Tag: Store Cards

Bankruptcy and Foreclosure – Chapter 13 and Chapter 7



For most homeowners, bankruptcy is certainly not their first choice to save their home from foreclosure. This is for a very good reason, as the credit effects can be quite serious and its results are generally poor, at best. Many of those who file bankruptcy to get out of foreclosure find themselves right back in the foreclosure process within in months of entering bankruptcy. Putting off losing the home is obviously not the reason most homeowners file, as they will then be stuck with both a bankruptcy and a foreclosure on their credit.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

In any event, homeowners facing foreclosure can not include the house in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 is only for unsecured debt, such as credit cards, store cards, personal loans, and the like. The mortgage is secured by the property, so it would not be dischargeable under Chapter 7. The clause in the mortgage paperwork that keeps it from being included in a Chapter 7 case is that it states the mortgage loan is secured by the underlying collateral, the property itself. Chapter 7 does not discharge secured debt, so this combination excludes the mortgage and this type of bankruptcy from having anything to do with each other.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy may, however, serve a purpose in freeing up income that the homeowners could use to keep on top of their mortgage payment. Keeping a roof on top of their heads is much more important than financing a new television or furniture, and credit card companies who are unwilling to work with homeowners in financial trouble will have to bear the costs of their poor lending decisions. Discharging most of these types of debts can significantly free up income, which can immediately be used to pay down the arrears on the mortgage or establish a repayment plan or other workout program. Homeowners with a debt-to-income ratio too high will not qualify for these bank workout programs, so discharging some of this high-interest, unsecured debt through Chapter 7 may be a reasonable path to getting the mortgage back on track.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Homeowners who want to file bankruptcy to stop foreclosure can include the house in a Chapter 13 filing, which is a reorganization of the debt with a payment plan mandated by the courts. But if the house is already too expensive, then agreeing to an expensive payment plan would not make a whole lot of sense. In Chapter 13, the mortgage payments might very well go up, because the homeowners have to pay the regular monthly mortgage, as well as a portion of the amount that they are in default. Falling behind on this type of bankruptcy almost always results in the house going back into foreclosure and sold at a county sheriff sale.

Especially if the homeowners fall behind on the Chapter 13 plan, they will be in serious danger of losing the home very quickly. Bankruptcy does not actually stop foreclosure — it only puts the process on hold and gives the owners protection under the courts to pay back what they have fallen behind. Thus, if the payments are not made as agreed, the bank will request that the courts lift the stay and allow them to proceed with the foreclosure process. And the lender will be able to proceed as if the bankruptcy never occurred, starting up right from where they left off. This can often result in a sheriff sale being scheduled very quickly, within a matter of weeks.

Filing bankruptcy to stop foreclosure is a decision that homeowners need to consider very carefully, and even potentially consult with a lawyer for approved legal advice. The only real way to get rid of the mortgage and no longer worry about the property is find some way to sell the house, give a deed in lieu of foreclosure, or have it be foreclosed on by the bank. The county sheriff sale will eliminate the mortgage liens and transfer ownership of the property. The homeowners will have to deal with a foreclosure on their credit for 7-10 years, though. There are no easy decisions during the foreclosure process, of course, but the possibility of facing foreclosure and bankruptcy on the same house should be avoided.


Debt Consolidation Finance – For Those With Multiple Debts



Debts can pile up quicker than you think. And the more you let them mushroom, the bigger trouble you will be. It is better to just start paying them. Now, if you have bitten off more than you could chew with your credit cards, store cards and personal loans, then you will need the support of external help. What with daily expenses that you cannot do without, your monthly salary will not be enough to repay these debts. To sum it up, you need to undergo a debt management plan before things escalate. A debt consolidation finance is one strategy through which the growth of debts can be stemmed and their repayment, successfully completed.

You might be wondering how borrowing another loan can help you out of your dire situation. Debt consolidation finance is unlike any other loan. It is one that assists you in paying off debts. It achieves the purpose through a simple procedure. However, you can avail this loan only if you owe more than


All About Debt Consolidation Loans

Debt consolidation loans are loans that are used to pay off existing debts and in the process merge the debts into a single loan. Debt consolidation loans are therefore useful for people whose debts have spiraled out of control and who need to simplify their finances.

It has never been easier to obtain both secured and unsecured debt. These days there are thousands of lenders willing to issue various forms of debt – such as store cards, credit cards, and personal loans – to all kinds of borrowers.

Lenders seem willing to lend money to almost anybody in today’s economy and even people with adverse credit histories are not automatically excluded from applying for many different types of credit.

While this can seem positive, it can lead to situations where borrowers who are unable to manage their finances properly are successful in obtaining large amounts of debt. This is, of course, not a good situation for a borrower to find themselves in and it is becoming more common as lenders’ continue to loosen their lending criteria.

