Kimberly Rotter
Kimberly is a financial counselor accredited by the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education®, and a mortgage expert for The Motley Fool.
Kimberly Rotter is a consumer credit expert who helps people with average or low incomes discover how to create wealth and opportunities. She’s a veteran writer and editor who has spent more than 30 years creating thousands of hours of educational content in every possible format.
Kimberly is a bankruptcy survivor who now owns property, a business, and investments, and volunteers as a financial coach. She’s also on the board of the Financial Writers Society, the only international community of writers with high-level expertise in financial niche topics.
How to Cancel a Debt Settlement Program and What to ExpectJun 1, 2026
Cancel your debt settlement program in three steps and know what happens to your money, your debts, and creditor contact after you leave.
Why Won't Debt Settlement Companies Let Me Cancel?Jun 1, 2026
Tried to cancel your debt settlement program and got pushback? Here's what federal rules say about your right to leave, and what canceling actually costs you.
How Much Does Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Cost?May 29, 2026
Chapter 13 starts with a $313 filing fee, plus attorney fees, a trustee fee, and other costs. Learn what you’ll pay—and how most fees could fit into your plan.
Can You File Bankruptcy on Student Loans?May 29, 2026
Filing bankruptcy on student loans is possible—but it takes an extra step. Learn how the adversary proceeding works, who qualifies, and what to do if you don’t.
Getting a Mortgage After BankruptcyMay 29, 2026
Bankruptcy doesn't end your path to homeownership. Learn how soon you could apply for a mortgage, what lenders consider, and how to prepare your application.
Why Debt Settlement Fees Feel Higher Than ExpectedMay 29, 2026
Debt settlement fees have three parts, and a debt settlement company isn't allowed to collect them upfront. Find out how they work here.
Do Debt Settlement Companies Just Make Calls I Could Make Myself?May 29, 2026
DIY debt negotiation is real. But debt settlement companies aren't charging for phone calls. Here's what the fee actually covers.
What Happens to Debt in DivorceMay 29, 2026
Debt doesn't disappear in a divorce. Learn how marital debt is divided, which spouse is responsible, and how to protect your credit and finances.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Timeline: What to ExpectMay 29, 2026
Chapter 7 bankruptcy typically takes 3 to 4 months from filing to discharge. Here's what happens at each stage—and what could extend your timeline.
What Debt Settlement Companies Actually Do vs DIY NegotiationMay 28, 2026
A debt settlement company does more than make phone calls. Here is how the work compares with handling negotiation on your own.
When Can a Credit Card Company Sue You?May 28, 2026
Credit card companies could sue after 180 days of missed payments—but lawsuits aren’t inevitable. Learn what triggers legal action and what to do about it.
Help With Credit Card Debt Over $10,000May 28, 2026
Carrying over $10,000 in credit card debt? Learn which relief options fit your situation, from debt management plans to settlement to bankruptcy.
Sample Answer to Summons for Credit Card DebtMay 28, 2026
Received a summons for credit card debt? Learn what to include in your answer, see sample language, and understand your options, including settlement.
Do I Still Owe Creditors After Paying the Settlement Company?May 27, 2026
If you’ve been paying into a debt settlement program, your creditors haven’t been paid yet. Here’s how the money actually flows and what settled really means.
Their Fees Are Wild—Why Debt Settlement Costs Add UpMay 27, 2026
Debt settlement fees are calculated based on your enrolled debts. Find out more about debt settlement company fees here.
How Does Paying a Debt Settlement Company Actually Work?May 27, 2026
Your monthly payments don’t go to your creditors. Here’s where the money actually goes, what happens while it sits there, and how a debt gets resolved.
How to File Chapter 13 BankruptcyMay 27, 2026
Learn how to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy step by step—from credit counseling and gathering documents to the repayment plan and discharge.
How to Get Out of Debt with Bad CreditMay 27, 2026
Bad credit limits your options, but it doesn’t eliminate them. Here are the realistic paths out of debt that don't require a high credit score.
HELOC Rates Explained: How They Work and What Affects YoursMay 27, 2026
Comparing HELOC rates? Here’s what the prime rate means for your offer, what moves your margin, and how to find a competitive deal before you apply.
What Actually Happens to My Money During Debt Settlement?May 26, 2026
Worried about where your money goes in debt settlement? Federal law requires it to be held in an account you own. Here’s what the law says.
Chapter 13 vs. Debt Management Plan: How to ChooseMay 26, 2026
Comparing Chapter 13 bankruptcy and a debt management plan? Learn how each works, what they cost, and how to decide which fits your situation.
What Is the Dedicated Savings Account in Debt Settlement?May 26, 2026
The dedicated savings account in debt settlement is held in your name at an FDIC-insured bank, not by the debt settlement company. Learn how it works and what you control.
How to Handle $25,000 in Credit Card DebtMay 26, 2026
Carrying $25,000 in credit card debt? You have options whether you’re still current or already behind. Learn which path forward fits your situation.
