Don’t Let a Legal Question Turn Into a Legal Problem

Nip it in the Bud!

Legal questions ignored can turn a small problem into a big problem. If you put your head in the sand and miss deadlines, a legal problem you could have solved can turn into one that can’t be fixed. Help prevent problems. Pay attention to the items below!

TOP 10 LIST – MESSAGES NOT TO IGNORE:

10.) Notices about bills or debt.

 9.) Notices from your bank.

 8.) Notices about missed utility payments.

 7.) Notices about your car loan. They could concern missed payments.

 6.) Notices from your landlord.

 5.) Notices from your mortgage company. They may be contacting you about missed house payments.

 4.) Notices from the county or town where you live.

 3.) Notices from the State of Iowa, like the Department of:

•     Revenue,

•     Transportation,

•     Health and Human Services,

•     Etc.

 2.) Notices from the federal government such as the:

•     Internal Revenue Service/IRS,

•     Social Security Administration;

•     Department of Education,

•     Etc.

And the NUMBER ONE kind of message NEVER to ignore…

 1.) Notices from the Court.

Get legal advice as soon as you have a legal question or problem.Take Steps to Avoid Having Troubles Get Worse

• Don’t throw an important notice away!
• If you get certified mail, be sure to accept delivery and read it. Certified mail is a way to send some notices or other legal documents to a party in a lawsuit. Refusing certified mail is not a defense.
• Call an attorney. Attorneys can explain your legal rights and options. To find out if free legal help is available from Iowa Legal Aid, call 1-800-532-1275.  Iowans 60 and over may call the Legal Hotline for Older Iowans at 1-800-992-8161.
• For more information on legal issues, go to www.iowalegalaid.org. People who cannot get help from Iowa Legal Aid may be able to find a lawyer through the Iowa State Bar Association’s Find-a-Lawyerservice at www.iowafindalawyer.com. Attorneys taking part in Find-a-Lawyer charge a $25.00 fee for the first 30-minute consultation. If you need more help beyond the 30-minute consultation, you will need to negotiate a fee arrangement with the attorney.