Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief

How to Protect Your Wages from Credit Card Companies

A credit card company can garnish a person’s wages following a successful judgment, which is why it is important to not ignore collection attempts. While it can be hard to fight wage garnishment after it is entered, consumers do have options to protect themselves in the event this does occur.

Settling the Debt

One of the best ways to avoid a wage garnishment is to work directly with the credit card company or debt collector. Many times, the company may be willing to work with the consumer rather than go through the effort and spend the legal fees to take them to court.

They may require the consumer provide some type of proof that his or her financial situation is solid enough to handle the settlement amount. If the debt is large, they may require some type of security to ensure payment will occur.

Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief

When Can a Credit Card Company Garnish Your Wages?

When someone is facing a credit card collection action, the last thing that person wants is to have his or her wages garnished by the credit card company. However, credit card companies do have the right to garnish a cardholder’s wages, just like any other creditor.

Before credit card debt can be collected, it must be considered delinquent.  At the time a person gets a credit card, he or she enters into an agreement to make monthly payments. If these payments are not made on time, that contract is considered broken and the debt delinquent. Once this happens, the credit card company is within its right to collect on the debt. Normally, missing a credit card payment results in a significant interest rate hike, but if the debt goes unpaid for too long, the credit card company can file a legal action to collection on the debt.

This step is where garnishment comes into play. Credit card companies cannot garnish the cardholder’s wages without first filing a legal complaint to collect on the debt and serving the complaint on the cardholder. The accountholder has a chance to respond to the complaint and file an answer within a set period of time. If he or she does not respond, the credit card company can obtain a default judgment against the cardholder, speeding up the process. However, if the cardholder does respond, the credit card company must prove that the debt is owed at a hearing before a judge.

Credit Card Debt

More Than One-Third of College Students Already Have Credit Card Debt

A significant number of college students report that they have accumulated credit card debt while attending school. According to a recent report from AIG and EVERFI, 36 percent of all college students have a credit card with a balance of over $1,000 on it. This is on top of the student loan debt they are carrying.

Many of these students are using credit cards to pay for groceries, books, or entertainment expenses. Of students surveyed, some say they choose to use their credit cards over debit cards for the benefits the cards include, such as travel miles. These students are following a nationwide trend when it comes to using credit cards to pay for everyday expenses. A recent survey showed that 23 percent of Americans use their credit cards for necessities, including rent, food, and utilities.

However, problems arise when these cardholders are not able to pay down the balance every month. The situations can get even worse if the cardholder falls behind on payments, pushing the accounts into delinquency. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported that more than eight percent of balances held by young cardholders between the age of 18 to 29 were seriously delinquent. Being seriously delinquent means that the accounts are at least 90 days overdue with no payment made.

The EVERFI and AIG survey found that 15 percent of college students took a hit on their credit scores because of being behind on their credit card payments. Missing a credit card payment will not only cause the card’s interest rate to skyrocket, but it will also seriously affect that person’s credit score. The higher the interest rate is, the harder it is for the person to pay off the card over time.

It can be a definite struggle for the student to handle both a credit card and student loan payment after graduation. Students should put together a plan to pay off the credit card debt as quickly as possible by setting a deadline and a goal on how quickly the person can handle paying off the card. The plan only works if the student does not continue spending on the card and makes more than the minimum monthly payment on the card.

As bankruptcy attorneys, we see credit card debt as one of the most common problems facing those with serious financial challenges.  It is not surprising with the high interest rates, unreasonable fees, and never-ending minimum payments that do not even make a dent in your actual debt. We offer additional tips for eliminating credit card debt on our blog.

Please click here to read more.

If you have questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

 

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Relief, student loan debt, Student Loans

Possible Solutions to the Student Loan Debt Crisis

With more than $1.5 trillion in student loan debt owed nationwide, it can be safe to say that the student loan crisis has reached a breaking point. For lawmakers, one solution to bring change to this problem is allowing student loan debt to be discharged in bankruptcy court.

