Jonathan Petts has over 15 years of experience in bankruptcy and is co-founder and CEO of Upsolve. He is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) and the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI). Jonathan has an LLM in Bankruptcy from St. John's University, clerked for two federal bankruptcy judges, and worked at two top New York City law firms specializing in bankruptcy.
Articles written by Jonathan Petts
How To Answer an Alabama Debt Collection Court Summons
Written by Ben Jackson. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated March 15, 2026
Answering a debt lawsuit is easier than you might think! You simply need to fill out an official court answer form, tell the court why you disagree with the lawsuit, and file the paperwork with the court. Then, you have to send a copy of your answer form to the person suing you. Finally, wait to get notice from the court about next steps. If you contest the lawsuit, the court will schedule a hearing date to hear both sides of the case.
Read More →How To Answer a South Carolina Debt Collection Court Summons
Written by Attorney Tina Tran. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated March 15, 2026
If you’re sued for a debt in South Carolina, the most important thing you can do is respond! Here are the basic steps: 1. Fill out an answer form. 2. Note your defenses. 3. File your forms with the court within 30 days of receiving the summons. 4. Deliver a copy of your answer form to the person suing you.
Read More →What Are the Tennessee Bankruptcy Exemptions?
Written by Attorney Karra Kingston. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated March 15, 2026
Exemptions are important laws that help you protect what you own when you file bankruptcy. If you're filing Chapter 7 and you’ve lived in Tennessee for at least two years, you’ll be required to use the state exemptions. You can use federal non-bankruptcy exemptions to protect certain retirement accounts and disability benefits. The homestead exemption starts at $35,000 for single filers, but there are different rules for filers with specific circumstances. Tennessee doesn’t have a specific motor vehicle exemption, but offers a generous $10,000 personal property exemption you can use to protect your car or any other property not protected by an exemption.
Read More →New York State Wage Garnishment Laws: Your Complete Guide
Written by Curtis Lee, JD. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated March 15, 2026
Most creditors must get a court order to garnish your wages if you live in New York. Two exceptions are garnishments for public debts (like past-due taxes and family debts (like child support). The law limits how much of your weekly earnings a creditor can take through wage garnishment. These limits vary based on the minimum wage where you live and the type of debt you owe. Finally, an employer can’t fire you because you have a wage garnishment order against you.
Read More →Your Guide to Pennsylvania Debt Collection Laws
Written by Attorney Tina Tran. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated March 15, 2026
Pennsylvania has two state debt collection laws: the Pennsylvania Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act (FCEUA) and the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL). Combined, these two laws provide important protections for state residents against both original creditors and third-party debt collectors. Pennsylvanians get further protections from the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) offered to all states. The statute of limitations for all debt contracts (including credit cards and medical bills) in Pennsylvania is four years.
Read More →Stop Wage Garnishment in Virginia: Your Rights and Options
Written by Mae Koppes. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated March 15, 2026
Wage garnishment in Virginia is a legal process that allows a creditor to take money directly from your paycheck to collect a debt. Most creditors must first sue you and win a court judgment before they can garnish your wages. Once a judgment is in place, the creditor can ask the court to send a wage garnishment order to your employer. Virginia law limits how much money can be taken from each paycheck and provides exemptions to protect some types of income. This guide explains how wage garnishment works in Virginia, how much can be taken, and what steps you can take to stop or reduce it.
Your Guide to Illinois’ Debt Collection Laws
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Updated March 15, 2026
Illinois has two state laws that protect its residents against unfair, deceptive, harassing, or fraudulent debt collectors: the Illinois Collection Agency Act (ICAA) and the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (ICFDBPA). Additionally, a 2018 Illinois Supreme Court Rule sets certain requirements for creditors and debt buyers who file debt collection lawsuits. This is unique to the state of Illinois and helps protect consumers from being sued without proper evidence.
The statute of limitations for credit cards and medical debt is five years in Illinois.
Wage Garnishment in New Jersey
Written by Natasha Wiebusch, J.D.. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated March 15, 2026
In New Jersey, most creditors must sue you and get a court judgment before they can garnish your wages, but some debts — like unpaid taxes, child support, and federal student loans — don’t require a court case first. Once the court approves the garnishment, your employer must withhold a portion of your paycheck, usually between 10% and 25% of your disposable income. You have the right to object and may be able to reduce or stop the garnishment by showing financial hardship. Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy also stops most garnishments and can erase many common debts.
Wage Garnishment in Wisconsin
Written by Lawyer John Coble. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated March 15, 2026
Wage garnishment happens when money is taken from your paycheck to repay a debt, usually after a creditor sues you and wins a court judgment. In Wisconsin, most garnishments come from consumer debts like credit cards or medical bills, but state law limits how much of your income can be taken. The process includes several steps, but you may be able to stop the garnishment by filing objections, claiming exemptions, or filing for bankruptcy. For people struggling with multiple debts, bankruptcy can stop wage garnishment and may erase the debt entirely.
Your Guide to North Carolina’s Debt Collection Laws
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Updated March 15, 2026
North Carolina has three strong debt collection laws: the North Carolina Collection Agency Act, the North Carolina Debt Collection Act, and the Consumer Economic Protection Act of 2009. These laws protect North Carolinians from unethical and dishonest debt collection practices. Further protection is provided by the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for credit card debt and medical bills is three years.
