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.
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
Your Right to Cancel Certain Contracts
Information on rights relating to consumer contracts
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Other Formats:
PDF File
Sales Transactions in Your Home
(Separate Website)
Information on your rights relating to sales made in your home.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Home Improvements
Informational brochure providing information when deciding whether to make home repairs.
By: MidPenn Legal Services
Predatory Lending
(Separate Website)
Information on types of predatory lending and how to protect yourself from them.
By: Community Legal Services
Predatory Mortgage Lending
(Separate Website)
Information on predatory home equity loans and what to be aware of when borrowing money.
By: Community Legal Services
Payday Loans
(Separate Website)
Answers to frequently asked questions about Payday Loans.
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.
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
Have You Bought a Lemon? New Car Buyer's Rights
Informational Brochure outlining the consumer's rights when buying or leasing a car.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Protect Yourself From Con Artists
Informational brochure regarding how to protect yourself from con artists and things to be aware of.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
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
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
Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations
Bringing Suit Before a Magisterial District Judge
(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
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
Don't Be A Victim Of Loan Fraud - Protect Yourself from Predatory Lenders
(Separate Website)
Informational brochure on loan fraud and the danger of predatory lendors.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Your Rights and the Responsibilities of the Mortgage Servicer
(Separate Website)
Information for home buyers concerning your rights and the responsibility of your loan servicer.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Land Sale Complaints
(Separate Website)
Information for consumers regarding fraud and abuse when buying or leasing land from developers.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Reverse Mortgages for Seniors
(Separate Website)
Information about Reverse Mortgages, what they are, how they can give older Americans greater financial security, and also information on being aware of scam artists.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Consumer Action Handbook
(Separate Website)
The General Services Administration (GSA) updates and publishes this valuable resource every year. In this handbook, the GSA?s Office of Citizen Services brings you the latest information on your consumer rights and responsibilities.
By: U.S. General Services Adminiatration
Is Your Manufactured Home Up to Standards?
(Separate Website)
Information for consumers and steps you can take if you are having problems with your manufactured home.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Consumer Information
(Separate Website)
This section of the FTC website offers practical information on a variety of consumer topics. The information here can help you avoid rip-offs and exercise your consumer rights.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Financial Literacy: Earning a Lifetime of Dividends
(Separate Website)
Information from a consumer booklet published by the Attorney General of Pennsylvania.
By: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
Health Club Registration Requirements
(Separate Website)
Information from a consumer handbook published by the Attorney General of Pennsylvania.
By: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
Credit and Charge Cards: What Consumers Should Know about the Cost and Terms of Credit
(Separate Website)
Informaton brochure on credit and charge cards.
By: Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
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.