Another measure that has received a great deal of public support is Senator Elizabeth Warren’s proposal to completely wipe out the majority of America’s student loan debt through a loan forgiveness program. Her proposal has received support from other presidential hopefuls, including Senators Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, and Amy Klobuchar, as well as Representative Eric Swallwell, all of whom are co-sponsoring it.

Recently, the American Bankruptcy Institute’s recommendations to allow student loan debt to be discharged in bankruptcy were published.

The average college student graduates with about $30,000 in student loans. This number does not include those students who pursue a master’s or post-graduate degree. Many of those students end up owing six figures in student loan debt.

The burden these loans present to young graduates is intense and can even follow them into retirement. Outstanding student loan debt can affect a person’s job in 13 states. To keep up with loan payments, many borrowers have accumulated credit card debt, just to be able to afford basic living expenses.

Student loans, while not impossible to discharge in bankruptcy, are extremely difficult to eliminate in a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy case. Other obligations may be eliminated at the end of the case, but the student loan ones will stay with the borrower even after other obligations are discharged.

Bankruptcy courts use the “undue hardship” test to determine whether a filer should have his or her student loan debt discharged, but no set standard has ever been made on what qualifies as an undue hardship, making it very difficult to ever receive relief. New bi-partisan legislation has been introduced and proposes regulations that ensure student loan debt is treated like other forms of consumer debt in bankruptcy, meaning it can be easier to discharge.

Without the ability to discharge the largest amount of debt many bankruptcy filers are carrying; these individuals will never be able to receive the fresh start bankruptcy is meant to give them. While this change may not completely solve the student loan crisis, many financial experts are hopeful it can be a catalyst for change.

Click here to read more on this story.

For borrowers who are struggling with student loan debt, relief options are available.  Many student loan borrowers are unaware that they have rights and repayment options available to them, such as postponement of loan payments, reduction of payments or even a complete discharge of the debt. There are ways to file for bankruptcy with student loan debt.  It is important you contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

 

Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief

25 Percent of Americans Going into Debt Paying for Daily Living Expenses

More Americans are struggling to pay for their daily expenses and are using credit cards to pay for basic necessities, according to a recent report by Experian. This reliance on credit cards to pay for necessary living expenses puts consumers even deeper into debt. In fact, the report showed that American consumers carry an average of $6,506 in credit card debt.

Approximately 23 percent of those surveyed said that they struggled with paying for their most basic necessities, including rent, food, and utilities, and had to pay for these expenses with their credit cards. Of those consumers surveyed, 12 percent of them reported paying for medical bills with their credit cards.

It has been reported that the middle-class cost of living is now 30 percent more expensive than it was 20 years ago. The costs for essentially everything has increased over the years. According to the Economic Hardship Reporting Project, the cost of tuition at public universities and housing prices have quadrupled between 1996 and 2016.

Not only has the cost of living increased, but the amount of money Americans have in savings has decreased remarkably. A majority of American consumers say they have less than $1,000 in savings. Additionally, 70 percent of them report that they would not be able to get by if their paycheck was delayed by a week, which has many financial experts concerned.

Not all Americans are using their credit cards to pay for daily expenses, however. Many say that their discretionary spending on non-essential items, including entertainment, travel, and clothing, has led to their credit card balances. It is reported that Americans spend an average of $483 a month on eating out, entertainment, and travel, according to Schwab’s 2019 Modern Wealth report.

The average credit card APR is at an all-time high of 17.73 percent, according to CreditCards.com, which makes paying off large credit card balances, very difficult. With an average balance of $6,354, consumers could potentially be paying on these cards for years, if not decades. In fact, if someone has a credit card balance at this national average with a credit card that charges the average APR, he or she could be paying the minimum payment on that card for over 17 years before it is paid off in full. This scenario only works if the consumer stops using the card and does not add any new charges to the outstanding balance.

