People who are being sued over unpaid bills should act quickly. Land of Lincoln Legal Aid is expanding its free consumer legal services through a new Debt Help Initiative in the Second Judicial Circuit to help residents respond before a debt lawsuit leads to a default judgment, frozen bank account, or paycheck garnishment.
Land of Lincoln provides free legal help to older adults and people with low incomes in 65 counties across central and southern Illinois. This expanded help for debt lawsuits is focused on residents of Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White Counties.
The initiative may help people who are being sued over credit card bills, payday loans, car loans, medical bills, or other unpaid debts.
A debt lawsuit should never be ignored. Missing a court date can mean losing the case without the court ever hearing the person’s side. For 15 years after that, a debt collector may be able to freeze a bank account, take money from a paycheck, or push someone into an unaffordable payment plan.
“People who are sued over debt have legal rights, but many go to court alone and find themselves in unaffordable payment plans on big judgments. Land of Lincoln can help people protect their rights in court,” attorney Sandi Gordon said.
Depending on the situation, Land of Lincoln may be able to give legal advice, help with court papers, or provide a lawyer to go to court for them.
Residents who receive debt lawsuit papers should call as soon as possible. To find out if they qualify for free help, contact the Consumer Law Hotline at 618-403-7775 or visit lincolnlegal.org/apply.