Are You Getting Sued for Debt? Seniors Don't Have to go to Court

Many seniors struggle financially, and wind up getting sued for debt. If seniors have trouble paying off debts, the result could be getting sued for debt and a summons to appear in court. In this video, Attorney Eric Olsen, founder of the HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm, wants seniors to know their rights, including their right NOT to hire a lawyer and appear in court if they are getting sued for debt.

Time Stamps
0:00 Introduction to HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm, Attorney Eric Olsen and his legal experience
1:17 Do seniors getting sued for debt have to show up in court?
2:27 Date and time listed on summons is only if you’re going to fight the lawsuit
3:14 Seniors are not breaking the law if they don’t appear in court
4:07 Even if the person serving the summons wears a badge, seniors have no reason to fear
5:14 By not showing up, you’re conceding that you do owe the money
5:49 Social Security and many other forms of retirement income are protected from garnishment by debt collectors if there’s a debt judgement against a senior
6:46 Twice the amount of monthly benefits like Social Security are protected in a senior’s bank account
7:52 Even if there’s more than twice the amount of monthly benefits like Social Security in a senior’s bank account, the balance could be protected from garnishment by debt collectors as well
8:52 Lots of seniors, attorneys, and bank managers don’t know these rules!
9:51 Every state has exemption laws that protect the value of certain assets, such as home, from judgement and garnishment by debt collectors
10:40 If a senior has a default judgement from a credit card company, it is not the practice of consumer judgement creditors to go after senior’s home or property. It could happen but it’s highly unusual.
13:04 It’s worth showing up to defend yourself in court if you don’t owe the money even if you can’t afford an attorney
15:24 Seniors shouldn’t go without food, medicine, or other basic needs to pay old debts
15:45 When seniors do have to show up in court, such as a debtor’s examination
19:04 How the HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm can help you
20:34 Why seniors shouldn’t be scared of a debtor’s exam
21:15 The HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm helps seniors struggling with debt at little or no cost, even when they're getting sued for debt
23:15 How to contact the HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm

Receiving a summons can be scary. Sometimes, they're handed to seniors by someone wearing a badge, which makes the service process even scarier. But many seniors have nothing to fear, explains Attorney Eric Olsen, founder of the HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm. The former bankruptcy attorney explains that seniors don't have to go to court to defend themselves, or even hire a lawyer, if they owe the money in question.

The former bankruptcy attorney explains that you're not breaking the law if you don't appear, when seniors do have to appear in court, why seniors are often judgement-proof, and how their bank accounts and personal property can be protected, even when they're getting sued for credit card debt. He also lays out that seniors shouldn’t go without food, medicine, or other basic needs to pay old debts and how the HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm helps seniors struggling with debt at little or no cost.



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[questionMark]

I’m a Helps client and I made serious mistakes in my financial situation and Helps showed me how to make it all go away and not to worry about debt anymore. Thanks for the video.

[caroledwards]

Thank you so much for your video. I'm a 75 year old widow from suicide. I only receive Social Security, I still make payments on a 2006 car. I have been so upset since I got this summons and came close to ending my life. Your video has helped me so much God bless ❤️

[gloriataruc]

You are so right! Seniors are being sued because we are ignorant of the law! Thanks for both of you and channels like this that are so informative and so helpful! This channel should be available to all the 55 million seniors out there who’s on small social security !

[julianapatrick]

I. Just want to say God bless you for putting out this info for all of us who are struggling seniors! I knew what you are saying about not being able to garnish SSI but I learned about not having to go to court which makes sense! I was in a terrible fear when I left Michigan and my son's father took my baby away from me and then suued me for child support.i first agreed to pay and was working at the time But I had a breakdown right after losing my baby, putting fathers name on the birth certificate to be righteous, and then ended up on disability So I moved out to New Mexico and I was threatened I would be expedited back to Michigan for back child support. It was so heartbreaking but on top of It I was terrified! Nothing ever happened but they served papers and tried fear tactics! Father did take half my boyfriend's money out of his account because my boyfriend put my name on the account, but he got the money back real fast!Didn't have anyone kind like you guys to help back then. Thanks so much for your kindness🙏🙏❤️

[richardwhitfill]

Homestead exemption in Texas is up to 10 acres 100 acres in rural areas

[LeanoriaJohnson]

I am grateful for lawyers who support me. I called my lawyer for help and his advice supported the creditors. Seniors really need advice from caring lawyers an we need assistance in staying financially independent. Thank you so much and I will be calling you!