Individuals who overextend their borrowings can find themselves in situations where they have store cards, credit cards, car loans, personal loans etc from a variety of lenders. Each of the individual debts will require the borrower to make monthly payments towards the balance of the loans and the interest charged on them, which can cause havoc to their personal finances.

Not only can the overall amount of money due each month be too much for the borrower to pay, the sheer number of payments due can be difficult to manage and budget for especially if the payments are due at different times of the month.

This is where debt consolidation loans can help. If the borrower feels that their finances are out of control and they wish to only make one payment towards their loans each month, they should consider debt consolidation loans as an alternative to managing their debts on an individual basis.

There are several different forms of debt consolidation loans, including secured and unsecured, and the product that will suit each borrower’s requirements will depend on their individual circumstances.

Details of the borrower’s personal situation will need to be assessed and matched to the criteria for the various debt consolidation loans available on the market at the time of application. These details will include the borrower’s employment situation, whether they are a home owner or a renter, and whether or not they suffer from any bad credit.

If you wish to receive expert advice on debt consolidation loans, contact an independent mortgage advisor today.


Answers to 5 Common Questions About Debt Consolidation

It happens to virtually everyone at some point in life. You find yourself over your head in debt. Perhaps you were laid off from your job or experienced a period of unemployment. Maybe you or someone in your family had a medical emergency and wiped out your savings. Or it could be that you have poor financial management skills and simply spent more than you could repay. Whatever the reason for your debt, the effect is the same: you most likely feel overwhelmed, hopeless, and endlessly worried. You don’t see a way out of the debt spiral and you don’t know where to turn. Perhaps you’ve heard about debt consolidation as a way of achieving debt relief, but you may not know much about it. Here, then, are answers to five common questions about debt consolidation.

1. What is debt consolidation? It’s easier to explain debt consolidation as it contrasts to the way you now manage your debt. Right now, most of the payments you make each month are probably going to pay down interest on credit cards and store cards. You may even be routinely paying exorbitant late fees, banking fees, and so forth. Before you know it, your money is gone but your debt isn’t. Essentially, debt consolidation serves to merge all of your various sources of debt into one single debt – and a single payment.

2. What are the Benefits of Debt Consolidation? There are several benefits to debt consolidation. Your multiple payments will be consolidated into a single monthly payment. In the process, the high interest charges you are paying can be reduced or eliminated, as can late charges and other fees. Best of all, your repayment plan allows you to find hope once again, and eventually enjoy the experience of debt-free living.

3. What Types of Debts Qualify for Consolidation? Many different types of debts qualify for consolidation, including credit card debt, store card debt, personal loan debt, utility bills, and so forth.

4. What if I Have Bad Credit? If you have bad credit, you’re not alone. Debt consolidation is available to people with poor credit histories. In fact, it’s designed to provide debt assistance to people with poor credit. Even if you have unpaid defaults, payment arrears, or have been rejected by a lender, you may still qualify for bad credit loans.

5. How Can I Begin the Process of Debt Consolidation? It’s actually very simple. You can begin by finding an online debt consolidation company that specializes in helping consumers with debt assistance or bad credit loans. After completing a confidential initial application, you will be contacted by a finance professional that will work with you to develop a reduced payment plan. He or she will also work with your creditors to reduce interest rates and eliminate penalties. The debt consultation should be free of charge. When you find yourself drowning in debt, it’s important to remember that there is hope. Many people have a difficult time facing their financial situations, and choose not to act. By opting for debt consolidation, you can make a plan, regain hope, and be well on your way to living debt-free.


Debt Management Programs



Being in serious debt can be very stressful. In fact it can destroy your life. It can lead to hopelessness and despair. I know, because I have been there. Easy access to credit cards and store cards are the main reason people get into debt. High interest rates make it difficult to get out of debt. However it’s important not to panic as there are option available to you in the form of debt management programs and debt counseling services. With some commitment on your part and good debt reduction company you could become debt free in just a few years.

There are many organizations offering different options for debt relief, some good and other not so good. Debt management programs are a booming business especially in the correct financial crisis. Whether you decide to hire a debt relief service or take it on yourself, you should do your research before making a decision.

While debt reduction company can be a big help, they cannot solve all your debt problems for you. Any organization that promises this is promising something they probably cannot deliver. Be very wary of any firm that makes extravagant claims. For a debt reduction program to work will require changes to your lifestyle. These changes will seem time consuming and difficult at first, but over time they become an instinctive part of your life and are really no problem at all in the long run.

Other options available to you include debt consolidation or a home equity loan as a debt reduction strategy. This would become easier if you owned a home and have sufficient equity. In addition, the interest may be tax deductible. However, this option requires careful thought as you may end up losing your home if you fail to make the payments.

No single debt reduction strategy may be ideal for your situation, the best thing you can do is to be very careful about which option you do decide on, and remember to do your research before making a decision.


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