Mark Cappel
Mark Cappel has edited magazines, web sites, and books for IBM, IDG, and Prentice Hall for the last 25 years. He earned a degree in law in 2006, and puts his law school lessons and editing experience to work every day in creating content for Bills.com that is accurate legally, yet easy to understand. When he's not in front of a computer, Mark is an amateur actor, a swordsman, and a Gate Dept. volunteer at Burning Man.
Mortgage When Spouse Has Bad CreditMay 7, 2025
Applying for a mortgage with bad credit and a spouse isn't as difficult as you may think. Learn the what lenders look for when one spouse applies for a...
Credit Letter of DeletionMay 7, 2025
Credit Letter of Deletion | Use a credit letter of deletion to remove inaccurate information from your credit reports. Make sure that you start by...
Sell My HouseMay 7, 2025
Sell My House Back to the Bank | Banks don't take homes back easily. Try modifying the mortgage to avoid foreclosure. Also, look into a deed-in-lieu or...
Buy-Here-Pay-Here RepossessionMay 7, 2025
I bought a car from a buy-here-pay-here location. I just had it repossessed after being late 4 days with no notice. Is that legal? Yes!
Garnish My Pension?May 7, 2025
Can your pension be garnished? Pensions, like Social Security and other forms of retirement income, are exempt from garnishment for most debts. However...
Prepaid Debit Card and Debt CollectionsMay 7, 2025
Can a creditor seize or garnish my prepaid debit card?
Title Insurance RatesMay 7, 2025
Learn the title insurance rates for all states, and other basic rules for title insurance when buying a home. Rates vary widely from $1.10 to $14 per $1,000...
Will a large unused HELOC hurt your credit?May 7, 2025
Read more to learn about how an unused equity line of credit (HELOC) can influence your credit. Get information, tips and resources all in one place at Bills.c
Three-State Statute of LimitationsSep 20, 2024
Three-State Statute of Limitations Conflict | Review the SOL jurisdiction implications when a debtor moves from one state to another and the creditor is in a...
Can My Bank Account be Levied?Sep 20, 2024
Account Levy is allowed for judgments. Also, state and federal agencies have the right to levy accounts on their own authority. However, exemptions apply...
BoA Increased Payments on MBNA accountSep 20, 2024
Advice if BoA Increased Payments on MBNA account | Credit card companies keep buying other credit card companies. Learn how to deal with the changes in...
Dignity Health Payment AssistanceSep 20, 2024
Catholic Healthcare West hospitals and clinics offer charity and discount programs for people with no insurance. Talk to an admitting or patient registration...
Ascension Health Patient AssistanceSep 20, 2024
Ascension Health's hospitals and care centers offer charity and discount programs for people with limited income. Be careful, because not all expenses...
Ex Wife Refusing to Pay Debts Sep 20, 2024
After a divorce my ex wife and I were ordered to pay accounts under the divorce decree. I was paying but my ex decided she was no longer liable. We are now sum
Common Law Marriage and DebtSep 20, 2024
Read about common law marriages and debt responsibility in this informative article on Bills.com
Citibank MortgageSep 20, 2024
Regarding your mortgage, review your loan documents carefully to see if Citi reserves a right to pursue private collections actions on your debt.
How Can I Save Money?Sep 20, 2024
Asking yourself - How Can I Save Money? Can you save money and pay off debt at the same time with a low income?
Avoid Paying Payday Loan?Sep 20, 2024
You may be able to avoid paying a payday loan if it is illegal. 14 states outlaw payday loans, including online payday loans. Check with the State Attorney...
Consolidate Debt and DivorceSep 20, 2024
How to consolidate debt from credit cards, medical providers, mortgages, auto loans, and taxes after divorce. You need a different strategy for each debt type.
Collection Agency ChargesSep 20, 2024
Collection agency charges are illegal if you state outlaws the practice, or if the contract you signed with the original creditor doesn't say it can...
Garnish PensionSep 20, 2024
Most pensions, like other forms of retirement income, are exempt from garnishment or attachment to repay court judgments.
Garnish Social Security IncomeSep 20, 2024
Your retirement income is protected if your primary sources of income are Social Security and pension benefits.
Court Summons for DebtSep 20, 2024
Advice if you have received a Court Summons for Debt and need free help.
