Legal Advice Basics

Plain-English legal information for everyday life in the United States

Welcome to Legal Advice Basics, a public education website about everyday legal topics in the United States. People face legal problems more often than they expect. A landlord refuses repairs. A debt collector calls about an old bill. A workplace pay issue appears. A scammer steals money or personal information. Court papers arrive with a deadline.

This site helps you understand the basics so you can respond calmly and make informed decisions.

Important disclaimer

This website provides general legal information for educational purposes only. It does not provide legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and procedures vary by state, and outcomes depend on your facts.

If you face a court deadline, eviction risk, domestic violence, criminal accusations, or major financial exposure, you should contact a licensed attorney or a qualified legal aid organization as soon as possible. (lsc.gov)

1) What this site is (and is not)

What you can expect here

• Plain-English explanations of common legal concepts
• Practical education about how systems usually work
• Checklists for organizing information and documents
• Links to reliable public resources, including courts and government agencies (National Center for State Courts)

What you will not find here

• Personalized instructions for your specific case
• Predictions about your outcome
• “Guaranteed results” claims
• Tactics that encourage you to break laws or ignore official deadlines

2) Legal information vs legal advice

Legal information

Legal information explains the law and the process in general terms. It helps you understand the system so you can act responsibly, meet deadlines, and prepare good questions for a lawyer or legal aid.

Courts and court staff typically provide legal information, procedural guidance, and referrals, but they do not recommend strategies for your specific case. They stay neutral and can explain rules and options, not tell you what to do. (National Center for State Courts)

What legal information usually includes (with examples)

1. What a term usually means

• Example: “A summons is a document that notifies you about a lawsuit and that you must respond by a deadline.”
• Example: “Service of process means legal delivery of court papers using a method recognized by law.”

This type of explanation teaches vocabulary without telling someone how to win.

2. What steps usually exist in a process

• Example: “In many civil cases, the basic flow is: filing -> service -> response -> hearings/settlement -> decision.”
• Example: “In many wage disputes, people gather pay records and then look at agency complaint options.”

This explains how the system works without telling the person which action to choose.

3. What forms and resources are available

• Example: “Your court may have a self-help center, forms, and instructions for self-represented litigants.”
• Example: “Your state bar may have a lawyer referral service.”

Courts can point you to forms and explain where to find them, but they cannot fill them out for you in a way that recommends legal positions. (National Center for State Courts)

4. What options do people commonly have in general

• Example: “Common options in a consumer dispute may include contacting the merchant in writing, escalating to the platform, or filing a complaint with a consumer agency.”
• Example: “Common options in a landlord repair dispute may include written notice, local housing inspection requests, or legal aid referrals.”

\Notice the language: “may,” “often,” “commonly.” It stays general and avoids telling the person which option is best for their situation.

What a court clerk or self-help center can usually say (safe examples)

These are examples of legal information that fit what NCSC describes:

• “This is the filing fee, and these are the accepted payment methods.”
• “This is the deadline printed on your summons.”
• “These are the forms the court lists for this type of case.”
• “These are the hearing dates and the courtroom location.”
• “Here is where the court explains how service works in this court.”

And here are examples of what they generally cannot say:

• “You should file this motion.”
• “You should argue X because it will win.”
• “You should not respond.”
• “You should settle for Y dollars.”

That line matters because legal advice is strategy, and courts must remain neutral. (National Center for State Courts)

Legal advice (personalized strategy)

Legal advice applies law to your specific facts and recommends a course of action to achieve a specific result. A licensed attorney provides legal advice. (National Center for State Courts)

What legal advice usually looks like (practical examples)

Below, the left side is legal information. The right side is legal advice.

Example 1: Debt collection

• Legal information: “Debt collection laws limit certain conduct and you may have rights to request validation information.”
• Legal advice: “Based on your dates, this debt looks time-barred in your state and you should respond with X strategy and not admit Y.”

Example 2: Eviction notice

• Legal information: “Notices can have different types and timelines, and local rules can change outcomes.”
• Legal advice: “Your notice is defective under your state statute because it lacks X, so you should file Y within Z days.”

