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Curtis Lee, JD

Curtis Lee, JD

Legal Writer, Retired Attorney

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.


All ArticlesBankruptcy BasicsCarsChapter 7Consumer RightsCredit Card DebtDebtsDeciding To FileLeasesMeans TestProperty Exemptions

Articles written by Curtis Lee, JD

How To Deal With Velocity Investments

Written by Curtis Lee, JDLegally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated March 12, 2026

Velocity Investments LLC is a debt collector that specializes in recovering consumer debts, like personal loans, credit cards, medical bills, and utility bills. If you receive a call or letter from Velocity Investments, make sure they’ve validated the debt in writing. If the debt is valid, you can choose to dispute the debt, negotiate a debt settlement, or ignore the debt (not recommended). This guide goes over your options and the debt validation process.

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How To Win Against Revco Solutions

Written by Curtis Lee, JDLegally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated March 11, 2026

If Revco Solutions tries to collect a debt from you, you have options and can fight back. The first thing you should do is have Revco Solutions validate the debt to confirm they have authorization to collect it. Then, verify that the debt is yours and the amount is correct. If you disagree with the debt, you can dispute it. If the debt’s details are correct, you can try to negotiate a settlement for less than what you owe. If Revco Solutions sues you, you can still negotiate the debt, but you must also respond to the summons and complaint. Otherwise, you risk them garnishing your paycheck or bank account.

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How To Win Against MBA Law

Written by Curtis Lee, JDLegally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated March 11, 2026

If MBA Law contacts you to collect a debt or tries to sue you for a debt, you have rights and can fight back. To start, have them validate the debt. If they can validate the debt but you disagree with it, you can dispute it. If the debt is valid and you agree that you owe it, you can pay it off in full or try to settle the account for less than what you owe. These negotiations are common with debt collectors like MBA Law. If MBA Law sues you, it’s best to respond quickly, or you risk losing the lawsuit and potentially having your paycheck garnished.

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How Do You Respond To a Debt Collection Lawsuit in New York?

Written by Curtis Lee, JDLegally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated March 11, 2026

If you get sued by a creditor looking to collect a debt, you’ll be notified of the lawsuit with a summons and complaint. In New York, you have 20 or 30 days to respond to (answer) the debt collection lawsuit. The time frame depends on how you were served notice of the lawsuit. In your response (answer) you’ll want to address each issue listed in the complaint and assert your affirmative defenses and counterclaims. Then, file your answer with the court and send the plaintiff a copy. This article walks you through the process and potential defenses.

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Can Bankruptcy Stop Eviction?

Written by Curtis Lee, JDLegally 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.

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How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Arkansas

Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Curtis Lee, JDLegally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated March 11, 2026

If you're dealing with debt that feels impossible to get out from under, Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be the fresh start you need. It can erase eligible debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans — and many Arkansans file without a lawyer or any filing costs. This guide covers everything you need to know to file in Arkansas.

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How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Oklahoma

Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Curtis Lee, JDLegally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated March 4, 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.

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How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Delaware

Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Curtis Lee, JDLegally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated March 3, 2026

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.

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How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Washington D.C.

Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Curtis Lee, JDLegally 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.

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How To File Bankruptcy for Free in California

Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Curtis Lee, JDLegally 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.

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Upsolve is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that started in 2016. Our mission is to help low-income families eliminate their debt and fix their credit with our free bankruptcy tool. Our team includes debt experts and engineers who care deeply about making the financial system accessible to everyone. We have world-class funders that include the U.S. government, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and leading foundations.

To learn more, read why we started Upsolve in 2016, our reviews from past users, and our press coverage from places like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.