Right of OffsetSep 20, 2024
Federal law restricts the right of offset, preventing federally chartered banks, like Wells Fargo or B of A, from using the right of offset in cases where...
Two Judgments on Same AccountSep 20, 2024
You cannot be sued twice for the same debt, read on to learn more about creditor judgments at Bills.com
Collection Agency ScamsSep 20, 2024
Collection agency scams are common, unfortunately. Learn four ways to detect a scam artist, and eight steps to take to handle a scam artist. Scammers will...
Mortgage After BankruptcySep 20, 2024
You can qualify for a mortgage after bankruptcy as early as 12 months after the discharge. Learn the FHA and VA's rules for bankruptcy...
ThinkCash in KentuckySep 20, 2024
First Bank of Delaware, a relatively small bank based in Delaware, operates a payday loan business online under the ThinkCash brand name. It has no physical pre
Renew a CD or Pay Down My Debt?Sep 20, 2024
Renew a CD or Pay Down My Debt? | If you are earning less interest on an investment than you are paying on a debt, liquidating to pay down the debt is a good...
Subpoena While in Debt Resolution ProgramSep 20, 2024
If you are enrolled with the Freedom Debt Relief (FDR) debt negotiation program and are a FDR client, you need to contact the company's Legal Accounts Resolutio
Credit Card Debt and SSISep 20, 2024
If you are on SSI and have debt trouble, let Bills.com help you out.
Debt Payoff PlanSep 20, 2024
Debt Payoff Plan for people with high credit card debt.
Indiana Garnishment RulesSep 20, 2024
Creditors are allowed to garnish between 10% and 25% of your wages, with the percentage allowed being determined by each state.
Co-Signed Car Loan With Deadbeat DaughterSep 20, 2024
I co-signed a loan for my daughter to buy a car. She is now refusing to make the payment. What can I do?
Judgment DomesticationSep 20, 2024
A judgment issued by a court in one state can only be applied in that particular state, and will have to be domesticated if the creditor wants to enforce it in
Minnesota Family LawSep 20, 2024
Minnesota is a common-law state when it comes to family law, unlike Wisconsin, California, Texas and the other community property states.
Reopening a Chapter 7Sep 20, 2024
I filed Chapter 7 two years ago and kept my home, but now I can't afford it. Can I reopen my bankruptcy case and add a mortgage?
Missouri Payday LoanSep 20, 2024
Can a payday loan company in Missouri file criminal charges if we default? No, unless you closed the checking account before it presented the check.
Two Short SalesSep 20, 2024
A short sale is where the mortgage holder agrees to accept less than the balance owed on the mortgage at sale to prevent foreclosure.
Chapter 7 & Mortgage DebtSep 20, 2024
Most debts owed to federal, state, or municipal agencies can be discharged under the provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
ReaffirmationSep 20, 2024
Reaffirmation | A debt reaffirmation is an agreement in which the debtor agrees to repay a debt even if it was discharged in a bankruptcy.
Debt to Credit RatioSep 20, 2024
Debt to Credit Ratio | There are two ways to alter your debt to credit ratio. One is to increase your amount of available credit. The other is to cut your amoun
Bank of America LawsuitSep 20, 2024
Creditors are required to report correct information to the credit reporting agencies. A consumer harmed by incorrect information can collect damages under the
Wisconsin Spousal Liability for DebtSep 20, 2024
By marrying a spouse with debt and residing in a community property state you bought a ticket to an anti-lottery. Your chances of losing are small, but you risk
What Should I do About Business DebtSep 20, 2024
Business Debt advice from Bills.com
Filed Chapter 7Sep 20, 2024
Free information if you Filed Chapter 7 and need help.
California Deficiency BalanceSep 20, 2024
California deficiency balance | California deficiency balance can arise from a short sale or foreclosure. In a short sale the lender agrees to accept less...
Washington GarnishmentSep 20, 2024
Washington Garnishment | The state collection laws on Washington allow a judgment-creditor to garnish your wage. The most that can be taken from your pay is...
Bankruptcy & Joint AccountsSep 20, 2024
If you visit an attorney with your mother, do not be surprised if the attorney stops the first meeting at the halfway point and recommends that one of you seek
Lloyd Ward & AssociatesSep 20, 2024
Lloyd Ward & Associates lists debt negotiation as one of its practice areas. The firm operates the bestdebtoptions.com Web site, where it describes its debt set