The holidays bring wonderful times with friends and family, but it’s all too easy to wind up in debt for the New Year. Well-meaning people often equate the spirit of the season with how much money they spend, but that mindset can lead to financial trouble. An annual national survey on holiday spending by the American Research Group found that the average planned spending for 2015 was $882, and tha... CONTINUE READING
When you find yourself swamped with bills you can’t pay, even if it’s not your fault, you are probably feeling embarrassed, depressed and hopeless -- but you’re not helpless. Even if you’re being harassed by a debt collector or faced with legal action, there are things you can do to help get back on track. 1. KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT YOUR CREDIT. You’re entitled to see the three credit reports from Equifax, Trans Union and Experian for free once a year. This will give you a pi... CONTINUE READING
What happens to your debts after you die? Do your debts die with you, or will your family wind up getting harassed by creditors and debt collectors? The answer is complicated, because when people die, their estate goes into probate, and the estate owes the debt. If there isn't enough money in the estate, it typically goes unpaid. But there are exceptions to this rule. It all depends on the circumstances. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), family members usuall... CONTINUE READING
You’re getting married, and it’s wonderful to focus on celebrating your love; but are you also marrying your spouse’s past debts? You need to also think about what happens after the wedding so you don’t get stuck with debts you didn’t run up yourself and wind up with a negative credit score. Dealing with the issues now can strengthen your relationship so that debts don’t become a burden your marriage can’t survive. Money is one of the major issues that can cause conflict in a... CONTINUE READING
After bankruptcy, you want to fix your financial situation as quickly as possible. Bankruptcy can remain on your record for up to 10 years and may cause your FICO credit score to go down into the 400's. Still, there are steps you can take to rebuild your credit and increase your FICO score, and if you can get it to 650 or above, you will probably be eligible to apply for credit for vital purchases. The experienced bankruptcy attorneys at Fesenmyer Law Offices, LLC can help you find practical... CONTINUE READING
Receiving anything from a mortgage lender that mentions the words “foreclosure” or “legal action” can be overwhelming. As soon as they read those words, many people have trouble understanding the rest of the notice. However, receiving a first notice from your mortgage lender does not mean...