Example 3: Small claims

• Legal information: “Small claims is designed for lower-dollar disputes and the court has filing steps and hearing procedures.”
• Legal advice: “You should sue in small claims rather than regular civil court and you should request these exact damages based on your evidence.”

Example 4: Workplace pay dispute

• Legal information: “You can document hours, pay rate, and pay stubs and review agency complaint options.”
• Legal advice: “You should file with Agency A instead of Agency B because your job duties meet this legal test and your claim deadline is X.”

Advice crosses the line because it recommends a strategy for a specific person based on their facts.

A quick test: are you asking for information or advice?

Ask yourself these questions:

You are asking for legal information if you ask:

• “What does this term mean?”
• “What is the usual process?”
• “Where do I find the official forms?”
• “What are common options people have?”

You are asking for legal advice if you ask:

• “What should I do in my case?”
• “What should I file to win?”
• “Which option is best for me?”
• “What argument should I use?”

The NCSC frames this difference simply: legal information explains rules and options, legal advice recommends what you should do to get the best outcome. (National Center for State Courts)

Why this difference matters (and how it protects you)

1. It reduces bad decisions caused by generic internet content.
   General information can help you understand the system, but it cannot account for your documents, dates, and local rules.
2. It helps you avoid missing deadlines.
   Legal information should push you toward verifying deadlines and using official resources instead of guessing.
3. It keeps neutral helpers neutral.
   Courts must remain fair to both sides. That is why court staff can explain the procedure but cannot recommend a strategy. (National Center for State Courts)
4. It tells you when to escalate to a licensed attorney.
   If you need a strategy, risk assessment, or a specific recommendation, you have moved into legal advice territory.

3) How US law works

You do not need a law degree to understand the basics. You do need a simple mental model so you can answer three practical questions:

1. Which rules apply here (federal, state, local)?
2. Is this civil or criminal?
3. Do I start with a court or an agency?

This section explains each part in plain English, with real-world examples.

Federal law vs state law vs local rules

Think of the US legal system like a layered map. Each layer can matter depending on the issue.

Federal law

Federal law applies across the country in areas that Congress regulates (for example, many consumer finance rules and some employment standards). Federal agencies publish rules and guidance, and federal courts handle certain types of cases. The federal and state court systems exist side by side and hear different categories of cases. (United States Courts).

Practical examples

• Debt collection rules: Federal rules require certain “validation information” and provide a model validation notice under Regulation F. (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)
• Employment discrimination timelines: Federal EEOC guidance explains that filing deadlines are often 180 days, and can extend to 300 days in certain situations. (EEOC)

What you should do (educational, safe next step)

• Identify whether your question relates to a federal agency rule or a state rule.
• Use official sources first for the federal layer (agency sites, US Courts explanations). (United States Courts)

State law

State law controls many everyday issues, including landlord-tenant rules, family law, contracts, and most court procedures. Even when a federal rule exists, state rules often fill in important details.

Practical examples

• Landlord-tenant: Notice requirements, eviction procedures, and security deposit timelines often depend on state law and sometimes city rules.
• Small claims: Filing limits, service rules, and hearing procedures vary by state.

What you should do

• Always check your state-specific rules for deadlines, notices, and required forms.
• Treat any generic article as a starting point, not a final answer.

Local rules (city or county)

Local rules can add requirements, especially for housing, licensing, and some consumer enforcement programs. City ordinances sometimes add protections or extra steps.

Practical examples

• A city might require a specific type of notice, add tenant protections, or offer a local complaint path for housing issues.
• A county court might publish local filing rules (how to format documents, how to schedule hearings, where to file).

Practical takeaway
Always confirm your state and sometimes your county or city rules for deadlines, notices, and forms. Use the official court or agency site for your location when possible.

Civil vs criminal

This distinction helps you understand what is at stake and who drives the case.

Criminal cases

A criminal case involves the government accusing someone of breaking a law. Criminal cases can involve arrest, prosecution, and penalties. (Justice Department)

Everyday examples

• Theft, assault, DUI, fraud charges, and many other offenses that can lead to criminal prosecution.

Why this matters
Criminal cases can move quickly and carry serious consequences. This site focuses on education, but you should seek qualified legal help immediately if you face criminal exposure.

