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Kentucky Debt Counseling Services

LOUISVILLE BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY

Louisville, KY Debt Counseling Attorneys

debt counseling

Feeling like debt has taken control of your life? Not sure where to even begin sorting it all out? Are you confused by certain phrases such as “being in the red“? You’re not alone. The good news is that there is help out there. In fact, there are numerous companies out there that can get rid of your debt entirely through debt counseling. However, only qualified professionals should handle financial debt because it’s no easy task.

At O’Bryan Law Offices, we help people get a fresh start every day. Whether it be through bankruptcy or extensive legal counsel, our attorneys assist individuals and businesses in managing their overwhelming debt. With personal one-on-one assistance and guidance, we’ll have you on your feet in no time. Contact O’Bryan Law Offices today at 502-339-0222 to see how debt counseling can get you back to a life of financial freedom. Debt counseling can also help you plan how to get out of debt with no money or bad credit.

NOTE: Our attorneys do not provide debt counseling services or courses. Rather, we will support you through the process of completing your credit counseling and debt counseling courses. If you have any specific questions about our practice areas, please call our Louisville law office.

What Is Debt?

Debt is an amount of money owed by one party to another. It begins when an individual or business borrows money from another individual or business in order to make a large purchase that couldn’t have been afforded otherwise. The arrangement allows one party to borrow money only if they pay it back later, generally with interest.

When time passes without the borrowing party returning payments, debt obviously collects. This is when handling finances becomes a tricky, often daunting task.

What Is Debt Counseling?

Debt counseling is an alternative to filing for bankruptcy. The counseling begins when a person asks for help with debt management. A debt counselor, sometimes called a credit counselor, will negotiate with credit providers to help you eliminate debt. At O’Bryan Law Offices, our experienced attorneys offer unmatched legal counsel when  it comes to completing each crucial step of your bankruptcy filing.

What Should I Expect from a Debt Counseling Session?

consumer debt counseling

Not only do debt counselors negotiate with credit providers, but they also do a lot of other things to help you avoid filing for bankruptcy. Here’s what you should expect from a debt counseling session:

  • Budgeting: Your first session with a debt counselor will be all about your finances and goals. By the end of this session, you and the counselor may have a plan, whether that includes more counseling or managing your expenses.
  • Debt management plan: In later sessions, your counselor will help you develop a debt management plan which basically consists of consolidating debts and lowering interest rates on credit card debts. The counselor will then set up monthly payments to pay off the debt over the course of three to five years.
  • Bankruptcy counseling: If you can’t resolve your debt without filing for bankruptcy, you will have one session before you file and one session before your debts are discharged.
  • Student loan counseling: Student loans are often a major cause of overwhelming debt. Because of this, your counselor will discuss repayment options and might talk with loan issuers to work out payments.
  • Housing counseling: Whether you’re struggling to make rent or mortgage payments, a counselor will discuss how to manage housing costs with you. This is so that you can possibly save your house in the process of eliminating debt.

How Does a Debt Management Plan Work?

Debt management plans (DMP) are a great option to achieve debt relief, but they don’t work for everyone. But how do DMPs work? Every month you will deposit money to the debt counseling firm. The firm will then use that money to pay your credit card debt, student loans, and medical debt on the schedule that your counselor set with you and your creditors. As stated previously, it should take three to five years on this payment plan to completely pay off your debts.

What Is Debt Review?

Debt review goes hand in hand with debt counseling. Both involve a counselor assessing your outstanding debt and helping you establish a reconstructed payment plan. Your counselor will negotiate new rates and terms with your credit providers while protecting your assets from repossession in the process.

What Is Debt Consolidation?

However, while debt counseling and debt review are the same things, debt consolidation is not. Debt consolidation is a loan that includes all of your unsecured debts into one sum. This means that multiple debts will be combined into a single, larger debt. Generally, this consolidation loan carries more favorable payoff terms, such as a lower monthly payment or interest rate.

By consolidating your debt, you can settle your high-interest debts and then close the accounts. Instead of paying multiple creditors at a time, you will make one debt payment per month to the provider who granted you the loan. By having fewer payments each month, there is less of a chance that you will be late on payments. It can also help you improve your credit score over time. However, filing for bankruptcy is often preferable to seeking out a debt consolidation loan from shady companies preying on desperate individuals.

