Bankruptcy Basics
General facts about D.C. bankruptcy laws, including information about deciding whether to file, how to file and alternatives to bankruptcy.
By: DC Bar Pro Bono Program
What Do I Need to Know About the New Bankruptcy Law?
Frequently Asked Questions About the New Bankruptcy Law
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
Abusive Financial Practices
(Separate Website)
Information about a number of abusive practices, including tax refund loans and rent-to-own contracts.
By: Center for Responsible Lending
Avoiding Predatory Lenders
(Separate Website)
Comprehensive information about predatory loans, including signs of predatory lending.
By: Center for Responsible Lending
Consumer Complaint Form
(Separate Website)
An online form to submit a consumer complaint to the D.C. Office of the Attorney General. The Office of the Attorney General does not represent individual consumers; however, the information you submit will help them determine whether there is a pattern or practice by a business that warrants investigation or possible legal action.
By: D.C. Office of the Attorney General
Credit - Federal Trade Commission Fact Sheets
(Separate Website)
Links to numerous fact sheets, including information on credit cards, credit disputes and common scams.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Credit Reports
(Separate Website)
Information about credit reports -- what they're used for, how to correct mistakes, and how to get free reports.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Frequently Asked Questions About Student Loans
Information about how to obtain student loans, repayment requirements, and what do do if you cannot repay your loans.
By: Career College Association
Glossary of Loan Terms
Definitions of terms used in the context of loans and lending.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
How to File A Consumer Complaint
(Separate Website)
How to file a consumer complaint in DC.
By: DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
In Debt?
(Separate Website)
Information about fair debt collection practices, fair credit reporting, credit repair, and how to avoid scams that target people in debt.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Information About Credit Counseling and Courses for Debtors
(Separate Website)
Information about how to choose a trustworthy credit counseling program.
By: United States Trustee Program
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Information about Debt Collection Practices
If you use credit cards, owe money on a personal loan, or are paying on a home mortgage, you are a "debtor." If you fall behind in repaying your creditors, or an error is made on your accounts, you may be contacted by a "debt collector."
Many people are unable to pay their debts on time, and debt is not always within your control. A federal law, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, requires that debt collectors treat you fairly, and doesn't allow certain kinds of debt collection. Of course, the law does not erase any legitimate debt you owe. In addition to the federal law, D.C. has its own debt collection law, D.C. Code §28-3814.
By: Antitrust and Consumer Law Section in Cooperation with the Office of Attorney General of the District of Columbia
Information on Mortgage and Home Equity Loans from the Federal Trade Commission
(Separate Website)
This web site contains documents relating to: (1) home equity loans, home equity credit lines and common home equity scams, (2) high rate, high fee mortgages, (3) reverse mortgages, and (4) mortgage discrimination. You may view the documents on-line and print them out or print them in PDF format.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Managing Medical Debt Tips and suggestions for handling medical bills and what to do if you have difficulty paying them.
By: Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia - NW Office
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Payday Lending
(Separate Website)
A comprehesive reosurce on the practice of payday lending, including links to frequently asked questions and a list of nine signs of a predatory payday loan.
By: Center for Responsible Lending
Protecting Your Disability Benefits from Creditors
Brief information on obtaining benefits and step-by-step information on how to protect your benefits from creditors.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
Reverse Mortgages
(Separate Website)
A reverse mortgage is a loan against your home that you do not have to pay back for as long as you live in your home. With a reverse mortgage, you can turn the value of your home into cash and not have to make monthly repayments. The total loan must be paid back when the last surviving borrower dies, sells the home, or permanently moves away.
Reverse mortgages are quite a bit different from other types of debt. These loans can be complicated, and you have a lot at stake. So be sure to investigate reverse mortgages carefully before deciding if one makes sense for you.
By: AARP Legal Services Network
Student Aid Information
(Separate Website)
General information about repayment, payment relief, disputes and other frequently asked questions, including a scam alert. For telephone help, call 1-877-557-2575.
By: Federal Student Aid Ombudsman
Wage Garnishment
(Separate Website)
A link to DC's law about garnishment, including the limits on how much can be taken out of your paycheck.
By: DC Department of Employment Services
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LawHelp.org/DC is a project of the D.C. Consortium of Legal Service Providers with financial support provided by the D.C. Bar Foundation and the Legal Services Corporation.
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