This category is for questions readers have asked our experts directly for advice and guidance on how to deal with their debt situation.
If you would like to ask for free help, you can do so here.
Question: Dear Steve, I had two Amex cards, Blue and EveryDay. Unfortunately, they were both closed due to “dispute abuse.” I applied for the Cash Magnet Blue Card, got approved, then when the system updated, it got canceled; how do I get an Amex card? Hansel Answer: Dear Hansel, You don’t. It seems the previous … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I have a question about something I read that Dave Ramsey said. He said he went back and paid his creditors years after his bankruptcy even though he didn’t legally have to. Is that even possible? I’m only asking because now that we are in a better financial situation, we can afford … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, Hi, I’m currently in bankruptcy which will be done in a couple of months for my $20k in credit card debt. However, my next battle is to figure out how I will pay for my $190k in student loan debt. These are both federal and private loans. Private loans from Sallie Mae. … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I am $25,000 in debt. I gross $60,000. Should I use CCCS services or try to do this on my own? I’m overwhelmed, single mom, two kids, mortgage. I have no breathing room left. The very card is maxed, and now with interest, I will be over my limits. Should I use … Read more
Cases tossed out against Benjamin Zuckerman, Berger Singerman, Chantel L. Grant, GM Law Firm, Gregory Fishman, Julie Queler, Kevin Mason, National Legal Staffing Support. The cases involving the student loan assistance companies above were dismissed by the Court ending a previous flurry of suits attempting to recover money for consumers. The reason why it appears … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, Every once in a while, I get a weird voice mail threatening legal action through county court services claiming the caller’s client has attempted to contact me several times. The callback number given is 833-259-6457, which a search links to Bellman & Sterns, https://www.bellmanandsterns.com/. I’m not hard to find; having just purchased … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, My mother has severe Alzheimer’s, and I am her legal Guardian. When she was starting to get Alzheimer’s, she charged up her credit card to the point that it would have never been paid off. When I found out about it, I decided not to spend all her money to pay for … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, We have 12 yrs left on our 1st TD. It’s an ARM with a current rate of 2.75% and adjusts annually in June. We also have a HELOC with the entire 50k balance due as a balloon payment in 2023, interest-only payments at 4.5% until then. We presently have a fair credit … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I owe close to $40,000 in private student loan debt. The interests rates are 10% or more on some. The payments are way too high for me to make. I stopped paying in 2016. I am getting letters in the mail from U.S. Asset Management through the court of common pleas in … Read more
The Governor of California has just approved AB 1405 regarding debt settlement practices. Considering the number of debt settlement companies located in especially Southern California, this should create some new risks and liabilities for them. The new law targets not only the companies that sell and perform settlements but also the payment processors as well. … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I’m 70 years old with almost $250k in federal student loans. I’ve been on IBR and have a $0 payment so far and am on SS. When my IBR tenure is completed (25 years), will the amount that has been “forgiven” be considered Capital Gains, and thus will I have to pay … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, Is the Litigation Practice Group for real? They have me in a debt verification program. This company tried to dispute my debt with discover. And the creditor came back saying the debt was valid. So I’m paying them $385 a month. That will be $9,200 for two years. I think the company … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, Should I file for bankruptcy? I’m making 60k a year and have about 35k in debt, in which I’ve been making minimum payments for the last 14 months. It feels like I’m getting nowhere. This debt seems like it would never clear. Please advise. Bee Thank you Answer: Dear Bee, The honest … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I took a federal student loan for grad school in 1975. My Social Security now is garnisheed. Since 1993 loan collection has taken $35,000 from me, and not one cent has been applied to the loan amount only to interest. Is it legal not to put payments on to loan principal? Do … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I recently signed up with Coast Processing, now LPG Litigation Practice Group. So far they have taken 3 payments of $254.06. I am about $12,000 in credit card debt and 4 months with no payments to the credit cards. They say with the program after 36 months my credit is repaired. That … Read more