fbpx

Just the Facts: Consumer Bankruptcy Trends, 2005-2021

Dave Ramsey’s Hatred of Bankruptcy and Credit Cards Makes No Logical Sense

Background The bankruptcy process can provide a fresh financial start for consumers who cannot pay their debts, either because of insolvency or insufficient income to meet creditor demands. Personal bankruptcy generally works in one of two ways: liquidating assets to pay one’s debts under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or establishing a repayment plan under Chapter 13 …

Read more

Crocodile Tears: Congress Tinkers With Bankruptcy Code But Forgets Student Debtors

President Biden signed the Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment and Technical Corrections Act yesterday, and congressional leaders pat themselves on the back. According to Senator Chuck Grassley, one of the Senate bill’s sponsors, the new law will remove some hurdles to the bankruptcy process and “assist small businesses and working families to weather financial hardship and emerge …

Read more

Rapid Reader Questions – Bankruptcy, Collection Agent, IRS, Student Loans

Things will be okay.

Q: What happens if you don’t file bankruptcy but still have credit card debt or loans at the bank? A: You owe them. Q: A collection agency sent my debt to a lawyer with a court date do I have to acknowledge it? A: No, but you will then lose by default. Q: Do I …

Read more

Rapid Fire Reader Questions – Levy, Attorney, Collection, Bankruptcy

Sometimes I get reader questions that don’t have enough information for a big answer. So here are some rapid-fire questions and answers. Q: Can a collection agency take money out of an account that is not the debtors? A: If the debtor is not a signer on the account and the account is in the …

Read more

Do NOT Avoid Bankruptcy – Podcast

There is so much misinformation floating about when it comes to dealing with debt. Far too many people tell you bankruptcy is a last resort or you should avoid bankruptcy. But here is the ironic thing, that is often the worst advice possible. In this podcast, Damon Day and I talk about bankruptcy, myths and …

Read more

Ten Real Things You Should Do to Survive a Bad Economy With Grace

Much of what we read is all high-level safe stuff about what people should do when facing tough economic times. And a whole lot of that advice is good for the masses, but what about what is best for the individual, you. The government wants consumers not to lose confidence during tough times. The economy …

Read more

We’ve Been to Credit Counseling But Should We File For Bankruptcy?

Dear Steve Hi! I am a piano teacher, and due to the bad economy have very few students, even though I am used to having plenty. We just moved because we could no longer afford where we lived. We gave up our house in a deed in lieu of foreclosure. My husband took a cut …

Read more