BYU Personal Finance Course: Rebuild After Debt Lawsuits

By Talk About Debt Team
Reviewed by Ben Jackson
Last Updated: December 25, 2025
5 min read
The Bottom Line

Getting sued for debt creates immediate legal problems and long-term financial challenges. While you must respond to the lawsuit first, free education resources like BYU's Personal Finance Course help you rebuild skills and prevent future debt traps.

Answer Your Lawsuit

Getting sued for debt can happen to anyone. It doesn’t matter what you earn or where you live.

Many people facing debt lawsuits never expected to be in this position. Some don’t even owe the debt they’re being sued for.

Facing a Debt Lawsuit? Respond Before the Deadline

You have limited time to answer a debt lawsuit, typically 14 to 30 days. Our partner Solo helps you create a proper response that protects your rights and stops default judgments.

Respond to Lawsuit Now

But if you’re here, you need more than just lawsuit defense. You need to rebuild your financial foundation.

One powerful resource can help: Brigham Young University’s Personal Finance Course.

Why the BYU Personal Finance Course Stands Out

The course is completely free. It’s also entirely online and available to everyone.

You’ll learn essential money management skills that prevent future debt problems. The curriculum covers everything from budgeting basics to debt elimination strategies.

Professor Sudweeks designed the course with practical tools you can use immediately. The resources page alone is worth your time.

Free Financial Calculators That Actually Help

The course includes Excel calculator tools for real-world decisions:

  • Debt payoff timelines and strategies
  • Lease versus buy comparisons for vehicles
  • Payday loan cost calculators
  • Budget planning worksheets
  • Retirement savings projections

These tools show you the real cost of financial decisions. Run the numbers before you commit to anything.

When to Use Financial Education After a Lawsuit

If you’re currently being sued, your first priority is responding to the lawsuit. Our partner Solo can help you answer the complaint and protect your rights.

After you’ve addressed the legal threat, education becomes crucial. You need skills to avoid future debt traps.

The BYU course helps you understand why debt happens. More importantly, it shows you how to prevent it.

Payday Loans: A Common Path to Lawsuits

Many debt lawsuits start with payday loans. These loans seem convenient but carry crushing interest rates.

Before taking a payday loan, use the BYU calculator tools. You’ll see exactly how much that “quick cash” actually costs.

The true cost often shocks people. Most would find another solution if they saw the numbers first.

Building a Lawsuit-Proof Financial Life

Financial education prevents the circumstances that lead to lawsuits. You’ll learn to spot predatory lending before it traps you.

The course teaches you to:

  • Create emergency funds that prevent crisis borrowing
  • Understand credit card terms and hidden fees
  • Negotiate with creditors before accounts go to collections
  • Build budgets that account for irregular income
  • Prioritize debts to avoid default

Knowledge gives you power over your financial future. You’ll make better decisions when you understand the consequences.

Resources for Every Financial Situation

The BYU course works whether you’re recovering from debt or preventing it. The materials adapt to your specific needs.

You can focus on debt elimination if you’re still paying off old accounts. Or concentrate on building wealth if you’ve cleared your obligations.

Every module provides actionable steps. You’re not just learning theory.

What to Do Right Now

If you’re facing a debt lawsuit, respond first. The court deadline won’t wait for you to finish a course.

Our partner Solo helps you create a proper Answer to the lawsuit. You have limited time to respond, usually 14 to 30 days.

After you’ve filed your Answer, start the BYU course. The education will help you negotiate a settlement you can actually afford.

You’ll understand payment plans and interest calculations. Creditors can’t manipulate you when you know the math.

Free Doesn’t Mean Low Quality

Some people doubt free resources. They assume quality requires payment.

The BYU Personal Finance Course proves otherwise. It rivals paid courses costing hundreds of dollars.

Professor Sudweeks created the materials for education, not profit. The university makes it available as a public service.

You get university-level instruction without the tuition bill. Take advantage of it.

Who Should Take This Course

Anyone who has faced or fears facing debt collection should enroll. The course benefits:

  • People recovering from debt lawsuits
  • Anyone struggling with credit card debt
  • Families living paycheck to paycheck
  • Young adults building financial habits
  • Anyone who wants better money management skills

You don’t need prior financial knowledge. The course starts with basics and builds systematically.

Beyond the Lawsuit: Long-Term Financial Health

Beating a debt lawsuit solves an immediate crisis. Building financial skills prevents future crises.

The BYU course gives you both knowledge and tools. You’ll understand why you got into debt and how to stay out.

Education changes behavior. Behavior changes outcomes.

You can break the debt cycle permanently. It requires learning new skills and applying them consistently.

Start Your Financial Recovery Today

Visit PersonalFinance.BYU.edu and begin your first module.

Browse the resources page for immediate help with pressing decisions. Download the calculator tools you need right now.

Pair the course with proper lawsuit defense. Handle the legal threat while building skills for the future.

You deserve a life free from debt stress. The tools exist to create that life.

You just need to use them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BYU Personal Finance Course?

The BYU Personal Finance Course is a free online program created by Professor Sudweeks at Brigham Young University. It teaches essential money management skills including budgeting, debt elimination, and financial planning. The course includes practical Excel calculator tools for real-world financial decisions.

How can financial education help after a debt lawsuit?

Financial education helps you understand why you accumulated debt and how to avoid it in the future. After responding to your lawsuit, courses like BYU's teach you to create budgets, negotiate settlements, spot predatory lending, and build emergency funds that prevent future collection actions.

Can I take the BYU course while dealing with a debt lawsuit?

Yes, but respond to your lawsuit first. You typically have 14 to 30 days to file an Answer with the court. After you've responded to the legal threat, start the BYU course to build skills for negotiating settlements and preventing future debt problems.

What financial tools does the BYU course provide?

The course offers free Excel calculators for debt payoff timelines, lease versus buy decisions, payday loan cost analysis, budget planning, and retirement savings. These tools help you make informed financial decisions and see the true cost of borrowing before you commit.

How does the course help prevent future debt lawsuits?

The course teaches you to create emergency funds, understand credit terms, negotiate with creditors before default, and build realistic budgets. These skills help you avoid the financial circumstances that lead to collection actions and lawsuits.