People living in the Miami metro area, which includes both Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, carry the second-highest credit card debt balances in the country.  As bankruptcy attorneys, we see credit card debt as one of the most common problems facing those with serious financial challenges.  It is not surprising with the high interest rates, unreasonable fees, harassing debt collection calls, penalties and never-ending minimum payments that do not even make a dent in your actual debt. We offer additional tips for eliminating credit card debt on our blog.

Click here to read more on this story.

If you have questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

 

Bankruptcy Law, Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief

Debt Consolidation vs. Bankruptcy: The Pros and Cons

If someone is struggling with large amounts of debt, they may be weighing their options between debt consolidation and bankruptcy. There are positives and negatives to both- but ultimately, it depends on a person’s specific financial situation and life circumstance as to which choice is the right one for him or her.

What is Debt Consolidation?

Debt consolidation involves combining a person’s older debt from various sources into one new debt. This consolidation could be done by taking an unsecured personal loan to pay for the total amount owed or by transferring balances from multiple credit cards into one credit card.

Debt consolidation involves making payment to one lender, oftentimes at a lower interest rate.  These are two of its appealing factors.  However, we can tell you that debt consolidation rarely provides a long-term solution.  Our attorneys have helped many clients who were promised one result from a debt consolidation company only to receive far less, and stuck with the remaining debt.

Here are some of the disadvantages of debt consolidation.  

  • The debt cycle continues: While this option allows the consumer to consolidate multiple sources of debt, it only pays off that debt to combine it into one larger balance. Many consumers make the mistake of utilizing debt consolidation only to continue the cycle of debt.
  • Delaying the inevitable: Debt consolidation is oftentimes used as a ‘temporary’ fix, only delaying the inevitable. If a person is struggling to pay off various forms of debt, particularly if that debt is medical debt, credit card debt or personal loans- bankruptcy might be a better option, as the consumer would receive a complete discharge of these debts.

Choosing Bankruptcy as an Option.

Depending on an individual’s income and amount of debt, pursuing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case may be the wisest option to discharge the debt or a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case to reorganize and pay down qualifying debt. One factor to keep in mind is debt consolidation is a big business. It can be successful for some people, but for others, it may not provide the long-term solution the consumer needs.  The attorneys at Kingcade Garcia McMaken have helped thousands of people restart, rebuilt and recover through bankruptcy.

If you have questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Related Resources:

https://studentloanhero.com/featured/debt-consolidation-vs-bankruptcy/

 

 

 

Bankruptcy Law, Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

The Best Ways to Pay Off Credit Card Debt In Retirement

When someone is entering retirement, the last thing that person wants to deal with is mounds of credit card debt. For the most part, retirees are living on a fixed or limited income, which means they have very few financial resources to pay off any lingering debt they may be carrying.

A fixed income also means there is little ability to handle any unexpected financial crises, which can include a costly home repair or medical expense.  In the event the unexpected happens, some retirees are forced to rely on credit cards or personal loans to cover the costs.  The interest on a personal loan or a single missed credit card payment, can cause the debt to spiral out of control quickly.

Here are some debt payoff tips for seniors struggling with credit card debt.

Refinance your debt.

One possible way to pay off a large amount of credit card debt is through refinancing or consolidation of the credit card debt. This payment could be made through a home equity line of credit (HELOC) if you own your home and hold a good amount of equity in it. A HELOC carries a lower interest rate than other methods of consolidating or refinancing debt since it is attached to collateral and is a secured loan.

Credit card debt can also be paid by consolidating all cards into one card through a balance transfer. By doing a transfer, the cardholder can attack one, larger debt, rather than pay minimum payments on multiple cards every month. However, these transfers normally come with a promotional period which means the cardholder can only benefit from the zero or low interest rate for a set period. After that time period expires, the cardholder will soon find his or her rates increase significantly.

Examine your budget.

