Tis the Season for Debt!
How do you handle your debt?
Are you getting further and further into debt this holiday season? Does your desire to spread holiday cheer exceed the funds in your wallet? An Equifax report indicates that the makeup of total debt has changed dramatically per household over the course of a decade. Unfortunately, when the United States is trying to recover from the national mortgage debt crisis, consumer debt is on the rise. How do you handle your debt?
One way is to undertake debt management. This is where a consumer pays off his or her accumulated debt over time based on an agreement they entered into with the creditor. Be sure any agreement is in writing. For example, if you are going to make certain payments over a certain period of time and in return receive a reduced interest rate that must be in writing. If its not in writing it does not exist.
Debt settlement is a little different. Debt settlement is where you negotiate with a creditor and offer a lump sum payment for settlement of the debt. That lump sum payment is usually less than the total amount owed. It also occurs much quicker. Be careful however, a debt settlement can mean an IRS 1099 statement at the end of the taxable year in which the amount that was “forgiven” by the creditor must be counted as income by the consumer. This could lead to a pretty significant income tax liability and now you have replaced one creditor with a larger, more aggressive creditor in the IRS.
Many creditors will call you in an effort to collect their debt. Keep in mind there are very strict Federal and State of Connecticut laws that limit how, in what manner and the time that a debt collector can contact you. If you feel you have been abused, harassed or something has been misrepresented to you during one of these communications, whether verbally or in writing, give us a call immediately.
If you recognize that you have a debt problem, or you are being harassed by debt collectors, please contact me immediately. I can help.Milford Law Articles






