Ask Bill - Answers about Managing Debt

Should I save or try to pay off my credit cards?

How long does it take for an out-of-state judgment-creditor to freeze a bank account?

Can a credit card issuer foreclose on my home?

My husband lost his job and as a result we cannot afford our vehicle loan. Is a vehicle loan refinance an option?

Can Capital One add $4,000 to a $35 late fee from 10 years ago?

My wages are being garnished for a debt that is over 16 years old. How did this happen? What about the statute of limitations?

How do I negotiate a charged-off mortgage debt?

Capitol One is reporting two amounts on my credit report, and the small of the two on its Web site. Which amount do I owe?

I just received a summons for American Express debt. Should I negotiate with the law firm or American Express directly?

I live in Kentucky now, but five years ago had a foreclosure in California. Now the creditor is trying to collect the deficiency balance. Which SOL applies?

How do we sell a timeshare we can no longer afford?

Is a new spouse responsible for the other spouse's debt upon marriage in Minnesota?

It has been six years since my last payment on my debts. Do my state statute of limitations protect me?

I am being sued by my creditor what kind of judgment can I expect?

What can I do about debt collectors harassing me?

What can I do if a judgment was won against me but I don't owe the debt?

If I default on all my accounts what is the worst that can happen?

Can I inherit debt from a parent who dies owing creditors?

I was ill and incurred a large amount of medical debt that I couldn't pay at the time. Even though they're paid off now, they're still damaging my credit score.

Can I consolidate debt I have on a loan I take out to purchase a home?

Can a credit card company charge interest and fees after an account has been closed?

Can my creditors sell the difference between the original balances and the settled amounts?

I live in Pennsylvania and was sued by a creditor. What happens if they win a judgment? Can they take property I own?

How do I increase my amount of available credit and lower my debt-to-credit ratio? Is debt consolidation the answer?

I am indebted to several credit card companies. How likely is it that a debt collector is trying to collect from me personally?

How to I cut the interest rate on my Target Visa card?

I am being forced to take early retirement and can no longer afford my mortgage. Can my pension be garnished as a result?

Does Massachusetts law allow a judgment to appear on a credit report for 20 years?

Can a credit union charge-off a loan if I am less than 90 days late in my payments?

Can a credit card issuer garnish my spouse's wages if I default on my credit card payments?

I seek a debt reduction company where I can make one monthly payment to them, and they pay-off my three credit cards. Any ideas?

I am close to defaulting on an payment agreement that I made with Citi. What do I do?

Will North Carolina law protect my property and income if the creditor wins a judgment against me?

If my paycheck is garnished, do they have to leave me enough to live on?

I married someone with significant debt. Do I have liability for the debt?

What are my rights and liabilities for debt collection in Pennsylvania?

My son has a medical bill on his credit report from a procedure that occurred when he was 13. He is 18 now. Is this allowed?

I am an authorized user on my ex-spouse's credit cards. He is threatening to withhold spousal support because I made charges on his credit cards.

My spouse bought a boat and now isn't paying for it. What is my liability for this debt?

I now have an above-the-table job. I have a judgment against me from a year ago. Am I facing wage garnishment?

I cannot afford mortgage payments on my Florida home. What are my options?

Can my military pension or VA benefits be garnished?

We refused to pay for a defective pool. The creditor sold our account to a collection agent. Can it do that? What can we do?

How is credit card debt divided in community property states? Are credit card accounts frozen upon divorce?

I am divorcing, and my soon-to-be-ex-spouse consolidated our joint credit card debt. Do I have liability?

My 81-year-old parent cannot afford to eat, pay for medicine, and make credit card payments. What are our options?

What are the collections laws and statutes of limitations for residents of Nevada?

Our deficiency balance for our first mortgage was forgiven. Our equity line of credit was not. Is this legal? Is so, now what?

What are my rights and liabilities regarding debt in Vermont?

What are my rights and liabilities regarding debt in Arizona?