Can I Pay Off Debt With a Promissory Note or a Strawman Account? (October 2026)
Can a promissory note, a secret Treasury account or accepting a debt for value cancel it? What Treasury, the IRS and the FBI say, and what works.
Statute of Limitations
See my research, posts, and articles on the statute of limitations, including how it affects debt collection, legal time limits, and your rights. Click the link to learn more!
I Missed My 30 Days to Dispute a Debt. Can I Still Fight It? Here’s What to Do Right Now.
Missed the 30-day window to dispute a debt collector? Here’s what you lose after day 30, what you still keep, and the steps to take this week.
An Old Utility Bill Is Blocking Me From Getting Power Turned On at My New Address. Here’s What to Do Right Now.
An old utility bill can block new service, but your state limits what a utility can demand. Here’s how to get the lights on without overpaying.
I Just Got Out and There Are Judgments Against Me I Didn’t Know About. Here’s What to Do Right Now.
You just got out and found a judgment you never knew about. Here is why it happened, and the exact steps to find, challenge, and possibly vacate it.
A Debt Buyer Is Suing Me and Won’t Show Proof I Owe It. Here’s What to Do Right Now.
A debt buyer sued you and hasn’t produced the contract, statements, or bill of sale? Here’s exactly how to answer, demand proof, and protect yourself right now.
A Private Student Loan Company Is Suing Me. Here’s What to Do Right Now.
A private student loan lawsuit has a real deadline. Learn your rights, how to demand proof of ownership, and whether bankruptcy can stop it or wipe it out.
They Said a Debt Collector Can Sue Me Wherever They Want. Federal Law Says Otherwise.
Federal law limits exactly where a debt collector can sue you over a debt. Here’s the FDCPA venue rule and what to do if you’re sued far from home.
A Debt Collector Won’t Validate the Debt But Won’t Stop Calling. Here’s What to Do Right Now.
A debt collector who won’t send real proof of the debt but keeps calling anyway may be breaking federal law. Here’s what validation actually requires.
They Said Once the Debt Was Charged Off, I Don’t Owe It Anymore. The Bank Wrote It Off — Not You.
A charge-off is an accounting move, not forgiveness. Here is what you still owe, what the statute of limitations really limits, and the 7-year rule.
I Paid Off My Collection — So Why Is It Still on My Credit Report?
Paying a collection doesn’t remove it. It stays about seven years from your original delinquency, and whether your score rises depends on which model your lender pulls.
