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Are you thinking about declaring bankruptcy or already in the process? If so, it’s vital to understand how a successful bankruptcy petition can affect your credit score and your financial future. For starters, bankruptcy can significantly impact your credit score, and it may be difficult to obtain credit or loans in the future. However, bankruptcy can also provide much-needed debt relief and a fresh financial start. In addition to bankruptcy protection, other debt-relief options are possible, like a debt consolidation loan, debt negotiation, debt settlement, and debt collection lawsuit defense. These debt relief options can help you to repay debts… Read More
Are you overwhelmed with seemingly endless debt? You’re not alone. According to the American Bankruptcy Institute, year-over-year bankruptcy filings are on the rise across the U.S. If you owe money you can’t afford to pay back, it may be in your best interest to consider different debt relief options, like a credit counseling course, debt consolidation, debt repayment plan, debt settlement, or even initiating bankruptcy proceedings. This article will focus on everything you need to know about eligibility for declaring bankruptcy. Continue reading to learn: What is Bankruptcy? What Are the Most Common Types of Bankruptcy What is Chapter 7… Read More
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), recent increases in criminal identity theft and identity fraud have resulted in more identities stolen than ever before. The financial consequences of identity theft can be devastating, but they aren’t the only dangers to worry about. When an identity thief secures your personally identifiable information, it could result in significant harm to your bank and investment accounts and so much more. That includes damage to your career, reputation, credit reports, and even criminal charges. This article contains valuable tips, information, and steps to prevent, identify, and handle personal data breaches. Continue reading to… Read More
When consumers file bankruptcy, they often wonder whether a debt collector can still collect on a debt discharged in bankruptcy. The answer: No. Creditors must cease trying to collect discharged debt from bankruptcy filers. Why Can’t Creditors Collect a Debt From Me After Filing Bankruptcy? Generally, the moment you file a petition for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, the bankruptcy court issues an automatic stay on dischargeable debts. This is an automatic court order issued upon the bankruptcy filing. During this time, a creditor can’t collect a “consumer debt” and must stop collection efforts. If collectors are in violation of… Read More
Did you know that every year, 1 in 20 Americans are victims of offline and online identity theft? That accounts for billions of stolen money and countless ruined credit reports. Generally, the most common types of identity theft include, but are not limited to: Unauthorized use of debit or credit cards Criminals opening new credit accounts in your name Account takeovers of Government, identification, job, or tax fraud Whether you’ve just received an initial fraud alert or you’ve noticed fraudulent activity on your credit report, the result of identity theft (that’s not handled correctly) can be complete financial devastation. That… Read More
If you’re an uninsured person who’s behind on payments or unable to cover any cost associated with your healthcare, you’re not alone. Despite more than 90 percent of Americans having some form of healthcare coverage, a recent analysis of medical debt in the U.S. suggests that 1 in 10 American adults owe medical debt. According to the research, lack of adequate insurance coverage is a major reason why there is so much unpaid medical debt. In most cases, patients would gladly pay for medical services, but they don’t have the money to pay out of pocket. That’s especially true of… Read More
Have your debts pilled up so much that it would take most, if not all, of your current monthly income to cover them? If so, it may be in your best interest to consider Chapter 7 bankruptcy to discharge eligible debts. However, before filing for bankruptcy under this chapter, a consumer must pass the means test to determine if they qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Generally, the means test investigates a few important factors to determine whether filers (i.e., debtors) can pay back some of their debts and if they are eligible to file. These factors include your annualized monthly… Read More
Millions of workplace accidents happen every year from the office to the construction site. If you’ve suffered a work-related injury, it’s in your best interest to know your state’s (in this case, Florida) workers’ compensation process, requirements, and the benefits to which injured workers are entitled. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits available to injured employees. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about workplace injuries and workers comp claims. What is a Workers’ Compensation Claim? A successful workers’ compensation claim provides injured workers with compensation (i.e., workers’ compensation… Read More
If you’re receiving countless calls from a debt collector, it’s easy to understand why your first instinct may be to ignore them and hold off on dealing with the debt. Although you might want to consider turning your phone on silent or blocking their number, this is often not your best option. With that in mind, this article is for you if you’re searching for an alternative to ignoring debt collectors and creditors. Continue reading to learn more about the financial and legal effects of ignoring collection calls and what you can do instead. After you’ve finished this article, contact… Read More
An estimated 41% of Americans have some form of unpaid medical debt. Further, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reported there was $88 billion in medical debt on the credit records of consumers. However, a recent study from Stanford University suggests that it might be much worse (at least $140 billion). With that in mind, millions of U.S. citizens face medical collections activities and negative information on their credit reports due to an inability to pay medical bills. At Ziegler Diamond Law, our debt relief lawyers understand the devastating financial impact a medical bill could have on your credit score,… Read More
