As my colleagues can attest to, one of the most unnerving factors in our first meeting a potential client is the realization that, "if they had come to me sooner". The usual follow up to this realization is the thought process of what steps could have been taken, and creditor actions prevented, if that person you are speaking with did meet the attorney sooner than later.
My recommendation; act now. Many websites and self proclaimed experts will tell you that creditors and bill collectors are just "blowing smoke" when you hear on the phone, or read in a letter, about a lawsuit and potential garnishment. If we are honest with ourselves, we often put off until tomorrow what we don't feel like dealing with today. Tomorrow becomes the day after that; suddenly our procrastination has allowed things to happen while our attentions were elsewhere. If we think that the threats of the creditor or collector are simply idle; we may ignore those threats until they have become actions.
Think of it this way; today's economy also is affecting banks, mortgage companies, lenders, credit unions, their collection agents; everyone feels the burden of this financial strife. However, the banks are not pitching a tent, grabbing a picket sign and marching on Wall Street (or City Hall in my hometown of Philadelphia). They are taking whatever measures the law allows them to recover what monies they claim they are owed.
And who are they recovering these monies from? You. Yes. Y.O.U. Depending on the state you live in, this can include; levying your bank account to remove your hard earned money, garnishing your wages to prevent you from seeing your hard earned money, even selling the possessions in your home you bought with your hard earned money. See a pattern?
The strangest, and most consistent, truth in the myriad of situations people are in that come to me for help is the fact that many of the problems that have come about could have been prevented. There is a legal process a creditor/collector must take before they can see a penny of your hard earned money. In this legal process, even BEFORE it has begun, you would see letters and notices (especially important ones that say COURT of one form or another on the top of them). The best step to take to protect yourself and your possessions is to act as quickly as possible. The sooner you speak to an attorney about your financial situation; the sooner you can receive answers to the questions (even the ones you did not know were there) that you have about what can be done.
Just as the laws of this great nation allow banks and financial institutions certain avenues to recover lost monies; the laws of this nation have protections in place for Americans who face overwhelming financial crisis. If you unfortunately find yourself in such a position; do not wait for time to pass. You will never get it back.
Instead of waiting until tomorrow (or the next day) to speak to an attorney, let me offer an alternative. The first step; gather your paperwork. Your bills. Your paystubs. If you unfortunately are not working; your unemployment receipts. Put these together neatly and sit down with an attorney who specializes in helping individuals in times of financial crises. If that attorney is like me; they specialize in bankruptcy.
A lot of attention is being spent on having the voice of everyday Americans heard. In some way or another; people are flocking to occupy a metropolitan area to protest the economic structure we are under. This is a noble cause; however, I caution that taking part in such a gesture removes you from occupying a seat at the table of YOUR personal fresh start. If enough Americans have their voices heard through taking advantage of the laws and protections in place; banks and creditors will have to see that every action does indeed have an equal reaction.
So how do we prevent ourselves from losing time? The answer is quite simple; ask for help. As soon as you need it. When, you might ask? As soon as you are told that your hard earned money, and hard earned possessions, are in jeopardy. This goes doubly true if you are at risk of losing the most prized possession; the roof over your head. If you are missing rent or mortgage payments; then time surely is not a luxury and I recommend you speak with a local bankruptcy attorney. The sooner you do so provides you and the attorney more time to act on your behalf.
By taking advantage of the time you do have, you accomplish two key goals. The first is taking yourself out of the embarrassing feeling of not knowing what can happen and what you can do to prevent that happenstance. The second key goal is one I ask of every person I represent and assist; agreeing to the next course of action. If you have both goals accomplished, you take yourself out of an unknowing, unresponsive position to an educated, proactive one.
An educated and proactive American is exactly what our founding fathers, and current soldiers, fought for and defend. So, why wait? You may very well find the time you truly lost is the time for your fresh start and freedom from your current crises.
