Explaining the Law and Providing Self-Help Information for Low-Income Iowans
There are 109 resources
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Cars featuring the Car Buyer's Toolkit
Buying a Used Car
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Car Buyer's Toolkit
(Separate Website)
A helpful collection of information on issues from buying to selling a car in Iowa.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Car Title Loans
Before new legislation was adopted by the Iowa Legislature in 2007, car title loans were a very expensive way to borrow money. The new legislation limits the amount of interest that can be charged. This can still be an expensive loan.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
How to Use Small Claims Court
(Separate Website)
This Manual has been prepared to assist persons who want to sue or defend themselves in Small Claims Court in Iowa without hiring a lawyer. It outlines the basic steps involved in bringing and defending a small claims action and answers some basic questions for the person who chooses to "go it alone."
By: Iowa State Bar Association
Iowa's Assistive Devices "Lemon Law"
Many people use a wheelchair or some other piece of equipment to help them live with a disability. These are called assistive devices. What can you do when assistive equipment does not work right? In Iowa, the assistive devices "lemon law" gives you certain rights concerning the repair and replacement of a new assistive device.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Mortgage Foreclosures and Land Contract Forfeitures
People are usually not able to pay in full when they buy a home. As a result, most Iowans finance homes through either a mortgage or a land contract. If the buyer fails to make payments the loan terms require, each of these financing tools allows the lender to retake the home. The steps involved depend on whether it is a mortgage or land contract.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Payday Loans: An Expensive Way to Borrow Money
Payday loan businesses extend credit by giving cash in exchange for a check which is dated for some time in the future, also called a post-dated check. If you figure the interest rate on these loans the same way banks calculate interest rates on their loans, the Annual Percentage Rates you pay for these loans can range from 145% - 6442%!!!!!
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Shopping for an Assistive Technology Device
When you need an assistive device, it's a good idea to be sure to get one that works well and does what you need it to do. Learning as much as you can about a device and testing it before you buy can prevent problems. It is worth the time to make sure the device you choose helps gain more independence, better health or a fuller use of your abilities.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
The Basic Rules of Credit Cards
Using a credit card to cover a major purchase or essential family living expense is generally a bad idea. Credit cards should only be used as a source of funding for emergencies such as car repairs, or for short-term loans for large purchases only.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Watch Your Wallet!
Getting into a debt-rut is a lot easier than getting out of it. Here are some tips about special pitfalls common to high-priced debt .
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Payday Loans: An Expensive Way to Borrow Money
Payday loan businesses extend credit by giving cash in exchange for a check which is dated for some time in the future, also called a post-dated check. If you figure the interest rate on these loans the same way banks calculate interest rates on their loans, the Annual Percentage Rates you pay for these loans can range from 145% - 6442%!!!!!
By: Iowa Legal Aid
The Basic Rules of Credit Cards
Using a credit card to cover a major purchase or essential family living expense is generally a bad idea. Credit cards should only be used as a source of funding for emergencies such as car repairs, or for short-term loans for large purchases only.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Watch Your Wallet!
Getting into a debt-rut is a lot easier than getting out of it. Here are some tips about special pitfalls common to high-priced debt .
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Creditor Threats - Are They for Real?
Health problems, car accidents, and credit cards can make it tough to pay your bills. Creditors and debt collectors may contact you and threaten to take your income and property. You should know that federal and Iowa law protect certain property from being taken by most of your creditors
By: Legal Hotline for Older Iowans
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Illegal Debt Collection Conduct
The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, known at the "FDCPA," requires collection agencies to take certain actions.
By: Legal Hotline for Older Iowans
Read this in:
Bosnian / Bosanski
,
Spanish / Espaņol
They Got Their Judgment, Now What Can They Take?
Once someone has a judgment against you, garnishing wages is a common way to try to collect it. There are two limits on how much they can take. One is a per pay period limit. The other is an annual cap.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Property That Is Protected from Creditors
Health problems, car accidents, gambling, and credit cards are just a few of the things that can
make you unable to pay your bills. You should know that certain property is protected by law from being taken by most of your creditors.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Dealing With Medical Debt
It is important to plan for medical expenses. Equally important is knowing how to deal with medical bills when you have no money to pay them.
By: Legal Hotline for Older Iowans
Debts Owed to Federal Government Can Be Collected Through Social Security Benefit Checks
Iowans should know the U.S. Department of Treasury and Social Security Administration are working together to collect non-tax debts owed the U.S. Government. Since May 2001, people who owe a non-tax debt to the U.S. Government are subject to new actions to collect the money.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Deferment, Forbearance and Consolidation of Student Loan Debts
Higher education is expensive. After leaving school, many former students find it hard to meet their monthly student loan payments and it is easy to fall behind. A lot of former students do not know that there are alternatives out there that will help to either reduce or stop student loan payments before they fall behind.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Garnishment Overview and Changes
The federal minimum wage went up to $5.85 per hour on July 24, 2007. If you work and if a creditor is garnishing part of your income to satisfy a judgment you owe, this could affect you.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
How to Use Small Claims Court
(Separate Website)
This Manual has been prepared to assist persons who want to sue or defend themselves in Small Claims Court in Iowa without hiring a lawyer. It outlines the basic steps involved in bringing and defending a small claims action and answers some basic questions for the person who chooses to "go it alone."
By: Iowa State Bar Association
Payday Loans: An Expensive Way to Borrow Money
Payday loan businesses extend credit by giving cash in exchange for a check which is dated for some time in the future, also called a post-dated check. If you figure the interest rate on these loans the same way banks calculate interest rates on their loans, the Annual Percentage Rates you pay for these loans can range from 145% - 6442%!!!!!
By: Iowa Legal Aid
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
The "SCRA" is a federal statute passed by Congress to allow military members to suspend or postpone some civil obligations so the military member can devote his or her full attention to military duties.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Watch Your Wallet!
Getting into a debt-rut is a lot easier than getting out of it. Here are some tips about special pitfalls common to high-priced debt .
By: Iowa Legal Aid
READ THIS BEFORE USING ANY PART OF THE IOWA LEGAL AID WEBSITE (ILAW) If you cannot afford a lawyer and have a legal problem in Iowa, you may be able to get free legal help. Call Iowa Legal Aid. To find out which office serves your county, call 1-800-532-1275 or 515-243-2151 in the Des Moines calling area. If you are age 60 or over, you may be able to get free legal advice from The Legal Hotline for Older Iowans at 1-800-992-8161 or 282-8161 in Des Moines. All numbers are Voice and TTY.
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