Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 142 resources
Page 2 of 3
Debt collection
Your Rights
Prioritizing Debt: Which Bills do I Pay First?
0110EN - General information about which bills you should pay first when you are having trouble paying all of your debts.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Laotian / ພາສາລາວ
,
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
,
Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt
Community Debt and Bankruptcy Issues
(Separate Website)
Community debts are those debts that both you and your spouse are responsible for. This fact sheet defines which types of debts are defined as community debts. (PDF file)
By: Legal Voice
How do I Answer a Lawsuit for Debt Collection
0205EN - This packet helps you represent yourself when you have been served with a lawsuit for debt collection. It should be used with our publication "Debtors' Rights in a Lawsuit".
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
How to Claim Personal Property Exemptions 0220EN - Information and sample forms to be used when claiming that some of your property is exempt (protected) from being taken to pay a debt.
By: Northwest Justice Project
How to Present a Charity Care Defense to a Lawsuit for Hospital Debt Collection 5910EN - This packet is intended to help you when you are being sued for hospital-based medical services which you would not owe if the hospital had correctly determined your eligibility for Charity Care.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
DOCX File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
What to do If Your Check Bounces
0900EN - Provides options on what you can do if you receive an insufficient funds notice from your bank.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Identity Documents for Washington Drivers' Licenses
9350EN - This document explains the law about the type of identification documents that are needed to obtain a driver's license in Washington state.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
How Do I Apply For a Drivers License if I Don't Have a Social Security Number?
9349EN - Proving Residency for a Washington Drivers License/Identification Card
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Occupational/Restricted Driver License
(Separate Website)
Questions and answers about getting and keeping an occupational or restricted driver license.
By: Department of Licensing
Can I Clear My Criminal Record?
(Separate Website)
If you have been charged with criminal violations in the past, the record of those charges may affect your ability to get work, housing, public benefits, financial aid for education, to drive or to enjoy other rights or privileges, such as voting. This memo will help you understand what rights and options you have and what procedures you must use to clear or limit access to your criminal record by others.
By: Legal Voice
What to Do About A License Suspension Notice From Child Support Enforcement
3809EN - The Division of Child Support (DCS) may suspend licenses of parents who are behind in their child support payments. The law allows DCS to suspend any license issued by the State of Washington, including drivers' licenses, hunting licenses, fishing licenses, professional licenses and contractor or occupational licenses. This publication explains your rights and obligations under the law.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Citizens Utility Alliance Web Site
(Separate Website)
The Citizens' Utility Alliance mission is to organize educate and advocate for residential natural gas electric water and telecommunications customers.
By: Citizens Utility Alliance of Washington
Filing a Complaint with the Utilities and Transportation Committee
(Separate Website)
If you have a dispute with your utility company, you should first try to resolve it with the company. Many disputes can be resolved by asking for a supervisor. If you are unable to resolve the issue, this web site has an online complaint form if you decide to file a complaint regarding your utility service.
By: Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
Public Utilities
General information about your rights when dealing with public utilities.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Smart Consumer Guide: Public Utility Service
(Separate Website)
Describes consumer rights relating to telephone, natural gas, electricity and water services.
By: Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
Energy Assistance - Bill Pay Help
(Separate Website)
If you're facing unmanageable energy bills, here are links to some options that will help keep your service turned on.
By: Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program
(Separate Website)
If you are in need of help to pay your home energy bill, you may qualify for emergency assistance.
By: LIHEAP Washington State
Washington Telephone Assistance Program (WTAP)
WTAP is a benefit program that provides discounts on telephone fees for eligible households.
By: Columbia Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
Free Mobile Phone: How to Qualify for the Lifeline Program
(Separate Website)
Receive a FREE Virgin Mobile phone and 250 monthly minutes from Assurance Wireless. Assurance Wireless is an eligible telecommunications carrier for the Lifeline phone program that provides free wireless phones and service to income-eligible consumers in certain US states.
By: Assurance Wireless
Explore Loan Workout Solutions with Your Lender
(Separate Website)
First and foremost, if you can keep your mortgage current, do so. But if you find you are unable to make your mortgage payments, you might qualify for a loan workout option. Check with your lender to see which option may be available. Some options may not apply to your loan if it is not insured by FHA.
By: U.S. Department of Housing
Facing Foreclosure? A note to homeowners
(Separate Website)
Facing foreclosure? Scammers are targeting people having trouble paying their mortgages. Some claim to be able to "rescue" homeowners from foreclosures, while others promise loan modifications - for a fee. The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, wants you to know how to avoid scams that could make your housing situation go from bad to worse.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Foreclosure / Forfeiture 6210EN - If you fall behind in your monthly house payments, the seller or lender may try to take your house back. This is generally called foreclosure. If your house is foreclosed, you may lose not only your house, but also all the money you've invested in it.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Foreclosure When You Have a Deed of Trust 6211EN - If your house is in foreclosure, your best chance to keep your home is to act quickly and with the help of a housing counselor or an attorney. Both a housing counselor and an attorney can help you evaluate options that may be available to help save your home from foreclosure.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Guide to Avoiding Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
Whether you're in foreclosure now or worried
about it in the future, this information can help.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Mortgage payments, foreclosure rescue scams, reverse mortgages, mortgage servicing
(Separate Website)
If you're having trouble making your payments, this article talks about what you should and things to avoid.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
If you are having trouble keeping up with your mortgage payments or you have received a notice from your lender asking you to contact them, here are some tips to help get you back on track.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
I am a Tenant Living in a Foreclosed Property. What are my Rights?
