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.
Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations
Personal Bankruptcy
(Separate Website)
Information on bankruptcy for individuals and families.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Frequently Asked Questions - Bankruptcy
(Separate Website)
Answers to common questions on bankruptcy.
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
When should I file for bankruptcy?
(Separate Website)
Bankruptcy information from the Allegheny County Bar Association
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
If I file for bankruptcy, do I get to keep any possessions?
(Separate Website)
Bankruptcy information from the Allegheny County Bar Association
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
Business Entity Bankruptcy
(Separate Website)
General information about bankrutcy issues for a buisness entity.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Advantage Credit Counseling/Consumer Credit Counseling (Erie County)
(Separate Website)
Information on free credit counseling services in Erie County.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Bankruptcy Basics
(Separate Website)
This pamphlet provides basic information on different aspects of the federal bankruptcy laws. It also provides a basic explanation of the different chapters under which a bankruptcy case may be filed and answers some of the most commonly asked questions about the bankruptcy process.
On April 20, 2005, President Bush signed into law the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 ("BAPCPA"). BAPCPA made substantial changes to the Bankruptcy Code. Significant revisions to this online version of Bankruptcy Basics have been made to account for BAPCPA's changes to the Code. October 2005, Third Edition.
By: U.S. Courts, the Federal Judiciary
Bankruptcy Basics (Video)
(Separate Website)
Nine-part video presentation from the U.S. Courts providing an overview of the basic bankruptcy process. Developed from the Federal Judiciary publication "Bankruptcy Basics."
By: U.S. Courts, the Federal Judiciary
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
The Discharge in Bankruptcy
(Separate Website)
This information from "Bankruptcy Basics" attempts to answer some basic questions about the discharge available to individual debtors.
By: U.S. Courts, the Federal Judiciary
Approved Credit Counseling Agencies in Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
From U.S. Trustee Program. Credit counseling agencies listed on this Web page are nonprofit budget and credit counseling agencies approved to provide counseling that individuals must take before they are eligible to file for bankruptcy protection, 11 U.S.C. § 109(h).
Many of the approved agencies listed on this Web site may also provide other counseling services to assist individuals not considering bankruptcy. The United States Trustee Program has not reviewed nor approved the content of these other services.
By: U.S. Trustee Program
Approved Credit Counseling Agencies - Full Listing (All States and Territories)
(Separate Website)
From the U.S. Trustee Program. Credit counseling agencies listed on this Web page are nonprofit budget and credit counseling agencies approved to provide counseling that individuals must take before they are eligible to file for bankruptcy protection, 11 U.S.C. § 109(h).
Many of the approved agencies listed on this Web site may also provide other counseling services to assist individuals not considering bankruptcy. The United States Trustee Program has not reviewed nor approved the content of these other services.
This listing also includes credit counseling agencies that provide counseling services in languages other than English.
By: U.S. Trustee Program
Filing for Bankruptcy Without an Attorney
(Separate Website)
Information from the federal judiciary for individual sho are thinking about filing for bankruptcy without the assistance of an attorney.
By: U.S. Courts, the Federal Judiciary
Bankruptcy Resources
(Separate Website)
Listing of Bankrupcy Resources from the U.S. Courts website including information on, filing fees; forms; Credit Counseling Agencies and Debtor Education Providers; trustees; taxes; and more.
By: U.S. Courts, the Federal Judiciary
ConsumerBankruptcyCounseling.info
(Separate Website)
Under federal law, you are required to obtain credit counseling from a qualified non-profit agency before filing for bankruptcy. This website will allow you to complete the counseling requirement online, and receive your certificate of counseling at no charge.
By: Tides Center
Online Applications, Benefit Screening, Resources and Forms
FTC Consumer Complaint Form
(Separate Website)
Use this form to submit a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection about a particular company or organization. While the FTC does not resolve individual consumer problems, your complaint helps them to investigate fraud, and can lead to law enforcement action.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission - Informal Complaints
(Separate Website)
Information to assist consumers in resolving complaints with utility companies under the PUC’s authority.
Informal Complaint (Online Form)
PDF By: Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
Public Utility Commission - Formal Complaint Process [PDF]
(Separate Website)
Information regarding the formal complaint process. Also see procedures for informal complaint and inquiries.
