Latest posts
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Divorce Basics: No-Fault, Contested, Mediation and Document Preparation
By LegalHelpOnline.org Legal Research & Editorial Team Divorce is the legal process that ends a marriage. In the United States, divorce is handled under state law, not federal law, so the exact steps, forms, and waiting periods depend on where you file. Most cases follow a similar path: one spouse files a petition with the…
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Workplace Rights: Wage Theft, Wrongful Termination and How to File a Complaint
By LegalHelpOnline.org Legal Research & Editorial Team Wage theft means an employer didn’t pay you what federal or state law requires — unpaid overtime, pay below minimum wage, or withheld final wages. Wrongful termination usually means you were fired for an illegal reason, most often discrimination or retaliation. Wage complaints generally go to the U.S.…
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Bankruptcy Basics: Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13, Eligibility and What to Expect
By LegalHelpOnline.org Legal Research & Editorial Team Chapter 7 bankruptcy sells off non-exempt property to pay creditors, usually finishes in a few months, and does not require a repayment plan. Chapter 13 bankruptcy lets you keep your property and pay debts through a court-approved plan over three to five years. Which one fits depends on…
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Understanding Contracts Before Signing: Key Terms, Red Flags and Cancellation Rights
By LegalHelpOnline.org Legal Research & Editorial Team What to Check Before You Sign Any Contract Before you sign a contract, read three things closely: how disputes get resolved, whether the contract renews automatically, and how you can cancel. These three terms cause the most problems for consumers later. Once you sign, you are usually bound…
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Online Scam Legal Remedies: How to Report, Document and Pursue Recovery
By LegalHelpOnline.org Legal Research & Editorial Team Report an Online Scam and Explore Your Recovery Options If you lost money to an online scam, report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) right away, then contact your bank or card company about a possible dispute. Reporting will…
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Identity Theft Legal Steps: Police Reports, FTC Filing, Credit Freezes and Your Rights
By LegalHelpOnline.org Legal Research & Editorial Team What to do first if you’re a victim of identity theft If someone has used your personal information without permission, act in this order: contact the companies where the fraud happened, place a free fraud alert with one credit bureau, file a report at IdentityTheft.gov, then file a…
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Debt Collection Rights: What Collectors Can and Cannot Do Under the FDCPA
By LegalHelpOnline.org Legal Research & Editorial Team What the FDCPA Covers The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that stops debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive tactics. It limits when and how collectors can contact you, what they must tell you about a debt, and what happens if you…
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How to Find Free Legal Aid: Legal Services Corporation, Pro Bono and Community Resources
By LegalHelpOnline.org Legal Research & Editorial Team How to Find Free Legal Aid You can find free legal aid by searching the Legal Services Corporation’s directory of local legal aid offices, visiting LawHelp.org, or contacting your state bar association’s pro bono referral program. Most of these programs serve people with low or moderate incomes, and…
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Tenant Rights Basics: Security Deposits, Habitability and Eviction Process
By LegalHelpOnline.org Legal Research & Editorial Team What Are My Basic Rights as a Renter? Renters generally have the right to a safe and livable home, a fair process before being asked to move out, and a clear accounting of their security deposit. But the exact rules — how much notice a landlord must give,…
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Small Claims Court Explained: Filing Limits, Process and What to Bring
By LegalHelpOnline.org Legal Research & Editorial Team What Small Claims Court Handles and How Much You Can Sue For Small claims court is a simplified civil court where you can sue for money without hiring a lawyer. It typically handles disputes like unpaid debts, security deposit disputes, property damage, and breach of contract, as long…