Boca Raton Creditor Harassment Lawyer
A number of federal laws, such as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, limit debt collector powers. Largely because of a string of recent Supreme Court FDCPA cases, debt collectors have unprecedented powers. Yet these powers still have limits. At the end of the day, private debt collectors have rather limited debt collection power. But they can relentlessly badger people into paying, so that’s what they do.
The compassionate Boca Raton creditor harassment lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephen Orchard know how aggressive debt collectors can be. So, our professional team does more than keep creditors at bay. We look for long term, cost-effective solutions which eliminate debt. So, debt collectors stay away forever. Since no two debtors are alike, no two solutions are alike. When you meet with us, we carefully lay out all your legal options.
Debt Relief Options
Usually, bankruptcy is not the first option for people who are experiencing debt problems. However, it’s usually the best option. All things considered, bankruptcy has the most upside and the least downside.
Bankruptcy’s Automatic Stay stops creditor harassment dead in its tracks. Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code also applies to repossession, foreclosure, and most other kinds of creditor adverse actions.
Chapter 7 quickly eliminates most credit cards and other unsecured debts. The average card-holding family is paying more than 20 percent interest on over $6,000 in debt. Even if these families make more than the minimum payment each month, the balance hardly ever goes down. Just think what you can do with the hundreds of dollars a month you currently send to credit card companies.
If past-due mortgage payments and other secured obligations are the problem, Chapter 13 might be the solution. This form of bankruptcy gives people up to five years to erase such delinquency with an income-based monthly debt consolidation payment. As a bonus, Chapter 13 also wipes out most unsecured debts.
Sometimes, the threat of filing bankruptcy is better than actually filing. In these cases, our Boca Raton creditor harassment attorneys negotiate with your creditors to obtain more favorable repayment terms. The interest rate is a good example. Today’s interest rates are much lower than they were before the coronavirus pandemic. Refinancing at a lower rate could save you thousands of dollars.
Do I Need a Bankruptcy Lawyer?
In general, bankruptcy is the best way to stop creditor harassment. And, a partnership with a bankruptcy lawyer is the best way to file bankruptcy.
Money is usually tight in these situations. So, many people try to save a few dollars and file bankruptcies pro se (without a lawyer). If you are filing a no-asset Chapter 7 and you have substantial legal training, that might be a good idea. In other cases, a pro se bankruptcy is a bad idea.
The paperwork alone is extremely complex. Even an unintentional error could lead to bankruptcy fraud charges. Furthermore, only an experienced lawyer knows how to unlock some advanced bankruptcy options. So, pro se filers usually cannot maximize their fresh starts.
A non-lawyer bankruptcy petition preparer isn’t much better. Legally, a BPP may only fill out forms. These individuals cannot tell debtors how to fill out the forms or give them any other advice. BPPs certainly cannot represent you in court if the bankruptcy goes sideways. In these cases, you are on your own against the creditors’ posses of lawyers.
Reach Out to a Compassionate Palm Beach County Creditor Harassment Lawyer
If crushing debt is a problem, legal solutions are available. For a free consultation with an experienced Boca Raton creditor harassment attorney, contact the Law Offices of Stephen Orchard. Convenient payment plans are available.
