Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
What are my rights if my safe deposit box contents were turned over to the state?
In Washington, if the contents of a safe deposit box were turned over to the state, the situation usually involves unclaimed property rules. In general, a financial institution may transfer abandoned or unclaimed safe de...
What are my rights if my landlord locks me out without a court order?
In Rhode Island, a landlord generally may not take back possession of a rental unit by changing the locks, removing your belongings, or otherwise forcing you out without following the legal eviction process. A lockout wi...
What are my rights if my stock dividends were escheated after mail was returned once?
In Tennessee, if stock dividends were sent to you and later treated as unclaimed property because mail was returned, you may still have rights to try to recover the money. In general, escheat does not mean the property i...
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...
The florist delivered the wrong flowers for a funeral. Can we ask for more than a refund?
In Pennsylvania, a wrong flower delivery for a funeral may be more than a simple customer-service problem, but the available remedies usually depend on the facts. In general, if a florist delivered the wrong arrangement,...
Can I Protect My Interest in My Father’s House if There Was No Will in Illinois?
If your father died in Illinois without a will, his property is usually handled under Illinois intestacy law. That means the house may pass according to state law rather than according to informal family expectations or...
What happens if my spouse dies before the divorce is finalized in Alaska?
If a spouse dies before a divorce is finalized in Alaska, the divorce case usually ends because there is no longer a marriage to dissolve. In many situations, the surviving spouse may still have legal rights that come fr...
Can a Cell Phone Company Charge an Early Termination Fee After Service Outages?
In general, a cell phone company may still try to charge an early termination fee after service outages, but that does not automatically mean the fee is valid in every situation. The answer often depends on the service a...
A neighbor’s basketball hoop is partly in the street and damaged my car. Who do I contact?
If a neighbor’s basketball hoop was partly in the street and damaged your car in North Carolina, the first contact is often the neighbor or the homeowner who controls the property where the hoop sits. In many situations,...
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...
What are my rights if a store in Alabama refuses to refund a defective $700 appliance?
In Alabama, your rights often depend on what the store promised, what the sales paperwork says, and whether the appliance was defective under the terms of the sale. In general, stores may set return and refund policies,...
Do I have to report unclaimed property from a small business I closed five years ago?
In general, you may still have reporting duties after closing a small business, including in Oregon, if the business held money or other property that became unclaimed before it shut down or while records were still acti...
Can I ask the court to order my spouse to return personal items and family photos?
In Utah, you can usually ask a court to help with the return of personal items and family photos, but what the court can do depends on the type of case, the facts, and whether the items are treated as marital property, s...
Can a Dentist Charge Me More Than the Estimate After Treatment?
In general, a dentist may sometimes charge more than an estimate after treatment, but that depends on what the estimate covered, what you agreed to, and whether the final bill was explained clearly. An estimate is often...
Can I record a repair technician inside my home if I tell them my camera records audio?
In California, recording a repair technician inside your home can raise privacy and consent issues, especially if the recording includes audio. Whether it is allowed often depends on what is being recorded, whether the t...