Practice Aids Archives

Policy Change to Prevent Property Tax Foreclosures: Reducing Tax Burdens, Promoting Racial Equity, and Protecting Older Adults

October 10, 2023

Many states will be re-writing their property tax foreclosure laws in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in Tyler v. Hennepin County. This opens up a window of opportunity to broadly improve property tax systems. One of the most important ways to prevent tax foreclosure is to ensure that low-income and older homeowners have access…

Watch Recording Read More about Policy Change to Prevent Property Tax Foreclosures: Reducing Tax Burdens, Promoting Racial Equity, and Protecting Older Adults

State Digital Justice Advocacy Toolkit

August 16, 2023

The National Consumer Law Center and the United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry produced a new State Digital Justice Advocacy Toolkit that contains resources to help frontline groups that are working to provide broadband and communication assistance to incarcerated people, people with disabilities, low-income households, veterans, aging and rural populations, people facing language barriers,…

Digital Library: 28 Consumer Rights to Request Information, Company Record Retention Requirements

May 8, 2023

A new article sets out 28 obligations of creditors, collectors, and merchants to provide information to consumers upon request or to retain consumer records for several years.

Digital Library: Special Mortgage Topics

May 1, 2023

Tangled title issues and zombie second mortgages are among the biggest housing issues facing consumers today. NCLC has compiled resources for advocates navigating both.

NCLC Publishes 2023 Edition of Surviving Debt: Expert Advice for Getting Out of Financial Trouble

February 1, 2023

The National Consumer Law Center releases the revised 2023 edition of Surviving Debt, which provides precise, practical advice for families and individuals living with debt burdens. BOSTON – The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) has released the new and revised 2023 edition of Surviving Debt, the book recently named “best all-around guide to navigating debt”…

Digital Library: Protecting Awards for Named Plaintiffs; Other Class Action Practice Tips

January 11, 2023

This article provides practical steps to respond to an Eleventh Circuit ruling challenging extra recoveries for class action named plaintiffs—a ruling that could otherwise have serious consequences for the prosecution of consumer class actions. The article also includes other class action practice tips. The article explains how the Supreme Court’s Ramirez ruling should breathe new life into…

Enforcing the CARES Act Credit Reporting Protections

May 4, 2020

The economic harm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will soon translate into pervasive credit reporting harm, as millions of consumers become unable to pay their credit obligations, and creditors, debt collectors, and others furnish negative information about them to the nationwide consumer reporting agencies (CRAs). This NCLC Digital Library article explains how consumers can protect…

New Process to Discharge Student Loans in Bankruptcy

January 19, 2023

This webinar will help legal aid attorneys evaluate their clients’ chances of obtaining an undue hardship discharge and discuss how the new process will work. It is intended for staff at legal services and pro bono programs.

Watch Recording Read More about New Process to Discharge Student Loans in Bankruptcy

Medical Debt Crisis: Impact on Native and Indigenous Families

February 9, 2023

This webinar will look at medical debt in Native and Indigenous communities, the social and political influences causing an increased risk of medical debt, and what groups on the ground are doing to address this issue.

Watch Recording Read More about Medical Debt Crisis: Impact on Native and Indigenous Families

Hospital Price Transparency: Understanding and Using the Data

January 25, 2023

This webinar will provide a practical, how-to session on accessing and using the hospital price transparency data for those working with clients and/or interested in pushing policy solutions around medical debt.

Watch Recording Read More about Hospital Price Transparency: Understanding and Using the Data

Consumer Concerns: Information for Advocates Representing Older Adults

December 17, 2014

Advice for Older Consumers About Credit Cards Credit card debt can cause tremendous financial problems for older adults. Credit card problems are a leading cause of consumer bankruptcy filings. Contrary to popular myth, huge credit card bills are not mostly due to irresponsible overspending. Many consumers resort to credit cards to meet pressing financial needs…

Free Chapter: Homeowner Rights During Natural Disasters

September 30, 2022

Chapter 12 of Mortgage Servicing and Loan Modifications covers common legal issues that arise in the context of natural disasters and is free to all for a limited time.

All