[KnowThat-jh]

Portfolio Recovery is the worst. Thank you

[MollyT-zkch]

I went to the IRS when I was 65 and they put me on a “ noncollectible status” this takes me off of debt collectors list.

[stevejames]

In my 60s my spouse of over 35 years battle cancer for 5 years having to be on a speical liquid diet costing over 80 dollar a week plus travel medical supplies our credit cards run to the roof. My spouse died in aug bank of america america express have been calling three to four times a day now with the death of my spouse my income has been cut in half. I can barely afford rent water electric I have my own health issues stop me from going back to work feeling alone and under all this pressure. To know my home is safe and income is such a weight off my heart I been feeling for months now

[theresahickscch]

Both of you are so informative. Seniors have many concerns and we feel vulnerable with legal issues. I thank you both for standing with the over 65 crowd.

[karmencharming]

You guys are the BEST! Thank God I came across your YouTube video! All other YouTube videos I have been watching do not provide helpful advice for Seniors or for those on social security disability. I have talked to five lawyers and not one of them informed me that my widows social security benefits were protected, but only to file chapter 13 which is very expensive and I cannot afford to do that. I am a widow age 63. My only income is widows social security benefits. I am a homeowner and have equity. The state of Utah has a homestead but I believe it's only 20K-30K that is exempt, more than that it is not protected. I will be giving you a call ASAP and I will be informing my widows group platform about HELP Nonprofit Law Firm. It's unfortunate that many widow seniors are being tormented by credit card debt collectors and often are terrified what will happen to their income if sued. Thanks a mil! Keep up the great service you are doing for many of us!

[lynnmcmillian]

Thank You so much, I’m up in age now, my husband passed and The bank took his debt in put it in my name I’m not going to pay it and they still keep sending

[debisday]

Helps is awesome! Knowledge is power. I have hope now that I'll be able keep my home despite falling behind on credit card debt that's accumulated since I was forced to go on disability years ago due to a chronic illness. I am so relieved hearing this info. Thanks so much!

[posterboyrob]

Thank you. Age 63. Florida resident for fifty three years. Life threatening Lymphoma. On SSDI and a small LTD stipend until age 70. Amazing information!

[Joe-ukkt]

I would ADD pack your mind set, pack your positive attitude, you think you can do this???, " think again it's hard NOT for the weak minds, .. my son 22 y/o extremely physical fit with 5 years gym experience, his mindset BROKE!!!... not sure if he will continue :( it's a sad realty, this new generation is not made to last, and that's a scary thought, ... my advice as a father is you find yourself in this hole of doubts, REFOCUS, ADJUST, QUITTING IS NOT AN OPTION!!.. at the end of the day you don't want to disappoint your love one's that are home cheering for you!....

[vseckert]

Thank you so much for all your help to Seniors.😘

[lailari]

Thank you for this video. My elderly mom was just served with papers for a debt she and her late husband shared. I will pass on this info and the phone number.

[barbarawalsh]

Thank you so much for this video. Everything happens for a reason, and this video popped up on my YouTube list, the day after I got a summons 05/21/24). I am a Senior turning 65 next month, and this info was just what I needed. I made the call to HELPS and will hear back tomorrow. The timing on this was so spot on.👍👍

[rebelbecky]

Thank you so much for this info. I go to court tomorrow for a 7 year old medical bill. I am 66 on SSD and struggle to make ends meet. My bp has gone up fretting about this. Your info has calmed me down and now I am going out of curiosity how it will turn out.

[TonyHoover]

great information, had no idea about the bank account protection of retirement funds x 2, that is something I never knew.