Paying off your credit card debt can be nearly impossible, if you do not establish a set budget. By putting together a list of necessary expenses and reviewing what purchasing habits put you into debt, you cannot cut unnecessary expenses and free up money to go towards your credit card debt. It is also recommended that you avoid using your credit cards during this time period when you are working on paying off outstanding balances.

Target the card with the highest interest rate.

If debt consolidation is not a possibility and you are struggling to pay multiple credit cards, one method that is recommended is to focus on paying one card at a time. This method does take time and patience, but it can be successful. Look at what credit cards you have and list what interest rate is on each card. Take the card that has the highest interest rate and throw whatever extra money you may have towards that card first, while continuing the minimum monthly payments on the other cards. Once that card is paid, then focus on the credit card with the next highest interest rate and so on, until all cards are paid in full.

Work a part-time job.

Retirement does not always mean that you will never hold another job. In fact, many retired individuals choose to take a part-time job not only to earn some extra money, but to socialize and be out with people. Many retirees find a great deal of success in part-time consulting or freelance work after retiring from a long-term professional career.

For seniors struggling with insurmountable debt, help is here. Do spend your golden years being hounded by creditors.  Credit card debt is one of the most common problems we see facing those with serious financial issues. The stress can become compounded with collection calls and the threat of lawsuits.  Bankruptcy not only gives people a financial fresh start, but it is a powerful tool that can be used to protect valuable assets, including property, vehicles and retirement savings.

If you have questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Source:  https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/5-ways-retirees-can-tackle-their-credit-card-debt

 

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Relief

The Differences Between Secured Debt and Unsecured Debt

When it comes to debt and how it is handled in a bankruptcy case, two main categories exist, namely secured and unsecured debt. Even if you are not at the point yet where you will be filing for bankruptcy, knowing the type of debt involved can make a big difference, especially when money is tight, and you are worried about which debt to pay first: the mortgage or the credit card bill.

The main difference between secured and unsecured debt is the fact that one debt is secured by collateral and the other is not. Secured debt is debt that is guaranteed by collateral, which is something of value that the lender can seize for payment in the event the borrower is no longer able to pay on the debt.

Mortgages and auto loans are classic examples of secured debt. If you default on your mortgage or your car loan, the bank can foreclose on your home or repossess your vehicle to satisfy the debt. In comparison, unsecured debt is debt that is issued to someone but is not guaranteed by collateral.  The most common types of unsecured debt include payday loans, credit card debt, student loans, and medical bills.

When you are not able to continue paying on your unsecured debt, the lender cannot collect your property to satisfy the debt. However, they can report your account as delinquent, which will hurt your credit score. They can also pursue a legal judgment against you for the debt, resulting in a possible wage garnishment.

For the most part, secured debt tends to carry a lower interest rate on the amount owed. The main reason for this difference is the lender has some type of guarantee that they will receive payment, even if you default later. The lender does not have that same guarantee with unsecured debt. It is for this reason that unsecured debt tends to carry a higher interest rate because the investment is seen as more risk for the lender.

When it comes to a bankruptcy case, secured debt is handled differently than unsecured debt. If you are filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, unsecured debt normally ends up being discharged at the end of the case, while secured debt can stay with the asset. If you are struggling to pay unsecured debt, such as credit cards or medical bills, filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case may be a viable option for dealing with the debt. If you are struggling to pay for both secured and unsecured debt, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case may be a good option to allow you to continue paying on your mortgage and stay in your home while discharging unsecured debt at the end of the payment period. An experienced bankruptcy attorney can evaluate your financial situation, after looking at the different types of debt you are carrying to determine which plan is best for you.

Click here to read more on this story.

If you have questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

 

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

How To Know If You Are Being Scammed By a Debt Collector

Scams are everywhere, especially when it comes to debt collection. Many times, a debt collection scam will even try to get you to pay on a debt you do not owe. It helps to know what red flags to look for to avoid becoming the next victim of a debt collection scam.

