What happens if you don’t respond to a debt lawsuit?

Knowing what happens after you ignore a debt lawsuit is critical if you want to protect your finances. Getty Images/iStockphoto Creditors and debt buyers file millions of debt collection lawsuits against borrowers each year and while there can be serious repercussions that stem from a debt-related lawsuit, the majority of borrowers never actually respond after … Read more

Tax debt vs. tax lien: What’s the difference and why it matters

There’s a big difference between a tax debt and a tax lien (and it’s important to know what that is). Eduardo Monroy Husillos/Getty Images With the federal tax filing deadline just weeks away, many taxpayers are now getting a clearer picture of what they owe — and for some, that number is much higher than … Read more

Ex-aide pleads guilty to stealing nearly $23K from congresswoman to pay credit card debt

A former staffer for Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, pleaded guilty Tuesday to siphoning over $20,000 from her former boss’s bank account to pay her own credit card bills. Courtney Hruska, 40, admitted to committing felony wire fraud at a court hearing in Alexandria, Virginia. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, … Read more

Behind on credit card debt in retirement? Here’s what actually happens next.

Understanding what happens if you’re behind on debt in retirement can make a difference in how the situation unfolds. Wing-wing/Getty Images A significant number of seniors are being forced to carry high-rate credit card debt into retirement, and in many cases, those balances aren’t particularly small, either. One driving factor is that household debt is … Read more

How to negotiate credit card debt when you’re on Social Security

You may have more options than you expect for dealing with your unpaid debt while on Social Security. Ekaterina Vasileva-Bagler/Getty Images For millions of retirees, Social Security serves as a financial foundation and a predictable source of income. That stability is being tested in today’s tough economic landscape, though, as many older borrowers are facing … Read more

When a medical crisis leads to tax debt: Relief programs that can help

A medical crisis is less likely to cause a permanent tax problem if you know what help is available to you. Boonchai Wedmakawand/Getty Images Medical emergencies don’t just disrupt your health. They can also upend your finances in ways that can linger long after treatment ends. Between the lost income and unexpected out-of-pocket costs, it’s … Read more

Are you judgment-proof? Here’s what it means for credit card debt.

What being judgment-proof does and what it doesn’t do can have a major impact on your debt repayment approach. Hanizam/Getty Images Credit card debt has become a serious issue nationwide, with borrower totals now exceeding $1.28 trillion and delinquency rates climbing as borrowers struggle to keep up with their high-rate balances. As that unpaid debt … Read more

What happens to credit card debt if you become disabled and can’t work?

A sudden disability can have a big impact on your finances and make it tough to manage your debt. Getty Images/iStockphoto A sudden disability can reshape your finances faster than almost any other life event. One day, your income supports your routine expenses and monthly credit card payments; the next, you may be relying on … Read more