Combating Debt Collectors for People in Troubled Marriages

During and after divorce, debt can be a major source of concern. During the process, spouses must be very diligent about monitoring their credit status. Following divorce, one spouse is ordered to pay all or some of their other spouse’s bills, but often times fails to do so..Some of the following ideas can be useful for those who may or may not know they are combating debt collectors.

We may all know the best way to combat debt collectors through proactive methods, such as avoiding expenses that do not fit into our monthly budget and paying off credit card debt as soon as the bill comes in each month.  Yet, when it comes to keeping track of credit reporting, we may not know our legal rights and how to protect ourselves from harm. So, take a quick glance at the following list to see if you are keeping up with credit bureaus about your credit worthiness. These rights are provided in your “Credit of Rights”, under the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and related laws.

• Quarterly, check your credit report with the three major reporting agencies. You may obtain this report from agencies, such as Equifax.
• Check inquires listed on the report and report any unlawful inquires to the three major credit bureaus.
• If information is incorrect, you may dispute the information and should correct the information with the three major credit reporting agencies.
• Poor credit information should be removed from your report after seven years.  Bill consolidation bankruptcy may be removed from your report after six years and traditional bankruptcy after ten years.
• Describe any reason for derogatory information on the special space provided in your credit report. .
• Consider bringing disputes to small claims court, if the dispute cannot be resolved through the credit bureau.
• If you are refused credit, find out why within ten days of the refusal.
• If you cannot obtain a checking account, check into special accounts offered by banks, such as First National Bank and Wells Fargo.

If you are in need of a lawyer, contact Burton Padove at 219-836-2200.