Rebuilding Credit After BankruptcyMay 26, 2026
Bankruptcy damages your credit but doesn't ruin it for life. Learn how to check your reports, choose the right tools, and rebuild step by step.
Rebuilding Credit After Chapter 7May 26, 2026
Your discharge is behind you. Here’s what to expect for your credit reports and a plan to rebuild your credit going forward.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Exemptions: What You Can KeepMay 26, 2026
Chapter 7 bankruptcy exemptions protect your home, car, and essentials. Learn how federal and state exemptions work and what property you could keep.
5 Financial Hardships That Qualify for Partial Debt ForgivenessMay 26, 2026
Facing job loss, illness, divorce, or another crisis? Learn which 5 financial hardships could help you qualify for partial debt forgiveness.
Chapter 13 BankruptcyMay 25, 2026
Chapter 13 bankruptcy lets people with regular income repay debts over 3 to 5 years while keeping assets. Learn how it works, what it costs, and who qualifies.
Bankruptcy Alternatives: Your Options and How to DecideMay 25, 2026
Behind on debt or worried about it? Bankruptcy isn’t the only option. Learn which alternatives you could qualify for, afford, and that actually fit your goals.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Payment CalculatorMay 25, 2026
Estimate your Chapter 13 plan payment and learn how courts calculate what you owe each month. Understand the three tests that set your number.
How to Get Out of Debt on a Low IncomeMay 25, 2026
Debt on a limited income is hard, but real strategies could help. Learn to budget, choose a repayment method, and find relief options that fit your situation.
Credit Card Lawyer: When You Need One for DebtMay 25, 2026
A credit card lawyer could help if you've been sued, harassed by collectors, or can't resolve your debt alone. Learn when to hire one and what to expect.
How to Get Out of Debt With No JobMay 25, 2026
Lost your job but still have debt? Learn what to do first, which debt relief options could still work with no paycheck, and what to expect if payments stop.
Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Which Is Right?May 25, 2026
There are two types of bankruptcy: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Find out here which could meet your needs.
Debt Consolidation vs. Debt SettlementMay 23, 2026
Debt settlement and debt consolidation are two different ways to deal with debt. Learn about both to decide which is right for you.
Why Does Debt Settlement Require Stopped Payments?May 23, 2026
Stopping payments is part of how debt settlement works, not a scheme. Understand the logic, the real costs, and what to consider before deciding.
Credit Card Debt Forgiveness: Is It Possible?May 23, 2026
Credit card debt forgiveness is possible, but not always how the ads make it seem. Learn how it works, who it's for, and what it really costs.
How Long Does It Take Credit to Recover After Debt Settlement?May 23, 2026
Debt settlement damages your credit—but for most people, the damage started before the program did. Here's what rebuilding actually looks like.
What Actually Happens to My Money During Debt Settlement?May 23, 2026
Worried a debt settlement company holds your money? Here's what actually happens, including what you control and what to watch out for.
Will Creditors Empty My Bank Account If I Set Up Payments?May 23, 2026
Agreeing to set up payments with a creditor doesn't mean they will drain your bank account. Find out the real story here.
Help With Credit Card Debt Over $50,000May 23, 2026
Carrying more than $50,000 in credit card debt? Explore your options—debt management plans, settlement, bankruptcy—and find a path for your situation.
The Real Risks of Debt Settlement (That Companies Don’t Always Mention)May 23, 2026
Reputable debt settlement companies disclose the risks. Some don’t. Learn what should be on the table before you sign, and what to ask if it isn’t.
What Are the Real Risks of Debt Settlement?May 13, 2026
Debt settlement carries risks: credit damage, lawsuits, taxes, fees. Learn what could happen, and how to decide if the potential trade-off makes sense for you.
What Is a Debt Hardship Program and When Should You Ask for One?May 13, 2026
A debt hardship program could lower your payment while you recover. Learn what it is, how it works, and when to contact your lender—before it's too late.
Coping with Financial Hardship: Practical TipsMay 13, 2026
Struggling financially? Learn how to gauge your situation, triage your bills, find assistance programs, and explore debt relief options that could help.
How Much Credit Card Debt Is Too Much?May 13, 2026
No single number defines “too much” credit card debt. Use these benchmarks to judge for yourself—and find out what to do if your balance has gone too far.
Should You Use a Home Equity Loan to Consolidate Debt?Apr 27, 2026
A home equity loan could help you consolidate high-interest debt into one fixed payment. Learn how it works, what it costs, and when it makes sense.
What Happens If You Default on a HELOC or Home Equity Loan?Apr 27, 2026
Defaulting on a HELOC could put your home at risk. Learn what happens step by step, and what options you have before it gets to foreclosure.
Can You Use a Home Equity Loan for Business?Apr 27, 2026
A home equity loan could fund your business, but your home is on the line. Here's how it works, what it costs, and when it could make sense.
Home Equity Loan vs. Car Loan: Which Is the Better Deal?Apr 23, 2026
Comparing a home equity loan to a car loan? Learn the key differences, real risks, and which option fits your situation.