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CommunityThursday, November 12

USU is expanding free legal help for Utahns facing eviction and debt collection

The Logan Morning News teamFrom today’s edition · 1 min read · 2 sources

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If you're facing an eviction or a debt collection suit, Utah State University has help. Its program is expanding to certify social workers and other human service professionals to give limited legal help in landlord-tenant disputes, adding to its March 2025 authorization for debt matters.

The need is lopsided. Utah State Courts data show defendants represent themselves in 96% of eviction cases and 98% of debt collection cases, while nearly all landlords and debt collectors have attorneys.

Defendants represent themselves in 96% of eviction cases and 98% of debt cases

Source: KVNU

View as table
Value
Eviction cases96%
Debt collection cases98%

Advocates can explain procedures, help with court documents, negotiate and assist in court, with Utah-licensed attorneys mentoring. Training is a 16-week course that ends in a final exam.

  • Housing course: new in January, covers getting and keeping housing
  • Who can join: USU upperclassmen; underclassmen may apply
  • Non-students: social work bachelor's, license or six months' experience

A $148,000 grant from the will pay for advocate hours, so people not already linked to a social service agency can get help. It comes as the state prepares to consolidate approximately 88,000 cases into a new statewide court division in 2027.

The Community Justice Advocate expansion by the numbers

$148,000
Utah Bar Foundation grant for advocate hours
88,000
approximate cases headed to a new statewide court division in 2027
16 weeks
of coursework before the final exam

Sources: The Herald Journal, KVNU

Sources: KVNU, The Herald Journal

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