This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Loan, Contract & Warranty issues.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Creditor Lawsuits Handbook
This Handbook from North Penn Legal Services is for people dealing with creditor lawsuits, including information on such suits and common defenses. Last Updated June 2, 2014
Disaster Relief Resources for Pennsylvania
List of links to govenment resources available to individuals and families recovering from the effects of natural and other disasters.
New Rights for Buy Now, Pay Later Purchases
This fact sheet from the National Consumer Law Center provides information for consumers on their rights when using “buy now, pay later” options from companies such as Klarna, AfterPay, Sezzle, Affirm, Splitit, and PayPal. (December 2024)
Your Credit Card Rights
This fact sheet from the National Consumer Law Center provides information on consumer rights relating to the use of credit cards. This includes the types of disputes that might occur with a credit card company and how to resolve those disputes. (August 2016)
Bringing Suit Before a Magisterial District Judge
You may file a suit with a magisterial district judge (MDJ), formerly called a district justice, if you have a complaint against a person or business and wish to recover an amount of money totaling $12,000 or less. This is called a civil lawsuit. The $12,000 limit does not include the court costs involved in the suit, or any interest that may be due on your claim. If you are successful, you are entitled to be reimbursed for court costs. This consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association explains the process. [PDF] (09/2020)
How to Sue At the Office of the Magisterial District Judge
In Pennsylvania, people can bring lawsuits against individuals or businesses by filing a complaint at the office of a Magisterial District Justice. The advantage of filing with a Magisterial District Justice is that the system can work well without attorneys. The Magisterial District Justice can hear cases in which there is $12,000.00 or less at issue. This provides information from MidPenn Legal Services on how to file suit on small claims in your local Office of the Magisterial District Justice, formerly known as the District Justice, Justice of the Peace, or Magisterial District Judge. (July 2012)
Magisterial District Courts
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network on the operation of Magisterial District Courts in Pennsylvania.
Magisterial District Judge Court - Filing Suit
This information from Northwestern Legal Services provides instructions on how to file a lawsuit in Magisterial District Judge Court. Revised: November 2018.
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
How to File a Case in Philadelphia Small Claims Court
You can bring a lawsuit for less than $12,000 in Small Claims Court, which is part of the Philadelphia Municipal Court. This is an explanation of the Small Claims Court process in Philadelphia from Philadelphia Legal Assistance, as outlined in a brochure from the Philadelphia Municipal Court.
Co-Signing for Loans and Purchases
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on the dangers of co-signing on a loan or purchase. August 2018.
Credit, Loans, and Debt
Consumer information from the Federal Trade Commission. Learn about getting and using credit, borrowing money, and managing debt.
Creditor Lawsuits Handbook
This Handbook from North Penn Legal Services is for people dealing with creditor lawsuits, including information on such suits and common defenses. Last Updated June 2, 2014
Getting or Cosigning for Credit
Information on obtaining credit from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network.
Home Improvement Contracts
Information from the Erie County Bar Association to help you when you enter into a home improvement contract. (02/2019)
Your Right to Cancel Certain Contracts
Usually, you do not have the right to cancel a contract after you enter into it. However, there are certain circumstances when a contact can be cancelled. View information here from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network on when a contract can be cancelled.
Your Right to Rescind
Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General concerning the circumstances where you have a right to rescind or cancel certain types of contracts.
Home Improvement Contracts
Information from the Erie County Bar Association to help you when you enter into a home improvement contract. (02/2019)
Arbitration and Mediation
More and more frequently, parties and their lawyers are exploring alternatives to litigation to resolve a dispute without the need for a judge or jury. This trend toward solving problems outside the litigation process is called Alternative Dispute Resolution or “ADR.” Two important ADR processes are arbitration and mediation. This consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association explains those processes. [PDF] (03/2013)
Bringing Suit Before a Magisterial District Judge
You may file a suit with a magisterial district judge (MDJ), formerly called a district justice, if you have a complaint against a person or business and wish to recover an amount of money totaling $12,000 or less. This is called a civil lawsuit. The $12,000 limit does not include the court costs involved in the suit, or any interest that may be due on your claim. If you are successful, you are entitled to be reimbursed for court costs. This consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association explains the process. [PDF] (09/2020)
Creditor Lawsuits Handbook
This Handbook from North Penn Legal Services is for people dealing with creditor lawsuits, including information on such suits and common defenses. Last Updated June 2, 2014
How to File a Case in Philadelphia Small Claims Court
You can bring a lawsuit for less than $12,000 in Small Claims Court, which is part of the Philadelphia Municipal Court. This is an explanation of the Small Claims Court process in Philadelphia from Philadelphia Legal Assistance, as outlined in a brochure from the Philadelphia Municipal Court.
How to Sue At the Office of the Magisterial District Judge
In Pennsylvania, people can bring lawsuits against individuals or businesses by filing a complaint at the office of a Magisterial District Justice. The advantage of filing with a Magisterial District Justice is that the system can work well without attorneys. The Magisterial District Justice can hear cases in which there is $12,000.00 or less at issue. This provides information from MidPenn Legal Services on how to file suit on small claims in your local Office of the Magisterial District Justice, formerly known as the District Justice, Justice of the Peace, or Magisterial District Judge. (July 2012)
Magisterial District Courts
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network on the operation of Magisterial District Courts in Pennsylvania.
Magisterial District Judge Court - Filing Suit
This information from Northwestern Legal Services provides instructions on how to file a lawsuit in Magisterial District Judge Court. Revised: November 2018.
