“Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” — Romans 13:7
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Describe your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
- Respond to a collector calmly and in writing
- Prioritize court obligations and child support and seek official help
- Recognize when to contact legal aid
Lesson Notes
Your Rights With Debt Collectors
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) limits abusive behavior by debt collectors. In general, collectors may not harass you, threaten you with things they cannot legally do, use obscene language, or lie about what you owe or who they are.
You can ask a collector in writing to validate the debt, which means showing that it is yours and how much is owed. The first notice a collector sends usually explains how and when to dispute. Respond in writing and keep copies. You can also report abusive collectors to the CFPB (consumerfinance.gov). Rules about how old a debt can be before a collector can sue vary by state, and in some situations a payment can affect your rights on very old debt, so ask legal aid before paying an old debt you are unsure about.
Talking With a Collector
Stay calm and polite. Do not give bank account access or card numbers over the phone. Say: “Please send me written information about this debt.” Write down the date, the collector's name, the company, and what was said. Never agree to pay more than your budget allows. Never ignore a court summons; if you are sued, contact legal aid right away.
Court Debt: Fines, Fees, Costs, and Restitution
Court-ordered debt is different from a credit card. Missing payments can have legal consequences tied to your case or supervision. Never ignore court obligations.
If you cannot pay, ask the court, your probation officer, or legal aid about options such as a payment plan or an ability-to-pay review. Options vary by court and state. Make requests in writing, keep every receipt, and pay court obligations before extra payments on consumer debt. Restitution repays a victim; paying it faithfully is also an act of making things right.
Child Support
Child support is set by an order and enforced by a state agency. If your income has changed, contact the child support agency to ask whether you can request a review or modification. Do not wait. Keep records of every payment. Legal aid can explain your options. Paying support is provision for your children, and it remains a priority in your plan even while you pay other debts.
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| FDCPA | Fair Debt Collection Practices Act; limits abusive collector behavior |
| Validation | Proof from a collector that a debt is yours and the amount is correct |
| Restitution | Money a court orders to repay a victim |
| Ability-to-pay review | A court process some places use to consider what a person can afford |
| Modification | A legal change to an order, such as child support |
In-Class Activities
Collector Call Role-Play
In pairs, one student plays a collector and one plays Denise. (Denise is a composite example.) Round 1: the collector is polite. Round 2: the collector is pushy and asks for a card number right now. Denise practices: staying calm, asking for written validation, refusing to give account access, and writing a call log. Switch roles.
Priority Ladder
Put Denise's monthly obligations in priority order and explain: rent; groceries; bus pass; court payment plan ($40); child support; car loan minimum; store card minimum; medical collection; extra payment toward a collection; a new phone upgrade.
Assignment: Obligation Letters
Write two short letters (composite names; no real case or account numbers):
- A debt validation request to a collector for a $450 phone collection you do not recognize the amount of.
- A request to a court clerk asking about a payment plan for $1,500 in court costs. Propose $50 per month and state how many months that would take.
Then list the official office you would contact for child support questions and one legal aid resource you could use.
Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.
Reflection Journal
Romans 13:7 tells us to render to all their dues. Court debts and support obligations can carry heavy emotions. How do you want to approach these obligations with honesty and courage? Where do you need God's peace when facing authorities or collectors?
Prayer focus: Ask God for courage to face every obligation, wisdom when you speak with collectors and courts, and favor as you seek fair solutions.
Weekly Reading & Devotions
Facing Authorities Without Fear
For many women, a phone call from a collector or a letter from the court brings instant fear. That fear makes sense. But fear is not a plan. This week you learned calm, written ways to respond.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act limits abusive behavior by collectors. You can ask for written validation of a debt, keep a call log, and refuse to give account access over the phone. If a collector is abusive, you can report it to the CFPB. If you are ever sued, you contact legal aid right away rather than ignoring it.
Court debt and child support are different. They come right after your basic needs, before extra payments on any credit card or collection. If you cannot pay, you do not hide; you ask the court, your probation officer, the child support agency, or legal aid about your options, in writing, and you keep every receipt.
Romans 13:7 calls us to render to all their dues. Paying restitution, court costs, and child support can feel heavy. It can also become part of your restoration: proof to yourself and others that you are someone who makes things right and provides for her children.
Think About It
- What fear do you feel about collectors or the court? ______________________
- Which official office will you contact first? ______________________
- How can paying obligations become part of your restoration? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 5
Render to All
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.— Romans 13:7 (KJV)
Paying legal obligations is part of living honestly under authority.
Reflect: Which obligation do you need to face?
Pray: Lord, help me render what is due.
Do: Write the name of the office you will contact.
A Soft Answer
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.— Proverbs 15:1 (KJV)
Calm words protect you in hard conversations with collectors.
Reflect: How do you react under pressure?
Pray: Lord, give me a soft answer.
Do: Practice your collector script aloud.
Not a Spirit of Fear
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.— 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
Fear does not come from God. You can face authorities with a sound mind.
Reflect: Where does fear control your choices?
Pray: Lord, replace my fear with power, love, and a sound mind.
Do: Take one step you have been afraid to take.
Children Are a Heritage
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.— Psalm 127:3 (KJV)
Providing for children is honoring God's gift, even from a distance.
Reflect: How can you provide for your children in this season?
Pray: Lord, bless my children and help me provide.
Do: Pray for each child by name.
A Present Help
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.— Psalm 46:1 (KJV)
When the letters and calls feel overwhelming, God is present.
Reflect: Where do you need God's help today?
Pray: Lord, be my refuge.
Do: Keep this verse with your obligations folder.
Module Quiz
- 1.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act:
- 2.
If a collector asks for your card number over the phone, a wise response is:
- 3.
If you cannot afford a court-ordered payment, the best step is to:
- 4.
You should never ignore a court summons about a debt.
- 5.
At $50 per month, how many months will it take to pay $1,500 in court costs?