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.
Father's Credit Card DebtMay 3, 2024
My girlfriend's father opened numerous joint account credit cards when she turned 18. He filed for bankruptcy a few years later but did not include the credit c
Minnesota Collection LawsMay 3, 2024
Learn the statute of limitations for credit card and other debts, and Minnesota's peculiar mortgage anti-deficiency laws. A Minnesota judgment becomes a lien...
Midland Credit ManagementMay 3, 2024
Midland Credit Management collection agency calling you? Take these 3 steps if Midland Credit Management calls you to collect a debt. First...
Increase in Debt BalanceMay 3, 2024
Unless a creditor has charged a higher rate of interest than that allowed by your credit agreement, you probably have little recourse in forcing the creditor to
Mortgage When Spouse DiesMay 3, 2024
A bank may be able to call a mortgage when a spouse dies. your spouse who has a mortgage dies, you may be able to keep making payments and remain in...
Settle a LawsuitMay 3, 2024
Settling with your creditors is a fairly straightforward process, but one which can be intimidating to many consumers. Learn more about the process at Bills.com
Debt Consolidation & Mobile HomeMay 3, 2024
Finding a debt consolidation loan using a mobile home as collateral is possible but challenging. Consider your alternatives, which include...
Deal Or No Deal May 3, 2024
We were forced to sell our home through a short sale and our second mortgage left us a charge-off of 66k. We have been offered a 10-year settlement plan. Is thi
What Happens if I Do Not Have Enough Money To Pay A Deficiency Balance?May 3, 2024
If I do not have enough money to pay a deficiency balance, what will happen?
Virginia Collection LawsMay 3, 2024
Learn the statute of limitations for credit card and other debts, and how to apply for a $5,000 wage and account garnishment exemption available to Virginia...
Repay Gambling DebtMay 3, 2024
Some state courts will hear cases relating to gambling debt, and others will not. Failure to pay a casino marker may fall under a state's bad check laws...
Consolidate Student Loan Debt With Credit Card DebtMay 3, 2024
It's not easy to consolidate student loan debt with credit card debt. If you're house-rich but cash-poor, consider a cash-out refinance. Otherwise, you will...
Three-State Statute of LimitationsMay 3, 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?May 3, 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 accountMay 3, 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 AssistanceMay 3, 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 AssistanceMay 3, 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 May 3, 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 DebtMay 3, 2024
Read about common law marriages and debt responsibility in this informative article on Bills.com
Citibank MortgageMay 3, 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?May 3, 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?May 3, 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 DivorceMay 3, 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 ChargesMay 3, 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 PensionMay 3, 2024
Most pensions, like other forms of retirement income, are exempt from garnishment or attachment to repay court judgments.
Garnish Social Security IncomeMay 3, 2024
Your retirement income is protected if your primary sources of income are Social Security and pension benefits.
Court Summons for DebtMay 3, 2024
Advice if you have received a Court Summons for Debt and need free help.
Right of OffsetMay 3, 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 AccountMay 3, 2024
You cannot be sued twice for the same debt, read on to learn more about creditor judgments at Bills.com
Collection Agency ScamsMay 3, 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 BankruptcyMay 3, 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 KentuckyMay 3, 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?May 3, 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 ProgramMay 3, 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 SSIMay 3, 2024
If you are on SSI and have debt trouble, let Bills.com help you out.
Debt Payoff PlanMay 3, 2024
Debt Payoff Plan for people with high credit card debt.
Indiana Garnishment RulesMay 3, 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 DaughterMay 3, 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 DomesticationMay 3, 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 LawMay 3, 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 7May 3, 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 LoanMay 3, 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 SalesMay 3, 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.
Buy-Here-Pay-Here RepossessionMay 3, 2024
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!
Chapter 7 & Mortgage DebtMay 3, 2024
Most debts owed to federal, state, or municipal agencies can be discharged under the provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
ReaffirmationMay 3, 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 RatioMay 3, 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 LawsuitMay 3, 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 DebtMay 3, 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 DebtMay 3, 2024
Business Debt advice from Bills.com