Curtis Lee is a writer and co-owner at Marvel Hill Freelance. Curtis earned his Bachelor of Science in Business from Wake Forest University and his Juris Doctor (JD) from Villanova University School of Law. After graduating law school, Curtis had the honor of clerking for a state court Judge in the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas. Following the clerkship, Curtis spent several years in private practice engaged in civil litigation handling first party property insurance matters. Most of Curtis’ writing covers a wide range of legal topics, including bankruptcy, criminal law, family law, immigration law, insurance, employment, defamation, and personal injury. He also has experience writing about other subjects, including education, finance, disaster preparedness, and the U.S. armed forces.
Articles written by Curtis Lee, JD
Can Bankruptcy Stop Eviction?
Written by Curtis Lee, JD. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated February 15, 2026
An automatic stay goes into effect as soon as you file bankruptcy. This temporarily stops all debt collection activity, including eviction actions, as long as the landlord hasn’t already received a judgment in their favor. The automatic stay isn’t a permanent solution, though. It’s only a temporary measure that may buy you some time to deal with the eviction or find other housing.
Read More →Can’t Afford Your Car Payment? Here Are Your Options
Written by Curtis Lee, JD. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated January 27, 2026
If you can’t afford your car payment, you have options to either keep your car or let it go. You may be able to refinance your loan, work with your lender on a hardship program, or use bankruptcy to free up money for payments. If keeping the car isn’t feasible, surrendering it, selling it, or using bankruptcy to eliminate remaining loan balances are all options to consider. This article explains these strategies and their pros and cons to help you decide the best path forward.
Read More →What Is a Debt Validation Letter and How Do You Get One?
Written by Curtis Lee, JD. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated January 21, 2026
A debt validation letter is a letter that includes basic information about a debt someone is trying to collect from you. If a debt collector is trying to collect an unpaid debt, they’re required by law to send you a debt validation letter before contacting you or within five days of their first contact with you.
Read More →What Are Non-Exempt Assets in Chapter 7?
Written by Curtis Lee, JD. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated January 13, 2026
When you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, any property you own that isn't fully protected by an exemption is considered a non-exempt asset. If an item has non-exempt equity — meaning its value exceeds the exemption limit — the trustee may be able to sell it to repay your creditors. Most people don't lose anything in bankruptcy because their property is fully protected, but if you do have non-exempt equity, you may have options to keep the item. These include negotiating with the trustee, converting to Chapter 13, or disputing the trustee’s valuation.
Read More →Can I Keep Money I Receive From a Lawsuit When I File Bankruptcy?
Written by Curtis Lee, JD. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated January 5, 2026
If you have the right to sue someone — even if you haven’t filed the lawsuit yet — that right is considered an asset in bankruptcy and must be listed in your forms. Whether you can keep money from the lawsuit depends on when the claim arose and whether exemptions apply to protect it. Federal and state bankruptcy laws offer different exemptions that may protect all, some, or none of the lawsuit proceeds. Disclosing the lawsuit and cooperating with the bankruptcy trustee is essential to avoid having your case dismissed or losing your discharge.
Read More →How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Oklahoma
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Curtis Lee, JD. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated February 11, 2026
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Oklahoma can help you eliminate debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans — and you may be able to do it without a lawyer or court filing fee. This guide walks you through the full process, including collecting documents, taking required courses, filling out forms, and submitting them to the correct court based on your district. It also explains how to protect your property using Oklahoma’s exemption laws and what to expect after you file. If your case is straightforward, you may qualify to use Upsolve’s free filing tool to get started today.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Washington D.C.
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Curtis Lee, JD. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated October 21, 2025
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Washington, D.C., can be a powerful way to erase debts like credit cards and medical bills, and many people successfully do it on their own without hiring a lawyer. The process includes gathering financial documents, completing required courses, filling out federal and local forms, and submitting them to the D.C. Bankruptcy Court. There are also steps to follow after filing, like attending a short meeting with a trustee and sending in additional paperwork. If you meet certain income limits, you may qualify to file for free, and tools like Upsolve or help from legal aid can make the process more manageable.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Delaware
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Curtis Lee, JD. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated October 10, 2025
If you live in Delaware and are struggling with debt, Chapter 7 bankruptcy can help you erase many unsecured debts and get a fresh start — often without hiring a lawyer. This guide covers each step, from gathering documents and taking required courses to filing forms and attending a short trustee meeting. You’ll also learn about Delaware’s generous exemptions that protect your home, car, and other essentials. If your case is simple, you may even qualify to use Upsolve’s free filing tool to get started at no cost.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Arkansas
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Curtis Lee, JD. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated August 19, 2025
Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Arkansas can help individuals eliminate unsecured debts like credit cards and medical bills without needing a lawyer. This step-by-step guide explains how to file on your own, from gathering documents and completing forms to submitting paperwork to the appropriate court. It also covers key requirements like taking two financial courses, passing the means test, and understanding property exemptions. Free tools like Upsolve and local legal aid resources can make the process more accessible for those who qualify.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in California
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Curtis Lee, JD. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated August 14, 2025
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in California can help you erase debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans, giving you a fresh financial start. This step-by-step guide shows you how to file for free, from gathering documents and taking credit counseling to submitting your forms and attending the 341 meeting. It also explains how to protect your property using California’s bankruptcy exemptions. Each California district has its own rules, so the guide includes specific filing instructions based on where you live.
