Money & Debt

Two dollar bills and three coins

Money & Debt

Banking and financial wellness
(15 resources)
Unpaid property taxes
Explore the risks of not paying property taxes on time and determine when and how property tax debt can be addressed.
FAQ
Dealing with hospital bills
Learn what a hospital can do to collect a bill and the rights you have as a patient.
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Dealing with medical debt
Explains medical debt and options to lower the cost of care.
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Can't I cancel a contract within 3 days?
Describes how a contract may or may not be canceled depending on the type of contract, like door-to-door sales or loans.
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Identity theft and coerced debt
(5 resources)
Identity theft and coerced debt
Learn about identity theft and coerced debt, including common types of identity theft, spotting problems, and consumer protections.
FAQ
Respond to court papers about collecting debt from identity theft
How to respond to being sued for debt caused by identity theft, including affidavits and court papers.
How-To
Respond to court papers about debt that is not yours
Learn how to respond to lawsuits that try to collect debt from identity theft and name the wrong person as the defendant, or are not collection cases.
How-To
Identity theft affidavit - Credit card and debt buyer cases
File the Illinois Supreme Court Identity Theft Affidavit form in a collection lawsuit to explain to the judge that debt was caused by identity theft.
Form link
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Credit reports and background checks
(3 resources)
Understanding credit reports and scores
Explains what credit reports contain, how credit scores are calculated, and how to correct and improve them.
Guide
Can they check my credit report when I apply for a job?
Covers federal and Illinois law about what employers can and cannot do when you apply for a job.
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Disputing inaccurate information on your credit report or background check
Learn how to dispute inaccurate information on your credit report or background check with the credit bureaus and what your rights are.
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Wills and estates
(24 resources)
Transfer on death instrument
This Easy Form makes a Transfer On Death Instrument for your property located in Illinois. A Transfer on Death Instrument, also called a TODI, lets you give real estate to your loved ones without including it in your will.
Easy Form
Power of attorney for property
This Easy Form helps you give someone you trust power of attorney for your property and finances. This person would become your agent, and they will have access to or control of your money and property.
Easy Form
Creating a Transfer on Death Instrument
Learn the steps to transfer real estate through a Transfer on Death Instrument without going through the probate process.
How-To
Using a small estate affidavit
Steps on how to create and use a small estate affidavit.
How-To
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Income taxes
(9 resources)
Paying taxes as an undocumented immigrant
Understand why you need to pay income tax if you are an undocumented immigrant.
Guide
Claiming dependents and paying taxes for them
Understand who can be a dependent that you claim on your taxes.
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Filing taxes as a student
Students have special tax situations and benefits. Your taxes are due on April 15, 2023. The IRS has a helpful tool that can help you determine if you need to file taxes this year. Learn about how being a student affects your taxes below.
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Do I have to pay taxes for my freelance job?
A blog about tax responsibilities for different kinds of freelance jobs.
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Responding to debt collectors
(3 resources)
Responding to debt collectors
An overview of how to respond to debt collectors and your rights when dealing with them.
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Debt collector letter
This Easy Form makes a letter to a debt collector. You can ask them for proof that you owe the debt, say you don’t owe the debt, or ask them to stop or limit contact. The letter can also explain if you are protected from collection under federal or Illinois law.
Easy Form
Negotiating with a debt collector or debt buyer
Important information about your options when negotiating a consumer debt, both before and after a lawsuit has been filed against you.
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Responding to a collection lawsuit
(7 resources)
Receiving a debt collection lawsuit basics
Understand your choices after being sued for debt.
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Responding to a debt collection lawsuit basics
Learn about responding to a debt collection lawsuit.
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Discovery and motions in consumer debt cases basics
Gather evidence and prepare for trial in a debt collection lawsuit.
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Can a debt collector sue you?
Debt collectors must follow certain rules when they contact you. Learn what they can and cannot do.
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Collecting from wages and bank accounts
(17 resources)
How a debt judgment can be collected basics
Understand how creditors access wages, bank accounts, and other types of property to collect a debt judgment.
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How a debt judgment can be collected common questions
Find answers to common questions about wage assignments and how creditors can access income and assets.
FAQ
Understanding collection-proof status
Learn what it means to be collection-proof, which income and assets are protected from private creditors, and how to notify creditors.
Guide
Understanding collection-proof status common questions
Find answers to common questions about being collection-proof and how creditors can access income and assets.
FAQ
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Car loans & repossession
(10 resources)
Understanding car repossession
Understand when your lender can take your car and what your options are.
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Do I pay Illinois taxes when buying a car in another state?
Understand when to pay Illinois car sales tax when you buy a car in another state.
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Get my impounded car back - Chicago
Steps to recover your impounded car in Chicago from finding the location it was towed to paying the fees.
How-To
Appealing an administrative review decision - Chicago
Explains the appeals process for cases involving city stickers, car impounds and building violations in Chicago.
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Bankruptcy
(21 resources)
Qualifying for bankruptcy
Understand if you qualify for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
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Bankruptcy basics
Understand the basics of bankruptcy, including how it works and what it can do for you.
Guide
Starting a Chapter 7 bankruptcy
Steps to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy from taking a credit counseling course to filling out the forms you need.
How-To
Chapter 13 bankruptcy basics
Explains Chapter 13 bankruptcy as an option of paying your debts instead of wiping them clean.
Guide
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Debt collections
(4 resources)
Responding to a case filed against me in small claims court
Understand how to respond to a lawsuit filed against you for $10,000 or less.
How-To
Small claims court
A video on the procedures, parties, documents, and other things you might need to know when going to small claims court. Presented by Dahde Alexander
Video
Can I have a jury trial in small claims court?
Explains if you can have a jury trial in small claims court and how many people can be on the jury.
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Respond to court papers about debt that is not yours
Learn how to respond to lawsuits that try to collect debt from identity theft and name the wrong person as the defendant, or are not collection cases.
How-To
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Someone owes me money
(16 resources)
Small claims complaint
This Easy Form helps you make the forms to sue someone for up to $10,000. It can be used to sue a landlord for a security deposit.
Easy Form
Starting a small claims court case
Steps to file a small claims lawsuit for $10,000 or less from the forms you need to preparing for trial.
How-To
Filing costs in a small claims case
Describes the costs of filing a small claims case.
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Suing someone for $10,000 or less
Small claims court is a civil court where a plaintiff (person filing the case) can sue someone (a defendant) for $10,000 or less. It has simplified rules and can go much faster than other types of cases.
Guide
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Loans
(9 resources)
Understanding car repossession
Understand when your lender can take your car and what your options are.
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Forgiveness, cancellation, and discharge of student loans
Learn about about different loan forgiveness options, who can qualify, and where to find more resources.
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Costs for storage of impounded cars - Chicago
If your car is towed or impounded for outstanding parking ticket debt in Chicago you have several options. The cost of storage fees for impounded cars in Chicago is listed here together with links to the search tool offered by CPD called "Where's my car?"
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Buying and keeping a used car
Describes buying and keeping a used car as well as where to get help if your car is repossessed.
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Other money and debt issues
(12 resources)
How do I sell my car?
Explains the taxes and paperwork involved in selling your car
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Do gift cards or gift certificates expire?
Covers the difference between federal and state laws that affect the validity of gift cards and certificates, as well as what they mean for Illinois residents. Also offers information on fees and scams associated with gift cards.
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Dividing retirement accounts in a divorce
Explains when the court might divide retirement accounts between divorcing spouses.
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Getting my property back
Explains how to get property back that was wrongfully taken or kept.
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