This option is similar to debt settlement. We strongly recommend learning about the debt settlement pros and cons before making any decisions.

How to Find the Best Debt Relief Service

debt counseling service

The last thing you need is a debt relief service that scams you and puts you even further into debt. It’s crucial that you find a service that has your best interest in mind. Make sure to avoid debt relief services that:

  • Charge you before settling your debts or planning a DMP plan.
  • Encourage you to make “voluntary contributions,” which are actually just fees.
  • Show off a “new government program” to help people pay off their credit card debt.
  • Promise you that your unsecured debt can be paid off for pennies on the dollar.
  • Refuse to send you free information about its services without requiring personal financial information such as your credit card account numbers and balances.
  • Attempt to sign you up for a debt relief program without having an initial finance meeting with you.
  • Suggest enrolling you in a DMP without first teaching you how to budget and manage money.
  • Expect you to make payments for a DMP before you’re accepted into a program by your creditors.

Other Debt Relief Options

If debt counseling doesn’t sound right for you, there are plenty of other options to gain control of your debt.

If you’re an individual or a spouse who feels like bankruptcy is the best option for your finances, you will file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. The main difference between the two is that you’re required to sell your assets in Chapter 7, but you can keep your assets in Chapter 13. Usually, filing for bankruptcy is a last resort for people and businesses because the stakes are so high. Bankruptcy initially makes your credit score plummet, making it harder for you to receive loans and even get a new job. Once a successful bankruptcy case concludes, debt is gone, and most credit scores are on the rise again.

Occasionally, you may be able to work out a deal with your creditors to pay less than you owe. Only if you’re in default will debt settlement work. This is because creditors may not receive anything if you’re in default and declare bankruptcy. Because of this, creditors may be willing to make a deal with you. It’s also crucial to only seek debt settlement for bills that you’ve stopped paying and make minimum payments on the debts you can afford.

Consider selling some of your most valuable items if your salary isn’t enough to pay off your debt. You would have to sell your possessions anyway if you filed for Chapter 7. So instead of ruining your credit score, utilize the money from selling your assets to pay off your debt.

Picking up a part-time or freelance job and putting that money toward debt is another debt management strategy. For example, being a rideshare driver is a common side gig that people do in today’s era of social media and technology.

A mortgage payment is a significant expense. If you can negotiate a lower payment until your debt problem is over, do so. All you have to do is contact your lender and ask them to set up a new payment plan for you. Your lender may also agree to a temporary repayment plan until you’ve paid off the debt.

It’s critical to set a budget and assess how much you’re spending on useless items while you’re in debt. You can save money by canceling streaming subscriptions, avoiding eating out, canceling a gym membership, or even turning off your cable and only watching videos on Youtube. Take all of this extra cash and apply it to your debt.

A loan modification is as it sounds – a modification of your loan. If you’re struggling to make even one monthly payment, you may be able to change certain aspects of your loan agreement. Examples include lowering your interest rate, extending the length of your loan, and reducing the amount of your principal balance. Speak to a loan modification lawyer Kentucky for more information.

Credit counseling is yet another option for debtors who are struggling financially. There are many credit counseling agencies in Kentucky. Our attorneys provide legal counsel for Kentucky and Indiana residents while they complete their credit counseling course. During their initial free consultation, we analyze our client’s financial situation.

Once we have a better understanding of your financial goals, our certified bankruptcy lawyers with our law firm will advise you on the following topics.

  • How to better understand and utilize your credit report
  • Budget counseling and budgeting advice
  • Reducing debt and handling debt problems
  • Credit problems and other financial problems
  • How to create a workable budget
  • And countless other services

Many nonprofit credit counseling agencies also provide educational materials on money management, financial literacy, and other money problems. However, working with a consumer credit counseling agency will give you access to a personalized plan that outlines how to get back to good financial health.

Contact a Kentucky Debt Counselor Today

debt counseling services

A debt counselor can help people navigate to a life of financial freedom. If you need help with your credit and financial plans, call our skilled bankruptcy attorneys today at O’Bryan Law Offices. Whether you have a few questions or you need considerable help in managing your debt, our legal team can help. With offices in Louisville, Frankfort, and New Albany, our attorneys have helped both Kentucky residents and Indiana residents to control their finances. Call 502-339-0222 to schedule your free case evaluation or fill out our online intake form here.

Disclaimer: The use of the internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.