Truth in Lending Act (TILA): Federal law requiring clear disclosure of lending terms and costs to protect consumers in credit transactions

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA): Federal law that limits the behavior and actions of debt collectors and establishes guidelines for debt collection practices

Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA): Federal law prohibiting discrimination in credit transactions based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or public assistance status

E-SIGN Act: Federal law ensuring the legal validity of electronic signatures and electronic documents in commerce

State Usury Laws: State-specific regulations that set maximum interest rates and govern lending practices within each state's jurisdiction

State Contract Laws: State-specific regulations governing contract formation, enforcement, and remedies

State Debt Collection Regulations: State-specific rules governing debt collection practices, often providing additional protections beyond federal law

State Consumer Protection Laws: State-specific regulations designed to protect consumers from unfair or deceptive business practices

UCC Article 3: Uniform Commercial Code article governing negotiable instruments, including promissory notes and checks

UCC Article 9: Uniform Commercial Code article governing secured transactions and creditor rights

Contract Capacity Requirements: Legal requirements ensuring all parties have the legal ability to enter into a binding contract

Consideration Doctrine: Legal requirement that something of value must be exchanged between parties for a contract to be valid

Offer and Acceptance Rules: Legal principles governing how contracts are formed through the meeting of minds between parties

Legal Purpose Requirement: Principle requiring that contracts must have a legal purpose to be enforceable

Statute of Limitations: State-specific time limits for bringing legal actions related to debt collection and contract breaches

Bankruptcy Code: Federal laws governing bankruptcy proceedings and their impact on payment agreements, including automatic stay provisions