Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Do I have to pay rent if construction noise makes my apartment unlivable during the day?
In general, a tenant in Louisiana still has to pay rent unless the lease, the landlord, or a court order changes that obligation. Noise from construction can be frustrating and may interfere with daily life, but noise by...
Can I be charged under Minnesota Statutes Section 609.595 if I keyed someone’s car and the repair estimate is $900?
In Minnesota, keying someone’s car can potentially lead to criminal charges because damaging another person’s property may be prosecuted under the state’s criminal damage to property laws. Whether Minnesota Statutes Sect...
What are my rights if a contractor leaves hazardous materials on my property?
If a contractor leaves hazardous materials on your property, you may have several possible rights under Alabama law and general contract, property, and tort principles. In general, you may be able to demand that the cont...
How do I get temporary child custody orders while the divorce is still pending?
In North Carolina, temporary child custody orders are often requested when parents need a court order about where a child will live, who makes decisions, and how parenting time will work while a divorce is still pending....
Can a pet boarding facility charge emergency vet fees without calling me first?
In North Carolina, a pet boarding facility may sometimes charge emergency veterinary fees without calling first, but that usually depends on the boarding agreement, the circumstances of the emergency, and what the facili...
What happens if I waived Miranda once but later changed my mind?
In general, if you waive your Miranda rights and start talking to police, you may later try to stop the questioning and ask for a lawyer or choose to remain silent. Whether that later change of mind is effective usually...
What happens if the person harassing me says their messages are just free speech?
In general, saying “it’s free speech” does not automatically make harassment lawful. Under U.S. law, people have strong speech protections, but those protections are not unlimited. Communications that cross into threats,...
My Employer Fired Me After I Reported Safety Problems — Do I Have a Claim?
In Georgia, being fired after reporting safety problems at work may raise a legal issue, but it does not automatically mean you have a claim. The answer usually depends on what you reported, who you reported it to, what...
How do I stop a debt collector from contacting me at my workplace?
In general, a debt collector may not keep contacting you at work if they know your employer does not allow it or if you clearly tell the collector to stop contacting you there. If you are in New York, the same general co...
Is it legal for my spouse to move money from a joint account into a separate account before divorce?
In Florida, a spouse moving money from a joint account into a separate account before divorce is not automatically illegal. In many families, both spouses may have access to a joint account, and either spouse may technic...
What happens if the other driver’s insurance says my car had pre-existing damage?
If the other driver’s insurance says your car already had pre-existing damage, it usually means the insurer is questioning how much of the damage was caused by the crash. In a property damage claim, the insurer generally...
Do I Have to Pay for Pest Damage in a Rental I Just Moved Into?
In Minnesota, whether you have to pay for pest damage in a rental you just moved into usually depends on what caused the damage, when the pests were present, and what your lease says. In general, tenants are more likely...
What happens if my security camera records audio of guests talking inside my living room?
In California, a security camera that records audio inside your living room can raise significant privacy issues, even if the camera was installed for home security. Whether the recording is lawful usually depends on the...
What are my rights if my insurance denies coverage after I paid premiums for years?
If an insurance company denies coverage after you have paid premiums for years, you generally have the right to ask for a clear explanation of the denial and to review the insurance policy language that the company relie...
Can my landlord make me remove a Ring camera from my own door?
In Virginia, a landlord may sometimes require a tenant to remove a Ring camera or similar device, but the answer usually depends on the lease, the property layout, and whether the device interferes with the landlord’s pr...