Debt Relief Information

New Bankruptcy Law Makes it Harder to Stop Foreclosure


On October 17, 2005 President Bush's sweeping bankruptcy reform law goes into effect forever changing the rules of debt collection in this natiion. Consumer advocates and the public appear to be completely unaware of the total and complete victory of the creditors under the new legislation. This article opens the door to the Trogan Horse so that consumers can prepare themselves for the worse.

The most important aspect of the bankruptcy code was the "automatic stay" provision. This allowed consumers to file for bankruptcy at anytime during the creditor's collection process putting an immediate stop to all contact and collection activities from the creditor. The new law requires that a debtor receive credit counseling from an approved non-profit credit counseling agency for 180 days prior to filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

While this may sound benevolent, a much closer look at the practical effect of this provision reveals the crafty peeling of the debtor's rights. The 180 day requirement is to provide the credit counseling agency the opportunity to work out payment plans with creditors. However, during this same period of time the creditor is not restrained from collection efforts. For example, Margaret is a homeowner in Jacksonville, Florida and is six months behind on her mortgage. As a rule, credit counseling agencies only work with credit card companies and have little or no training with dealing with mortgage companies.

After receiving foreclosure papers, Margaret goes to see her attorney to file for bankruptcy and is told that she must first seek credit counseling before filing for bankruptcy protection. Meanwhile, the foreclosure proceeds on schedule and a sale date is set 120 days later. However, Margaret still has not completed her 180 day requirement. What will happen to Margaret's home? That's right! The home will be sold and she cannot stop the sale by filing bankruptcy.

This is the most sweeping shift in debt collection in the past 50 years. Margaret's only hope will be to work out a repayment plan or a loan restructure with her mortgage company. This is a process called loss mitigation and is explained in great detail to consumers in our new book, How to Save Your Home, ISBN#09753754-0-7, $19.95, SYH University, LLC, 2005 which is sold at Amazon.com.

Loss Mitigation works because lenders lose an average of $28,000 to $50,000 per foreclosure nationwide. It is a myth that the lender wants your home and makes a profit off of foreclosure. A lender has to pay attorney fees, court and collection costs, maintain fire insurance, hire a real estate professional, repair structural and other damage to the home, and pay property taxes. The homeowner can work out an agreement with the lender in over 90% of cases. Our company has provided housing counseling service to thousands of homeowners and loss mitigation absolutely works.

In conclusion, it is up to the consumer to educate and prepare themselves for worse case scenarios. How to Save Your Home is an excellent training tool and will teach homeowners how to protect themselves under the new bankruptcy law. Most Americans do not have health or disability insurance and are vulnerable to job layoffs because of a stagnant economy. Who amongst us is immune to heart attacks, business failure, strokes, law suits, tax liens or other challenges that life sometimes presents. One pay check is literally what separates many families from home security and despair and the new bankruptcy law will severly punish those who slip behind on their mortgage payments.

Herbert Addison, JD, CHC is a Certified Housing Counselor and a member of the Virginia Association of Housing Counselors. Mr. Addison is co-author of the new book, How to Save Your Home, and has helped thousands of families to save their homes from foreclosure sales.


MORE RESOURCES:

Togo qualifies for debt relief
afrol News, Lesotho - 3 hours ago
afrol News, 2 December - Togo has been approved for debt relief under enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries, after reaching a decision point under the ...


Andhra pays for fiscal profligacy, may be denied debt relief
Economic Times, India - Dec 1, 2008
In FY08, the state got a debt-relief of around Rs 1889 crore. “We have been attaining a revenue surplus despite huge allocations for revenue expenditure ...


Know the Details of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act
RisMedia.com (press release), CT - 23 hours ago
RISMEDIA, Dec. 2, 2008-No matter the circumstances, there’sa lot of stress a homeowner goes through in a foreclosure or a short sale. ...


Govt to release Rs 21.43 cr for debt relief
Express Buzz, India - 15 hours ago
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As per the recommendations of the Farmer’s Debt Relief Commission, the Government has disbursed Rs 14.11 crore so far, and it has been ...


HIPC: Togo Gets Debt Relief
THISDAY, Nigeria - Nov 30, 2008
The statement said that Togo would receive interim debt relief from certain creditors, but in order to qualify for irrevocable debt relief at the completion ...


Aljazeera.net

WEALTHY NATIONS, OTHERS BEHIND FINANCIAL CRISIS MUST TAKE ...
7thSpace Interactive (press release), NY - 5 hours ago
In introductory remarks, moderator Portugal said significant advances had been made since Monterrey, particularly on debt relief for the poorest countries. ...
Amidst financial meltdown, Doha Conference gives developing ... MediaGlobal
‘Recession must not lead to human crisis’ Business Mirror
DEVELOPMENT: ‘No Bailout Plan for the Vulnerable’ IPS
Capital FM - Earthtimes (press release)
all 359 news articles


Home > News > World Bank Launches Facility to Prevent ...
World Bank Group, DC - Nov 30, 2008
The Bank also called on donor countries to meet their debt relief commitments. “The debt relief provided by the World Bank and other creditors to heavily ...


Attorney General Announces Settlement in Debt Relief Scheme
Chipley Florida Online Newspaper - Foster Folly News, fl - Nov 25, 2008
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Attorney General Bill McCollum has announced a judgment has been entered in the lawsuit against a series of companies accused of ...


Freedom Debt Relief Offers Answers, Clarity for Those Struggling ...
PR Web (press release), WA - Nov 21, 2008
Freedom Debt Relief co-founder and co-CEO Brad Stroh reminds those who are facing serious debt hardship that they do have options when it comes to getting ...


San Mateo County district attorney, California officials sue debt ...
TMCnet - Nov 12, 2008
At attorney for the companies -- which include Bills.com, Freedom Debt Relief, Freedom Tax Relief, Freedom Student Loans and Freedom Mortgage -- said the ...

Debt-Relief - Google News

home | site map
© 2006