Credit, Debt & Money Issues: A legal process to protect a person or business who cannot pay their debts, and ensure that creditors are treated fairly.
LA Law Library Resources:
Lawyers in the Library: This program provides free 20-30 minute consultations with volunteer lawyers for people who have legal problems to discuss but do not have a lawyer representing them. Consultations may be either in person or by telephone depending on the patron’s preference and the availability of lawyers with expertise on the requested topic.
Live Classes: Learn the basics of common areas of law, and how to take the next step.
In Person:
Zoom:
- Dealing with Personal Debt: Where You Begin
- Friday, April 17, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
- Friday, October 02, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
- On Solid Ground: Setting Goals to Maximize Income
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- Tuesday, April 22, 2025: 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
On Demand Videos: Access to recordings of some of our most popular classes.
- Dealing with Debt: Where You Begin
- Federal Student Loans: Repayment and Cancellation Options
- Your Federal Tax Debt & Credits
- Counseling on Debt & Bankruptcy
- Facing Charges? Release and Bail Reduction Services
- ¿Enfrentado cargos? Servicios de liberación y reducción de fianzas
- Know Your Rights About Medical Bills
- Get Ahead with California Public Benefits
External Resources:
Bankruptcy - A legal process to protect a person or business who cannot pay their debts, and ensure that creditors are treated fairly.
- Bankruptcy Basics, US Courts
- A guide to bankruptcy, California Courts Self-Help Guide
- U.S. Code: Title 11, Legal Information Institute
- United States Bankruptcy Court: Central District of California
- Bankruptcy Basics, Upsolve
- Bankruptcy & Debtor Assistance, Public Counsel
- Don’t Have an Attorney, United States Bankruptcy Court: Central District of California
- Financial Empowerment Services, Los Angeles County Consumer & Business Affairs
Credit & Debt - Money that is owed such as credit card bills, loan payments, etc., and the rights of the person who owes the money (debtor) and the person to whom it is owed (creditor).
General Resources:
- Credit and Debt, Federal Trade Commission
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Debts, Upsolve
- MoneySmart, FDIC
- Money, Credit, and Debt, State California Department of State
Debtor Resources:
- Debt Collection, FDIC
- Debt Collection, Foreclosure & Fraud, Public Counsel
- Debt Collection, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Debt Collections: What consumers need to know, Department of Financial Protection & Innovation
- Debt Collectors, State of California Department of Justice
- Fake and Abusive Debt Collectors, Federal Trade Commission
Creditor Resources:
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Federal Trade Commission
- Business Guidance, Federal Trade Commission
- Debt Collection Requirements (FDCPA), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Debt Collection Rule FAQs, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Creditors, United States Bankruptcy Court: Central District of California
- Enforcement of Judgments: General Principles and Constitutional Issues, National Consumer Law Center Digital Library
Credit & Credit Card Resources:
- Credit Cards, FDIC
- Credit Cards, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Credit reports and scores, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Credit Card Disputes, Los Angeles County Consumer & Business Affairs
- Consumer Financial Education: Credit and Credit Reports, CA Department of Financial Protection & Innovation
- Your Credit, Los Angeles County Consumer & Business Affairs
Auto Loan Payments - Payments relating to the purchase of an automobile or other vehicle.
- Auto Loans, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Auto Loan Calculator
- Take control of your auto loan: A step-by-step guide, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Your Car, Los Angeles County Consumer & Business Affairs
- Car Buyer’s Bill of Rights, CA Department of Motor Vehicles
Student Loans - Money borrowed by students to pay for or support their education.
- Student Loans, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Student Loan Issues, LAFLA
- Student Loan & Borrower Resources, Department of Financial Protection & Innovation
- Student Loan Empowerment Network
- Student Loan Forgiveness, FAFSA
- Student Loan Relief Options, NELNET
- Understanding Student Loan Repayment, FAFSA
Tax Filings / Tax Breaks - A benefit the government offers that reduces you total tax liability.
- Credits and Dedications, IRS
- Credits and deductions for individuals, IRS
- Credits and deductions for businesses, IRS
- File your taxes for free, IRS
- IRS Tax Tips
- State of California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board
- Work Opportunity Tax Credit, CA Employment Development Department
- Credits, Taxpayer Advocate Service
- Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITC), Taxpayer Advocate Service