Civil cases

A civil case usually involves a dispute between people or organizations. Civil cases often involve money, property, contracts, housing issues, consumer disputes, or court orders. (Justice Department)

Everyday examples

• A landlord-tenant dispute
• A debt lawsuit
• A refund dispute that escalates
• A contract disagreement (services not delivered, payment dispute)

What this site focuses on
This site focuses mainly on civil and consumer education, because those are the most common situations people face.

Courts vs agencies (where many problems actually start)

Many issues do not begin with a lawsuit. They begin with an agency process, a complaint system, or a reporting tool. If you start in the wrong place, you waste time.

Here is a plain-English way to decide:

• If you need enforcement of workplace wage rules, you often start with a labor agency.
• If you need to report discrimination and meet strict filing timelines, you often start with the EEOC process.
• If you need to understand debt collector notice requirements, you use the CFPB rule text and guidance.
• If you experienced a scam or identity theft, you often start with FTC reporting and IdentityTheft.gov recovery steps.

Wage and hour complaints (DOL WHD)

If your issue involves pay (wages, overtime basics, certain workplace pay violations), the US Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division explains how to file a complaint and how the process works. (DOL)

Practical example
You notice your paychecks do not match your hours.

Educational next steps

• Gather basic info (employer name, address, manager name, type of work, pay method, dates). (Worker.gov)
• Keep pay stubs, schedules, and time records.
• Use the WHD complaint guidance to understand what they ask for and how they route you to an office. (DOL)

Employment discrimination issues (EEOC)

If your issue involves employment discrimination, the EEOC explains how to file and emphasizes strict time limits. (EEOC)

Practical example
You believe you faced discrimination at work.

Educational next steps

• Track the date(s) the discrimination occurred and document what happened.
• Review EEOC filing guidance and time limits (180 days is common, and 300 days can apply in some situations). (EEOC)

Debt collection rules and “validation information” (CFPB Regulation F)

If a debt collector contacts you, federal rules describe “validation information” and the required validation notice structure. The CFPB publishes the regulatory text and official interpretations. (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)

Practical example
You receive a collection letter and you do not recognize the debt.

Educational next steps

• Save the letter and note dates and contact details.
• Learn what the rule means by “validation information” and what a validation notice includes. (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)
• Use the CFPB and other official sources to understand the general rules before you take action.

Scam reporting and identity theft recovery (FTC + IdentityTheft.gov)

If you experienced a scam, the FTC explains steps you can take and directs people to report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. (Consumer Advice)
If your identity was stolen, IdentityTheft.gov provides step-by-step recovery guidance and a personalized recovery plan workflow. (IdentityTheft.gov)

Practical example
You paid a scammer or you see unauthorized accounts.

Educational next steps

• Report the scam so authorities can track patterns and build cases. (Consumer Advice)
• Follow IdentityTheft.gov recovery steps if identity theft occurred. (IdentityTheft.gov)
• Keep documentation (receipts, messages, bank statements, screenshots).

Quick decision map (simple mental model)

Use this as a general guide:

• Is it about everyday state rules (housing, family, many contracts)? Start with your state and local resources, then decide if a court or agency fits.
• Is it about wages or hours? Learn the WHD complaint path first. (DOL)
• Is it about discrimination at work? Learn EEOC filing steps and time limits early. (EEOC)
• Is it about a debt collector notice? Read the CFPB rule basics on validation information. (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)
• Is it a scam or identity theft? Use FTC reporting and IdentityTheft.gov recovery steps. (Consumer Advice)
• Did you receive court papers? Identify the court, track the deadline, and use official court guidance to understand procedure. (United States Courts)

This approach keeps you focused on jurisdiction, category (civil/criminal), and the correct starting forum (court or agency).

4) The fastest way to get organized

You can reduce stress quickly by controlling your information.

The 30-minute “legal readiness” routine

1. Write a one-page timeline
   Use dates and facts. Keep it simple.
2. Create a single folder
   Save notices, letters, emails, screenshots, contracts, receipts, and photos.
3. Record deadlines and hearing dates
   Put dates on a calendar and set reminders.
4. Write your goal in one sentence
   Example: “I want to stop late fees and get repairs completed.”
5. Write five questions
   Bring them to legal aid, a court self-help center, or a lawyer.

