Nothing is worse than worrying about how much you will have to pay for medical care. Effective January 1, 2022, the new "No Surprises Medical Act" is supposed to make medical billing more certain. Don't have health insurance? If you don't have insurance, your medical provider is required to provide a "good faith" estimate [...]
If you are a public servant, such as first-responder, teacher, government employee, non-profit employee, nurse, etc., you have a limited window to obtain credits for payments made under the Public Servant Forgiveness Program. Under the Public Servant Forgiveness Program, a student loan borrower with qualifying loans is required to make 120 qualifying payments. Then, [...]
Everyone knows that high levels of stress can interfere with the way you function. Lack of sleep, distraction, and foggy brain are just some of the symptoms of too much stress. A recent Chinese study found that getting rid of debt improves brain functioning. Participants were tested before and after their debt was paid off [...]
How do I decide whether I should file bankruptcy? Deciding to file bankruptcy is not easy. You beat yourself up or feel ashamed over past financial mistakes. You want to repay your debt. Sadly, some people struggle for years trying to pay back debt before facing the decision that bankruptcy is needed. Be realistic. [...]
If you are married, you may find yourself filing bankruptcy without your spouse. There can be various reasons for this, and it is possible. There can be various reasons for this, such as the debt was made only by one person, the couple is concerned about obtaining new credit in the immediate future, or [...]
Social security recipients do not have to count their social security income in bankruptcy. This income is not counted in the means test or the budget in bankruptcy. Deposits of these benefits are generally protected in bankruptcy if using the state exemptions. Social security benefits are not counted as “income” for purposes of the [...]
Does Debt Consolidation Work? Does Debt Settlement Work?Possible alternatives to bankruptcyWith more people being laid off, having wages cut, and hours lowered, families are finding they can no longer keep up with their current debt level. Because people fear the consequences of bankruptcy, they often consider debt management. This is where you hire a company [...]
Should I Use a Debt Settlement Company Instead of Filing Bankruptcy?Updated May 2020Debt settlement may be a viable option if a person has a very small number of creditors and/or has exempt property that cannot be protected in bankruptcy. Generally, if you are current on the account, many times the creditor will not settle with [...]
Disabled and elderly homeowners (65 and older) may have more options for repayment of property taxes. Easier payment plans or even tax deferral may be available in some circumstances. This help is not automatic and you should contact the tax appraisal office and follow their procedures. What Assistance Can I Get for Delinquent Property [...]
There are a couple of non-bankruptcy options for tax debt. Placing the Taxes in Non-Collectible Status This is where you request that the IRS place the account in non-collectible status because you simply cannot afford to pay your taxes and live under the IRS standards (which are pretty frugal). So, if you have no [...]