Category: Illinois - page 11

Many people fear filing for bankruptcy will mean surrendering their possessions. But one of the most attractive features of bankruptcy is that it can legally protect your assets from creditors, thanks to a long list of exemptions…

One of the things that make people susceptible to the scams we've been talking about is desperation. Let's face it: spending months or even years worried about money can make anybody feel desperate. At DebtStoppers, if there's one thing we've seen over and over…

For you to get a loan, the lender usually requires that you give some guarantee that you will pay the loan back. For a home equity loan, you secure the loan with your home. Typically a home equity loan works like a credit card. It provides you with a…

Rent-to-own stores let you buy new and used appliances, furniture and electronics under long-term payment plans. And they don't check your credit. So if you have poor credit, rent-to-own might look like a good idea — especially if something breaks or you need something that just can't wait. OK, what's so bad about paying a few dollars a week for a computer or a flat-screen TV?…

Every year at about this time there is a glut of advertising by tax return preparers for what they refer to as "Rapid Refund," "Fast Cash Refund," "Express Money," or "Instant Refund". Some locations even offer a chance to play a game and double your "Instant Refund". These very tempting offers purport to get you your anticipated tax refund immediately or within a day or two. What many people don't realize is that there is…

Many ads omit the fact that you may have to work many hours without pay. Or they don't disclose all the costs you have to pay. Most work-at-home schemes want you to spend your own money to run newspaper ads; make copies; or buy the envelopes, paper, stamps and other supplies or equipment you need to do the job. They may also make you pay for instructions or tutorial software. People who've answered these ads have lost thousands of dollars, in addition to their time and energy.…

At Debtstoppers, we admire the American can-do spirit. So, if you’re saying, “Yes, I can become debt free,” we’re with you 100 percent. Our attorneys have the knowledge, skill and experience to guide you through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy in the most efficient and painless way possible. But if your can-do impulse suggests that bankruptcy is a do-it-yourself project, we have to caution that common errors by pro se (DIY) filers lead to expensive, often irreversible, losses. In fact, the courts throw out most pro se filings because the average…

Illinois law states the repossession of a car or truck is illegal if the consumer is not actually in default on the loan or if the creditor doesn’t have a valid security interest in the vehicle. But a valid repossession can become illegal if the repossessor used tactics that “breach the peace” when seizing the…

Last year, CNN Money reported that the big three banks in the United States – JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo – had made $1.1 billion on overdraft fees in the first three months of that year alone. Obviously, overdraft fees are a big money-maker for the banks, but who is most likely…

A common question for people in debt is when they should file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Often, filing for bankruptcy cannot wait for a specific time of year, as it often comes after a major, surprising life event such as unexpected medical bills. There are, however, a few ways you can time your bankruptcy to…