What You Should Know About Debt Settlement in Ashland, Kentucky
What Does Debt Settlement in Ashland, Kentucky Have to Offer You – Don’t Go It Alone!
Is the weight of bills heavier than the weight of your wallet? Have you been seeking a little relief? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then debt settlement in Ashland, Kentucky, is an opportunity that you should not miss out on.
After debts become bothersome, people tend to get more desperate, with their backs against the wall, being forced into filing bankruptcy, but do not fall for it! The best choice you can make at this point would be to turn to debt settlement services.
Consumers today are receiving student loans, grants, business loans, and more credit cards than they did in the past. Fortunately, this has created a higher demand for the services of debt settlement Companies.
Between debt settlement and filing bankruptcy, the best option for most is debt settlement. Usually, the clientele of the debt settlement programs is in financial debt ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. Personal debt usually comes from overdue rent, student loans, utility bills, etc.
The Reason, Most People, Choose Debt Settlement Programs
You’re probably wondering right now why debt settlement has become the solution to financial difficulties for most people. For one thing, it is a means of getting out of filing bankruptcy. That is because once a person files for bankruptcy, it will create problems for them that last a lifetime. It makes perfect sense that people would want to keep from having to file for bankruptcy.
Are You Aware of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Debt Settlement?
One of the disadvantages of bankruptcy is that it will hang over your head for the rest of your life. Regardless of what you might have heard, bankruptcy does not just stay on your credit report for 10 years. It stays a lifetime. Every time you fill out an application, you will have to answer the question, “have you ever filed for bankruptcy?” this includes applications for employment, credit cards, home loans, personal loans, and a lot more.
You may have to pay income tax on it, your creditworthiness will be affected, and it can end up being more stressful than if you were repaying it all by yourself. Also, if you have to have collateral to get the debt settlement loan, it means you may end up using your vehicle as the asset for the collateral, or worse, it might be your home. There’s always a possibility of losing your vehicle or home (whichever was used for collateral). If you cannot keep up with your settlement loan payments, you forfeit your collateral.
A person should not have to worry about not being able to get a job, another loan, or a credit card because of one bankruptcy in the past. Some feel that they can simply lie about it, and all will be fine. However, this is considered fraud. Do you know what happens if you get caught committing fraud? You could possibly receive some time in jail and be denied employment, along with other repercussions.
Bankruptcy can usually be avoided by settling a debt(s) with the collector(s). Furthermore, going through debt settlement is not a matter of your first option but rather a last resort for repaying your debt and a preferred choice compared to filing bankruptcy. Remember, the consequences of bankruptcy outweigh the disadvantage of working through a program with a debt settlement company.
Instead of 10 years on your credit report (plus the rest of your life), debt settlement only shows on it for 7 years, and after those 7 years, no one will be able to see it anymore, for it will be taken off permanently, and it does not leave a paper trail behind like bankruptcy. Neither will it damage your credit for the rest of your life!
The object of debt settlement is to provide to individuals who have run out of resources to repay the entire amount they owe. Keep in mind that it is not intended as a way of getting out of repaying the entire amount that is owed but as a last resort. Settling debt gives those who truly do not have it to pay back, and this gives them a solution. Moreover, Because of the high rate of service fees and interest on credit cards, you have more than likely already paid back more money on the card(s) than you have spent.
When you take into consideration the difference between a bankruptcy and a debt settlement program, collectors already know that if you go bankrupt, they probably will never see a dime of the money owed to them. Thus, the main reason most credit card companies are willing to negotiate with a debt settlement company is that this lets them get back some of their money.
Will the Solutions to Debt Settlement Cost Me Much?
Before signing anything, be sure to find out what your total cost will come to. A lot of the time, you find out, later on, they had hidden fees you were not aware of, and it could end up with you paying more. Debt settlement programs often offer to lower monthly payments and the rate of interest in exchange for accepting a longer repayment period. This longer timeframe could be costing you more money than you were unaware of at the time.
