March 2021

Financial difficulties are a fact of life for many people in Auburn and Opelika, AL.

If anything has brought this to light, the COVID-19 pandemic has. 

In 2020 the United States lost a total of 9.37 million jobs–that’s nearly 4.5 million more jobs than we lost during the 2009 financial crisis.

When financial markets crash, businesses shut their doors, and jobs are not to be found, bills still have to be paid. 

Through massive government stimulus many Auburn and Opelika residents were able to receive checks that have helped to keep the lights on in the house and food on the table for the kids, but this governmental help will not last forever.

Eventually Americans will have to pay their bills and settle their debts with lenders on their own dime.

This will inevitably put many Alabamians in financial trouble once again. They may come to the conclusion that some kind of debt rearrangement is necessary for their survival, but which is right?

Today, we will discuss the benefits of debt consolidation and bankruptcy for individuals and which might be right for you given your situation.

First we’ll describe the basics of both bankruptcy and debt consolidation in Alabama. Then, we’ll give a bit of guidance as to how each might help you depending on your circumstances.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a legal process by which debtors can legitimately find relief from their debts.

Though it is often characterized as a life-ending step this is not true.

American greats like Abraham Lincoln, Walt Disney, and Willie Nelson all declared bankruptcy at one point in their lives and it didn’t stop them.

Essentially bankruptcy works by an individual going to the courts willing to do what it takes to get out from under their debts. This is a tedious and time consuming process that requires giving judges, counselors, and creditors very extensive financial records like income, assets, debt amounts, and more.

Then the courts and counselors (your bankruptcy attorney) create a plan to pay off as much of the debt as possible given the individual’s assets.

Individuals seeking relief through bankruptcy will also receive much court-mandated guidance on how to avoid another incident like bankruptcy in the future.

Once the payment plans and debts are settled through the bankruptcy process the individual who filed is once again financially independent.

Depending on your income level and amount of secured and unsecured debts, you may choose to file Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.

Learn more about filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Auburn and Opelika, AL.

Learn more about filing Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Auburn and Opelika, AL.

Debt Consolidation

Debt consolidation works by rolling your existing debts into a lump sum payment.

This payment is a smaller total amount than the sum of your individual debts because it is a loan with a smaller interest rate.

Debt consolidation is helpful for individuals because it gives them a more manageable payment amount each month.

The downside of debt consolidation, however, is that those who choose to consolidate their debt will have to make these smaller payments for a longer period of time. In the end, he or she will pay more than he or she would have paid if he or she had been able to make the original payments.

Which Is Right for You? It Depends on Your Situation

Debt Consolidation

Debt consolidation may be the better option if there still seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. If you believe that you can eventually pay off your debts, then you may want to choose debt consolidation.

Debt consolidation can give debtors a bit of “breathing room” in order to manage their monthly payments a bit better. 

However, if you are not willing to practice more conservative spending habits, then debt consolidation will just put the problem off until a later date and make you pay more than you would have with the original loans.

Bankruptcy

If you have gotten so deep into debt that you see no possible way out, then bankruptcy may be the best option for you.

Are you seeking debt consolidation or bankruptcy in Opelika or Auburn, AL? Contact David S. Clark, Attorney at Law. David has years of experience helping Auburn and Opelika residents escape financial stress through bankruptcy and debt consolidation.