Legal Insights
Consumer Rights
Plain-English consumer rights guides, written and reviewed by our editorial team.
Consumer Rights
The Automatic Stay: How It Stops Creditors
A practical guide to the bankruptcy automatic stay, what it stops, what it does not stop, creditor violations, relief from stay, repeat filings, foreclosure, garnishment, repossession, and exceptions.
Editorial guide
Consumer Rights
Debt Settlement vs Bankruptcy: Which Is Better?
A practical comparison of debt settlement and bankruptcy, including cost, timing, tax consequences, lawsuits, credit impact, creditor participation, scams, and when each option may fit.
Editorial guide
Consumer Rights
What Is a Lien and How Do You Remove One?
A plain-English guide to liens, including mortgage liens, tax liens, judgment liens, mechanics liens, bankruptcy lien treatment, lien release, avoidance, payoff, and disputes.
Editorial guide
Consumer Rights
Can You Discharge Student Loans? Lessons from Espinosa
A practical and case-based guide to student loan discharge in bankruptcy, undue hardship, adversary proceedings, Chapter 13 plans, and United Student Aid Funds v. Espinosa.
Editorial guide
Consumer Rights
When Bankruptcy Can Be Denied: Marrama v. Citizens Bank
A case-based explanation of bad faith in bankruptcy, Marrama v. Citizens Bank, conversion from Chapter 7 to Chapter 13, disclosure duties, and why bankruptcy relief depends on honesty.
Editorial guide
Consumer Rights
How Bankruptcy Affects Your Credit
A practical guide to bankruptcy and credit reports, credit scores, rebuilding credit, secured cards, mortgage and car loan timing, errors, and the difference between legal discharge and credit reporting.
Editorial guide
Consumer Rights
What Debts Can Bankruptcy Erase?
A practical guide to dischargeable and nondischargeable debts in bankruptcy, including credit cards, medical bills, taxes, student loans, support, fraud, secured debt, and Chapter 13 differences.
Editorial guide
Consumer Rights
How Much Does It Cost to File for Bankruptcy?
A practical guide to bankruptcy costs: court filing fees, attorney fees, credit counseling, debtor education, Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13, fee waivers, installment payments, and hidden costs.
Editorial guide
Consumer Rights
Will I Lose My House If I File for Bankruptcy?
A plain-English guide to homeownership in bankruptcy: homestead exemptions, mortgage arrears, Chapter 7, Chapter 13, foreclosure, equity, liens, and when a home is at risk.
Editorial guide
Consumer Rights
A Real Civil-Rights Case, Explained
A case-based guide to reading a civil-rights decision using Civil Rights Department v. Cathy's Creations as an example, including facts, protected rights, procedure, remedies, and limits.
Editorial guide
Consumer Rights
Arbitration Clauses: What You're Agreeing To
A plain-English explanation of arbitration clauses, private forums, waiver of court, class-action limits, costs, discovery, confidentiality, appeal limits, and negotiation points.
Editorial guide
Consumer Rights
Buying a Home: Legal Steps You Can't Skip
A practical guide to home-buying legal steps, purchase contracts, contingencies, inspections, title, escrow, closing disclosures, liens, HOA documents, and final recording.
Editorial guide