Bankruptcy Or Consolidation?
If you are overwhelmed by the choice between bankruptcy or consolidation, there is great news: you have options. Most individuals wait much longer than they should before exercising their options regarding debt—do yourself a favor and act now. The solutions are powerful and the relief is immediate.
Debt Consolidation
Clients who have one looming debt, or smaller debts which are causing problems can consider bankruptcy or consolidation. Generally, debt consolidation combines your debts into one loan. You can accomplish this on your own with a personal loan or a home equity line. You can also hire a debt consolidation company to handle bundling your debt into one payment. If you enter into an agreement with a debt consolidation company, you will typically pay one party each month—the debt consolidation company. However, there are pitfalls associated with working with debt consolidation companies.
Pitfalls Of Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation companies offer confusing, lengthy contracts which often promise very little to you. We consistently work with clients who believed their debt consolidation company had bundled all of their debt, only to find out it wasn’t true. Those clients make consistent payments and hold up their end of the deal. At the end, they find out there are still one or more credit card balances that remain unpaid. This is a horrible result! Finally, debt consolidation companies consistently remind you they are only estimating the arrangements they can reach with your creditors. In the end, their promises often go unfulfilled.
How Is Debt Settlement Different From Debt Consolidation?
One option in addressing debt is debt negotiation which leads to debt settlement. As a bankruptcy law firm, we have had success negotiating debt for our clients. Our strategy is to show the creditor that we are working with the client to file bankruptcy, which is true. However, in many cases the client would rather settle a debt than file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This is also true. In the end, the creditor is faced with the option of getting paid little to nothing in bankruptcy, or reaching a fair negotiated agreement with our firm.
The downside to debt settlement is that not all clients have the funds available to successfully engage creditors in negotiations. To reach your best negotiated agreement, the creditor will want the new lower balance paid off very quickly. They are not interested in lowering the balance AND accepting a series of monthly payments extending more than a few months.
Bankruptcy Is Often The Way To Go
If you’re trying to choose between bankruptcy or consolidation, let us help. Filing bankruptcy is one of the most powerful options a consumer has at their disposal. The amount of money you will spend to negotiate one credit card will often exceed the full bankruptcy fee to your bankruptcy attorney. Additionally, you address numerous debts at once. While clients have concerns about credit scores and keeping vehicles or homes, a free phone consultation usually puts the client at ease.
Final Thoughts On The Bankruptcy Or Consolidation Decision
First, we understand bankruptcy is foreign to most individuals. Second, we know there is stress and anxiety associated with debt and the mystery of filing bankruptcy. Lastly, we have seen over and over how our client’s lives change for the better simply by deciding to file bankruptcy. In fact, bankruptcy will change your life for the positive.Most bankruptcy filings usually end with the client giving the lawyer a hug—that should tell you a lot about the relief you will experience if you decide to file.
Speak With A Bankruptcy Lawyer Today
If you’d like to speak with a Charlotte bankruptcy lawyer today, we’re here to help. We are happy to discuss bankruptcy, debt consolidation, or debt negotiation. Part of the job is answering questions. You can reach us at 704.749.7747 or click for a FREE CASE EVALUATION. We know you have choices. We hope you choose to Recover With Us.