You will have a small application charge, and over a period of 1 to two years, the total for their percentage ranges from 10 to 20% out of the amount you give them in payments. For example, let’s say the amount you owe to creditors is $30,000, so 10% of that comes to $3,000. The calculation comes down to your paying them $3,000 over a period of 1-2 years. This breaks the amount you will pay down by 50%. Now that will be what makes it all worth it!
What Is the Process of Debt Settlement?
You contact a debt settlement company and tell them you would like very much to talk with them and that you have questions you need to be answered prior to filling out an application, as this will keep from both of you wasting your time. Once they give you the answers you are looking for, then you will be making the application. Next, debt settlement services will do the leg work for you by contacting all of your creditors and collectors. After they come to an agreement from the negotiating, it is likely they will agree on approximately 50%, while the average is between 40-60%, with 60 being the high end.
If it wasn’t for the settlement companies, the creditors and collectors probably would never see a dime of the money owed them. This is because the collectors and creditors alike begin to be more concerned when they feel you are going to file for bankruptcy. They know that people occasionally have major setbacks which interfere with being able to pay their monthly bills at all. They also realize that they may never get paid any of what’s owed them.
Signing up to work with a debt settlement company, which could take several years, is a big step to make. During this time period, you can expect many hardships due to the effect the settlement will have on your credit record, including you have less of a chance to establish new loans or credit. Debt settlement should not be used as a first option, but if you have no other options left and you feel that bankruptcy is the only thing left to do, then it is time to talk with a debt settlement company.
Signing up with a debt settlement service is a big step, and it is a step that you should only take if there is a very good reason. It is not a step anyone should take if they are just seeking a way to avoid paying their debts. The only way it would be worth it would be if you had no other options left.
Check out the debt settlement company prior to signing with them. This includes their standards, their track record, and what it is going to cost you. A good company to sign up with will excel in the three areas mentioned.
In What Ways Can Debt Settlement Be Beneficial to Me?
Takes less time to pay off debt – Debt settlement, as opposed to filing for bankruptcy, can be beneficial to you after the duration of time it takes to pay off the debt. This could be less than a year. However, 75% of clients take between 2-3 years. Whereas those who go through debt consolidation or bankruptcy generally take 3-5 years for their debt to be paid off.
It is more acceptable on credit report – When someone looks at your credit report, they are going to feel that you are more apt to pay your bills, rather than try getting out of paying them at all.
You are not alone – If you get a good debt settlement company, they will not avoid you, for they stay in contact with you throughout the entire process (on the average of once a month).
Debt settlement is not a matter of public record – Unlike bankruptcy, it is removed from your credit record after 7 years.
No paper trail left behind – After 7 years, the debt settlement is taken off the credit report (unlike bankruptcy).
Will not follow you for the rest of your life – Unlike bankruptcy, settling your debt will not continue to haunt you for the rest of your life.
Beneficial to you – Debt settlement service can be beneficial for you in other ways as well.
Choosing the Debt Settlement Company that is right for You in Ashland, Kentucky
Never make your final pick on a debt settlement company prior to checking them out at the Attorney General of your state and also with the customer protection agent located in your local area. Actually, these are the best and most effective means of finding out if there have been any previous clients who have had grievances against the debt settlement company you were considering signing with.
Take heed, and research the company/agency prior to doing any business with them. Being informed is an important part of researching the people you plan on doing business with. Your research should include the different types of services they provide, the cost, and the timeframe. Never sign with a debt settlement service that asks for a huge advance in the cost, and take note of the ones who say that they have to charge for their services.
It is best, if possible, to locate a debt settlement company that provides face-to-face contact. The best settlement providers are ones that offer face-to-face contact, phone contact, and online services, including local services.
Beware! There are some services that claim to have non-profit status. However – that is not saying it is a legit business or that it will be a free service for you, and neither low-cost. In all honesty, there are debt settlement providers out there that charge outrageous fee amounts and may be hiding it.
Hopefully, after reading this article, you will be able to prepare for what’s coming!
