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.
Debt Collection Defense Packet for Pennsylvania
This packet will prepare forms to assist you in defending yourself in a credit card collection case in Pennsylvania.
The forms are appropriate for both Magisterial District Court and the Court of Common Pleas. If you are involved in a case in Magisterial District Court, you will receive a hearing outline with defenses that apply to your case. If you are involved in a case in the Court of Common Pleas, you will prepare an Answer and New Matter outlining your defenses. Instructions for filing and service will be included.
PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form. You will answer questions while connected to the Internet. After you answer all the questions, the program will prepare your completed documents for you.
IMPORTANT: To use this program, you must use Internet Explorer to see the questions and Microsoft Word to print your documents.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Notice of Appeal for Pennsylvania
This packet will prepare a "Notice of Appeal" form (as well as a Civil Cover Sheet) for filing an appeal from the Magisterial District Court to the Court of Common Pleas. Instructions for filing and service will be included.
PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form. You will answer questions while connected to the Internet. After you answer all the questions, the program will prepare your completed documents for you.
IMPORTANT: To use this program, you must use Internet Explorer to see the questions and Microsoft Word to print your documents.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Petition to Waive Court Costs
Click the document title to be linked to LawHelp Interactive where you can prepare a Petition to Waive Court Fees which can be used to ask the Pennsylvania Court for permission to file legal papers for free. This form can be used in most types of court cases in Pennsylvania. Approval to waive fees is not automatic. You will need to ask the Court to approve your Petition. Instructions will be included. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form; you will need to answer questions while connected to the Internet.
IMPORTANT: To use this form, you must use Internet Explorer as your browser and Microsoft Word to print your documents.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
Debt Collection Practices
Information on debt collection practices used against consumers
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Other Formats:
PDF File
Overwhelmed by Debts?
Information for consumers with debt
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Other Formats:
PDF File
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
Collection Procedures Under Pennsylvania Law
(Separate Website)
Informational Brochure
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
Collection Procedures Under Pennsylvania Law
Information on collection procedures in Pennsylvania.
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
Other Formats:
Separate Website
Debt Collection Remedies for Consumers (Audio-MP3)
Episode of Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" Radio show broadcast on JET 1400 AM in Erie, PA.
6/21/2008 - Vince Brocki, Northwestern Legal Services Resource Developer interviews Andrea Amicangelo, Esq., NWLS Staff Attorney regarding remedies consumers have regarding debt collection efforts, an explanation of secured vs. unsecured debts, how a credit counselor can help, and info on filing bankruptcy. (22:05)
Click on the title above to listen to the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Do You Have to Put Up With Harassment from Bill Collectors? NO!
(Separate Website)
Informational Brochure
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
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
Repossessions
Information on a creditors' right to reposess your property
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Other Formats:
PDF File
Repossessions
(Separate Website)
Information on your rights related to the repossession of property.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Defending Consumer Rights
(Separate Website)
Information on methods to protect consumer rights.
By: Community Legal Services
Billing Errors
(Separate Website)
Information on your rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Closed End Credit
(Separate Website)
Information on credit agreeements requiring you to repay a predetermined amount, on specific dates, making a specific number of payments.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Credit Practices Rule
(Separate Website)
Information on the Federal Trade Commission rule that applies to lenders and sellers when they sell to consumers on credit.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Replevin
(Separate Website)
Infromation on your rights when someone takes possession of your personal property (not real estate).
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Sheriff Sales
Informational Brochure on the Sheriff Sale process for collecting debts after a sucessful lawsuit.
By: MidPenn Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
Evictions and Wage Attachments
(Separate Website)
Information on when your wages can be attached by a former landlord.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Defending an Action at the District Justice Office
Informational brochure which outlines the procedure in defending an action at district justice court in central Pennsylvania.
By: MidPenn Legal Services
Magisterial District Courts
Information about the procedures in Magisterial District Justice Court
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Other Formats:
PDF File
Magisterial District Judge Court - Filing Suit
This informational packet provides information on how to file a lawsuit in Magiserial District Judge Court.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
How to Sue At the Office of the Magisterial District Judge
How to file suit on small claims in your local Office of the Magisterial District Judge.
By: MidPenn Legal Services
North Penn Legal Services Landlord - Tenant Video Workshop: The District Justice Hearing
This video workshop from North Penn Legal Services features a typical hearing before a magisterial distirct Judge in a landord - tenant case, followed by a panel discussion featuring several judges describing some best practices for you to use at your hearing, as well as some things to avoid. The process in the video is typical of any civil case brought before a magisterial district judge in Pennsylvania.
By: North Penn Legal Services
How to Appeal From Magisterial District Court
This informational booklet from North Penn Legal Services guides you through the process of appealing a judgment from Magisterial District Court
By: North Penn Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
How to Appeal From District Justice Court
Self-Help Booklet which provides information on how to appeal a district justice court decision.
By: MidPenn Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
Bankruptcy
(Separate Website)
Information on bankruptcy procedures and law
By: Community Legal Services
Philadelphia Real Estate Taxes
(Separate Website)
Information on issues related to Philadelphia Real Estate Taxes.
By: Community Legal Services
Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations
Debt Collectors
(Separate Website)
Information about a consumer's legal protection against abuses by creditors and debt collectors.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Know your rights in debt collection
(Separate Website)
This is a transcript of a discussion of this topic by Attorney Whitney Hughes on the May 20, 2008 edition of Legal Briefs on KDKA-TV's Pittsburgh Today Live.
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
Frequently Asked Questions - Law and the Consumer
(Separate Website)
Answers to common consumer questions.
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
Know Your Credit Rights
(Separate Website)
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association
Credit Reporting Problems
(Separate Website)
Information about credit reporting problems.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Automobile Repossession
(Separate Website)
Information on your rights regarding the repossession of your vehicle.
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
Arbitration and Mediation
(Separate Website)
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association
Bringing Suit Before a Magisterial District Judge
(Separate Website)
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association
Defending a Lawsuit
(Separate Website)
Information on how to defend a lawsuit.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Small Claims Court
(Separate Website)
Information on the operation of the Magisterial District Court in Pennsylvania.
By: Erie County Bar Association
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.)
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Information, Not Legal Advice. We are providing this information as a public service. We try to make it accurate as of the date noted in the materials. Sometimes the laws change. We cannot promise that this information is always up-to-date and correct.
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