Contact A Federally Designated Debt Relief Agency
In this prolonged economic downturn, more and more men, women and families face financial issues and serious debt problems. But even if you are having financial difficulties, you do not need to put up with constant harassment and bullying by creditors and debt collection agencies.
Your Creditors Have Rights And Powers But… You Have Rights And Powers, Too
You are not at the mercy of your creditors. You can fight back.
Scare Tactics: Collection agencies must follow state and federal laws. If you are being harassed and constantly put under duress or threatened by your creditors or debt collection agencies, there are lawful steps you can take to stop them.
Law Suits: If you are sued in District Court, especially by a second hand creditor or a debt collection agency, you may have good defenses to stop a judgment against you and possibly win the lawsuit. NEW DISTRICT COURT RULES BECAME EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2012. These new rules could benefit you.
Bank Account Levies and Garnishments: Even if you do not file Bankruptcy, you are entitled to exemptions that can protect at least some of your money – money that you can use to provide the necessities of life for you and your family.
Debt Consolidation Companies
There are trustworthy non-profit credit counseling agencies that may be able to help you organize your unaffordable monthly credit card payments into one manageable payment. The U.S. Trustee Program provides an approved list at www.usdoj.gov/ust.
Some other highly advertised services could go you more harm than good. Out-of-state or on-line debt consolidation companies often avoid Maryland consumer protection regulations. While they may claim to have the power to resolve your financial issues, in most cases, this claim is untrue.
Despite what they may claim, debt consolidation companies have a very limited ability to negotiate on your behalf and eliminate or reduce your debt.
Furthermore, any negotiated reduction or elimination of debt may result in a 1099(c) tax form being filed against you with the IRS and could cause a tax liability. This unexpected result can complicate your financial condition even more.
More importantly, your creditors are under no legal obligation to talk to these debt consolidation companies - even though these companies charge you fees at the same time for their “negotiations” with these same creditors. Instead, your creditors can simply ignore the debt consolidation company you are paying, hassle you directly, and eventually take you to Court. But debt consolidation companies cannot represent you in Court either.
However, once you are represented by an attorney, your creditors cannot talk to you without your attorney’s permission. They have to communicate with you through your attorney and, if you choose, you can be legally represented in Court if a creditor files a lawsuit against you.
Thorough And Resourceful Legal Representation
Whether You Are In Legal Trouble Or Want To Stay Out Of It, We Can Help.
Our attorneys can help you manage both your debt issues and your creditors effectively. We can advise you of your rights under consumer protection laws such as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). We can represent you in District Court and possibly utilize the special defenses available against second hand creditors and debt collection agencies. We can advise you of your rights to claim exemptions, even if you do not file Bankruptcy. And we can help you pursue long-term solutions through asset protection strategies as well as your option of a chapter 7, chapter 13, or chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Contact Us
Don’t commit to the time and expense of driving all the way to the Western Shore. Contact us immediately if you have debt problems or creditor harassment issues. For truly convenient legal services, we are located just blocks from the Salisbury courthouse. To contact a lawyer for legal services close to home, call 410-202-9029 or 866-986-2096.
