Credit Card Debt Relief Attorney in Eugene, OR

It happens to the best of us. We finance some of our needs on credit, either because we’re anticipating more income coming in or simply because we have to, and then nothing pans out the way we’d hoped it would. Now, we’re looking at mounting debt that’s accruing interest, and we’re simply not bringing in enough money to pay off those debts.

If this describes you, there’s a way out. But you must respond quickly. The longer you let your debts hang around, the more they can hurt you down the road. Butcher Law Office, LLC helps folks just like you resolve their credit card debts. Below, we’ll discuss how this works.

Settling the Debt Amount

Before you choose to settle the debt amount, you should know that the default will appear on your credit for the next six years regardless of whether you pay it off later. This means that it can hurt you even after you’ve paid it. By contrast, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy will stay on your credit report for ten years and a Chapter 13 will stay on your credit report for seven. The question then becomes: Are the extra years worth the financial hit of settling the debt?

Sometimes it is and other times it isn’t. This depends entirely on how much you owe and whether or not you can afford to make a lump-sum payment that satisfies the creditor. While the default will stay on your credit report, you won’t have outstanding debt (at least for that account) and won’t stay on as long as a bankruptcy. If it’s economically possible for you to satisfy the creditor by making a lump-sum payment to settle the debt, then that’s an option we can explore. If not, then bankruptcy is a viable option to improve your financial situation.

Filing for Bankruptcy

Credit card and medical debt are the two most common reasons that folks file for bankruptcy. In fact, Chapter 7 bankruptcy was created to help these folks rebuild their finances. While it will take some time before your credit is completely restored, bad credit is not a life sentence. By the time you’re defaulting on credit card payments, your credit is probably already pretty bad. The hit you take to your credit by filing for bankruptcy is usually not as bad as you think. You can then begin rebuilding your finances free of your past obligations.

Credit Card Debt Relief in Chapter 7

Chapter 7 bankruptcy was created for those who have significant unsecured debt that they are accruing interest on and simply cannot satisfy. Once that debt goes into default, your creditor may be able to file a lawsuit against you to recover the debt. If they win, they can garnish your wages, levy your bank account, or place a lien on your real estate property. Chapter 7 puts a stop to lawsuits, garnishments, and more. Creditors are no longer so much as able to call you or send you a letter while your bankruptcy case is being heard. This buys you some time and pads your coffers while you’re dealing with the debt. It frees up your finances to make rent, mortgage, and car payments.

At the end of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, all credit card debt will be discharged so long as you have not committed any form of fraud. That means you don’t have to pay it and creditors no longer have a claim against you.

Credit Card Debt in Chapter 13

Chapter 13 bankruptcy handles secured debt much better than Chapter 7, but it can handle unsecured debt as well. Since Chapter 13 reorganizes your debt liabilities into a single lump-sum payment made monthly over the course of three or five years, you will likely not have to pay off all of your credit card debt. Some of the debts can then be discharged at the end of the bankruptcy.

How a Lane County Credit Card Debt Relief Attorney Can Help

Tom Butcher provides free hour-long consultations for those who are trying to manage an unmanageable amount of debt. Together, we will look at your situation and come up with a unique solution that offers you the best outcome given your current situation. Talk to us today for more information!