Debt settlement -- Bankruptcy and debt -- Lawyers browse by Area

Lawyers on

Debt settlement

For anyone who is overwhelmed by debt and possibly considering bankruptcy, getting advice about how to deal with debt may be a good idea. Credit counseling and debt management organizations may be able to assist individuals looking for a way out of their financial problems. However, you need to beware of scams and dubious "credit repair" schemes that also exist in growing numbers. Below are links to helpful resources for help in finding legitimate credit counseling services, as well as how to avoid scams and expensive mistakes. Choose a link from the list to get started.

Debt Negotiation Programs

Debt negotiation programs (DNPs) are the last resort for those struggling to manage their debt. These programs should not be confused with credit counseling or debt management plans (DMPs). Although some DNPs are legitimate and may provide significant benefits to some debtors, many DNPs can cause more trouble than they are worth and result in long term harm to the debtor's credit rating. DNPs may refer to themselves as "debt settlement companies" and make grand claims about their ability to reduce debts significantly. These companies often charge steep fees for this service as well as a final bill based on the percentage of debt purportedly eliminated.

Since creditors often refuse to settle debts until they are several months overdue the result can be significant harm to the debtor's credit as well as the possibility of lawsuits, liens, and wage garnishment as well as late fees, higher interest rates, and collections attempts. The amount of debt saved in these negotiations may also be considered taxable income by the IRS. Some common red flags that should indicate that a DNP should be avoided include:

· Guarantees that all unsecured debt can be eliminated;

· Promises that unsecured debts can be paid off at a fraction of the actual debt;

· Claims that a DNP can save the debtor from filing for bankruptcy;

· High monthly fees;

· Fees for a percentage of supposed debt savings;

· Requests that you cease communication with and payment to creditors;

· Claims that creditors rarely sue debtors for payment stoppage;

· Promises that your credit rating won't be negatively impacted;

· Claims that negative information can be removed from your credit report.

Avoiding Credit Repair and Credit Counseling Scams

Over a million Americans file for bankruptcy every year and the average household debt is at an all-time high. It should come as no surprise that companies have appeared that play on the concerns of the many consumers concerned about their debt and credit score. "Credit counselors" and "credit repair companies" have proliferated. Many of these organizations conduct business in an unscrupulous manner that takes advantage of unsuspecting consumers. The following are some red flags to look out for so you don't get taken by these shady operators.

Credit Repair Scams

· Fees before services are provided;

· No information provided about consumer legal rights or actions they can take themselves for free;

· Recommendations that the consumer NOT contact a credit bureau directly;

· Suggestions a consumer get a "new" credit report by applying for an Employer Identification Number to use instead of their Social Security Number;

· Advice that the consumer dispute all the information on their credit report or otherwise engage in fraud.

Credit Counseling Scams

· Promises that sound too good to be true;

· Complaints filed against the business with state consumer agencies or the local Better Business Bureau;

· Generally speaking for-profit credit businesses are more suspicious than nonprofit credit businesses;

· High fees and monthly service charges;

· Unclear contract terms.

All
Claimed

Find Lawyers by Filters

You can browse lawyers by Practice Areas, or by City, or by Map

Ian Richard Leavengood

727-327-3328

Northeast Professional Center 3900 1st St N #100, Saint Petersburg, FL 33703

Bar #10167(FL) License for 2005 years Member in Good Standing

Ian Richard Leavengood

727-327-3328

Northeast Professional Center 3900 1st St N #100, Saint Petersburg, FL 33703

Bar #10167(FL) License for 2005 years Member in Good Standing

Ian is a native Floridian, born and raised in St. Petersburg. After receiving his Bachelor of Science and Masters degrees in Accounting from the University of Florida, Ian worked as an internal business consultant for The Procter & Gamble Distributing Company. Ian returned to the University of Florida, entering the Levin College of Law in the Fall of 1997. During his second stint at UF, Ian served as a Judicial Extern for the Honorable Justice Ben F. Overton of the Supreme Court of the...

Alex McClure

115

255 Primera Boulevard Suite 160, Lake Mary, FL 32746

Bar #46366(FL) License for 2007 years Member in Good Standing

Alex McClure

115

255 Primera Boulevard Suite 160, Lake Mary, FL 32746

Bar #46366(FL) License for 2007 years Member in Good Standing

Former creditors attorney now representing consumers in creditor debtor legal issues, wage and bank garnishment defense, bankruptcy, debt collection and judgment defense and consumer protection law. Visit my website to read more and discover how I sometimes provide options that you may not know exist. For almost a decade I represented some of the largest creditors and debt buyers in the consumer credit and finance industry. I now put those skills to use representing the interests of my...

Chad Thomas Van Horn

156

954-765-3166

330 North Andrews Ave. Suite 450 (4th Floor), Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Bar #64500(FL) License for 2009 years

Practice Areas: Business | Chapter 7 bankruptcy | Debt settlement | General practice

Chad Thomas Van Horn

156

954-765-3166

330 North Andrews Ave. Suite 450 (4th Floor), Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Bar #64500(FL) License for 2009 years

Chad T. Van Horn, Esq. is a South Florida business leader and founding partner attorney of Van Horn Law Group, P.A. Through a combination of dedicated philanthropy, spirited entrepreneurship and legal expertise, he applies his resources and network to helping people—whether it's through his board leadership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County, his efforts developing startup ventures that bring jobs to the local economy, or practicing bankruptcy law to provide solutions to economic...

