Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
What happens if a financing company reports late payments that I already disputed?
If a financing company reports late payments that you already disputed, the entry does not automatically disappear just because you raised a dispute. In general, the company and the credit reporting system may still keep...
How do I challenge statements made after hours of questioning without food or sleep?
If a statement was made after hours of questioning while a person was deprived of food or sleep, it may be possible to challenge whether the statement was voluntary. In criminal cases, courts usually look at the total ci...
What are my rights if a company recorded my sales call after I said I did not consent?
If a company recorded your sales call after you clearly said you did not consent, that may raise legal issues in California. In general, California is a two-party consent state for many confidential communications, which...
Is it legal for child support to include private school tuition I never agreed to pay?
In general, child support can sometimes include private school tuition, but that does not mean every parent must automatically pay it. In Kentucky, the answer usually depends on the court order, the parents’ financial ci...
Can my landlord evict me for paying rent two days late once after three years in the apartment?
In New Jersey, a landlord may not automatically be able to evict a tenant just because rent was paid two days late one time after years of paying on time. In general, eviction depends on the lease, the reason for the lat...
Do I have to pay a debt collector who refuses to send me a written notice?
In general, you do not have to ignore a debt collector just because the collector has not sent you a written notice. At the same time, a lack of written notice may matter a great deal when you are deciding whether the de...
What are my rights if I got whiplash after a low-speed crash and the insurer says it is not serious?
In Washington, a low-speed crash does not automatically mean a whiplash injury is minor. People can sometimes have real neck pain, headaches, stiffness, dizziness, or limited motion even after a collision that looks smal...
Can a casino or gaming account balance be turned over as unclaimed property in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, a casino or gaming account balance may sometimes be treated as unclaimed property if the owner has not used, contacted, or otherwise indicated interest in the funds for a long enough period of time under a...
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...
How do I handle a crash caused by a driver who swerved to avoid an animal?
In Iowa, a crash caused by a driver who swerved to avoid an animal is usually handled as a negligence and insurance question, but the answer depends heavily on the facts. In general, the key issue is whether the driver a...
Is it legal for a store to delete security footage after I asked them to preserve it?
In general, a store may not be free to delete security footage once it has notice that the footage may be needed in a legal dispute. But the answer depends on the facts, the type of claim, and whether the store had a cle...
Can a store use hidden cameras in dressing rooms to prevent shoplifting?
In Ohio, a store generally should not place hidden cameras in a dressing room or other area where a customer has a strong expectation of privacy. Dressing rooms are usually treated as private spaces, and secretly recordi...
My Dentist Billed Me for Work I Never Approved — Can I Dispute It?
Yes, in general, you may be able to dispute a dental bill in Pennsylvania if you were charged for treatment you did not approve, did not receive, or did not understand would be performed. Whether a dispute succeeds often...
Do I have to pay for a service contract that I never signed?
In general, not signing a service contract may be an important fact, but it does not always end the analysis. In Wyoming, as in other states, whether you may owe money can depend on whether there was some other agreement...
What are my rights if my landlord refuses to fix a broken air conditioner during a heatwave?
In New York, a tenant’s rights if a landlord refuses to fix a broken air conditioner during a heatwave usually depend on the lease, the building conditions, and whether the apartment is otherwise livable. In general, New...