Paige Hooper is a seasoned consumer bankruptcy attorney with 15 years of experience successfully representing debtors in Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 cases. Paige began practicing bankruptcy law in 2006 and started her own solo, multi-state bankruptcy practice in 2012. Given her expertise in bankruptcy, Paige was selected in 2011 to create a comprehensive library of practice forms, procedural guides, intake packets, and detailed manuals used to train attorneys and paralegals in bankruptcy law. Paige is committed to using her education and experience to help others and to make a positive difference in the world. She has a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Mississippi. She is actively licensed to practice law in Mississippi and Tennessee. When she’s not practicing law, Paige enjoys writing, cooking, painting, and spending time with her son, Mickey.
Articles written by Attorney Paige Hooper
Everything You Need To Know About Debt Settlement
Written by Mae Koppes. Legally reviewed by Attorney Paige Hooper
Updated March 15, 2026
Debt settlement is a type of debt relief that may allow you to settle certain debts for less than what you owe. You can negotiate directly with your creditors or hire a debt settlement company to do the work for you. Whether you hire a company or do it yourself, you’ll need a lump sum of money to make an offer. If you hire a company, you’ll likely pay into an account until you’ve saved enough money to make a good settlement offer.
Read More →How Can I Get Free Legal Aid Help To File Bankruptcy?
Written by Mae Koppes. Legally reviewed by Attorney Paige Hooper
Updated March 14, 2026
Legal aid provides free or low-cost legal help to people who can’t afford a lawyer. Some legal aid offices help with bankruptcy, but not all do — and many have limited capacity. Eligibility usually depends on income, but other factors like age, disability, or veteran status may also apply. If legal aid can’t take your case, you still have other options. Upsolve is a nonprofit that helps people get a fresh start using a free bankruptcy filing tool.
Read More →Can a Credit Card Company Sue Me if I Stop Paying?
Written by Attorney Tina Tran. Legally reviewed by Attorney Paige Hooper
Updated March 14, 2026
Yes, a credit card company can sue you if you stop paying your bills. Typically, credit card companies will contact you several times before escalating the matter to legal action or charging off the debt to a debt collection agency. Though there’s no set timeline, you can expect legal action after six months of nonpayment. While there are no guarantees, you’re less likely to be sued if you owe less than $2,000.
Read More →Can a Debt Collector Take Me to Court?
Written by Attorney Karra Kingston. Legally reviewed by Attorney Paige Hooper
Updated March 14, 2026
Yes, debt collectors can take you to court for unpaid debt. But this won’t be their first move. Debt collection agencies will first call you and send notices in the mail to try to collect on unpaid debt. It’s common for debt collectors to make several attempts over a period of many months to collect a debt before they decide to sue you.
Read More →Debt Settlement: How To Write an Agreement Letter (+ Template)
Written by Mark P. Cussen, CMFC. Legally reviewed by Attorney Paige Hooper
Updated March 14, 2026
If your lender agrees to let you settle a debt for less than what you owe, you'll need a written agreement that includes: - Information about the debt - What you'll be expected to pay - How much will be forgiven - What the repayment terms are If your lender doesn't send an agreement, you can use the template in this article to draft a written agreement to make sure you're both on the same page. It’s important to get any debt settlement agreement in writing!
Read More →How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Colorado
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Kelly Pickering. Legally reviewed by Attorney Paige Hooper
Updated March 13, 2026
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Colorado can help you wipe out debt and get a fresh start — and you may be able to do it for free without hiring a lawyer. This guide walks you through every step, from taking the required credit counseling course to filing your forms and attending your court hearing. You’ll learn how to gather documents, apply for a fee waiver, and protect your property using Colorado’s bankruptcy exemptions. If your case is simple, you may even qualify to use Upsolve’s free tool to file on your own.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Wyoming
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Kelly Pickering. Legally reviewed by Attorney Paige Hooper
Updated March 4, 2026
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Wyoming can give you a fresh start by erasing many common debts, and it’s possible to do it without hiring a lawyer if your case is simple. This guide walks you through each step — from gathering documents and taking required courses to completing forms, paying (or waiving) the filing fee, and submitting everything to the court. It also explains how Wyoming’s bankruptcy exemptions work and what to expect with your car, home, and other belongings. If your case is simple, you may be able to use a free online tool like Upsolve to prepare and file your forms on your own.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in West Virginia
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Mae Koppes. Legally reviewed by Attorney Paige Hooper
Updated March 4, 2026
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in West Virginia can erase many types of unsecured debt, like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans, giving you a fresh financial start. The process involves gathering documents, completing two required courses, filling out and submitting bankruptcy forms, and attending a short 341 meeting with your trustee. Both state districts allow you to file in person, by mail, or online through the eSR system. This article walks you through each step, explains costs and fee waiver options, and highlights resources — including Upsolve’s free filing tool and local legal aid organizations.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Vermont
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Kelly Pickering. Legally reviewed by Attorney Paige Hooper
Updated March 4, 2026
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Vermont can give you a fresh financial start by wiping out common debts like credit cards and medical bills. Many people complete the process without hiring a lawyer. The steps include gathering financial documents, taking two short required courses, completing and filing bankruptcy forms, and attending a short virtual meeting with a court-appointed trustee. Upsolve has a free tool that can help guide you through the process if you're filing on your own.
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Utah
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer, Kelly Pickering. Legally reviewed by Attorney Paige Hooper
Updated March 4, 2026
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Utah can help you erase many types of debt and stop collection actions, and it's possible to do it for free if you qualify for a fee waiver and file without a lawyer. The process includes gathering financial documents, taking two required credit courses, completing bankruptcy forms, and attending a short court meeting called the 341 meeting. This step-by-step guide walks you through everything you need to know to confidently file on your own.
