Find Help in Maryland
126 government-validated organizations serving Maryland — housing counselors, credit counselors, debtor education providers, and legal aid offices.
Why Maryland Residents Need Help
The NY Fed reports a $81,390 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in Maryland (national average: $63,200 on the same basis); its credit card delinquency rate of 11.65% ranks #21 nationally. Multiple distress indicators exceed national averages, making access to the 126 verified counseling and legal aid organizations here especially critical.
31 of Maryland's 38 HUD-approved housing counselors offer foreclosure and default counseling. 18 agencies serve in Spanish, with 5 non-English languages available across all agencies. 5 offer reverse mortgage counseling.
13 of the 40 DOJ-approved credit counselors serving Maryland offer in-person sessions, and 37 offer online counseling. For the post-filing debtor education course, 9 of 47 providers offer in-person classes.
Housing Counselors (38)
HUD-approved agencies providing free foreclosure prevention counseling, mortgage assistance, and financial guidance.
Credit Counselors (40)
Agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Justice provide the required pre-filing credit counseling for bankruptcy, plus general debt management plans.
Debtor Education (47)
U.S. Department of Justice-approved providers offer the required post-filing debtor education course in bankruptcy proceedings.
Legal Aid (1)
Federally funded legal aid organizations providing free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals facing foreclosure, debt, and housing issues.
Foreclosure in Maryland
Read the full Maryland foreclosure law guide — timeline, protections, redemption rights, and anti-deficiency rules.
Most-Complained-About Mortgage Servicer in Maryland
Wells Fargo & Company leads with 2,011 mortgage complaints recorded by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in Maryland (out of 15,392 total across all servicers). If you're having issues with your servicer, a HUD-approved counselor can help you navigate the complaint process.
File a CFPB complaint · View full Wells Fargo & Company complaint profile
Maryland Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How many verified help providers are in Maryland?
There are 126 government-validated organizations serving Maryland: 38 HUD-approved housing counselors, 40 DOJ-approved credit counselors, 47 debtor education providers, and 1 LSC-funded legal aid offices. Of the 38 counselors, 31 offer foreclosure prevention services and 18 serve in Spanish.
Are housing counselors in Maryland free?
Yes. HUD-approved housing counseling agencies provide foreclosure prevention counseling free of charge, and a counselor can help you talk to your mortgage servicer and understand any options it has offered. Maryland uses judicial foreclosure. The earlier you contact a counselor, the more options you'll have. HUD's referral line is 1-800-569-4287.
What is the difference between credit counseling and debtor education in Maryland?
Credit counseling is required before filing for bankruptcy — a counselor reviews your finances and discusses alternatives. Debtor education is required after filing — a course that covers budgeting, money management, and using credit wisely. Both are provided by U.S. Department of Justice-approved agencies. Maryland had 12,405 bankruptcy filings last year (#15 nationally per capita). 63% were Chapter 7 liquidations and 36% were Chapter 13 repayment plans.
How do I qualify for free legal aid in Maryland?
LSC-funded legal aid is available to low-income individuals, typically those earning below 125% of the federal poverty level. Each organization has its own intake process — call and ask about eligibility. Many can help with foreclosure defense, debt collection harassment, and housing disputes. Maryland has 1 LSC-funded legal aid office — Maryland Legal Aid is the primary provider.
How current is this directory data?
Provider listings are pulled from federal government databases: the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Counselor API, the U.S. Department of Justice U.S. Trustee Program approved-agency feeds, and the Legal Services Corporation grantee database. Data is refreshed periodically from these official sources.
What type of foreclosure does Maryland use?
Maryland uses judicial foreclosure. Court oversight means the process can take longer but provides more procedural protections. See our full Maryland foreclosure law guide for details on protections, redemption rights, and homestead exemptions.
What are the top mortgage complaints in Maryland?
Maryland has 15,392 mortgage complaints on record from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau across the mortgage servicers we track. The most-complained-about servicer is WELLS FARGO & COMPANY with 2,011 complaints. If you're having issues with your servicer, a HUD-approved counselor can help you navigate the complaint process, or you can file a CFPB complaint directly. See WELLS FARGO & COMPANY's full complaint profile.