Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
My Neighbor’s Dog Bit Me While I Was Delivering Food — Who Is Liable?
If you were bitten by a neighbor’s dog while delivering food in New Jersey, the dog’s owner is often the first person people look to for liability. In general, New Jersey has a dog-bite rule that can make an owner respon...
Can a landlord refuse to fix a dishwasher because they say it is a convenience appliance?
In Kansas, the answer often depends on the lease and on whether the dishwasher was part of the rental agreement when you moved in. In general, a landlord usually has to maintain the basic habitability of a rental unit, b...
Can a Contractor Demand Full Payment Before Finishing the Job?
In general, a contractor cannot simply demand full payment before finishing the job unless the contract allows it or the parties later agree to a change in payment terms. In Georgia, as in many states, the written contra...
What are my rights if I asked for a lawyer but detectives kept questioning me?
In Illinois, if you are in police custody and you clearly ask for a lawyer, detectives generally must stop asking you questions until a lawyer is present. This rule is based on the idea that a person should be able to en...
What are my rights if my mineral royalty payments were turned over as unclaimed property?
If your mineral royalty payments were turned over as unclaimed property, you generally still may have a right to claim the money from the state or the holder that reported it. In North Dakota, as in other states, unclaim...
The dentist did a crown on the wrong tooth. What kind of lawyer handles that?
If a dentist placed a crown on the wrong tooth, the kind of lawyer who often handles that issue is a medical malpractice lawyer, dental malpractice lawyer, or personal injury lawyer who has experience with professional n...
Can my landlord charge me a $500 repainting fee when I only lived there for eight months and didn’t damage the walls?
In California, a landlord usually cannot charge a tenant for ordinary wear and tear, but a repainting charge may be allowed if the landlord can show the paint damage went beyond normal use. The fact that you lived there...
What are my rights if I got an eviction notice while waiting for rental assistance to be approved?
If you are in Tennessee and you receive an eviction notice while a rental assistance application is still pending, you may still have important rights, but those rights usually depend on the type of notice you got, your...
Can I return a used car if the dealer promised it had no accidents but I found a prior salvage record?
In Colorado, a dealer’s promise that a used car had no accidents may matter a lot if you later discover a prior salvage record. In general, a seller’s statements about a vehicle’s history can become important if they wer...
Do I have to pay for repairs if an appliance breaks due to age?
In general, the answer depends on who owns the appliance, what your lease or purchase agreement says, and what caused the problem. In Indiana, if you own the appliance yourself, you usually pay for repair or replacement...
What happens if police read Miranda rights in Spanish but I only understand English?
If police read Miranda warnings in a language you do not understand, the issue is usually whether you actually received and understood the warnings well enough to make a knowing, voluntary, and intelligent decision about...
How do I get a restricted license so I can drive to work after a DUI?
In Massachusetts, a restricted license after a DUI is generally not automatic. Whether you can drive to work depends on your driving record, the type of DUI case, any suspension or revocation in place, and what the Massa...
Do I have to pay a contractor if the work does not match the contract?
In general, whether you have to pay a contractor when the work does not match the contract depends on the facts, the contract terms, and Oregon law. If the contractor completed work that is substantially what was promise...
What happens if the landlord files in court before the notice period is over?
If a landlord files a court case before the required notice period ends, the filing may be premature. In general, that can matter because many eviction or possession cases depend on the landlord first giving proper notic...
What are my rights if a detective says asking for a lawyer will make me look guilty?
If a detective says that asking for a lawyer will make you look guilty, the safest general rule is that you still have the right to ask for a lawyer. In the United States, a request for counsel is generally a protected c...