debt settlement
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The Debt Buying Industry
Delinquent debt has given rise to an entire debt buying industry. When a debt becomes seriously delinquent, the bank holding the debt will write it off then sell it to a debt buyer, like Midland Funding, for a tiny fraction of the amount of the debt. In turn, that debt buyer might sell it to yet…
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Student Loans Jeopardize Retirement for Older Americans
Retirement is supposed to be a time to leave behind the hassles and stress of the workforce. In many ways, retirement is the reward for a lifetime’s contribution to the economy and country. We usually consider student loans to be a problem for the young. But today’s retirees increasingly face crushing student loan burdens. Believe…
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Debts Discharged in Bankruptcy are Not Taxable
Settled debts must be included in your income taxes If you settle a debt for less than you owe, the balance canceled or forgiven is taxable income. You must report any cancelled or forgiven debts as part of your gross income on your income tax return. The creditor will send you an IRS Form 1099-C…
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Get a Second Chance at Life with Bankruptcy
Dealing with unmanageable debts can completely take over your life. You don’t get that many opportunities in life to start over. But you can get a second chance at life with bankruptcy. Worrying about losing your car or home can keep you up at night. And debt collectors can make you afraid to answer your phone.…
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Inside the Dark World of Consumer Debt Collection
In August 2014, the New York Times published a fascinating article by Jake Halpern entitled Paper Boys: Inside the Dark, Lucrative World of Consumer Debt Collection. The article follows the intertwining tales of Aaron Siegel and Brandon Wilson, two men who invest in “distressed consumer debt.” These guys buy up the right to collect unpaid credit-card…
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The Bankruptcy Threat in Debt Settlement Negotiations
When attempting to settle a debt or otherwise negotiate with a creditor, the bankruptcy threat is a potent weapon. The credible threat of bankruptcy from your attorney can induce a creditor to reconsider his position during negotiations. Creditors More Willing to Negotiate If You Are Willing to File Bankruptcy Suppose you want to settle a debt for less than is owed. Do you…
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Debt Settlement Attorney in Washington D.C. and Virginia
You may not want to file personal bankruptcy on a debt. You may owe just a single debt, or maybe just a few. In some cases, it makes more sense to consider debt settlement over bankruptcy. Consider hiring an experienced debt settlement attorney in Washington D.C. and Virginia to engage in debt settlement on your behalf. A creditor…
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Why You Should Always Fight a Credit Card Lawsuit
When you are sued for an unpaid debt, usually it is not the original creditor who is filing the action against you. Instead, the creditor has likely sold the debt to a collector for pennies on the dollar. Debt collectors file hundreds or even thousands of lawsuits on a monthly basis with the hope that…
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You Can’t Go to Jail for a Debt
A long time ago, when our country was very young, the U.S. had separate prisons for people who could not repay their debts. We called these jails “debtors’ prisons.” Today, we think it preposterous to throw someone in jail for simply owing a debt. After all, how would someone earn the money to repay a…
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Debt Collection Companies and Negotiating Debts
Many of my clients get debt collection calls and and debt demand letters, and many of these calls and letters come from just a few debt collection agencies. All of the big banks contract out their default and delinquent accounts to a relatively small number of large debt collectors. If you are sued on a…
