Photo: Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash- Debt and bankruptcy
Debt Collector Rights: What Collectors Can and Cannot Do
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act limits how third-party collectors may contact you. Learn your rights and how to dispute a debt.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Key Differences
Compare Chapter 7 liquidation and Chapter 13 repayment plans: who qualifies, what happens to property and how long each lasts.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Identity Theft: What to Do Right Away
Step-by-step actions if your identity is stolen, including fraud alerts, credit freezes and reporting to the FTC.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Wage Garnishment: Limits, Exemptions and How to Stop It
How wage garnishment works, the federal limit on how much can be taken and what you can do if your paycheck is garnished.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Student Loan Default: Consequences and Ways Out
What happens when federal or private student loans go into default and the main options to get back on track.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
How to Dispute Credit Report Errors
Your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, how to find mistakes and the steps to dispute them with the bureaus and lenders.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Car Repossession: What Lenders Can Do and Your Rights
When a lender can repossess a car, the limits on how it is done, what you can get back and how a deficiency balance works.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Old Debts and Time-Barred Debt: Can You Still Be Sued?
How a state time limit on debt lawsuits works, why a small payment can matter and what to do if a collector contacts you about an old debt.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Sued for Credit Card Debt? What to Do Step by Step
How to respond to a debt collection lawsuit, the deadline to answer and the defenses and options that may be available.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Frozen Bank Account and Bank Levy: What You Can Do
Why a bank account may be frozen, which funds are protected and how to respond to a levy.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Medical Bills and Collections: Your Rights and Options
How to dispute medical bills, ask for financial assistance, what happens if a bill goes to collections and how credit reporting rules apply.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
What to Do If You Were Scammed: Report, Recover and Protect Yourself
Steps to take after falling for a scam, who to contact, whether you can get money back and how to protect your accounts.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Credit Card Chargebacks and Billing Disputes: How to Dispute a Charge
How to dispute an unauthorized or incorrect credit card charge, the deadlines and what happens during an investigation.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
What Happens to Debt When Someone Dies?
Who pays a deceased person's debts, how estates settle them and when family members are responsible.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Debt Settlement: How It Works and What Can Go Wrong
How negotiating a debt for less than you owe works, tax and credit effects, and warning signs of debt settlement scams.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Bankruptcy and Your Credit Score: How Long Does It Last?
How a bankruptcy affects credit reports and scores, how long it stays and steps to rebuild credit afterward.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Bankruptcy Exemptions: What Property Can You Keep?
How state and federal exemptions protect your home, car, retirement accounts and personal belongings in bankruptcy.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Small Business Bankruptcy Options: Chapter 7, 11 and Subchapter V
How businesses use bankruptcy to liquidate or reorganize, including simplified small business reorganization and owner liability.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Owing the IRS: Payment Plans, Offers in Compromise and Hardship
Options if you cannot pay your tax bill, including installment agreements, offers in compromise and currently not collectible status.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
IRS Audits: What Triggers Them and Your Rights
How IRS audits work, types of audits, your taxpayer rights and tips for responding to an audit notice.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Payday Loans: Costs, State Limits and Safer Alternatives
How payday loans work, why they are expensive, how states regulate them and alternatives if you need cash quickly.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Cosigning a Loan: Risks You Take on and How to Protect Yourself
What cosigning means legally, how it affects your credit and finances and steps to reduce risk or get released.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Tax Identity Theft: What to Do If Someone Filed a Return in Your Name
How to recognize tax-related identity theft, report it to the IRS, protect your account and prevent repeat fraud.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Credit Freeze vs. Fraud Alert: Which Should You Use?
How credit freezes and fraud alerts work, the differences, how to place them for free and how to lift or renew them.
2 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Data Breach Notice: What to Do If Your Information Was Exposed
Steps to take after receiving a data breach notice, including credit freezes, monitoring, passwords and when you may have legal claims.
2 min read