For some people, dealing with creditors who expect you to pay what you owe when you don’t have the money can be overwhelming.
Though you can handle things on your own, you don’t have to. Working with a credit lawyer is a great way to get creditors off your back. So, how can you tell if it’s time to reach out to a professional?
Here are a few tell-tale signs that you need to start looking for an attorney.
1. The Debt Collectors Won’t Stop Calling
The more debt you have, the more aggressive creditors can become. They often start out calling just a few times a week, but if you can’t pay down what you owe, they quickly start calling more often.
For some people, the number of phone calls can quickly become overwhelming.
If you find that you’re getting calls from different creditors several times a day, it
’s time to reach out for help. A credit score lawyer will be able to deal with the creditors on your behalf. While they may not be able to settle things completely, they’ll help decrease the frequency of the calls that you receive.
This means you won’t have to watch your caller ID for unknown numbers or leave the ringer off on your phone at night just to enjoy a few minutes of peace.
2. You’re Considering Bankruptcy
It’s easy to get so far into debt that you feel like you’re just treading water. Your income isn’t high enough to start making payments and you’re relying on credit cards and loans to make ends meet.
When you’re in this stage, it’s tempting to consider filing for bankruptcy. This allows you to get a fresh start, but it takes a major toll on your credit score.
If you’re considering filing for bankruptcy, talk to a credit attorney first. Credit lawyers are able to look at your situation and identify the best next step for your needs.
They may even be able to reduce the impact that your debt has on your credit score. Remember, the higher your score is, the easier it is to qualify for a new apartment, better insurance rates, and even financing on a new home in the future.
3. You’re Getting Threats of Lawsuits
Creditors will do anything they can to get you to make payments on your debt. If you truly can’t make payments, they may try to escalate things.
The best way to do that is for creditors to threaten to take legal action against you. Though many creditors’ threats are empty, some may try to take things further. You won’t know for sure what type of creditor you’re dealing with until you receive a notice of a lawsuit.
Instead of leaving things up to chance, call a credit attorney as soon as a creditor utters their first threat. The sooner you can get an attorney involved, the easier it will be to settle your debt out of court.
If you do end up facing a lawsuit, your credit lawyer will be able to represent your interests and can act as a credit expert witness in court.
4. Your Score Just Keeps Dropping
The more debt you have, the more it impacts your credit score. That said, it’s normal for your credit score to stay fairly steady if you’re not increasing your debt from month to month.
If you check your credit score and notice that the number keeps dropping even if your situation isn’t changing, get help. Your credit attorney will be able to review your score and the history on your credit report to find out what’s going on.
Once they find the cause of your score’s drop, they’ll be able to work with you to come up with a plan of action.
5. You’ve Noticed Mistakes on Your Credit Report
Believe it or not, changes in your credit score don’t always come from outstanding debt. They can also be the result of inaccuracies or mistakes on your credit report.
If you notice anything that looks out of the ordinary on your report or see debt that you know isn’t yours, an attorney can help you correct the issue.
They’ll work with the credit bureaus to find out where the error is. Then, they’ll do everything they can to make sure the error gets fixed as quickly as possible. The sooner you can get the errors removed, the easier it will be to rebuild your credit score.
6. You Just Want Help
Finding a way out of debt can be confusing and overwhelming when you’re trying to handle things on your own. If you feel like you’re stuck or just want an expert to give you advice, contact a few credit score lawyers and work with one that you’re comfortable with.
They’re there to give you advice and help you find a way out of a difficult situation without completely upending your personal finances. Remember, asking for help is nothing to feel ashamed of. The sooner you do, the better off you’ll be.
Hiring a Credit Lawyer Is a Great Option
If you’re worried about your credit score or keep getting hounded by creditors demanding payments that you can’t afford, don’t give up. Reach out to an experienced credit lawyer in your area as soon as you can.
Remember, your lawyer will work for you, not your creditors. They’ll be able to give you advice on how to proceed and what you need to do next to get your finances back on track.
Just make sure to choose an attorney you’re comfortable working with. Schedule consultations with several lawyers in your area and choose the one that you feel best understands your situation. The sooner you contact them, the easier it will be to get your credit back on the right track.
Looking for more tips and tricks to help you repair your finances and restore your credit score? Check out our latest posts.