By: Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
File a Complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center
(Separate Website)
The IC3 is co-sponsored by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). Complaints filed via this website are processed and may be referred to federal, state, local or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for possible investigation.
By: Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
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
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
Predatory Lending
(Separate Website)
Information on types of predatory lending and how to protect yourself from them.
By: Community Legal Services
Payday Loans
(Separate Website)
Answers to frequently asked questions about Payday Loans.
By: Community Legal Services
Refund Anticipation Loans & Pay Stub Loans
(Separate Website)
Information on loans obtained in anticipation of a tax refund.
By: Community Legal Services
Pennsylvania Consumer Safety Issues (Audio-MP3)
Episode of Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" Radio show broadcast on JET 1400 AM in Erie, PA. 7/26/07- Consumer legal issues in Pennsylvania such as cyber safety, identity theft, and the do-not-call list. (27:32)
Host: Robert Oakley, NWLS Director Guest: Tom Corbett, PA Attorney General.
Click on the title above to listen to the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Consumer Protection Programs in PA (Video)
Three-part excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
NWLS interviews PA Attorney General Tom Corbett concerning consumer protection programs offered by the PA Attorney General's office, especially those that help vulnerable and/or low-income Pennsylvanians. (4-16-08)
Part 1 - Information on the Attorney General's Health Care Unit (12:55)
Part 2 - Information on the Attorney General's Elder Law Unit (8:33)
Part 3 - Information on Investigating Unfair Commercial and Trade Practices (6:51)
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Pennsylvania Consumer Safety Issues (Video)
Four-part excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General provides information on a variety of consumer-related issues and scams. July 2007.
Host: Robert Oakley, Esq., NWLS Director
Guest: Tom Corbett, Attorney General of Pennyslvania
Part 1 - History and Structure of the PA Office of Attorney General (8:27)
Part 2 - Cyber Safety and Consumer Protection Information (8:11)
Part 3 - Identity Theft, Free Credit Reports, Phishing and Pharming (6:56)
Part 4 - Do-Not-Call List and How to Re-Register (5:28)
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Scams Targeting Seniors Senior Citizens in Pennsylvania (Video)
Three-part excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA. June 28, 2007
Host: Robert Oakley, Esq., NWLS Director Guests: Linda J. Williams, Esq., Chief Deputy Attorney General of PA and John Tokarczyk, Senior Supervisory Agent, PA Bureau of Consumer Protection
Part 1 - Help is available, overview of typical scams, filing consumer complaints, problems relating to credit. (8:26)
Part 2 - Identifying door to door scams, what to do if you suspect a scam, be leary of internet scams and an overview of some internet scams underway. (7:01)
Part 3 - Scams relating to door-to-door contractors, how to protect yourself, what is the Better Business Bureau and how it can help, problems with identify theft and how it may affect you. (12:30)
Click on title to view video.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Mail Order and Telephone Order Sales
(Separate Website)
Information on your rights in mail order and telephone order sales.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
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 Improvement Finance Act
(Separate Website)
Information on the when the Home Improvement Finance Act applies to contracts and your rights under the Act.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Billing Errors
(Separate Website)
Information on your rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Money! Money! Money! (Video)
Consumer Law Tips for Survivors of Domestic Violence.
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
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
Earned Income Tax Credit, Tax Year 2007 (Video)
Three-part excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
Diana Smith, Senior Tax Specialist, Internal Revenue Service, provides information about Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for the tax year 2007. This tax program provides cash refunds to many low-income employed people regardless of whether any tax is owed. December 13, 2007.
Part 1 - Requirements of Filing for EITC- information on qualifying children; adjusted income limitations; and qualifying without children.(8:30)
Part 2 - Other Criteria Concerning EITC - citizenship requirements; and common errors when filing.(5:42)
Part 3 - Getting Free Help - via IRS Website; using the EITC Assistant; Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (VITA) Sites and using ICAN E-file; and Avoiding Refund Anticipate Loans (RALS). (11:29)
Click on title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
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.
Home
Referral Search
(Separate Website)
Choose Another Location
Arabic / العربية
