Saturday, August 19, 2017

PERSONAL DEBT

I have reproduced a large part of the CNBC reference below because I didn't know how to condense it.  The credit is all there's.

Americans have more debt than ever before. As of March 31st of this year, American households collectively held $12.73 trillion in debt, surpassing the record $12.68 trillion reached in 2008.*

Student Debt
      Federal
If you are unable to make a payment on your federal
student loan by its due date, you have a 270 day grace
period in which to pay. Every payment you miss will hurt
your credit score and impact your ability to borrow in
the future.
Once this period is over, your debt goes into default and
the federal government is able to garnish your wages, 
Social Security check and federal tax refund. Federal 
student debt is typically handed over to third-party 
collection agencies who charge penalties and fees —
 as much as 18 percent of the balance.*
       Private
"The only remedy that a private lender has is to sue 
you, and they are suingyou under state law
and every state differs."*

Medical Debt
It's important to pay off medical bills as quickly as possible in order to protect your credit score. Insurance companies have been known to sue individuals for not paying medical bills, and 99.4 percent of medical debt is reported by third-party collection agencies who can be particularly aggressive.*
.............................................................................
If the claim does not have an error, experts suggest that you negotiate with your medical provider. Doctors can provide discounts for patients who are unable to make payments and some medical providers will offer financial aid options for low-income patients.

Housing Debt
According to GoBankingRates, "If you miss your 
first mortgage payment, your lender will typically 
offer you a grace period of 15 days. During these 15 
days, you can send in your payment without being 
considered delinquent."
When this grace period is over, you will likely face a late 
fee as high as 2 to 5 percent of the monthly payment 
amount on your mortgage.
If you miss a second payment, your mortgage will likely 
go into default. At this point, the U.S. Department of 
Housing and Urban Development suggests that
borrowers take advantage of free housing counseling
 programs.
After 90 days, you will likely be served a Demand Letter 
indicating you are delinquent on your loan. This is your
 last chance to make a payment on your mortgage.
After missing four mortgage payments, the foreclosure 
process typically begins. During this process, you have 
the right to remain in your home. The lender will submit 
a Notice of Default followed by a Notice of Sale. Within 
21 days of the Notice of Sale, the house will be put up 
for auction, at which point you must vacate.
If you home is foreclosed, your credit score will be 
severely damaged, but you will not likely face legal 
repercussions.*
Auto Debt
Auto loan balances grew by $10 billion in 2016 
according to the Federal Reserve Board.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains 
that if you miss payments on an auto lease, the 
consequences are dependent on your specific contract.
 If you miss a payment on your auto loan, you will likely 
receive a Notice of Missed Payment within a few weeks.
Depending on the specifics of your situation, your lessor 
is then allowed to repossess your car so long as it does 
not "breach the peace." The definition of this legal term
 varies by state, but generally means your car cannot be
 taken through physical force — if your car is in your 
garage, the lessor cannot remove it from your home.
A lessor can, however, use a Starter Interrupt Device 
(SID), which remotely deactivates a vehicle's ignition 
system. Many states have found that remotely disabling 
a vehicle does not "breach the peace."
Your contract and state law may give you the right to 
"cure," or reinstate, your lease after you have missed 
a payment. Check with your state attorney general or
 consumer protection office to see if you have this right.
If your car is repossessed, you may face a hefty 
termination fee and your credit score will be damaged .* 
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/10/heres-what-happens-if-you-dont-pay-off-the-most-common-types-of-debt.html?recirc=taboolainternal

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