Page 14 - July 2024 Issue

Break Free from Debt

Shore Legal Access o ers resources that lead to
nancial freedom

American households carry almost 18 Last year Patty* (name changed) stood on from Patty. And with that, she was free—
trillion dollars in debt—that’s over $50,000 the edge of losing everything. A debt- all because she had access to free legal
per person owed on credit cards, car loans, buyer, a company that purchases debts assistance through Shore Legal Access.
and medical bills. Every day, creditors from other organizations for pennies on
sue thousands of people who struggle the dollar and tries to collect on them, Derek wasn’t just Patty’s attorney, he was
to pay debts that are o en the result of o en using aggressive tactics—had sued her advocate—for her nancial stability, for
circumstances out of their control: for her for credit card debt it claimed she her inherent dignity as a human being—in
example credit cards run up because of owed. Patty was retired and on a xed the face of an unscrupulous corporate
a lost job, or medical bills that ballooned income. e only asset she had was her entity that only saw her as a source for
because of a past emergency. home—if she lost it, she’d have nowhere pro t. Without Derek, Patty would have
to go. been ripped from her community, leaving
Legal representation evens the playing a hole there never to be lled. SLA works
eld for people struggling with their debts. Patty came to SLA in desperate need of with many attorneys like Derek, who go
Shore Legal Access (SLA) makes access to help. More importantly, she needed to beyond what is expected to make sure their
legal assistance available to everyone on know that someone was on her side during clients are given the fair chance everyone
the Eastern Shore. If you have received this stressful time. She found the help ought to be due within our legal system.
a notice that you are in default of your and support she needed in long-time SLA
debt or that you are being sued, and volunteer attorney Derek Hills. We believe that nancial stability is the key
you make less than 50% of Maryland’s to so many of the good things in life. When
median income, SLA’s sta and network In court, Derek argued that the debt-buyer a nancial issue becomes a legal issue,
of dedicated volunteer attorneys can help was only trying to see what they could people can count on us to be there.
you understand your options, assist you get away with, certain that Patty, like so
in negotiating with your creditors and, in many others, would not be able to defend Get in touch today at 410-690-8128 or
some cases, represent you in court. herself. Derek proved to the court that the complete an online intake at shorelegal.org.
debt-buyer had no right to collect any debt

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Easton Office: 499 Idlewild Ave, Suite 102, Easton MD 21601 410.690.8128 | ShoreLegal.org
Salisbury Office: 601-B E. Naylor Mill Rd, Sa;isbury MD 21804

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