Ikiwa unafikiria kufilisika huko Idaho au kushtakiwa kwa deni, Huduma za Usaidizi wa Kisheria za Idaho zinaweza kusaidia. Tunatoa rasilimali na mwongozo kuhusu Sura ya 7 na Sura ya 13, ikijumuisha ni nani anayestahili na kila mchakato unahusisha nini. Pia utapata orodha za ukaguzi, ratiba, na zana za lugha rahisi ili kukusaidia kuendelea kupanga na kuepuka makosa ya kawaida.

Mbali na rasilimali zilizo hapa chini, Upsolve imeunda Mwongozo wa Kuwasilisha Fidia ya Kufilisika wa Idaho ambao umeundwa kuwasaidia watu binafsi kuwasilisha maombi ya kufilisika kwa Sura ya 7 bila malipo . Upsolve ni shirika lisilo la faida la usaidizi wa kisheria lililojitolea kuwasaidia watu binafsi kupata usaidizi wa kufilisika bila malipo. Tangu 2016, wamewasaidia zaidi ya watu 17,000 kuwasilisha maombi ya kufilisika bila malipo - ikiwa ni pamoja na zaidi ya 250 huko Idaho.

Have you ever wondered if bankruptcy might be a good option for you to regain your financial footing? Do you have questions about how bankruptcy works in Idaho? This information below guides you through some of the information you need to know in order to make an informed decision about whether bankruptcy is right for you. 

In addition to the attached Bankruptcy Basics guide, Idaho Legal Aid Services has created an Understanding Bankruptcy in Idaho video in both English and Spanish.

If you are low income and would like more information about bankruptcy, please contact your local Idaho Legal Aid office

If you need to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you may be able to file your bankruptcy through Upsolve. Upsolve is a national non-profit that helps people file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy at no cost. Read about whether Chapter 7 bankruptcy is right for you and visit Upsolve’s web site, upsolve.org, to see if you qualify.

The Federal Trade Commission has created guidance for consumers on whether debt relief or bankruptcy may be right for them. Debt got you down? You’re not alone. Consumer debt is at an all-time high. Whether your debt dilemma is the result of an illness, unemployment, or simply overspending, it can seem overwhelming. In your effort to get solvent, be on the alert for advertisements that offer seemingly quick fixes. While the ads pitch the promise of debt relief, they rarely say relief may be spelled b-a-n-k-r-u-p-t-c-y. And although bankruptcy is one option to deal with financial problems, it’s generally considered the option of last resort. The reason: its long-term negative impact on your creditworthiness. Bankruptcy information (both the date of your filing and the later date of discharge) stays on your credit report for 10 years, and can hinder your ability to get credit, a job, insurance, or even a place to live. 

For more information, please visit their website at: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0084-debt-relief-or-bankruptcy

Corporations and partnerships must have an attorney to file a bankruptcy case. Individuals, however, may represent themselves in bankruptcy court. While individuals can file a bankruptcy case without an attorney or "pro se," it is extremely difficult to do it successfully. 

For more information, please visit this U.S. Courts guide on filing without an attorney.

This brochure from Idaho Legal Aid Services details what to expect during a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy case.

Be forewarned, the following journey through Chapter 7 bankruptcy law is a bit technical, so if you are considering filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, consider consulting with a bankruptcy attorney first. For more information, visit the National Bankruptcy guide on how Chapter 7 bankruptcy works.

Chapter 11 allows for reorganization that usually involves a corporation or partnership. For more information, visit the U.S. Courts bankruptcy basis for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

A common question is whether or not a debtor can keep a credit card after filing for bankruptcy protection and do I have to list the cards I want to keep. If you owe a balance at the time the bankruptcy petition is filed, you must list the debt. This applies regardless of the amount of the debt. If you are worried that you cannot live without a credit card there are a few options. A credit card with a zero balance does not need to be listed and can be used after you file the bankruptcy petition. If you have a card with a low balance, you should pay it off before filing for bankruptcy. However, be careful not to use balance transfers to pay off the card as the transaction could be undone by the trustee or challenged by the creditor if it is determined that the transfer was fraudulent.

NOLO has created an excellent overview of this information as well.

Student loans are difficult, but not impossible, to discharge in bankruptcy. To do so, you must show that payment of the debt “will impose an undue hardship on you and your dependents.” 

To learn more, visit the Student Loan Borrower Assistance website.

A garnishment is basically a legal collections tool where a creditor obtains a court order compelling an employer to withhold a portion of an employee’s wages. The amount that can be withheld is capped at 25%, however, the percentage may vary depending on the state issuing the garnishment and the type of debt. The cap applies to all creditors, meaning 25% is the most that can be withheld at any one time. Garnishments, however, are not limited to wages and can involve one time garnishment of bank accounts or personal property. Whether or not bank accounts, personal property or tax returns can be garnished will depend the individual state.

More information can be found by visiting NOLO's guide on garnishments and bankruptcy.

Maudhui yaliyo hapa chini yanakuandaa kujitetea wakati wakusanyaji wa madeni, mawakala wa kunyang'anya mali, au wadai wanaowapa mikopo wanapojitokeza. Inatoa fomu ya Madai ya Msamaha mahususi ya Idaho ili kulinda mishahara au fedha za benki, kujaza barua tupu ili kusimamisha au kupinga juhudi za ukusanyaji, karatasi za taarifa za lugha rahisi kuhusu haki za kadi za mkopo na debit, arifa za lugha mbili kuhusu ulaghai wa uuzaji kwa njia ya simu, na mwongozo wa hatua kwa hatua wa kuweka Usalama wa Jamii na manufaa mengine salama kutokana na kukamatwa.

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

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.

The National Consumer Law Center has created guides addressing your credit card and debit card protections and legal rights. For more information, please view the attached factsheets.

Telemarketing is a significant and legitimate business. At the same time, many Idahoans have suffered financial losses due to deception by unscrupulous telemarketers. Similarly, Idahoans report that the large number of calls they receive disturbs their peace and interrupts their family life.

Claim of Exemption from Levy Form blank template for use in the State of Idaho where someone has sued you and intends to levy your property.

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.

Pata kila kitu unachohitaji ili kushughulikia kesi ya madai madogo mahali pamoja: maelezo mafupi ya video kuhusu kesi za ukusanyaji wa madeni, miongozo ya hatua kwa hatua ya PDF kwa walalamikaji na washtakiwa (inashughulikia maandalizi, uwasilishaji, huduma, na kesi), mfululizo wa video wa Maswali Yanayoulizwa Mara kwa Mara ya Majibu ya Haraka, na viungo vya moja kwa moja kwenye mfumo shirikishi wa "Mwongozo na Faili" wa Ofisi ya Usaidizi wa Mahakama ya Idaho na fomu za PDF zinazoweza kujazwa. Iwe unaanza dai au unajibu moja, ukurasa unakuongoza kupitia kila hatua na kukuelekeza kwenye karatasi halisi zinazohitajika.

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.

This guide offers information on how to respond to being sued in small claims court as a defendant (the person being sued).

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 guide offers information on how to start a small claims case.

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.