Court-based self-help services often help people understand procedure and prepare better for civil cases, which is why organizing your facts makes a measurable difference. (National Center for State Courts)

5) When you should get professional help quickly

Legal information helps, but some situations need professional advice fast.

Seek legal help urgently if any of these apply

• You received court papers with a deadline (summons, complaint, hearing notice).
• You face eviction or housing loss.
• You face domestic violence or immediate safety risk.
• You face criminal accusations or arrest.
• You face large financial risk (wage garnishment, large debt lawsuit, business dispute).
• Your situation involves children’s safety or a protective order.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, start with legal aid directories and official referral tools. (lsc.gov)

6) Where to find reliable legal help in the US

Many people qualify for help even when they assume they do not.

A) Civil legal aid (often free if you qualify)

• Legal Services Corporation (LSC) locator helps people find LSC-funded civil legal aid near them. (lsc.gov)
• USA.gov legal aid page lists vetted directories like LSC and LawHelp.org. (USAGov)

B) Online pro bono programs (where available)

The ABA also points people to free or low-cost legal help resources, including online pro bono options in some states. (American Bar Association)

C) Court self-help centers and law libraries

Court self-help centers commonly provide procedural guidance and referrals. (National Center for State Courts)
Law libraries can help you learn and find self-help materials, especially when you represent yourself. (selfhelp.courts.ca.gov)

D) Lawyer referral services and limited-scope help

Many state and local bar associations offer referral services. Some lawyers offer limited-scope representation (help with part of a case). Always confirm licensing and scope in writing.

7) How to avoid fake legal services and scams

Scammers copy real legal language. They create fake “law offices,” fake immigration services, and fake document companies.

Verify before you pay

• Confirm the professional’s authorization (for attorneys, use the official attorney directory for your state).
• Ask for written scope and fees.
• Avoid anyone who promises guaranteed results.

Immigration-specific warning

USCIS warns people to avoid scams and explains how to find authorized legal services. (USCIS)

Report suspicious activity

If you believe someone scammed you, the FTC provides guidance on what to do and how to report it. (Consumer Advice)

8) Court basics for beginners (civil cases)

Court papers create stress because they combine unfamiliar words with deadlines.

Common civil papers

• Summons
• Complaint or petition
• Motion
• Notice of hearing
• Judgment or order

A federal civil summons form (AO 440) shows the idea of a response deadline after service (federal procedure). State deadlines vary, but the concept of “a deadline after service” is common. (United States Courts)

What “served” usually means

Service means the legal system delivered documents using a method recognized by law. The method varies by jurisdiction.

What courts and staff can usually do

Courts and staff often provide legal information and explain procedures, but they do not provide strategy. (National Center for State Courts)

If you represent yourself

Many courts publish self-help materials and forms for people who represent themselves. Federal civil “pro se” forms exist for education and filing support in federal courts. (United States Courts)

9) The life cycle of a typical civil case (high-level overview)

This section gives you a “map” of what civil disputes often look like. Your case may skip steps.

1. Problem happens
   A contract dispute, debt dispute, landlord issue, or consumer dispute appears.
2. Documentation and communication
   People exchange letters, emails, receipts, and proof.
3. Demand or notice phase
   One side communicates what they want and why.
4. Filing
   A case begins in court or an agency process begins.
5. Service
   The other side receives formal notice.
6. Response
   The other side responds by a deadline.
7. Evidence and information exchange
   Rules differ. People share documents and information.
8. Hearings, mediation, or settlement talks
   Many disputes resolve before trial.
9. Trial or final decision
   A judge (or jury in some cases) decides.
10. Enforcement
    A judgment may require collection steps.
11. Appeal (sometimes)
    Appeals follow strict rules and deadlines.

This overview helps you understand why deadlines, documentation, and credible sources matter.

10) Administrative complaints and agencies (common paths)

Many everyday legal problems involve agency processes:

Wage and hour complaints (pay issues)

The US Department of Labor explains how to file a complaint and what information helps them evaluate it. (DOL)

Employment discrimination (EEOC)

The EEOC explains how to file and the time limits that can apply (often 180 days, sometimes 300 days depending on circumstances). (EEOC)

Debt collection and consumer finance

The CFPB provides consumer resources on debt collection and the federal rules around validation information, including Regulation F provisions. (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)

Scams and identity theft

The FTC provides steps for people who were scammed and directs victims to IdentityTheft.gov for recovery steps when identity theft occurs. (Consumer Advice)

11) Everyday topics people search most (beginner guides)

This section gives a broad educational overview. You should build dedicated “hub pages” for each topic and link from here.

