Discharging Credit Card Debt
Should you successfully complete your Chapter 13 repayment plan after the three- to five-year period, the bankruptcy court then may discharge the remainder of your unsecured debt, such as credit card debt.
When it comes to credit card debt relief, it's important to dispel a common misconception: There are no government-sponsored programs specifically designed to eliminate credit card debt. So, you should be wary of any offers claiming to represent such government initiatives, as they may be misleading or fraudulent.
Lenders apply debt forgiveness in several ways, including through directly negotiated settlements or government programs. You can also approach industry professionals such as debt counselors to assist with repayment plans. However, it's important to keep in mind that debt forgiveness is relatively rare.
What Is A Good Settlement Offer For A Credit Card? A fair settlement offer typically falls between 30% and 50% of the total amount owed. However, it's imperative to note that this can vary based on several factors, including how delinquent the account is.
Bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is another legal option that can help you stop paying credit cards. It helps individuals and businesses that can't afford to pay off their debts by evaluating and using their assets to pay off outstanding debts.
It's better to pay off a debt in full than settle when possible. This will look better on your credit report and potentially help your score recover faster. Debt settlement is still a good option if you can't fully pay off your past-due debt.
Even though your card issuer "writes off" the account, you're still responsible for paying the debt. Whether you repay the amount or not, the missed payments and the charge-off will appear on your credit reports for seven years and likely cause severe credit score damage.
While there are no government debt relief grants, there is free money to pay other bills, which should lead to paying off debt because it frees up funds. The biggest grant the government offers may be housing vouchers for those who qualify. The local housing authority pays the landlord directly.
A credit card hardship program is a financial arrangement that allows those facing such situations to negotiate more manageable payments on outstanding credit card debt. The specifics of a hardship program depend on your credit card issuer and your financial position.
The difference between what you owed and what you actually paid is considered income by the IRS. This means you will need to pay taxes on it. Depending on how much you settled, it can potentially change your tax bracket. Don't ignore it.
Updated September 5, 2019 — The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 generally allows taxpayers to exclude income from the discharge of debt on their principal residence.
Key Takeaways. There aren't any free government debt relief programs for credit card or personal loan debt other than bankruptcy. Many types of government debt relief exist in the form of grants and low-interest loans for specific purposes.
Freedom Debt Relief is a legitimate debt settlement company founded in 2002. It's accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating and holds an accreditation from the American Association for Debt Resolution (AADR).
Paying an old collection debt can actually lower your credit score temporarily. That's because it re-ages the account, making it more recent again. This can hurt more than help in the short term. Even after it's paid, the negative status of “paid collection” will continue damaging your score for years.
Generally, paying the original creditor rather than a debt collector is better. The creditor has more discretion and flexibility in negotiating payment terms with you. And because that company might see you as a former and possibly future customer, it might be more willing to offer you a deal.
Credit card debt forgiveness means resolving your credit card debt for a reduced amount. It's important to understand that complete forgiveness is uncommon. However, credit card companies may be willing to work out a deal if you can't repay the full amount.
Since pay for delete technically skirts a legal line, debt collectors will rarely agree to it directly. If they do, they typically won't put it in writing. The reason is that if the credit bureaus were to find out that they were removing accounts that were legitimately incurred, it would violate the FCRA.
In some cases, you may be able to settle for much less than that 50.7% average. Collectors holding old debts may be willing to settle for 20% or even less. The statute of limitations clock starts from the date the debt first became delinquent.
Going through debt settlement becomes a serious negative mark on your credit history, one that will drop your credit score and affect how you borrow money soon. Going through debt settlement means you didn't pay off your debts in full at the time they were due.