Author Archives: Site Administrator
The high price of a payday loan
After a difficult week, you may find yourself short of cash a day or two before payday. Maybe this has happened before, and you have solved the problem by driving to a nearby storefront for a payday loan. Only this time, you haven’t paid back the loan from the previous week, and now you… Read More »
How to rebuild credit after declaring bankruptcy
Florida consumers who file for bankruptcy might know that a Chapter 13 bankruptcy remains on a credit record for seven years while a Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays for 10 years. However, people can start rebuilding their credit as soon as a bankruptcy is discharged. They can also start to build spending and saving habits… Read More »
Nonprofit hospitals, trade associations can lower medical bills
Thousands of Florida residents are struggling with medical debt, but few of them know that there are organizations that may negotiate on their behalf to lower their bills. Groups such as the Alliance of Claim Assistant Professionals scrutinize itemized hospital and doctor bills to identify errors and overcharging, and they are sometimes able to… Read More »
Medical debt responsible for many bankruptcies
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 25 of adults throughout the United States have trouble paying their medical bills. In many cases, this results in Florida residents filing for bankruptcy even if they have insurance. In 2014, it was estimated that 40 percent of Americans had medical debt of some kind. A… Read More »
What should you do when creditor harassment crosses the line?
With unpaid debts come phone calls, letters and other types of collection efforts by collection agents and creditors. This is a normal thing to experience if you have a significant amount of debt, but there are times when these efforts cross the line. Fortunately, you do not have to suffer through these things alone… Read More »
Trustee retroactively adjusts Chapter 13 payments
Florida residents might like to know about the events in Texas that led to a court decision stating that a bankruptcy trustee cannot retroactively adjust Chapter 13 payment plans for home-mortgage claims. In 25 cases, one trustee adjusted confirmed plan payments to retroactively accommodate home-mortgage claims filed after repayment plans were approved. The court… Read More »
Multiple kinds of debt from bankruptcy perspective
Florida residents who are considering filing for bankruptcy might like to know more about what happens to their debts through this process. How they are handled depend upon their classification and the particular bankruptcy chapter that is being used. From a bankruptcy perspective, creditors fall into three classes: priority, secured and unsecured. Priority debts… Read More »
Collection agencies employ more sophisticated techniques
Florida consumers who are struggling with their financial obligations might also be dealing with new and intrusive tactics by collection agencies. For example, there are regulations that prevent collectors from calling repeatedly, but new technology allows them to leave direct voice mails without the phone ringing. Consumer advocates say they are trying to sidestep… Read More »
Lender must pay millions in wrongful foreclosure case
Florida consumers might expect that when they file for bankruptcy, all creditors are supposed to stop any proceedings against them. When a lender in California went ahead with foreclosure proceedings even after a couple filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, it was sued and ordered to pay more than $45 million in damages. The case… Read More »
Is threat of foreclosure seeping into your divorce proceedings?
The challenges Florida spouses face in divorce are typically many. No two marital situations are exactly the same that lead couples to ultimately determine divorce as the most viable option for resolving their particular issues. The divorce process is seldom easy, and it’s often necessary to compromise and cooperate in order to negotiate fair… Read More »