“Fields of Opportunity,” is the state slogan for Iowa. We think you will find that there are “fields of opportunity” in each of the five states whose white papers were published last week on The National List’s website.  Read below to get just a taste of the laws in each of the states and a short introduction to the author. Today’s blog covers Feb. 25^th through March 1st.

On the same day that the paper was published, a blog about the author and the firm he/she represents appeared on InsideARM.com. You can go here to read the full blogs and to the links below or to our website under Legal Resources to read the papers. Remember, you must be registered on the NL Website in order to download the complete white paper. Registration is free and easy.

Abendroth and Russell, P.C. provides a full range of services for Iowa businesses and for national companies doing business in Iowa. Mark and Thomas each told us something different that creditors need to know about debt collection in Iowa. Mark: “There is a sliding scale for how much money can be garnished in any one calendar year.”  Thomas: “The Iowa Court of Appeals has set specific requirements in order to obtain default judgments on consumer credit card debt.” More detail on both topics can be found in the paper.

Debt buyers beware! There is one law in Kansas that is unique and that sometimes catches debt buyers by surprise. The Kansas Legislature has ruled that a debt buyer cannot garnish a debtor’s wages under K.S.A. 60-2310(d). Be sure to read the white paper for more Kansas Legislation related to creditors and debt buyers. This law firm is “bigger than Kansas,” because their attorneys are licensed to practice in both Kansas and Missouri. James and Dustin co-authored both the Kansas and Missouri white papers.

Buck warns creditors to “be aware of the Kentucky guaranty statute. Creditors who ignore its requirements of stating the maximum amount and termination date do so at their peril. Noncompliance can result in an unenforceable guaranty.” Like the State Slogan, their “Unbridled Spirit” has earned Lloyd & McDaniel an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell, which is the highest possible peer review rating. The firm has been designated as one of the Top Places to Work in Louisville for two consecutive years.

Couch, Conville & Blitt (“CCB”) is a multi-state law firm. Their focus is primarily on consumer and commercial legal collection and creditors’ rights. They represent a variety of businesses, including several publicly traded entities and some of the nation’s largest lenders. With offices in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, the firm serves as a regional legal resource for many of its clients. Chris says, “Creditors will find that LA laws, procedures, and Judiciary are fair in the context of debt collection cases.”

After 32 years of working in the debt collection industry, David Dubord says he has learned that “most people are honest and sincerely want to repay their debts.”  When asked what he most enjoys about his job, he said, “Given the wide variety of creditors we represent, I am always learning something new about how businesses operate in this country.” He thinks creditors should know that in Maine garnishment rights are extremely limited. See the full paper for more details. 

Additional papers published to date include Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan and Minnesota.

By Marti Lythgoe, NL Editor

Categories: National List, NL Insider

Tags: collection law firm, credit card debt, creditors, Debt Buyers, Debt collection laws