Chloe Meltzer is an experienced content writer specializing in legal content creation. She holds a degree in English Literature from Arizona State University, complemented by a Master’s in Marketing from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
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Summary: Not sure what to do about all your debt? Get free legal aid in Marion, Ohio.
If you are suffering from debt, there there is a way to get free legal aid in Marion, Ohio. The best step to take is to negotiate with your creditors. This can be a wonderful way to reduce how much you owe, lower your interest, or change the time period in which you have to pay off your debt.
Although these options exist, it can be difficult to know where to find free or low-cost assistance. Here we will help you learn where to find free or low-cost legal aid in Marion, Ohio, as well as learn to handle creditors.
Legal aid programs and clinics are typically offered by volunteer lawyers. They offer assistance to those who are considered low-income. Typically if you meet specific criteria, then you may be offered services for free. Services you might find in legal aid programs and clinics include:
Attorney representation
Advice on how to negotiate settlements
Helping to create a debt repayment plan
Workshops, helplines, or online help
Legal aid programs
Low-cost consumer credit counseling
One thing you might learn from a free legal aid program is that you might end up having tax consequences due to settled debts. If you settle a debt with a creditor for less than the full amount, or your debt is written off, then you may need to pay income taxes on that amount. Because tax laws are complicated, this may not be 100% necessary, but you should speak with a tax attorney to understand if you are responsible or not.
Consumer credit counseling agencies are not the same as debt settlement companies. Instead, they are nonprofit organizations that can help manage debts like credit card debt or medical debt.
These counselors can help you to go over your current financial situation, and help you come up with a budget for your finances. They can also help you come up with a debt management plan to properly manage your debts. In many cases, these organizations charge a fee, but you can find a free or low-cost agency.
How debt management plans work
Debt management plans are a method of paying off outstanding debt by making one small payment to a credit counseling agency. This agency will then distribute your payment to the creditors that you owe. Credit counselors typically will not negotiate a reduction in the amounts you owe but will help to lower your overall payment through negotiations.
Typically these negotiations are to:
Increase the period of repayment
Waive fees
Reduce interest rates
How to find a legitimate credit counseling agency
To find a legitimate credit counseling organization, you need to ensure the company is accredited. This means they have accreditation from either the Council on Accreditation (COA) or the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). You can also use a Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) agency. They are a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and are accredited by the COA.
If you are unsure of whether or not the counselors are working for a certified agency, then you can ask for proof. In some cases, an agency might also be certified by an independent agency. This means that they have gone through a certification exam that tests for specific areas. Specifically, this might include counseling, budgeting, credit, and consumer law, debt management, or bankruptcy.
What to do if you're looking for free legal aid in Marion, Ohio
If you are working with a free legal aid program, it is only because you qualify based on your income or debt status. Otherwise, there are good and low-cost consumer credit counseling options. Be sure to avoid certain credit counseling companies with bad reviews or no reviews at all. If they are not accredited, it could be a scam.
If you cannot find a good agency or if you do not qualify for a free program, remember, you can also work directly with your creditors on your own for free. In some situations, you may feel more comfortable with an attorney negotiating with your creditors on your behalf. In this case, it will be difficult to find a free attorney.
In the worst-case scenario, if you have a lot of debts you can't pay, then you can file bankruptcy. This should only be if you have no other option. There are often free bankruptcy lawyers available for those in low-income situations.
What is SoloSuit?
SoloSuit makes it easy to respond to a debt collection lawsuit.
How it works: SoloSuit is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your answer. Upon completion, you can either print the completed forms and mail in the hard copies to the courts or you can pay SoloSuit to file it for you and to have an attorney review the document.
Some creditors, banks, and lenders have an internal collections department. If they come after you for a debt, Solosuit can still help you respond and resolve the debt. Here’s a list of guides on how to resolve debt with different creditors.
If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.
Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.
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Debt settlement is one of the most effective ways to resolve a debt and save money. We’ve created a guide on how to settle your debt in all 50 states. Find out how to settle in your state with a simple click and explore other debt settlement resources below.
Not sure how to negotiate a debt settlement with a debt collector? We are creating guides to help you know how to start the settlement conversation and increase your chances of coming to an agreement with every debt collector.
We give a factual review of the following debt consolidation, debt settlement, and loan organizations and companies to help you make an informed decision before you take on a debt.
You can represent yourself in court. Save yourself the time and cost of finding an attorney, and use the following resources to understand legal definitions better and how they may apply to your case.
And 50% of our customers' cases have been dismissed in the past.
"Finding yourself on the wrong side of the law unexpectedly is kinda scary. I started researching on YouTube and found SoloSuit's channel. The videos were so helpful, easy to understand and encouraging. When I reached out to SoloSuit they were on it. Very professional, impeccably prompt. Thanks for the service!" - Heather