If you are wondering, “What is loan consolidation and will it help me?” you are not alone. Banks and loan consolidation companies target people who are struggling to pay their bills with advertising claiming that a loan consolidation can solve all of their debt problems. However, while loan consolidation may help some individuals, it is not always the best solution. Furthermore, there are several types of loan consolidations available, each having unique benefits and disadvantages. Before I go into detail about the various types of loan consolidations and how they may benefit you, I would like to provide you with a clear answer to the question, “What is loan consolidation?”

Almost all of us will experience debt problems at some point during our lifetime due to a financial crisis such as a job loss or due to our own devices. Some individuals cause debt problems for themselves through poor spending habits, abuse of credit cards, gambling, co-signing loans for others or because of a failure to budget and manage money well. Because they feel their debt problems are due to something they did or failed to do, they may wonder, “Is personal bankruptcy a good option for me?”

According to a study conducted by NerdWallet Health, over twenty percent of Americans will struggle with medical debt this year. For some, the best alternative is to file bankruptcy. Medical bills have been an ongoing financial problem for many Americans for more than a decade. In 2009, more than 60% of individuals who filed for bankruptcy relief did so due to medical bills. According to a report published in the American Journal of Medicine, the number of individuals who had to file bankruptcy due to medical bills rose from 46% in 2001 to 62% in 2007.

Why do so many people who get divorced fall into financial trouble?

If you are struggling with debt, you are not alone. Many Americans face this situation every day due to job loss, loss of a spouse, medical illness or other circumstances that prevent them from paying their bills. Whatever your situation may be, it is important that you understand that there are options available to help you manage this burden and recover financially and emotionally. One possible solution for dealing with debt is debt consolidation. Debt consolidation can help individuals who are struggling to make minimum monthly payments on their credit cards or other debts. However, in some cases, debt consolidation could create more problems than it solves. While it may seem practical to consolidate debts into one, lower monthly payment, you must first consider the pros and cons to debt consolidation.

As a legal advisor, I've come across many people who've gone through some extremely nightmarish situations due to debt. They have been lied to about the financial services they selected, made poor financial decisions or encountered bad debt consolidation companies with programs they were assured would help.

Divorce is one of the top 5 reasons many debtors turn to bankruptcy. If you are going through this situation, know that you are not alone. The following is one woman’s story about how divorce and bankruptcy turned her life around, in ways she could never have expected.

Few things in life are of greater consequence to one’s physical and emotional well-being than financial hardship. Many individuals facing harassment from creditors have enough of an income to begin allocating toward their debts, but not enough to keep up and prevent the seizure of their assets. Many debtors turn to bankruptcy to find a fresh beginning.

Making the final decision to file bankruptcy can be challenging, but my clients report feeling immensely relieved. Simply settling on this decision provides relief because you have a plan to move forward and out of your financial darkness. Technically, nothing official happens until you file your petition. However, your peace of mind will lighten your load and allow you to think and see your future clearly.

Learning to manage money is a life skill everyone should possess, though it rarely gets taught in any formal educational setting. Money management skills are valuable to own at every stage in life, especially when trying to manage debt.

The more educated you can be about debt, creditors and the laws that protect you, the more likely you are to be treated fairly. This blog is going to discuss tactics collection agencies use and how you can fight back.  First, you need to understand who may be contacting you to collect on your debts – then we will go into how collection agencies may attempt to get your money.

If you are in debt and looking for a way to get out, consider ALL of your options. When all of your options are on the table, take time to think through the advantages and disadvantages of each and how they will affect your life in the long run. Sit down with a legal professional, too, to discuss your options and get advice and opinions about which is best for your specific situation. 

The effects of filing bankruptcy are felt almost instantly. The moment you decide to file bankruptcy you will likely feel some of the stress fade because you know the end of your financial nightmare is in sight. Once your petition is approved, you can begin the journey to debt freedom, feeling lighter and happier than you have felt in a long time. Put the nightmare behind you and begin living the life you have been dreaming of.

PR For Immediate Release:

Filing for bankruptcy seems like a big, scary decision, mainly due to its reputation and image painted by our media. High ranking officials and celebrities, such as George McGovern and Larry King, receive a lot of negative attention when they file bankruptcy. As of late our media is focused on Detroit, an entire city, going bankrupt. Unfortunately, the fact that individuals, businesses and even cities, are filing bankruptcy is the only part of the story that is “newsworthy,” and we don’t get to see their return to normalcy – to debt freedom. 

Becoming debt free can be done in 120 days or less if you file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Minnesota. To ensure the process is completed in three-four months, work with a bankruptcy attorney. A bankruptcy attorney will be your guide through the legal jargon, court meetings and mountains of paperwork, ensuring you complete all steps accurately and in a timely manner.