New Developments
New Developments
Bankruptcy News: Added Veterans’ Protections; New Rules; Student Loan Dischargeability
This article describes important new legislation providing added protections for veterans, servicemembers, and their dependents in bankruptcy cases. It also analyzes new bankruptcy rules, effective December 1, 2019, and a must-read Fifth Circuit decision on the ability to discharge private student loans.
Federal Remedies for Used Car Fraud Just Got Even More Powerful
This article explains the implications for private litigation of a significant change, effective January 1, 2020, to the federal statute providing remedies for odometer and vehicle titling fraud. Older vehicles formerly exempt will now be covered by strict requirements whose violation will lead to powerful consumer remedies, including $10,000 minimum damages, treble damages, and attorney fees.
How to Protect Wages and Benefits from Creditors
This article explains what every attorney needs to know about protecting clients from wage garnishment and seizure of public benefits, wages, and other funds in bank accounts. The article explains how to both evaluate and reduce a consumer’s exposure to these post-judgment remedies, considers the special case of federal student loans, and details important federal and state law protections in each of the 50 states.
Just Published: Consumer Bankruptcy Law and Practice
Consumer Bankruptcy Law and Practice (12th ed. 2020) (1,776 pp. in two volumes) is now available, both in print and in digital format on the NCLC Digital Library. The definitive consumer bankruptcy treatise is updated with the latest case law and changes to the Bankruptcy Code, initial forms, bankruptcy rules, and means test data. Subscribe now for instant access to this treatise. Learn more and read Chapter One for free.
Courts in 2019 Reshape the TCPA in 8 Ways—Mostly to the Good
As discussed in this article, a slew of 2019 court rulings are reshaping private litigation against robocallers. The federal student loan collectors’ exemption was declared unconstitutional; the Supreme Court issued smoke signals on the weight given FCC orders; the TCPA was ruled applicable to new types of robocalls; cases interpreted whether predictive dialers are covered; and Spokeo challenges generally lost.
Just Published: Student Loan Law Sixth Edition
Student Loan Law (6th ed. October 2019) (744 pp) is now available, both in print and in digital format on the NCLC Digital Library, with the latest on repayment options, deferments, tax intercepts, private student loans, challenges to collection and servicing abuses, private student loans, predatory schools, and more. Learn more, read the first chapter, and subscribe here.
Just Published: Mortgage Lending, Third Edition
Mortgage Lending (3d ed. September 2019) (936 pp) is now available, both in print and in digital format on the NCLC Digital Library. The new edition covers all you need to know on mortgage origination, preemption, and litigation. Learn more and read Chapter One for free here. All subscribers have digital access now, and Print + Digital subscribers will receive their print revisions in early October.
Guide to Mortgage Relief for Natural Disaster Victims
This article sets out homeowner rights when homeowners get behind on their mortgage payments after a natural disaster. The article includes the new FHA policy and an overview of options for Fannie, Freddie, FHA, VA, and RHS loans, plus steps the homeowner should take to obtain relief.
New Techniques to Search & Retrieve Consumer Law Topics and Documents
NCLC just added four new features to our powerful digital search engine. This article describes the new features and provides—for both subscribers and for the general public—a quick guide to unleashing all the advantages of NCLC’s search engine to find consumer law topics, sample pleadings, and primary source material.
Just Published: Truth in Lending, Tenth Edition
Truth in Lending (10th ed. September 2019) (2,010 pp., 2 volumes) is now available, both in print and in digital format on the NCLC Digital Library. The definitive Truth in Lending resource provides crucial updates from the nation's TILA experts. Learn more and read Chapter One for free here. Print + Digital Subscribers will receive their print copies later this month and all subscribers have digital access now.
Student Loan Servicers Now Subject to Borrowers’ State Law Claims
Recent circuit and district court decisions find federal preemption inapplicable to many state law deception claims against student loan servicers. The article lists common servicer abuses, explains how the new cases reject the Department of Education’s preemption claims, and analyzes which state law claims will be most effective in seeking remedies from student loan servicers.
Three June State Law Actions Helping Consumers Fight Arbitration Requirements
This article examines three June actions showing how state law can help consumers respond to arbitration clauses: a Ninth Circuit ruling that public injunctive relief provided by a state statute must be available either in court or in arbitration, a state supreme court’s limit as to when non-parties can enforce arbitration agreements, and a Vermont statute helping consumers challenge unconscionable arbitration clauses.
New Ways to Maximize Attorney Fees Where Claim Pursuant to FTC Holder Notice
This article examines new and old ways to maximize attorney fee recoveries where the consumer has used the FTC Holder Notice to sue a creditor based on seller-related claims. The article also debunks five myths that are often used to try to limit consumer recoveries under the FTC Holder Notice.
Getting Into Court by Initiating Arbitration
A May 2019 Eleventh Circuit decision provides an important illustration of how a consumer can end up in court (even in a class action) when the business does not comply with the arbitration provider’s rules. This article sets out practice tips on how a company’s failure to pay arbitration fees or meet other requirements can make the company’s arbitration agreement unenforceable.
Data Gatherers Evading the FCRA May Find Themselves Still in Hot Water
2019 decisions from three circuit courts exempt data gatherers from the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This article explains that these firms should be careful what they wish for, as FCRA preemption no longer applies and they become subject to potentially powerful state laws.
New CFPB Rule Provides Enforceable Protections for Prepaid Cards
Effective April 1, the CFPB Prepaid Accounts Rule adds protections for prepaid cards, payroll cards, and person-to-person payment services, as set out in this article. The rule improves fee transparency, protects cards from unauthorized charges and errors, and addresses abusive overdraft fees. Consumers can obtain actual and statutory damages and attorney fees for violations.
Key Post-Henson Decision Holds Debt Buyer Is a "Principal Purpose" Debt Collector
The Supreme Court in 2017 ruled debt buyers do not fall under the FDCPA’s second definition of a debt collector—one who regularly collects debts owed to another. As discussed here, the Third Circuit in Barbato has just found a debt buyer covered under the FDCPA’s principal purpose definition, concluding that FDCPA coverage does not require a debt buyer to engage in overt collections.
Consumer Law Changes Taking Effect in 2019
This article lists federal and state consumer law changes scheduled to become effective in 2019. That is, the listing includes consumer law changes enacted in 2018 or earlier, but scheduled to go into effect in 2019.
The Latest Practice Tips for TCPA Litigation Involving Robocalls and Junk Faxes
Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) litigation is one of today’s hottest areas and this article provides new practice tips in bringing suits involving robocalls and junk faxes, based on the very latest case rulings and expert advice.
New Supreme Ct. Opinion Supports Challenges to Excessive State & Local Government Fines
The Supreme Court has just imposed the Eighth Amendment’s Excessive Fines Clause on the states, recognizing that the clause is a shield against government’s using high fines for revenue-generating purposes. This article explains that the opinion will surely be used to challenge the rising fines imposed by state and local governments and their impact on low-income defendants.