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…
Read MoreOne 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…
Read MoreFor 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…
Read MoreRent-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?…
Read MoreEvery 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…
Read MoreMany 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.…
Read MoreAt 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…
Read MoreEvery part of the country has been affected by the coronavirus. Like restaurants, arenas and other locations where people assemble for business or pleasure, most courts have been closed. If you are in the midst of a bankruptcy proceeding, your case might be delayed, handled telephonically or be otherwise disrupted due to the pandemic. Furthermore,…
Read MoreIn the middle of an election year where healthcare is already a hotly debated issue, the COVID-19 pandemic has stirred further discussion about whether major changes are necessary. During the Democratic presidential primary, the concept of Medicare for All split the candidates. While the candidate who promoted that concept has since dropped out of the…
Read MoreDid you make any New Year's resolutions about getting a handle on your finances, saving more money or finally getting out of debt? Paying off debt is a worthy goal because mounting debt can cause significant stress, which is one of the leading causes of many health conditions. If you'd like to be happier and healthier, then focus on paying down your debt and watch how much better you'll start to feel…
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