A) Housing and tenants (education only)

People often search:

• Security deposits
• Repairs and habitability
• Lease termination basics
• Eviction notices and timelines

Housing rules vary by state and sometimes by city. HUD and housing counseling programs provide eviction prevention resources and referrals to support services. (HUD Exchange)

Educational best practices

• Keep records in writing.
• Save receipts and photos with dates.
• Use official state and court resources for your location.

B) Small claims basics (education only)

Small claims court offers a simpler process for lower-dollar disputes, but limits and rules vary by state.

A state court self-help guide (example: California) shows a step-by-step view of the typical small claims flow (start, respond, court date, after trial). Use it as a model for how to structure your state pages, not as universal rules. (selfhelp.courts.ca.gov)

C) Debt, collections, and credit (education only)

Debt collection education helps you separate legitimate collection from scams and understand what information the law requires.

Regulation F includes rules about “validation information” and a “notice for validation of debts.” The CFPB publishes the regulatory text and interpretations. (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)

Credit report basics
The FTC explains that only one website is authorized to provide the free annual credit reports required by law: AnnualCreditReport.com. (Consumer Advice)

D) Employment basics (education only)

Common searches include:

• Unpaid wages
• Overtime basics
• Final paycheck rules
• Misclassification questions

The US Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division describes complaint steps and FAQs, including that filing a complaint does not cost money. (DOL)

E) Employment discrimination basics (education only)

People search:

• “Do I have a deadline?”
• “How do I file?”
• “What counts as retaliation?”

The EEOC explains time limits and how to file a charge. (EEOC)

F) Consumer disputes, scams, and identity theft (education only)

People search:

• Refund problems
• Charge disputes
• Online marketplace scams
• Identity theft recovery steps

The FTC provides steps for people who were scammed, and IdentityTheft.gov provides a step-by-step recovery plan and an identity theft report workflow. (Consumer Advice)

12) Legal documents and evidence basics

Strong documentation improves clarity. It also reduces mistakes.

What you should usually keep

• Notices and letters (including envelopes)
• Contracts, leases, receipts, invoices
• Photos and screenshots (with dates)
• A call log (date, time, who, summary)
• A timeline

How to organize simply

Use folders like:

• 01 Noticies and letters
• 02 Agreements and contracts
• 03 Payments and receipts
• 04 Photos and screenshots
• 05 Timeline and notes

This structure supports communication with legal aid, a lawyer, or a court self-help center.

13) How to evaluate legal information online

The internet mixes trustworthy resources with unreliable or misleading content.

Use this credibility checklist

1. Prefer official sources first
   Courts, government agencies, and recognized legal institutions usually provide the most reliable baseline information. (USAGov)
2. Check for jurisdiction
   Does the page clearly name a state or court system?
3. Check dates and updates
   Laws and procedures change. Old pages can mislead you.
4. Look for neutral language
   Avoid pages that promise guaranteed results.
5. Look for clear disclaimers
   The page should separate legal information from legal advice.

14) Glossary of essential legal terms

• Administrative agency: a government body that enforces rules and runs complaint processes.
• Affidavit: a written statement made under oath (common in court processes).
• Answer: a formal response to a complaint in a lawsuit.
• Appeal: a request for a higher court to review a decision.
• Civil case: a dispute that usually involves money or orders rather than criminal punishment.
• Claim: a request to a court for relief.
• Complaint: a document that begins a civil lawsuit and explains allegations.
• Defendant: the person or organization being sued.
• Evidence: documents, photos, witness testimony, and other proof used to support claims.
• Hearing: a scheduled court event where issues are discussed or decided.
• Judgment: a court decision that can include money owed or actions required.
• Jurisdiction: the authority of a court to hear a case.
• Motion: a request asking the court to make a decision on an issue.
• Plaintiff: the person or organization who files a lawsuit.
• Pro se: representing yourself without a lawyer. (United States Courts)
• Service of process: delivering legal papers in a legally recognized way.
• Settlement: an agreement that resolves a dispute without trial.
• Statute of limitations: a legal time limit for starting certain cases (varies by state and claim type).

