The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) has created Consumer Advice for Dealing with Debt Collectors. Their webpage covers the following information: 

• Do Not Let Collectors Pressure You
• What Collectors Can Legally Do to Collect on a Debt
• Nine Ways to Stop Debt Collection Harassment
• Illegal Debt Collection Conduct 

This webpage also includes example Cease and Desist or Stop Contact Letters, Exempt Income Letters, Dispute Letter, and Verification Letter to debt collectors. 

Visit the links above or go to https://library.nclc.org/consumer-advice-dealing-debt-collectors%E2%80%94including-new-federal-rules for more information.

If debt is piling up, it's important to remember that you're not alone and that you still have options. Surviving Debt is a free, plain-language guide from the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) that walks you through practical steps to protect yourself, understand your rights, and decide what to do next. 

Surviving Debt includes clear, actionable information on many of the situations people face when money is tight. Topics include: medical debt and dealing with bills and collectors; credit card debt and choosing what to pay first; student loans (including major recent changes and cancellation options); car repossessions; evictions, rental debt, and getting out of a lease; and bankruptcy information. 

It also links to helpful companion resources, like sample letters (including a “stop contact/cease” letter) and other tools you can use. To access it online, you can read it directly on NCLC’s site using their website's direct link.

The National Association of Consumer Advocates has created a series of videos providing information to consumers who are being sued on a debt. You can access those videos here: https://www.consumeradvocates.org/for-consumers/debt-collection.

This guide offers information on how to prepare for your small claims trial as a defendant (the person being sued and responding to the suit). 

For more information on small claims cases or for fillable PDF forms you can use in your small claims case, please visit the Idaho Court Assistance Office's webpage here: https://courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/Forms/claims.

The How to Prepare for Your Small Claims Trial as a Plaintiff (the person suing someone else) guide attached provides information on how to get ready for your trial in court. 

For more information on small claims cases or to find the forms to start your small claims case, please visit the Idaho Court Assistance Office's webpage on small claims here: https://courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/Forms/claims.

The attached How to Serve Your Small Claims Papers by the Idaho Court Assistance Office provides information on how to serve the defendant (the person being sued) in a small claims case. 

For more information on small claims cases or for the forms to file a small claims case, please visit the Idaho Court Assistance Office's webpage regarding small claims here: https://courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/Forms/claims.

This video series answers some common questions that come up during the small claims process, such as: 

• What is service of process?
• How long do I have for service of process?
• What are exhibits?
• Do I need to do anything if I collect from the defendant?
• Will the appeal be just like my first hearing?

Interactive Forms: Interactive forms are free to low income people in Idaho with certain legal issues. Interactive forms allow a person to input information which automatically enters into the appropriate forms. Interactive forms are available on the Idaho Guide & File website. Click "Start Your Legal Process" to to generate forms you can use to e-file or print to file in person at your local courthouse. 

If you don’t have all of the required information, you can still use the interactive forms to fill in the information you do have. If you set up a free and confidential user name and password for the interactive forms, you can start your form, save your answers, and finish completing the interactive forms when you have the remaining needed information. Or, you can complete as much of the information as possible, take your forms to your local Court Assistance Office, and ask for assistance with filling in the remaining needed information. 

Fillable PDF Forms: These are also available if you prefer not use to the interactive forms process. You may find fillable PDF forms and instructions here: https://courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/Forms/claims. Please view the instructions for each form before filing out the forms.