![]() NEWSLETTER / June 2019 | |||||
South Carolina Legal Services (SCLS) is a non-profit law firm. We provide free legal services in a wide variety of civil (non-criminal) legal matters to eligible low income residents of South Carolina. Our mission is to provide legal services to protect the rights and represent the interests of low income South Carolinians. | |||||
![]() | Judgment ProofVeronica Blake thought she needed to file bankruptcy when she was sued by Sunshine Finance. South Carolina Legal Services (SCLS) clients are often fearful that bankruptcy is the only answer, because debt buyers and finance companies often tell them that. However, when you are on a fixed income and have no assets to protect (such as a house or a car), the creditor has no remedy against you other than to get a judgment that they cannot collect. We call this the bankruptcy bypass or being judgment proof, because South Carolina law prohibits garnishment of wages for consumer debt. | ||||
![]() | Helping Victims of StalkingThe constant fear of being watched and repeated acts of unwanted conduct is psychological torment. Whereas an incident of physical abuse is limited in time to the actual act itself, even if it recurs, stalking, and the anxiety it produces, takes place on a 24 hour, never ending continuum. | ||||
![]() | Charleston Housing CourtIn 2016, North Charleston experienced the highest rate of eviction (16.5 out of 100 renters) of any area in the United States. The national average was 6.53 per 100. In that same timeframe, 10.03 households per day were evicted. Up to 70% of tenants facing eviction have no recourse to legal knowledge or representation. | ||||
![]() | Student Loans and YouOver 40 million Americans have an average student loan debt of $30,000.00. Because they are unemployed or have income below the poverty line, 28% of borrowers are unable to make payments on their student loans. It is important to be aware of all the effects, advantages and disadvantages of taking out a student loan. | ||||
![]() | WAYS IN WHICH SOUTH CAROLINA LEGAL SERVICES IMPACTS THE LIVES OF LOW-INCOME SOUTH CAROLINIANSHuman Trafficking
Medical-Legal Partnership
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