Examining the Life Cycle of Unpaid Debt

September 04, 2010

There are many reasons why people in Arizona may need to explore legal remedies for unbearable debt. Medical expenses, job losses and escalating house payments due to adjustable rate mortgages are among the most prominent. But in many cases, long term dependence on charge cards, home equity loans and other credit sources for everyday expenses may have created a looming mountain of debt.

The one common denominator among all of these factors: debt has more lives than a cat, and you should never expect an obligation to simply disappear. When it does come back to haunt you, it may be in a form that you don't recognize with tenacity that you never expected. When consumers receive notice of collections, garnishments or court judgments, even for accounts that they no longer recognize or believe were repaid, it is always important to respond promptly to get the details and, if necessary, set the record straight.

For various reasons, the original holder of a consumer debt may have begun to make less frequent demands or has assigned a particular debt to a different status. Often this stage is merely the calm before the storm, because the debt may soon have a new owner with sharpened skills for enforcing debt, as well as a large incentive for following through.

Avoiding the Wrath of Ruthless Debt Buyers

A host of companies from around the country are entirely devoted to holding debtors accountable, and their motivation is obvious: The Arizona Republic recently reported that the total amount collected by third party operations exceeded $40 billion in 2007. In a typical situation, the new company purchases the debt at a significant discount and therefore has a considerable margin for enforcing old debts. These companies can tap into a debtor's income stream and wealth by obtaining wage garnishments and property liens. Even harsher, reports from around the country have shown that they have been able to resurrect the notion of debtors prisons in some jurisdictions, using law enforcement to put debtors in jail and requiring them to post bail in an amount sufficient to satisfy a legal judgment.

But debtors should be aware that these companies have every incentive to negotiate a fair settlement with parties who are willing to communicate. All consumers should take steps to seize control of their financial future. By consulting with an attorney who has comprehensive experience with the bankruptcy process and the full range of debt relief alternatives, people can learn about effective strategies to tame the beast.

Article provided by Clark Law Offices
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