Get Help

Click on your state in the map below to find local groups who provide legal assistance, counseling and education, opportunities to get active in your area, and your state's banking regulators.  Or:

• What to do if you can’t make your mortgage payments.
• Find out if filing bankruptcy might be the right option for you.
• Read about dealing with debt collection harassment, ordering and correcting your credit report, or a student loan that you can’t afford.
• Tips for managing your credit cards.
• Read these tips if your credit or debit card has been lost or stolen, or if there is an error on your bill.
• Read these general tips for dealing with an abusive loan.

General Tips

If you have a loan you cannot afford, you should contact someone in your area for help by using the map above.  You can also:

• Refinance into a better loan
• File a complaint with the agency who regulates your lender.  
• Let your elected officials know about this problem, so they will be encouraged to prevent abusive lending in the future.

Should I Consider Filing Bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy is a legal process which can provide you relief from some or all of your debts.  Thousands of Americans have used this process to wipe the slate clean and get a new start to their financial lives.

If you are considering bankruptcy, you should read this brochure (PDF) from the National Consumer Law Center.  Also, consider what types of debt are dischargeable in bankruptcy, and read these important tips from Moran Law Group.  You can also use this litmus test they suggest to see if bankruptcy may be a good option for you:

1. Make a realistic monthly budget, and include your mortgage and car payments.  Do not include other debt payments such as credit cards. 
2. Figure out how much money is left over after you pay your mortgage, car loan, and other basic expenses.
3. Using the left over money, figure out if you will you be able to pay back your other debts within three years.  Use this calculator to find out how much you must pay per month to get rid of your credit card debt in three years.  (Bankrate.com has helpful calculators for other kinds of debt as well.) 
4. If you cannot see a realistic way to eliminate non-mortgage and car-related debt in the next three years, you should at least discuss filing bankruptcy with an attorney.  Click here to find a member of the National Association of Bankruptcy Attorneys.

AFFIL is grateful to the National Consumer Law Center for their help with this page.
Last update:  January 2009.