Where to Start

Updated on June 22, 2008
R.G. asks from Phoenix, AZ
14 answers

my husband and I have debts that we just cant afford to pay off. Now the creditors are calling at work. How do I get help and where? I am trying to seperate from my husband so I need to try to get this done quickly and very quietly.

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

After looking at all of the options, we are going to refinance,and pay off everything. After that, if he is not willing to try to resume marriage counseling or even work on our problems, I am seperating from him.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.

answers from Fort Collins on

www.budhibbs.com Lots of info from a credit expert there and he is very willing to answer any specific questions through email too. Hope that helps.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.T.

answers from Phoenix on

Hey R. did you find the help you needed for your family? Let me help check it out and if you like anything you see leave your contact info. www.primerica.com/tanyataylor Thanks

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.R.

answers from Phoenix on

I would try consumer credit counseling first, as bankruptcy would be a last resort. Here is a website you may want to check out: www.cccssouthwest.org. I used them, but I used their California office and they were wonderful. What they do is contact your creditors and let them know you are working with them to pay off your balances. They will try to get your interest rate lowered and will work within your budget to make sure that all of your bills are paid. Then you make one monthly payment to them and they disburse it to your creditors. I hope it works out for you.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.V.

answers from Albuquerque on

R.;

Heidi and I use a Pre-Paid legal system we decided to jump in on. It makes things so much easier because we were in the same boat (sans the separation thing). Pre-paid legal is also a viable at-home business although we just joined as clients and weren't looking to add it as a business, since we already run a home business.

Now when someone "bugs" us ... we give them the lawyers number. It is illegal for them to harass you further after you refer them to a legal assistant. The prepaid legal thing costs us about 30.00 a month.

Any questions - or if you need a referal to our guy - just drop me a line.

Kurt

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.W.

answers from Denver on

Look up the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Send written correspondence to the creditors telling them that you are not allowed to receive personal phone calls at work and request they stop calling you altogether. If the creditors continue to call or harass you after that, report them to the attorney general regarding violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. They have complaint forms specifically for creditors. Also, tell the creditors you are taping the phone call (and go ahead and tape it). There are attorneys who represent people for vioations of the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (if you can prove it has been violated). Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.

answers from Phoenix on

First, when called at work inform them that they are NOT to call you at work. Also, put in writing to each of them that they are not to call you at work. IF you tell them not to, they aren't legally able to do it. (unless this has changed recently).

Also, make an appt. and get to a debt counselor. You have to set up a payoff plan but they will help you. They can also get the creditors to quit charging fees and interest if you abide by the payback rules.

Also, look at who in congress backed the insane bills to allow default and overall interest rates to climb to what they are now and VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE!

The new rates are what used to be considered Usary rates. And used to be illegal. You want a change in this country? Vote and vote every election!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.H.

answers from Albuquerque on

I used to work for a credit card company and also had some financial promblems a few years ago. Most of the time if you ask a creditor if you can "settle"or pay a "settlement" on the debt with them they may dicount 40% from the total bill or more depending on who the company is. Good examply I owed $49,000 on a house it was sold at auction for only 17,000. I owed 30,000 something dollars I settled on my account for $2,000. Don't give up. its better to show as a settlement on your credit report than show that you never paid a bill.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.T.

answers from Phoenix on

When I found myself in finacial quicksand I went through Consumer Credit Counseling Service. They were a God send! They contacted all crediters to put a stop to the interest and we worked out a budget that I could live on. The crediters that I talked to said that it reflected well on my credit to go thru CCCS. When it was all said and done, I was able to re-establish my credit, which I have maintained, and now I have an
excellent credit rating and score. They were awesome to work with and they were FREE!
I wish you the best of luck in which ever choice you make.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.W.

answers from San Antonio on

Consolidation loans are always an option. Allows you to make one payment a month instead of a alot of little ones. Have your work number taken off of your account. You don't need to give them a work number- only one phone number is required on a account. Other thought is to suppliment your income by working from home with just a few hours a week, you can use that income to pay off your debt. I work from home, actually working towards replacing my husbands income. You can visit my website at: www.Ahomecareer.com If you'd like to know more let me know. This company can help you create a plan to pay off your debt too. They are awesome. Blessings, C.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Denver on

Hi R. -

My husband and I follow a guy named Dave Ramsey. He's a Christian debt counselor and an awesome influence in our lives. Check out his website and I would suggest listening to a few of his shows he has online too! Hope this helps... it did us! www.daveramsey.com

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Colorado Springs on

I would call a debt consolidater. They are on Tv all of the time. I am very sorry to hear of your situation. That is the only thing I could suggest. You really do not want to file bankruptcy.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.G.

answers from Tucson on

First, hire an attorney. You can get a public defender and the cost will be free or very low. This will help you 1) with your divorce as well as ability to ork out which debts are yours as opposed to your husbands. Second. call your creditors and let them know what is going on- going through a divorce,abusive situation, whatever. They will work with you to get out of debt. By not calling or contacting them it looks like you are hiding. Also let them know to NOT call you at work.There are free credit services,but be careful as to some maybe scams or cause problmes with your credit in the future. Do you have a close friends or clergy member whom you can talk to about the divorce,as well as the debt situation? You need to develop a plan to "get" divorced as well as begin financially starting over.Will this divorce hurt you or help you in the debt area?Weigh all your options, get a lawyer, talk to someone and Pray. Get help and Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Phoenix on

a place to look for free financial advise is Suze Ormans website . I am pretty sure its suzeorman.com She also has books you can find at the local library that gives advise on getting out of debt.
I read Young Fabulous and Broke. Lots of helpful information that you can understand and the stuff you dont she breaks down for you .
Good Luck and Hang in there. Its tough but you can do it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.R.

answers from Phoenix on

We avoided bankruptcy for many years, thinking it was the "right thing" to do. However, when we finally couldn't keep up with all the debt anymore, we did, and I tell you, it was the best thing we could have done in our situation. A weight was lifted and we were given a second chance. Unfortunately, the laws have recently changed and you will have to go through credit counseling before they will even let you file, it's a lot harder now to file bankruptcy. You can go to a bankruptcy attorney and they usually will give you a free consultation and at least then you would know what your options would be. Make an informed decision. Unforunately, it will be a long process whatever you decide to do. It took awhile to get the debt and like loosing weight it will take awhile to get rid of it! Good luck and I wish you all the best!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches