Debt/ collection

Surviving Debt: Expert Advice for Getting Out of Financial Trouble is NCLC's bestselling guide for consumers. A leading resource for over 30 years, and recently named "the best all around guide to navigating debt" by Business Insider, this updated 2025 edition of Surviving Debt provides…

On September 29, 2021, the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission sponsored a presentation for community advocates in Massachusetts about dealing with debt resulting from intimidation, bullying, and domestic violence - also known as coerced debt. Kristen Bor-Zale, Equal Justice Works fellow…

This report is a collection of chapters written by consumer advocates across the country making the case that consideration of race should be central to the practice of consumer law. Within, readers will find concepts and case studies that the authors hope will assist consumer advocates…

Financial-services companies began to reduce monetary settlements to consumers assumed to be Black or lower-income as soon as Donald Trump became president, according to a working paper published Thursday. 

Website that tracks debt collection court cases in real time and has begun doing so in five states. The DCL also uses the arts and storytelling to change the narrative about debt justice. Advocates may use the online debt collection tracker to examine which neighborhoods are hardest hit by debt…

Attached is the Supreme Judicial Court's order adding rules 8.1 and 55.1 concerning the collection of credit card debt to the Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure.  Also attached below are the Reporter's Notes on these changes.  The additions are effectvie on January 1, 2019.

Abstract: Debt buyers have flooded courts nationwide with collection lawsuits against consumers. This article reports the findings from the broadest in-depth study of debt buyer litigation outcomes yet undertaken. The study demonstrates that in debt buyer cases, (1) the vast majority of consumers…

Powerpoint slides for Fred Corbit's webinar, "Prioritizing Debts of Survivors of Domestic Violence."

Information from the Legal Advocacy and Resource Center about your rights if you are in debt.  Also a sample letter to send to a collection agency if you are "judgement proof" or "collection proof."

Effective May 1, 2011, a new interim Treasury rule goes into effect that prevents banks from freezing and paying over money in a bank account pursuant to a court order where the bank account contains deposits from Social Security, SSI, veterans and other federal benefits, even if money from…

On March 16, 2011, a new Massachusetts Homestead law went into effect.  It completely revised and modernized Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 188, sections 1-10.  Here are some of the important highlights:​ Link to the new law Questions and Answers about the Homestead Act…

New laws to protect money and property of the elderly and the disabled go into effect shortly.   Here are the highlights: Special protection under homestead law As of March 16, 2011, homeowners who are disabled or age 62 or older have three choices in connection with the new homestead…

Links about 93A, the Massachusetts Consumer Protection law: Consumer protection law summary  (Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs) Taking action fact sheet for consumer, and sample demand letter (Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs) Guide to Consumer Credit (see page…

On April 7, 2011, new Massachusetts laws which expand personal property exemptions go into effect.  The new laws redefine the money and personal property a creditor cannot reach to satisfy a debt.  The most significant new personal property exemptions are as follows:a car up to $7,500 in…

Extensive materials from a training on defending debt collection suits.  Topics covered include: Interviewing clients and evaluating casesCollection case procedures in district courtSupplementary processThe training was presented by the National Consumer Law Center, Wilmer Hale Legal…