“Dear Steve,
My father passed away 1 year ago from cancer leaving my mother with a credit card debt of 18,000.00. There is no life insurance and my mother’s income is limited to 2,000.00 per month. She continues to pay on their previously refinanced morgage that totals approximately 80,000.00 as well as her other monthly bills. The morgage payment alone if around 900.00 per month. She would prefer to remain in our family home however she struggles to clearly know what direction to move in when her finances are so tight. My parents filed chapter 11 bankruptcy in the 1990′s and my mother is very afraid that she will not be able refinance her home in order to stay where she is.
Is there government monies (state and/or federal ) that could assist my mother in eliminating her credit card debt of approxamately 18,000.00?
What advise would you give my mother about her current fianacial situation and what would you recommend she do to get her finances in order?
Thanks!
Kim”
The Answer:
Dear Kim,
Was the debt a joint debt or in your father’s name alone?
It sounds like the refinancing issue has more to do with her ability to show she can afford the mortgage payment on her income. Are any family members willing to help her out and contribute towards the mortgage payment?
The only “government” program to eliminate debt debt is bankruptcy.
Get back to me with answers to these questions and post your responses in the comments section below. Once I hear back we can move towards creating a plan to deal with this.
If you have a credit or debt question you’d like to ask just use the online form. I’m happy to help you totally for free.