Debt Collection Defense Clinic offered by Northwest Justice Project at Debt Collection Defense Clinic

401 2nd Avenue South, SUITE 407, Seattle, WA 98104

Eligibility

Low-income debtors with household income of 200% or below the Federal Poverty Level. Household means people living together who use their income to make joint expenditure decisions and includes family members who are being supported by the household income.   A household can also include close family members who do not live with the client but who are financially dependent on the household income.  Income should include all sources of income which the client controls or has access to, prior to any garnishment or taxation.

Hours

M-F, 9am-5pm.

(206) 464-1519

Voice - Wait until the end of the message and then hit the ext.

https://nwjustice.org

[email protected]

Languages

Interpreter services

Application process

King County clients can call between 9:00-5:00pm Monday-Friday to be screened for eligibility. Eligible clients will receive a call back from a debt clinic attorney or paralegal between 1:00-3:00pm the following Tuesday for advice and counsel services. (If a client has a conflict with the Tuesday time, arrangements can be made for a callback at a different time). If the caller is facing: - A court deadline within 5 days, or - Imminent (certain and immediate) garnishment, or - Imminent (certain and immediate) seizure of a bank account THEN - Send an NJP Consumer Fax instead of referring to the Debt Collection Defense Clinic. Clients who prefer to communicate in ASL by video phone should also be referred to CLEAR*ASL, whether or not they are referred to the CLEAR line.

Fees

None.

Service area

King, WA

Description

Provides legal advice for the following issues for low-income debtors: - Lawsuits and issues related to debt collection - Collection agency abuse - Supplemental proceedings - Garnishment - Auto purchase or auto loan disputes - Consumer scams - Contracts/warranties - Identity theft - Predatory lending - Student loans (federally subsidized or private) - Overpayments to debt creditors - Poor credit - Debts to a landlord, or client is considering breaking their lease Does not assist clients with bankruptcy, but can help a client decide if bankruptcy is a good option. Interpreter services are available to assist non-English-speaking clients.

What's Here

Predatory Lending Assistance Consumer Law Wage/Benefits Garnishment Assistance Contract Law Bankruptcy Assistance Legal Counseling Warranty Complaints Automobile Complaints Collection Complaints Consumer Fraud Reporting Welfare Rights Assistance Identity Theft Reporting/Recovery Programs Housing Complaints

Providing organization

Northwest Justice Project

Provides free legal advice and representation to low-income residents of Washington state. Specializes in housing, family, health, public benefits, consumer and education law. Family law cases are limited to those involving domestic violence or child abuse. Programs include the Native American Unit, Cross Cultural Family Law Clinic, Seattle Domestic Violence Project, and a legal information website: www.washingtonlawhelp.org.