Looking ahead in 2019
As the 2019 Legislative Session begins, we want to take a look at what is the best way to regulate Consumer Legal Funding. Over the past few years, the states have introduced several pieces of legislation with the aim of regulating Consumer Legal Funding. Rather than simply introduce capricious regulations, legislators should familiarize themselves both with the product, and the consumers who need it, before making rash decisions that will impact their constituents for life.
For example, according to CNBC, 78% of full-time workers said they live paycheck to paycheck, up from 75% last year. In addition, 56% of those polled said they were in over their heads with debt and save less than $100 per month for emergencies. Even for those making over $100,000, nearly 10% live paycheck to paycheck, and 59% in that salary range claim to be in the red.
That is why Consumer Legal Funding is so important. When an unexpected tragedy hits, and consumers lack the financial resources to make ends meet while their claim is dragging out, Consumer Legal makes its way through the legal process.
Consumer Legal Funding assists consumers like Jack Daniels from Phoenix, who stated: “My budget was already tight, and the injury made things much worse.” Consumer Legal Funding allows consumers like Jack to receive the fair and just settlement they deserve, as opposed to one they are forced to accept just because they are living paycheck to paycheck.
ARC supports proper regulation of the industry like those that have been enacted in Ohio, Maine, Vermont, Oklahoma and Nebraska. What we unequivocally do not support are severe restrictions that have been imposed on the industry, which prohibit the product from being offered. For example, in Arkansas, Consumer Legal Funding is no longer available because of the restrictions that were imposed by the Arkansas legislature in 2015.
We welcome any and all legislators to reach out to us to help properly regulate this important product that allows consumers to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table while their legal claim is in process. As Cathy from Hannibal, Missouri states, “[Consumer Legal Funding] kept me from being homeless.”
