Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Can a landlord charge late fees when their online payment portal was down on the due date?
In general, a landlord may only charge late fees if the lease allows them and the fee is otherwise lawful under Tennessee law. If the landlord’s online payment portal was down on the due date, that fact may matter becaus...
Can a dealership change my loan terms after I signed the paperwork?
In general, a dealership should not be able to simply change signed loan terms whenever it wants. If you signed a sales contract, financing agreement, or related paperwork, those signed terms usually matter. But in some...
What happens if my loan servicer says my $0 income driven payments do not count?
If your loan servicer says your $0 income-driven repayment payments do not count, it usually means the servicer believes those months do not meet the requirements for a particular program, forgiveness track, or payment c...
Can I record a conversation with my landlord during a walkthrough if my phone is visible?
In Massachusetts, whether you can record a conversation with your landlord during a walkthrough usually depends on consent and the type of conversation involved. A visible phone by itself does not automatically make reco...
Can I still file an insurance claim if the other driver admitted fault at the scene but now denies it?
Yes, in general you may still be able to file an insurance claim even if the other driver later denies fault after admitting it at the scene. In California, an insurance claim is usually evaluated based on the available...
Can I reduce child support if I now have another child to support?
In Maine, having another child may affect child support, but it does not automatically reduce an existing child support order. Courts usually look at the full financial picture and apply the state’s child support rules,...
How do I dispute a $980 charge from a hotel that claimed I smoked in a non-smoking room?
If a hotel charged you $980 for allegedly smoking in a non-smoking room, the dispute usually turns on the hotel’s terms, the evidence it has, and whether the charge was authorized. In general, hotels may impose smoking f...
My neighbor’s kids keep ringing my doorbell late at night. Is this harassment or just annoying?
In general, repeated late-night doorbell ringing can be more than a nuisance, but whether it counts as harassment depends on the facts. A one-time prank or occasional childish behavior is usually treated differently from...
How do I prove pain and suffering after a serious dog attack?
In general, proving pain and suffering after a serious dog attack means showing how the injury affected your body, mind, and daily life. This is different from proving medical bills or lost wages, because pain and suffer...
Is it legal for the insurance company to follow my social media after I make an injury claim?
In general, yes—an insurance company or its investigator may be allowed to look at public social media after you make an injury claim. If your profile, posts, photos, comments, or videos are visible to the public, they m...
Can a California Employer Make Me Work 7+ Hour Shifts Without Breaks?
In general, no California employer cannot simply schedule a non-exempt employee for a 7+ hour shift and provide no breaks at all. California workplace rules usually require both meal periods and rest breaks for many hour...
Can a minor get protection from harassment by another student in Washington?
Yes, a minor in Washington may be able to seek legal protection from harassment by another student, depending on the facts and the type of conduct involved. In general, Washington law can provide protection orders or oth...
My landlord wants me to pay rent by Zelle only. I’m uncomfortable. Can I insist on another method?
In California, a landlord may sometimes prefer one payment method over another, but whether a tenant can insist on a different way to pay rent often depends on the lease, the landlord’s policies, and the surrounding fact...
Can my landlord evict me because my rent was late while I was waiting on disability benefits?
In New Jersey, a landlord may try to evict a tenant for unpaid rent, even if the tenant was waiting on disability benefits. In general, being behind on rent can give a landlord a basis to start an eviction case, because...
How do I file a small claims case against a wedding photographer who never delivered the photos?
If you are in Massachusetts and a wedding photographer took your money but never delivered the photos, small claims court may be one possible way to seek repayment or another monetary remedy. In general, small claims cas...