The short answer is yes, you can pay off someone else's debt in a variety of ways depending on the type of debt. For example: You can gift the person the money so they can pay off the balance in full and don't have to worry about paying you back.
Generally speaking, debt can't usually be transferred to another person. If you're not named on the credit agreement and you didn't sign it, or put your name down as a guarantor, then in most cases, the debt can't be transferred to you.
The answer depends on a few factors, including the type of debt and the state in which you live. But generally speaking, if your loved one is unable to manage their own finances or repay their debts, you may be held responsible.
For more information read What Can I Do If I Can't Pay My Debts? . If you do not pay or fill out and mail the Statement to the judgment creditor, you might be in contempt and be sanctioned by the court. This means a warrant for your arrest may be issued and you may have to pay penalties and attorney's fees.
Specifically, the rule states that a debt collector cannot: Make more than seven calls within a seven-day period to a consumer regarding a specific debt. Call a consumer within seven days after having a telephone conversation about that debt.
Send a dispute letter to the debt collector
If you believe a debt is not yours, you only have 30 days from receiving the initial contact from the collection agency to send a dispute letter. To assert your right to contest the debt, you must do so in writing.
You do not have to take responsibility for debts owed by a deceased person. You do not need to pay their debt, unless one of the situations below describes you: You are a co-signer on the person's loan. You are a joint account holder on a credit card (not just an “authorized user” on the account)
In a Nutshell
If you don't pay a debt, it can be sent to collections. If you continue not to pay, you'll hurt your credit score and you risk losing your property or having your wages or bank account garnished.
Nope, it is not illegal at all. Creditors absolutely do not care where the money is coming from as long as they are paid for the services they have provided. What is illegal, however, would be filling out that check or money order and you signing that person's name to it.
Surviving relatives won't usually be responsible for paying off any outstanding debts, unless they acted as a guarantor or are a co-signatory of the debt.
A promissory note is essentially a written promise to pay someone. This type of document is common in financial services and is something you've likely signed in the past if you've taken out any kind of loan. If you decide to lend money to someone, you may want to create a promissory note to formalize the loan.
The federal and California fair debt collection laws both provide that a consumer who wins his or her case can recover "actual damages". The most common form of actual damages in fair debt collection cases is emotional distress (such as anxiety, fear, nervousness and loss of sleep).
Answer: If a friend or family member pays your student loans off, it is probably a non-taxable gift to you. However, your friend or family member may be responsible for filing gift tax returns and for paying any applicable gift tax on the payment.
More frequently than most consumers probably realize. While precise statistics are difficult to come by, legal experts estimate that several million debt collection lawsuits get filed across the United States every single year.
Yes—but only if you co-signed on the debt or are a co-owner based on California's community property laws, as detailed above. Another example: An adult child can inherit debt if their name is on a loan or credit cards that their parent had when they died.
If you contact the bank before consulting an attorney, you risk account freezes, which could severely delay auto-payments and direct deposits and most importantly mortgage payments. You should call Social Security right away to tell them about the death of your loved one.
In general, you will not inherit any individual debt incurred by your parents or other family members. Deep sigh of relief. At the time of their passing, your parent's estate will be used to pay off or settle any outstanding debts.
If you don't, the debt collector may keep trying to collect the debt from you and may even end up suing you for payment.
The phrase in question is: “Please cease and desist all calls and contact with me, immediately.” These 11 words, when used correctly, can provide significant protection against aggressive debt collection practices.
Most states or jurisdictions have statutes of limitations between three and six years for debts, but some may be longer. This may also vary depending, for instance, on the: Type of debt. State where you live.
Unless the matter also involves violence or an immediate threat there is really not much that the police can do for you if someone owes you money on a loan. More likely, the police will direct you to sue them in court, and depending on the amount you are owed you can file the lawsuit in small claims court.
Essentially, you might think suing someone with no money is futile, but that's not the case. The law protects your rights and allows you to seek compensation if someone causes you harm or loss, regardless of their financial status.