the state held it. Escheat or unclaimed property laws usually let the state take custody of abandoned...
My Neighbor’s Construction Cracked My Wall — Who Pays for Repairs?
In California, who pays for a cracked wall from a neighbor’s construction usually depends on what caused the damage and who was legally responsible for it. In general, if the construction activity caused the crack, the n...
What are my rights if a business recorded a confidential call and shared it with a third party?
If a business recorded a confidential call and then shared it with a third party, you may have privacy-related concerns under California law. In general, California is a state with stronger privacy protections than many...
Is it legal for a debt collector to call me before 8 a.m. repeatedly?
In general, debt collectors are not supposed to call at a time they know is inconvenient, and calls before 8 a.m. are often treated as potentially improper under consumer-debt collection rules. If the calls are happening...