15) Frequently asked questions

16) Useful References & Resources

Use these sources as the foundation for your site’s citations and “trusted sources” policy.

Legal information vs legal advice and court help

• National Center for State Courts: legal information vs legal advice (National Center for State Courts)
• National Center for State Courts: self-represented litigants and court self-help (National Center for State Courts)
• US Courts: civil pro se forms (United States Courts)
• US Courts: AO 440 summons form (United States Courts)
• Example law library guidance (state court self-help): California Courts law libraries (selfhelp.courts.ca.gov)

Finding legal help (free and low-cost)

• USA.gov legal aid page (USAGov)
• Legal Services Corporation: I Need Legal Help locator (lsc.gov)
• ABA free legal help resources (American Bar Association)

Debt collection and consumer finance

• CFPB Regulation F: 12 CFR 1006.34 validation notice rules (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)
• Cornell LII mirror of 12 CFR 1006.34 (reader-friendly) (Legal Information Institute)

Employment and discrimination

• US Department of Labor WHD: complaint process (DOL)
• US Department of Labor WHD: worker FAQ (cost and process basics) (DOL)
• EEOC: time limits for filing a charge (EEOC)
• EEOC: how to file a charge (EEOC)

Scams and identity theft

• FTC: what to do if you were scammed (Consumer Advice)
• FTC: scams guidance (Consumer Advice)
• IdentityTheft.gov homepage (IdentityTheft.gov)
• IdentityTheft.gov steps (IdentityTheft.gov)

Housing and eviction prevention

• HUD Exchange: eviction prevention resources (HUD Exchange)
• HUD: housing counseling (how to find counseling) (hud.gov)
• HUD: eviction protection grant program overview (HUD USER)

Credit reports

• FTC: free credit reports and authorized site (Consumer Advice)
• AnnualCreditReport.com statement about being the official site (annualcreditreport.com)

Avoiding scams in legal services

• USCIS: avoid scams and find legal services (USCIS)

NCSC - Legal information vs legal advice
https://www.ncsc.org/resources-courts/legal-advice-vs-legal-information

NCSC - Self-represented litigants and court self-help centers
https://www.ncsc.org/resources-courts/access-fairness/self-represented-litigants

USA.gov - Find a lawyer for affordable legal aid
https://www.usa.gov/legal-aid

LSC - I Need Legal Help (locator)
https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/i-need-legal-help

ABA - Free legal help resources
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_services/flh-home/flh-free-legal-help/

US Courts - Civil pro se forms
https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms/civil-pro-se-forms

US Courts - AO 440 summons form page
https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms/summons-a-civil-action

US Courts - AO 440 PDF
https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/ao440.pdf

CFPB - 12 CFR 1006.34 (validation notice)
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/34

CFPB - Official interpretations for 1006.34
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/Interp-34

Cornell LII - 12 CFR 1006.34 (reader-friendly)
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/12/1006.34

DOL WHD - How to file a complaint
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/contact/complaints

DOL WHD - Worker FAQ
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/faq/workers

EEOC - Time limits for filing a charge
https://www.eeoc.gov/time-limits-filing-charge

EEOC - How to file a charge
https://www.eeoc.gov/how-file-charge-employment-discrimination

FTC - What to do if you were scammed
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed

FTC - Scams hub
https://consumer.ftc.gov/scams

IdentityTheft.gov - Homepage
https://www.identitytheft.gov/

IdentityTheft.gov - Steps
https://www.identitytheft.gov/Steps?scroll=true

HUD Exchange - Eviction prevention resources
https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/housing-counseling/rental-and-homeless-eviction-prevention/

HUD - Housing counseling overview
https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/single-family-about-housing-counseling

HUD - Eviction protection grant program
https://www.huduser.gov/portal/eviction-protection-grant.html

FTC - Free credit reports
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports

AnnualCreditReport.com - Homepage
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action

USCIS - Avoid scams, find legal services
https://www.uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/find-legal-services