PA Courts Public Access Policy - Filing Requirements in the Courts (Video)
Effective on January 6, 2018, a new Public Access Policy is in effect in Pennsylvania Courts. This policy imposes requirements on anyone filing court documents in the trial and appellate courts to safeguard information in the documents they file. The Pennsylvania Courts have released a series of videos that explain the judiciary’s new policy for protecting confidential information and the required steps you must take to protect that information when filing documents in the courts. This video provides an overview of the new requirements. Follow the link to view the entire series of videos.
Starting a Lawsuit
Information from the Erie County Bar Association about filing a lawsuit. Many factors must be considered before a decision is made to file a suit. The importance of the matter involved must be compared with the time, effort and expense required to assert your claim. (February 2018)
Creditor Lawsuits Handbook
This Handbook from North Penn Legal Services is for people dealing with creditor lawsuits, including information on such suits and common defenses. Last Updated June 2, 2014
Getting or Cosigning for Credit
Information on obtaining credit from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network.
How to File a Case in Philadelphia Small Claims Court
You can bring a lawsuit for less than $12,000 in Small Claims Court, which is part of the Philadelphia Municipal Court. This is an explanation of the Small Claims Court process in Philadelphia from Philadelphia Legal Assistance, as outlined in a brochure from the Philadelphia Municipal Court.
How to Sue At the Office of the Magisterial District Judge
In Pennsylvania, people can bring lawsuits against individuals or businesses by filing a complaint at the office of a Magisterial District Justice. The advantage of filing with a Magisterial District Justice is that the system can work well without attorneys. The Magisterial District Justice can hear cases in which there is $12,000.00 or less at issue. This provides information from MidPenn Legal Services on how to file suit on small claims in your local Office of the Magisterial District Justice, formerly known as the District Justice, Justice of the Peace, or Magisterial District Judge. (July 2012)
Magisterial District Courts
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network on the operation of Magisterial District Courts in Pennsylvania.
Magisterial District Judge Court - Filing Suit
This information from Northwestern Legal Services provides instructions on how to file a lawsuit in Magisterial District Judge Court. Revised: November 2018.
Your Right to Cancel Certain Contracts
Usually, you do not have the right to cancel a contract after you enter into it. However, there are certain circumstances when a contact can be cancelled. View information here from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network on when a contract can be cancelled.
Arbitration and Mediation
More and more frequently, parties and their lawyers are exploring alternatives to litigation to resolve a dispute without the need for a judge or jury. This trend toward solving problems outside the litigation process is called Alternative Dispute Resolution or “ADR.” Two important ADR processes are arbitration and mediation. This consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association explains those processes. [PDF] (03/2013)
Bringing Suit Before a Magisterial District Judge
You may file a suit with a magisterial district judge (MDJ), formerly called a district justice, if you have a complaint against a person or business and wish to recover an amount of money totaling $12,000 or less. This is called a civil lawsuit. The $12,000 limit does not include the court costs involved in the suit, or any interest that may be due on your claim. If you are successful, you are entitled to be reimbursed for court costs. This consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association explains the process. [PDF] (09/2020)
Co-Signing for Loans and Purchases
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on the dangers of co-signing on a loan or purchase. August 2018.
Home Improvement Contracts
Information from the Erie County Bar Association to help you when you enter into a home improvement contract. (02/2019)
Starting a Lawsuit
Information from the Erie County Bar Association about filing a lawsuit. Many factors must be considered before a decision is made to file a suit. The importance of the matter involved must be compared with the time, effort and expense required to assert your claim. (February 2018)
New Rights for Buy Now, Pay Later Purchases
This fact sheet from the National Consumer Law Center provides information for consumers on their rights when using “buy now, pay later” options from companies such as Klarna, AfterPay, Sezzle, Affirm, Splitit, and PayPal. (December 2024)
Your Credit Card Rights
This fact sheet from the National Consumer Law Center provides information on consumer rights relating to the use of credit cards. This includes the types of disputes that might occur with a credit card company and how to resolve those disputes. (August 2016)
Consumer Information from the Federal Trade Commission
This section of the FTC website offers practical information on a variety of consumer topics. The information here can help you avoid rip-offs and exercise your consumer rights.
Credit, Loans, and Debt
Consumer information from the Federal Trade Commission. Learn about getting and using credit, borrowing money, and managing debt.
PA Courts Public Access Policy - Filing Requirements in the Courts (Video)
Effective on January 6, 2018, a new Public Access Policy is in effect in Pennsylvania Courts. This policy imposes requirements on anyone filing court documents in the trial and appellate courts to safeguard information in the documents they file. The Pennsylvania Courts have released a series of videos that explain the judiciary’s new policy for protecting confidential information and the required steps you must take to protect that information when filing documents in the courts. This video provides an overview of the new requirements. Follow the link to view the entire series of videos.
Your Right to Rescind
Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General concerning the circumstances where you have a right to rescind or cancel certain types of contracts.
Starting a Lawsuit
Information from the Erie County Bar Association about filing a lawsuit. Many factors must be considered before a decision is made to file a suit. The importance of the matter involved must be compared with the time, effort and expense required to assert your claim. (February 2018)
How to File a Case in Philadelphia Small Claims Court
You can bring a lawsuit for less than $12,000 in Small Claims Court, which is part of the Philadelphia Municipal Court. This is an explanation of the Small Claims Court process in Philadelphia from Philadelphia Legal Assistance, as outlined in a brochure from the Philadelphia Municipal Court.