Getting a mortgage will probably be the largest transaction of your life — no doubt, it will have an impact on your finances for the next 30 years. With that in mind, when it comes to how much you can borrow for that big transaction, any debts you have now will reduce that amount. And if someone else – a ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, I have a child support collection on my trans Union report dating back to 2001 (date opened) and showing date closed as Nov 2007. As it’s more than 7 years old can’t that be deleted? Also, the state recently added the same collection to my Equifax with the same dates. Can’t that be deleted as well? David” The ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, I was divorced 6 years ago and did not received child support for 4 and 1/2 years and gave my ex $25,000 as part of the equity in my home. I accumulated credit card debt trying to maintain the lifestyle of my kids and take care of them. I filed chapter 13 14 months ago and my case ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, I am 60 years old, divorced for 7 years, with two kids. I have not gotten child support from my ex and he has not helped with the boys financially or physically. Though the government has finally caught up with him and I am now receiving 1,000 a month back support. I make 35,000 a year, pay for ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, Recently divorced and left with about $40,000 in credit card debt due to helping my ex-husband start his now lucrative company. I’m not bitter! I am drowning here now, however. It’s about ten credit cards with APRs spanning from 14% all the way up to 29.9%. I can only barely afford the minimum payments and realize that every ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, Struggled throught the last few years after attending a trade school which flooded the job market with similarly trained people so finding a job and maintaining my household became nearly impossible so I could not repay my student loans and defaulted on a few utility bills. All of which are now in collections. In total I owe $38,000 ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, I am a single parent, sort of an empty nester, but not quite. I have always worked low wage jobs because I don’t know the right people. I thought my brains and work ethic would get me past that. Long story short, I finally graduated college at 40, but I am still working the same dead end job ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, My husband and I have been married for almost 9 years. About eight years ago we took my ex husband to court for custody issues involving my children. This took about 6 and half years and thousands of dollars. We paid for the court cost and attorney fees by getting cash advances on credit cards. We also have ... Read More »

I am sure you have heard this all before, but life went a bit out of control after lung surgery being slammed down w/ medical bills etc., needless to say, I am in over my head w/ credit cards. Already have an second mortgage (equity) loan I can barely afford and to top all off a woman came after my ... Read More »

The following guest post was contributed by Mary Reed, coauthor of Debt Collection Answers: How to Use Debt Collection Laws to Protect Your Rights. She answers questions about how debt collection laws can protect you against abusive debt collectors. If you would like to contribute a guest post, click here. Q: When I marry my fiance will I be responsible ... Read More »

“Dear Lewis, I am writing for my daughter and have 2 very simple questions to ask. She has been trying to close up her divorce and custody for 6 yrs. Her ex has been very difficult as far as paying child support, but reluctanly pays an amount that has been court ordered. Needles to say, this has been a very ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, My situation is this. I am in credit card debt in the amount of over $10,000. I have recently moved to try to get a better education to get a better job. I am a single mother with three children and do get government assistance in the form of medicaid and foodstamps. Before i moved i just barely ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, My husband and I are currently going through divorce (not related to debt), and have approximately $58,000 in joint debt that we are dividing 50/50 (this does not include our individual vehicles). Once we are divorced he will assume responsiblilty to pay over $400 in child support and with that on top of his 50% of all the ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, I went to helicopter flight school and finished in 2007. I have not been able to find a job flying and struggling to pay my bills. My wife left me leaving me with the house and it is 50k underwater. I owe Sallie Mae about 125k in private loans. Is there anyway to file chapter 7 or something ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, I once earned around $80K and support for my one child was withheld from my pay and sent to my ex. I changed jobs and now make much less money. Despite repeated appeals, I not been able to get a modification order. Now, my daughter is turning 18 and I have lots of arrears. I have been unable ... Read More »