Nonprofit foreclosure counselors can help homeowners postpone sheriff's sales and navigate the loan modification process. Nonprofit financial counselors also can meet with strapped consumers to explore debt-payoff options. Knowing that, if you're still looking at for-profit companies in those fields, or hoping to hire a lawyer specializing in debt-settlement or foreclosures, consider:Is the lawyer licensed to practice law in Minnesota?
Lawyers are exempt only if they're licensed to practice law in Minnesota. Look up attorneys at the Minnesota Supreme Court: www.mncourts.gov/mars/default.aspx
Has the lawyer been disciplined?
Check with the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board: lprb.mncourts.gov/Pages/Default.aspx
Is the company licensed?
Check to see if it is licensed with the Minnesota Department of Commerce by using the agency's license lookup tool: www.commerce.state.mn.us/LicenseLookupMain.html
Is there a nonprofit offering a similar service?
For foreclosure help, check www.lookbeforeyouleap.org. For debt counseling, visit the National Foundation for Credit counseling at www.nfcc.org.
![Attendees of Frostbike made their way through the convention Saturday at the Quality Bike Products campus in Minneapolis. ] (AARON LAVINSKY/STAR TRIBUNE) aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com Frostbike 2016 was held at the Quality Bike Products Campus on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 in Bloomington, Minn.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/NH2BSHB74ND2V6GF2G2HI5X4MM.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
