How Credit Counseling Can Save You From Bankruptcy.txt
How to Avoid Bankruptcy
How Credit Counseling Can Save You From Bankruptcy
If you find yourself facing more debt than you can manage on your own,
you might want to consider getting the assistance of a credit counseling
agency. Because these agencies handle some of your most sensitive
personal information, you’ll want to be sure that you’re dealing with an
efficient and reputable organization before you get started with them.
After locating several credit counseling agencies through the Yellow
Pages or via the Internet, you can assess their reputation by checking
with your local Better Business Bureau. Some credit counseling agencies
are strictly non-profit and offer their services for free to those they
deem in need of assistance. Others charge certain fees, ranging from an
up-front deposit to a final bill that is based on the time that was spent
consolidating your debts.
You’ll want to find out right away if you will eventually be charged for
the services that they provide because if you are in debt, the last thing
you need at this point is another bill. Once you’ve determined if you’ll
be able to work with the agency, you can start repairing your credit
rating by letting the agency consolidate your debt.
Credit counseling agencies can help you draft a debt repayment plan,
outlining what needs to be done in order to clear all of your outstanding
balances. They calculate your income, along with any unforeseen financial
setbacks (such as medical expenses) are also taken into account when
making up this plan.
Whatever is left of your debts are then converted into one lump sum,
which you can then start to repay in monthly installments. In some cases,
an agency might buy the debt from your creditors, meaning you make your
monthly payments directly to the agency. In other cases, the agency might
intervene on your behalf, and convince your creditors to extend grace
periods, temporarily suspend collection, or accept a reduced lump sum.
Credit counselors can help you get out of debt, but they cannot totally
erase any past damage to your credit report. Although past bad credit can
remain on your report for several years, working with a credit counseling
agency can still help you get approved for credit at some point in the
future as it shows that you put in a lot of effort. Through a credit
counseling agency, you will be able to make consistent payments against
your outstanding balance, which does reflect positively on your credit
report, and can be influential if you apply for credit in the future.
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