Research

When Real Debt Collection Lawsuits Look Like Scams: The Problem with Pocket Filing in Minnesota

Imagine opening your mailbox to find a letter from a debt collector claiming you owe $2,000 for an old credit card debt. The document looks official. There’s a summons, a complaint, legal language about judgments and garnishment. But something’s off. There’s no court case number. You do what any reasonable person would do: you try … Read more

Most people sued for debt never get their day in court. We can fix that.

image showing methodology for matching cases to see impact of answer requirement.

When people get sued for debt, most can’t afford a lawyer. In many states, they also can’t simply show up to court to defend themselves. They have to file a formal written answer within tight deadlines, sometimes paying hundreds of dollars in filing fees to participate in their own case. Only then will the court … Read more

Could stronger wage garnishment protections mean fewer debt collection lawsuits?

bar chart showing fewer lawsuits in states with stronger wage garnishment protections

Debt collection lawsuits are surging. After years of pandemic-era decline, case filings are climbing back toward pre-pandemic levels across the country. Our recent analysis found that courts in eight states saw dramatic increases in debt collection filings in 2024, with some jurisdictions reporting their highest volume in years. The New York Times covered these findings … Read more

Consumer Debt Cases Are Surging Again—and One Company Is Leading the Charge

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featured image showing gavel and upward trendline for debt

Consumer debt lawsuits dropped sharply during the pandemic, but new data shows they are surging again in 2024 and 2025. Across the country, cases where businesses sue consumers over unpaid debts have increased significantly. In some places, filings have climbed well past pre-pandemic levels. This analysis examines the scope and drivers of this trend, drawing … Read more

Redrawing Houston’s Eviction Courts: Any Map is Better Than What We Have Now

harris county justice of the peace boundaries, redrawn by january advisors

Every Monday morning, Judge Israel Garcia, Jr., who serves as Harris County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 5, stares down a punishing docket of eviction, debt collection, and traffic cases for the week. His courtroom has a line out the door of parents and children, desperate to resolve a dispute with their landlord or … Read more

Houston-based care coordination pilot program improves health outcomes

care coordination model nbhp c2 january advisors

Health care providers and social service nonprofits have a hard time working together. Doctors often do not know about social service programs that might benefit their patients, and nonprofits find it difficult to keep health care providers up to date about their services. When they try to work together, communicating about a patient’s health history … Read more