Do Bankruptcy Alternatives Work?
July 5th, 2009 by Daniel R. Michaelson
Anytime a family is in the midst of filing for bankruptcy it’s a serious step. We’re talking about years taken away from your credit life when you take this route. It’s an unfortunate path, but in all honesty some individuals (maybe even you) have to use it. Divorce couples are a prime example of those who usually need it to let them go their separate ways easier. However, if they just would have worked things out during their divorce it wouldn’t be an issue. The point is you need to look at all options before making a major decision.
Action through Inaction
Though it might seem strange, remember that sometimes the best action is no action. There are lots of people out there who will tell you to take charge of your life, but remember that sometimes choosing the right course of inaction with your creditors might be the best thing that you ever did. Why should doing nothing get you somewhere? Remember that creditors need to take you to court if they want to collect. This means that they will be investing thousands of dollars in legal fees before they will ever see another dime out of you. Think about it rationally. If your debt is less than the cost of court fees, chances are good that they will not sue you. It is possible that you will run into the odd creditor who will sue you out of principle or to make a point, but this actually fairly rare. Remember that good creditors stay in business because they know not to throw money away.
No Money at All
Unfortunately there are many people out there that just don’t pay their bills. However, if you’re reading this we don’t imagine you’re one of them. Sometimes you just can’t come up with the loot to make them go away. When this happens you often see people turn to bankruptcy, but the truth is you don’t have to at all. Seriously, if you have three separate creditors calling and you owe them all a huge amount of money, they’re going to take each claim into account. More times then not all three of them will just let it go.
Plus you have to remember that things like food money, clothing, furnishings, and social security is out of their reach. Even unemployment, public assistance and seventy-five percent of your wages cannot be touched. It’s just another reason why doing nothing at all can still end up getting you a write off from your creditors. Even creditors know that they have to stop attempting once you’ve sent a letter telling them you have no intention of paying it.
Remember that as annoying as phone calls and dire letters are, a debt collection agency needs to stop attempting to collect a debt once you inform them in writing that you have no intention of paying it. One thing that you might wish to try is to deny knowledge of the debt whenever you speak with the creditor, because acknowledging that the debt exists restarts the statute of limitations that will legally erase your debt.
Negotiating Your Debt Away
Now that you know this information, you can generally see why creditors will want to settle their debts outside of court. When you are ready to do something about your financial situation, it is time to take a look at your work and to really figure out whether it is time to call a bankruptcy lawyer.
Remember, just because you talk with a bankruptcy lawyer doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to be needing one. Let them know that you are dead set on trying to avoid bankruptcy. Once you do this they’ll be able to create a debt settlement plan for you. While it can be done formally or informally, it’s important to take the first step in resolving the matter.
When it’s all said and done we recommend utilizing a credit counseling program. Taking this route will allow you to get the appropriate help and understand the in depth material covered in bankruptcies and creditors. It will show you how the future is going to look, as well as the other side if you choose to stay away from bankruptcy all together. All you need is a reputable company to help you along the way like Nationwide Debt Solutions. Utilizing a big name like this will help you get back on your feet in no time.
