Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
How do I lower my student loan payment after my hours were cut in half?
If your hours were cut in half, you may have several general options to reduce your student loan payment, but the best choice depends on the type of loan, your current income, and whether your loans are federal or privat...
Can I Stop Paying Rent If Mold Is Making Me Sick?
In Pennsylvania, mold problems can be serious, especially if they may be affecting your health. But in general, a tenant should not assume that mold automatically allows them to stop paying rent. Rent withholding can cre...
Do I have to move if my landlord gave me a 60-day notice but I have a fixed-term lease?
In general, a fixed-term lease is meant to last until the end date written in the lease, unless the lease allows an earlier end or there is some other legal reason the tenancy can be terminated sooner. That means a landl...
Do I have to pay private student loans if the borrower died and I was only a cosigner?
In general, if you cosigned a private student loan, the lender may still look to you for repayment even after the borrower dies. A cosigner is usually a separate borrower from the lender’s perspective, so the death of th...
Is it legal to use copyrighted books as examples when prompting an AI writing tool?
In general, using copyrighted books as examples when prompting an AI writing tool may raise copyright questions, but the answer depends on what exactly you do with the material and how much of the book you use. Simply me...
Can I get child support modified because my rent increased by $600 a month?
In New Jersey, a rent increase by itself may not automatically change child support, but it can be one factor in a request to modify support. Courts usually look at whether there has been a substantial change in circumst...
Do I have to stop recording if someone says they do not agree to be recorded?
In California, the answer may depend on what kind of recording you are making, where you are making it, and whether the law requires consent from the people being recorded. In general, if a recording law applies, a perso...
What are my rights if my apartment has no working smoke detectors?
If your apartment has no working smoke detectors, that can raise serious habitability and safety concerns. In general, landlords are usually expected to provide and maintain basic safety equipment required by law and by...
Does My Aunt’s Husband Automatically Inherit Her Share of Michigan Property?
In Michigan, an aunt’s husband does not automatically inherit her share of property in every situation. Whether he receives anything usually depends on how the property was titled, whether there was a will or trust, and...
Is it legal for a bank to freeze my account before escheating it?
In general, a bank may have legal and contractual reasons to place a hold or freeze on an account before any unclaimed property process, including escheatment, takes place. But a freeze is not the same thing as escheatme...
Can I be charged with DUI if I was parked with the engine running but not driving?
Yes, in California, a person may still be charged with DUI even if the vehicle was parked and not moving at the moment of police contact. The key issue is usually not just whether the car was in motion, but whether the p...
Is it legal for someone to post my mugshot and falsely say I was convicted?
In Kentucky, posting someone’s mugshot and falsely saying they were convicted may raise legal issues, but the answer depends on the facts and the exact words used. In general, false statements that harm a person’s reputa...
What are my rights if a dog attacked my dog and I was bitten while trying to separate them?
If a dog attacked your dog and you were bitten while trying to separate the animals, you may have more than one kind of legal issue at the same time. In general, one issue is the injury to your dog, and another is the bi...
Is it legal for a landlord to require renters insurance after the lease has already started?
In Ohio, a landlord may be able to require renters insurance after a lease has already started, but the answer usually depends on the lease language, any later agreement between the parties, and general Ohio contract and...
Can I withhold rent if my heat has not worked for three weeks in January in Illinois?
In Illinois, a long heating outage in January can be a serious habitability problem, but whether you can withhold rent depends on the facts and on how you respond. In general, tenants are expected to notify the landlord...