If a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case is dismissed, several things can happen. First, your automatic stay -- put in place when you first filed -- is no longer in force. That means creditors can once again take action to collect a debt, which can include harassing phone calls and letters, wage garnishment, foreclosures, repossessions, and [...]

If you’ve fallen behind financially and are having trouble paying your bills, you may be wondering about your options. The statute of limitations for collection of debt in Ohio is six years. This time frame applies to the majority of situations and to most types of debt. Understand, however, that debt does not expire or [...]

Overwhelming debt can cause problems in all areas of your life, from being less productive at work to having money arguments at home that can lead to family breakdown. Adding to the stress is the accompanying harassment by creditors and the fear of repossession of your property and foreclosure on your home. If you are struggling [...]

If your debts have become more than you can handle, the good news is that bankruptcy, a legal way to have many debts forgiven, can put you on the road to financial recovery.  If you’re a good candidate for bankruptcy, filing can keep creditors from harassing you and seizing your possessions, allow debts to be [...]

As Americans grow older, we face increasing challenges, and too many of us are facing a new problem in what should be the “golden years” of retirement -- the need to file for bankruptcy. According to an article in The New York Times,  citing a study from the Consumer Bankruptcy Project, the rate of people 65 [...]

Carrying crushing debt can become unbearable.  Bills pile up, and you’re harassed by creditors and may be faced with foreclosure of your house, repossession of your car, utilities being shut off, and garnishment of your wages.  You feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to turn. You are not alone. Overall household debt stands at more [...]

Can You Declare Bankruptcy on Credit Cards Only? While credit card debt is a major reason people wind up filing for bankruptcy, you cannot file for bankruptcy on credit card debt alone, as the law requires that all your debts be listed in the bankruptcy documents. However, because bankruptcy can eliminate credit card and other [...]

Student loan debt takes such a big toll on marriage that it can even lead to divorce.  Financial problems are the leading cause of stress in a relationship, and student loan debt, which now stands at an all-time high of $1.5 trillion, can be a burden that becomes too much to bear. The debt puts tremendous pressure [...]

If you’ve declared bankruptcy, you may feel that you never want to see a credit card again, especially if using cards irresponsibly is what got you into financial trouble in the first place.  However, getting a credit card after bankruptcy or retaining a current card can be a smart move under certain conditions. Bankruptcy damages [...]

In these uncertain times, many Ohio consumers have become overwhelmed with debt they cannot pay. If you find yourself in this situation, you may wonder if you can be sent to jail for not paying your credit card debt. The short answer is no -- debt collectors cannot have you arrested for a credit card [...]

When a close family member dies, are you going to be stuck having to pay their debts?  Will you find yourself getting harassed by creditors and debt collectors for debts you didn’t even run up or benefit from? The answer depends on the situation. When people die, their estate goes into probate, and the estate owes [...]

Contrary to what many people think, filing for bankruptcy may be good for you and improve your financial situation.  Chances are that if you are considering bankruptcy, your credit is already suffering, and you are probably sick of being harassed by bill collectors and creditors, and faced with possible wage garnishments, evictions, lawsuits, and foreclosures. Not [...]

When you are feeling financially strapped, it may be tempting to use your credit card to pay your rent or mortgage. Credit cards allow you to postpone coming up with the money for payments, and you can get rewards like cash back or miles for using them. Unfortunately, there are also costs and consequences for [...]

Despite anything you may have heard, bankruptcy does not ruin your credit forever, and it is still possible to get a loan after a bankruptcy discharge.  In reality, bankruptcy -- a legal way to have many debts forgiven -- is a new beginning, and it can give you a fresh financial start.  There are things [...]

Rising debt. Growing tax bills. College tuition. Loans. If you sometimes feel like you're drowning in financial stress, you're definitely not alone. Money is a common source of stress, says a 2017 report from the American Psychological Association. Sixty-two percent of Americans say they worry about their finances, making monetary anxiety the second most common source [...]