Click on other tabs above for information about legal aid providers and courts in your area. Below is legal information on this sub-topic. You can localize this information by clicking on the"Choose Another Location" link in the right column and selecting the area where you live.
Debt Collection Defense Packet for Pennsylvania
This packet will prepare forms to assist you in defending yourself in a credit card collection case in Pennsylvania.
The forms are appropriate for both Magisterial District Court and the Court of Common Pleas. If you are involved in a case in Magisterial District Court, you will receive a hearing outline with defenses that apply to your case. If you are involved in a case in the Court of Common Pleas, you will prepare an Answer and New Matter outlining your defenses. Instructions for filing and service will be included.
PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form. You will answer questions while connected to the Internet. After you answer all the questions, the program will prepare your completed documents for you.
IMPORTANT: To use this program, you must use Internet Explorer to see the questions and Microsoft Word to print your documents.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Notice of Appeal for Pennsylvania
This packet will prepare a "Notice of Appeal" form (as well as a Civil Cover Sheet) for filing an appeal from the Magisterial District Court to the Court of Common Pleas. Instructions for filing and service will be included.
PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form. You will answer questions while connected to the Internet. After you answer all the questions, the program will prepare your completed documents for you.
IMPORTANT: To use this program, you must use Internet Explorer to see the questions and Microsoft Word to print your documents.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Petition to Waive Court Costs
Click the document title to be linked to LawHelp Interactive where you can prepare a Petition to Waive Court Fees which can be used to ask the Pennsylvania Court for permission to file legal papers for free. This form can be used in most types of court cases in Pennsylvania. Approval to waive fees is not automatic. You will need to ask the Court to approve your Petition. Instructions will be included. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form; you will need to answer questions while connected to the Internet.
IMPORTANT: To use this form, you must use Internet Explorer as your browser and Microsoft Word to print your documents.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
Debt Collection Practices
Information on debt collection practices used against consumers
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Other Formats:
PDF File
Overwhelmed by Debts?
Information for consumers with debt
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Other Formats:
PDF File
Creditor Lawsuits Handbook
This Handbook is for people dealing with creditor lawsuits, including information on such suits and common defenses.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Collection Procedures Under Pennsylvania Law
Information on collection procedures in Pennsylvania.
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
Other Formats:
Separate Website
Debt Collection Remedies for Consumers (Audio-MP3)
Episode of Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" Radio show broadcast on JET 1400 AM in Erie, PA.
6/21/2008 - Vince Brocki, Northwestern Legal Services Resource Developer interviews Andrea Amicangelo, Esq., NWLS Staff Attorney regarding remedies consumers have regarding debt collection efforts, an explanation of secured vs. unsecured debts, how a credit counselor can help, and info on filing bankruptcy. (22:05)
Click on the title above to listen to the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Creditor Harassment and Dealing With Debt Collectors
Informational brochure on creditor harassment and dealing with debt collectors, what they are allowed to do and what they aren't allowed to do.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Repossessions
Information on a creditors' right to reposess your property
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Other Formats:
PDF File
Repossessions
(Separate Website)
Information on your rights related to the repossession of property.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Defending Consumer Rights
(Separate Website)
Information on methods to protect consumer rights.
By: Community Legal Services
Billing Errors
(Separate Website)
Information on your rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Closed End Credit
(Separate Website)
Information on credit agreeements requiring you to repay a predetermined amount, on specific dates, making a specific number of payments.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Credit Practices Rule
(Separate Website)
Information on the Federal Trade Commission rule that applies to lenders and sellers when they sell to consumers on credit.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Replevin
(Separate Website)
Infromation on your rights when someone takes possession of your personal property (not real estate).
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Sheriff Sales
Informational Brochure on the Sheriff Sale process for collecting debts after a sucessful lawsuit.
By: MidPenn Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
Evictions and Wage Attachments
(Separate Website)
Information on when your wages can be attached by a former landlord.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Magisterial District Courts
Information about the procedures in Magisterial District Justice Court
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Other Formats:
PDF File
Magisterial District Judge Court - Filing Suit
This informational packet provides information on how to file a lawsuit in Magiserial District Judge Court.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
How to Sue At the Office of the Magisterial District Judge
How to file suit on small claims in your local Office of the Magisterial District Judge.
By: MidPenn Legal Services
North Penn Legal Services Landlord - Tenant Video Workshop: The District Justice Hearing
This video workshop from North Penn Legal Services features a typical hearing before a magisterial distirct Judge in a landord - tenant case, followed by a panel discussion featuring several judges describing some best practices for you to use at your hearing, as well as some things to avoid. The process in the video is typical of any civil case brought before a magisterial district judge in Pennsylvania.
By: North Penn Legal Services
How to Appeal From Magisterial District Court
This informational booklet from North Penn Legal Services guides you through the process of appealing a judgment from Magisterial District Court
By: North Penn Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
How to Appeal From District Justice Court
Self-Help Booklet which provides information on how to appeal a district justice court decision.
By: MidPenn Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
Bankruptcy
(Separate Website)
Information on bankruptcy procedures and law
By: Community Legal Services
Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations
Know your rights in debt collection
(Separate Website)
This is a transcript of a discussion of this topic by Attorney Whitney Hughes on the May 20, 2008 edition of Legal Briefs on KDKA-TV's Pittsburgh Today Live.
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
Know Your Credit Rights
(Separate Website)
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association
Arbitration and Mediation
(Separate Website)
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association
Bringing Suit Before a Magisterial District Judge
(Separate Website)
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association
Debt Collection Brochures from Widener Law School
This is a collection of brochures on Debt Collection and the Fair Debt Collection Act that were prepared by student at Widener Law School. Authors include Michael Carbone; Jack Graybill II; Owen Hoover; Andrew Jarbola; Halak B. Mehta; Brian Mervine; Kathryn Robinson; Joseph Swartz; Brandon Welde; and Edward H. Wilson III.
By: Widener Law School
Consumer Advisory: Fair Debt Collection Practices
(Separate Website)
July 2004 consumer advisory outlining the protections of Pennsylvania’s Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act.
By: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
Debt Collection
(Separate Website)
Information from a consumer booklet published by the Attorney General of Pennsylvania
By: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers
(Separate Website)
This brochure answers commonly asked questions about your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Your Credit Rights: How the Law Protects You
(Separate Website)
Information brochure on protections offered in the law to consumers using credit.
By: Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Credit and Divorce
(Separate Website)
Facts and information relating to credit and divorce.
By: Federal Trade Commission
High Cost Predatory Home Loans: How to Avoid the Traps
(Separate Website)
Information on how to protect yourself by knowing the warning signs of predatory loan practices.
By: Federal Citizen Information Center
Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)
PALawHELP.org is provided as a public service by the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Legal Services Corporation.
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