Non-Bankruptcy Options

Vancouver Bankruptcy Attorney

No one’s first choice when faced with a financial hardship is to file bankruptcy. And filing bankruptcy is not on many people’s “bucket list”. So, it makes complete sense that when someone experiences financial hardship that they should look at all of their non-bankruptcy options.

And that is what we help you do. In each case we help you explore any non-bankruptcy options you might have to address your financial hardship.

What are some of the potential non-bankruptcy options to help “deal with” financial stress? I have created a list below. The list includes both good and bad ideas. I include both good and bad ideas because, I guarantee, desperate people sometimes try anything to handle their debt.

See if you can tell which ones are “bad” ideas (normally). (P.S. Do not pursue a bad idea. If you are not sure which is bad, please call us.)

  • Take a financial management class to gain knowledge on what you can do better.
  • Review and adjust your budget to spend less on non-essential items.
  • Get a consolidation loan for all debt with a reduced payment you can afford and that you can pay within a reasonable period of time.
  • Call the creditors to set up better payment plan/terms
  • Consider a mortgage modification if you have mortgage arrears and want to keep your home.
  • Consider mandatory mediation if you have mortgage arrears and you want to keep you home.
  • Consider a short sale if you do not desire to retain a home.
  • Settle with each creditor by paying a lump sum payment to get rid of your debt (you get the best deals with a lump sum payment)
  • Ignore the creditors – which is not the worst idea if you are “judgment proof”, i.e., you do not have anything they can take from you (other than your sanity, or that part that remains at this point)
  • Get a second job or work more hours to create income to catch up and pay debt.
  • Sell items of value that you do not need to help pay bills.
  • Take out loans against your paid off car or other free and clear household assets.
  • Borrow money from friends or family to pay debt.
  • Use one credit card to pay another.
  • Get “pay day” loans and hope that you can escape the trap of this financial “crack”.
  • Pawn items for cash.
  • Play the lottery and hope to win.
  • Cash out your exempt (protected from creditors) 401K to pay bills.
  • Move out of town and hope that your creditors do not find you.
  • Allow yourself to be sued and wages/bank accounts to be garnished.
  • Just accept that you will have to deal with not paying on a written contract for up to 26 years.

Many people have tried some or many of these options – and the efforts did not resolve the problem. (We know you try.) We will help you during a free initial consultation review your options to see if you have any reasonable non-bankruptcy options. This will also help you avoid wasting time and money and experiencing unnecessary stress in the pursuit of efforts that won’t help you resolve your financial problem. At a minimum, with a free consultation, you’ll know your options and we can help you choose the ones that fit your situation.

A review of this subject requires an answer to the question: “What can my creditors do to me if I can’t pay and do not file bankruptcy?” Sometimes, they cannot do much. Other times, their actions can be, at least, “inconvenient”. Here are some of the things a creditor might be able to do to collect:

  • Foreclose upon a financed home.
  • Repossess a financed vehicle.
  • Call you – over and over – and ask when they can expect payment. Sometimes they are nice, sometimes they are not. They might even call you at work.
  • Note the past-due payment history on your credit report.
  • Send you “pay us” demand/threat letters that tell you all the bad things they might do to you if you don’t pay.
  • Send the bill to a collection agency and report that to your credit reports.
  • Sue you for the amount due, plus interest, plus costs, plus attorney fees, etc.
  • If they obtain a judgment, they can garnish your wages and take 20% to 25% of your take home pay (if you take home at least $800 a month). That means that if you are normally paid $1,600 net a month, they get $400 and you get $1,200.
  • If they obtain a judgment, they can garnish your wages and take up to 25% of your take home pay. That means, for example, that if you are normally paid $1,600 net a month, they get $400 and you get $1,200.
  • If they have a judgment, they can record that judgment as a lien on any real property you own. If you go to sell the property, the lien has to be paid.
  • In Washington, a creditor on a written contract can sue you any time before the account becomes six years past due (3 years for an oral contract). A judgment obtained is good for 10 years. That judgment, if unpaid, may be renewed for another 10 years. That’s 26 years you might have to deal with a past due debt.

There are really some good non-bankruptcy options to resolve certain debts AS LONG AS you have some money to work with and you don’t wait too long to try working on it. So, yes, we do look at your non-bankruptcy options as well. Sometimes, it’s just too late and bankruptcy is often the best option.

As a final note, many people are worried about the impact of bankruptcy on the credit report and credit score. That’s a fair concern. But, if you are considering bankruptcy, it is not a bad as you might think.

First, I will note that it is possible that your credit score will actually go UP after you file bankruptcy. After you file bankruptcy, high balances and other information is removed from your credit report (because you no longer owe money after entry of the discharge order). This can improve your score. So, if your credit report is “not good” when you file, then your score may go up.

The second key point to make is that your credit report might be “OK” now, but if you can’t pay your debts on time or you can but that is only because you borrow more money to make the payments, then your credit report might not look “OK” for long. If you don’t make the payments, then your credit report will note late payments. You might have collections. There might be lawsuits. You might even end up with a garnishment that prevents you from paying the bills you want to pay. So, if you know your credit report is going to receive a bunch of negative entries in the near future, sometimes it better for you to file bankruptcy before those negative entries occur. If you file bankruptcy after all the negative entries are made on your credit report, your report will show that you filed bankruptcy BUT it will also show all the past-due payment history and public records such as lawsuit, etc. Once you file, the creditors cannot submit negative credit report entries.

THE POINT

If you can’t pay your debts as they come due, then your “great” credit will be damaged by the expected future negative credit entries. If you really do “need” to file, then I suggest that your credit score will be better after filing bankruptcy than not filing and having numerous additional negative entries for years AND still trying to find a way to pay the debt.

FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION

At the Robert Russell Law Office, we offer a free initial consultation to consumers to look over your circumstances to see what non-bankruptcy and bankruptcy options you have to address your financial problems. To schedule a free initial consultation, please contact us using our contact form, call us, email us or use our live chat option. We hope to help you soon.

Facing Debt or Financial Problems?

You can still regain control of your finances by reaching out to an experienced bankruptcy attorney in Washington. Let us help you resolve your financial issues skillfully, protect your assets with compassion, and utilize every means possible to achieve your desired results. Contact us for a free consultation today.