Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
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,...
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...
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...
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...
Is it legal for a judge to order retroactive child support back to the child’s birth?
In general, a judge may be able to order child support to apply retroactively, but whether support can go all the way back to the child’s birth depends on the law in the jurisdiction and the specific facts of the case. I...
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...
How do I remove a collection account that was added to my credit report by mistake?
If a collection account appears on your credit report by mistake, the usual first step is to dispute the item with the credit reporting company that is showing it. In general, you would explain that the account is inaccu...
I left a bad review for a local business and now they’re threatening to sue. Should I take it down?
A bad review does not automatically create legal liability, and businesses often cannot sue simply because they dislike criticism. In general, a review is more likely to create legal risk only if it contains a false stat...
Do I have to sign a settlement release before I know whether my knee injury needs surgery?
In general, no one can force you to sign a settlement release before you are ready, but a defendant or insurer may make that a condition of paying a settlement. A release is usually a final agreement that ends your claim...