OVERLOOKED CAUSES OF FINANCIAL DISTRESS
Our website at Leiden & Leiden has previously described the most common causes of financial distress which may lead to bankruptcy. Among those causes are divorce/separation, unemployment/underemployment, health issues and mismanagement. However, there are other, less common causes of financial distress that we have noticed in our consultations with CSRA residents which can trigger a […]
ARE CREDIT CARD COMPANIES REQUIRED BY LAW TO ACCEPT LESS THAN THE AMOUNT OWED?
Lately in Augusta we’ve been hearing radio ads from different companies that advise consumers that there are laws the credit card companies do not want to disclose, that would require credit card companies to accept less than the full balance of the amount that is owed. These programs are touted as an alternative to a […]
CANCELLATION OF DEBT INCOME AND BANKRUPTCY: WHY SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?
As tax time approaches, many taxpayers are going to learn the hard way about cancellation of debt income when they file their taxes. If a creditor decides to forego the collection of a valid, undisputed debt, they may decide to cancel or “forgive” the debt. This means that the lender has decided that they will […]
Homeowner’s Association Fees & Bankruptcy
A frequent issue that arises in bankruptcy cases in Augusta, GA is the treatment of Homeowner’s Association fees (“HOA fees”) or regime fees. These fees represent an assessment against all homeowners in the association to maintain and improve common areas, such as a pool, gym or clubhouse. They may also cover road and infrastructure improvements. […]
Debt Management Plans: When It Makes Sense and When It Doesn’t
Many people who encounter financial hardship and fall behind on their credit card payments may consider a debt management plan. [i] In the standard debt management plan, a third party contacts the credit card companies on behalf of the consumer, and negotiates a reduced monthly payment. The consumer then pays a monthly payment to the […]
What to Know When Negotiating a Settlement with a Creditor
There may be certain circumstances when a consumer does not need a bankruptcy filing, especially if they are only concerned about a few specific debts. Given that is tax refund time, many consumers may have suddenly cash available to satisfy old debts that have gone to collection. In the alternative, an individual may seek assistance […]
Debt Management Plan and Debt Settlement Plan
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DEBT MANAGEMENT PLAN AND A DEBT SETTLEMENT PLAN? title loans orlando This is a question that arises fairly frequently when our firm discusses non-bankruptcy alternatives with prospective clients. The proliferation of television, radio and internet ads regarding these services inevitably causes confusion about the types of services, and what […]
Relief Available for Distressed Homeowners
RELIEF AVAILABLE FOR SOME DISTRESSED HOMEOWNERS UNDER SETTLEMENT EXECUTED WITH UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL AND UNITED STATES TRUSTEE PROGRAM After years of investigation into abusive mortgage practices of certain lenders by the United States Attorney General and United States Trustee, a settlement agreement was reached which hopes to provide some relief to distressed homeowners. The […]
Phone collection scam. Don’t be a victim
While other blogs have addressed collection law and lottery scams, there is a new scam which falls somewhere in the middle of the two. Consumers will receive phone calls from individuals claiming to be with non-existent government agencies, threatening criminal arrest and prosecution for non-payment of debts. Unlike a standard collection call, where the debt collector […]
Do’s and Don’t’s in Dealing with a Collection Agency
Even the most vigilant, conscientious consumers may have to deal with a collection agency at some point. It could be because a bill was overlooked at some point. It may be because the consumer disputed the debt, and refused to pay the original creditor. Or, it could be because the consumer is a victim of […]