6122EN - If you rent your home, and your home was sold at a foreclosure sale, federal law requires the new owner to notify you at least 90 days before evicting you. You must still honor the obligations of your lease or rental agreement during this time period.
By: Columbia Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
(Separate Website)
Description of Chapter 13 bankruptcy advantages, eligibility and how it works.
By: U.S. Courts - Federal Judiciary
HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
(Separate Website)
Listing of HUD approved counseling agencies for Washington State. These agencies can provide counseling on foreclosures and other housing issues.
By: U.S. Department of Housing
Information for Military Personnel Regarding Mortgage Relief and Foreclosure Protection
(Separate Website)
Information about payment relief and protection from foreclosure provided by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (formerly known as The Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940)
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
A Homeowner's Guide to Foreclosure Mediation 6212EN - A new Washington law gives homeowners in foreclosure the right to request mediation.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
A Homeowner's Guide to Short Sales Homeowners who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth may consider a short sale as a means to sell their home and/or avoid foreclosure.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Korean / 한국어
,
Spanish / Español
The Foreclosure Fairness Act: A New Tool to Assist Distressed Homeowners Article regarding the Act outlining key provisions.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Video - Foreclosure Mediation in Washington State
(Separate Website)
Basic Introduction to Washington's New Mediation Process for Homeowners Facing Foreclosure
Current as of December 2011.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Video - Good Faith Foreclosure Mediation (& Not-So-Good)
(Separate Website)
An introduction to the "good faith" requirement in foreclosure mediation in Washington state with a dramatization of "A Very Good Faith Mediation."
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Washington Foreclosure Prevention Resource Guide
(Separate Website)
The Washington Foreclosure Prevention Resource Guide is designed to provide practical tools, information and resources to help homeowners dealing with foreclosure issues.
By: Seattle-King County Asset Building Collaberative
Borrower Beware: The High Cost of Small Loans, Pawn Brokers and Rent-to-Own Stores
(Separate Website)
Sometimes you may need to borrow a few hundred dollars because of an unexpected medical bill, broken appliance, or to buy a used car to obtain keep ajob. While the amount of cash you may need is small, the amount of interest you will repay may be large.
By: National Consumer Law Center
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Don't Borrow Trouble: Helping People to Avoid Predatory Lending Practices
(Separate Website)
We’ve all seen the aggressive marketing campaigns for refinance and home equity loans. They may seem tempting but they may not be the best financing alternative – they could even risk a family’s financial health, a home’s equity and the stability of a neighborhood. Knowledge is protection – learning about refinancing and the mortgage process puts the power to protect both home and family in the homeowner's hands.
By: Freddie Mac's Web Site
A Homeowner's Guide to Short Sales Homeowners who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth may consider a short sale as a means to sell their home and/or avoid foreclosure.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Korean / 한국어
,
Spanish / Español
Foreclosure / Forfeiture 6210EN - If you fall behind in your monthly house payments, the seller or lender may try to take your house back. This is generally called foreclosure. If your house is foreclosed, you may lose not only your house, but also all the money you've invested in it.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Foreclosure When You Have a Deed of Trust 6211EN - If your house is in foreclosure, your best chance to keep your home is to act quickly and with the help of a housing counselor or an attorney. Both a housing counselor and an attorney can help you evaluate options that may be available to help save your home from foreclosure.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Home Equity Loans: Borrower Beware!
(Separate Website)
Do you own your home? If so, it's likely to be your greatest single asset. Unfortunately, if you agree to a loan that's based on the equity you have in your home, you may be putting your most valuable asset at risk.
Purchasing a Used Mobile Home in Grant or Adams County This brochure will educate you about important information to consider before buying a used mobile home within Grant and Adams counties.
By: Columbia Legal Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Contractor Information
(Separate Website)
Information about hiring a contractor, reporting unregistered contractors and contractor forms.
By: Department L & I
Don't Be a Victim of Loan Fraud - Protect Yourself From Predatory Lendors
(Separate Website)
Information you should know before you purchase or refinance a home loan. Link to PDF file.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
High-Cost Home Loans: Don't Be a Target
(Separate Website)
You may be a target for abusive lenders trying to sell you a loan you can't afford. This brochure has helpful information on how to avoid high cost loans.
By: National Consumer Law Center
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
,
Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt
Know Your Rights Before Purchasing a Manufactured Home
Many times the buyers do not understand all of the terms, often relying on verbal statements that are not in writing. Inform yourself well before buying!
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Mortgage payments, foreclosure rescue scams, reverse mortgages, mortgage servicing
(Separate Website)
If you're having trouble making your payments, this article talks about what you should and things to avoid.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Predatory Lending
(Separate Website)
Predatory loans harm borrowers by making it difficult or impossible for them to keep up with payments. Borrowers may pay unnecessary fees and excessive interest charges. If they miss their payments, they risk losing their home. Borrowers who do not meet minimum credit standards usually do pay higher interest rates, but no one should be a victim of price gouging and outrageous fees.
By: Seattle / King County Coalition for Responsible Lending
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.)
Washington LawHelp is provided as a public service by the Northwest Justice Project in collaboration with other legal aid providers in the Alliance for Equal Justice and Washington courts.
Home Page
PDF File
Choose Another Location
Amharic / Amharic
