Medical bills are a significant source of debt for many American households. In the United States, health care costs are behind more than $88 billion of consumer debt. Any hospital visit or emergency treatment can quickly become a financial nightmare, but certain...
Southhaven Legal Issues Blog
American medical debt statistics
America has a growing medical debt problem. The United States Census claims that 19 percent of households cannot afford medical care. The Census also says the median amount of debt was $2,000. Medical debt is particularly devastating because it often leads to...
Tips for dealing with medical debt
Medical debt refers to the money owed for such things as a medical procedure or prescription medication. Many Americans, especially the uninsured, have medical debt resulting from an unexpected illness or injury. Here are some tips for dealing with medical debt in the...
What are the three biggest financial challenges for families?
Long gone are the days when a single-income family could thrive in middle America. Many people struggle to make ends meet when life is normal, and an event such as a job loss, divorce or medical emergency can derail a family’s financial future. The top three money...
3 Ways bankruptcy can benefit families
You may view the process of filing bankruptcy in a negative light. Filing for bankruptcy is a serious undertaking. Bankruptcy also provides many benefits to families not available outside of the bankruptcy process. 1. Keep your home If you are behind on your mortgage...
Handling a credit report after bankruptcy
Bankruptcy can be a burden in many ways. Even after you pay off your debt and get on solid footing, you still have to worry about creditors reporting your bankruptcy information. Negative information in your credit reports can affect your financial options in the...
3 ways to take control of your credit cards
If you have excessive credit card debt, you are far from alone. In fact, in 2020, the average American owed more than $5,000 to credit card companies. This makes sense, as many individuals have little choice but to reach for credit cards to cover both ordinary and...
An automatic stay offers protections but there are limits
When you file for bankruptcy, you activate an automatic stay, which puts a halt to creditor harassment. There is even more to the implementation of an automatic stay that should allow you to sleep better at night. However, it cannot solve every problem. Keeping the...
Can you get rid of credit card debt with bankruptcy?
If you have been struggling to pay for everyday items recently, it may not surprise you that prices have increased. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index shows a 5.4% jump in prices in the last year alone. This may leave you with little...
3 Truths to change your perspective on bankruptcy
If you are drowning in debt and your self-esteem and motivation are at their lowest, you are not alone. The truth is, facing unpayable debts can be a terrifying and stressful experience for many people. Anxiety and depression are common. Despite everyone's...