One of the reasons why debt collection scams are so dangerous is that they take advantage of someone when they are at their weakest. These scammers are aware that the person they are calling is already in a difficult financial situation, and can be easily taken advantage of.

For the most part, these types of scams play out in the same manner. The scammer contacts a person and tells him or her that they are calling on behalf of a collection agency, law firm or other government agency and that they are reaching out to collect on an overdue debt. If the caller refuses to comply, the scammer then makes threats of wage garnishment, telling their friends, family or employer of the outstanding debt, even threatening arrest and jail time.  If the person answering the phone is savvy enough to know that no company can legally do these things, the threats will have no effect. However, many times, the person answering the phone plays right into the scammer’s hands.

If you are on the receiving end of one of these calls, you need to know your rights. The first of these is the right to receive written confirmation of the debt. Under U.S. law, debt collectors are required to provide a written validation notice of any debt, when requested. In this notice, the collector must include the amount owed, the name of the original creditor, and a statement of the person’s rights. If a debt collector refuses to provide this information, this refusal is a red flag that the call is a scam.

If you have any suspicions that the caller is not legitimate, do your research. Make sure the caller is real by asking for the company’s name, telephone number and street address. Never provide credit card information or bank account information over the phone. If the collector is legitimate, the company will likely have all this information already. Also, if the collector asks for payment through PayPal or other electronic transfer, this is another red flag that the call involves a scam.

More recent scams have attempted to collect on debt that is past the statute of limitations. You may have owed this debt at one point in time, but after a certain length of time has passed, the debt is no longer legally collectible. However, scammers hope that the caller does not know this fact and will make payment, thereby ‘re-activating’ the debt. For personal loans, the statute of limitations in Florida is five years, while oral contracts and revolving accounts, such as credit cards, the statute of limitations is four years. The written verification provided for the debt should allow you to confirm whether the debt is past the statute of limitations.

If you see any of these red flags, hang up immediately. Do not give the person on the other end of the phone any information and report the call to the Federal Trade Commission or the Florida Attorney General’s Office. It also helps to know your rights under the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA), which makes it illegal for debt collectors to use abusive, deceptive, unfair or threatening practices when collecting on a debt.

Click here to read more.

If you have questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

 

Additional source:

 

https://www.debt.org/faqs/americans-in-debt/consumer-florida/

Bankruptcy Law, Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief

Americans Will End Up Paying $122 Billion in Credit Card Interest in 2019

It is a staggering headline, but just last year Americans paid banks $113 billion in credit card interest, according to a recent study from MagnifyMoney. That is up 12% from interest paid in 2017, and up 50% from 5 years ago. And the amount of interest is only set to increase in 2019.  Credit card debt plagues consumers from all walks of life. The larger the debt, the more likely that cardholder is accruing interest.

What is causing this increase in interest? Financial analysts believe that now since a decade has passed since the big financial crisis in 2008, consumers are feeling more confident in their abilities to borrow more. As a result, the total amount of credit card debt has reached a record high, since before the recession. However, borrowers are also paying more when it comes to interest on the amounts they borrow, as banks have passed recent Federal Reserve rate hikes onto their customers.

The average APR on credit cards has gone up approximately four percentage points over the past five years. The average APR on a credit card is 16.86 percent, according to the Federal Reserve.

The problem with credit card interest is it can make paying down your debt very difficult. In fact, according to the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances, 40 percent of all active credit card users carry a balance from month to month on their cards.

While credit card interest can make paying down the overall balance very difficult, certain methods can help in conquering your debt.  If a consumer is struggling to pay multiple credit cards, the snowball method can help in paying one card down at a time. Using this method, the consumer tackles the card with highest balance or highest interest rate. The consumer continues to pay the minimum amount owed every month on the other cards while putting all other money on the first card. Once that first card is paid in full, the consumer then takes the second card with the second highest rate or second highest balance. This process continues until all cards are paid off in full. While this method can take some discipline, it is a method with proven success.

Please click here to read more.

If you have questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.