Practice Areas: Business | Chapter 7 bankruptcy | Debt settlement | General practice

Emil Jonathan Fleysher

954-484-9987

715 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Suite 100, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Bar #81966(FL) License for 2010 years Member in Good Standing

Emil Jonathan Fleysher

954-484-9987

715 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Suite 100, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Bar #81966(FL) License for 2010 years Member in Good Standing

I am an attorney specializing in consumer bankruptcy, debt settlement, mortgage modification, and foreclosure litigation. My firm offers a holistic approach to solving your mortgage and debt problems. The Fleysher Law philosophy is to listen to the client, understand their circumstances and goals, and help them make the right choices by presenting all options and contingencies. I am available to my clients throughout the course of representation and beyond. I have been living in South...

Stephen Jeffrey Berlinsky

501 Avenue S, NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881

Bar #117421(FL) License for 1969 years Member in Good Standing

Macarena Francisca Santos

800 E Cypress Creek Rd. STE. 301, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334

Bar #122248(FL) License for 2016 years Member in Good Standing

Practice Areas: Asylum | Debt collection | Debt settlement | Foreclosure | Immigration

Macarena Francisca Santos

800 E Cypress Creek Rd. STE. 301, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334

Bar #122248(FL) License for 2016 years Member in Good Standing

Macarena Santos is a graduate of the University of Florida and Nova Southeastern School of Law. She is a member of the Florida Bar, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Florida Association Women Lawyers, and Broward County Women Lawyers. Ms. Santos is a US citizen of Chilean descent. Her personal experience of witnessing her parent’s path to citizenship cultivated compassion and a desire to help others legalize their status and obtain United States Citizenship. Ms. Santos was...

Practice Areas: Asylum | Debt collection | Debt settlement | Foreclosure | Immigration

Gina Anitra Rosato

813-463-8000

4124 W Linebaugh Ave, Tampa, FL 33624

Bar #182869(FL) License for 1999 years Member in Good Standing

Gina Anitra Rosato

813-463-8000

4124 W Linebaugh Ave, Tampa, FL 33624

Bar #182869(FL) License for 1999 years Member in Good Standing

The Gina Rosato Law Firm, P.A. is a Tampa Bankruptcy Attorney located in Tampa, Florida and assists clients who are in need of a personal bankruptcy. If you are in need of a bankruptcy lawyer and need to evaluate your situation call today. We will help you determine if you need to file a bankruptcy. Your initial phone consultation is free. Our lawyers will determine if you should file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy after carefully evaluation your financial situation. The Gina Rosato...

Christopher James Jacobs

111

601 21st Street Suite 300, Vero Beach, FL 32960

Bar #488852(FL) License for 2001 years Member in Good Standing

Christopher James Jacobs

111

601 21st Street Suite 300, Vero Beach, FL 32960

Bar #488852(FL) License for 2001 years Member in Good Standing

Just as much as you need an experienced and dedicated attorney like me on your side, you deserve to be treated not like a name on a case file, but as a person who is going through a distressing time. I represent regular people in difficult situations, so I offer a more personalized service than you might be used to or expect. My goal is to resolve your Bankruptcy or Debt Defense case to your utmost satisfaction, and to always be available to you to guide you through this difficult phase!

Sasha Katz

800 West Cypress Creek Road. Suite #270, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309-1953

Bar #525200(FL) License for 2001 years

Practice Areas: Debt settlement | Real estate | Real Property

Sasha Katz

800 West Cypress Creek Road. Suite #270, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309-1953

Bar #525200(FL) License for 2001 years

Welcome! Our law firm focuses on FORECLOSURE DEFENSE and DEBT NEGOTIATION. Most of my clients are concerned about problems with mortgage lenders/servicing abuse, foreclosure lawsuits, and how adverse judgments will affect their family's future. I find this work interesting and challenging because it requires knowledge and integration of several different areas of the law including creditor rights, bankruptcy law, general corporate law, estate planning, and taxation. I provide most legal...

Practice Areas: Debt settlement | Real estate | Real Property

Ron S. Bilu

954-596-0669

2760 W. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach, FL 330695727

Bar #632651(FL) License for 2003 years Member in Good Standing

James Salvatore Giardina

The Consumer Rights Law Group, PLLC 3104 West Waters Avenue, Suite 200, Tampa, FL 336296817

Bar #942421(FL) License for 2004 years Member in Good Standing

James Salvatore Giardina

The Consumer Rights Law Group, PLLC 3104 West Waters Avenue, Suite 200, Tampa, FL 336296817

Bar #942421(FL) License for 2004 years Member in Good Standing

I represent consumers exclusively. I defend people who are getting sued on credit cards, and I sue the collectors back for illegal collection techniques. If a debt collector is bothering you, call me. Maybe you already have a judgment against you and your wages are being garnished, maybe you just got served with a summons, or you just found out about an old judgment against you. Don't worry - there is hope! Whether you are being sued, or just getting annoying phone calls, I would love to...

Allen Preston Turnage

850-224-3231

2344 Centerville Road, Suite 101 PO Box 15219, Tallahassee, FL 32317

Bar #993085(FL) License for 1993 years Member in Good Standing

Find the right lawyer for your legal problem

Lawyers on

Debt settlement

Find Lawyers by Filters

Ian Richard Leavengood

Ian Richard Leavengood

Alex McClure

Alex McClure

Chad Thomas Van Horn

Chad Thomas Van Horn

Emil Jonathan Fleysher

Emil Jonathan Fleysher

Stephen Jeffrey Berlinsky

Stephen Jeffrey Berlinsky

Macarena Francisca Santos

Macarena Francisca Santos

Gina Anitra Rosato

Gina Anitra Rosato

Christopher James Jacobs

Christopher James Jacobs

Sasha Katz

Sasha Katz

Ron S. Bilu

Ron S. Bilu

James Salvatore Giardina

James Salvatore Giardina

Allen Preston Turnage

Allen Preston Turnage

Can't find what you're looking for?

Post a free question on our public forum.

Search for lawyers by practice areas.