Not sure where to turn

[BBailey]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? WV
About a year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Lupus, before that I had been a fun loving 40 year old divorced woman making in excess of $50,000 a year, my income to debt ratio was very low, I did not live beyond my means, I drove a used car and lived in a mobile home, which was payed for, and things were going great.

Then the July before last I became extremely ill and became unemployed, I had no worries, I was sure I was going to get this disease into remission and go on with my life. When I lost my job because I was unable to work, I drew my money from my 401K, and continued to live my simple life, the best that I could with my illness. I applied for SSI and for the past year and a half have been turned down more times than you can count, while I watch other people that are able to work collect it.

I was about $10,000 in credit card debt and the money has run out and I was unable to pay it, I sold my mobile home and moved in with my mother, and was able to pay a little bit of what I owed getting it down to about $6,000. Now I live in constant fear that I'm going to be sued for the remainder of what I owe, I've sold everything I own and paid what I could but there just isn't anything left to sell or anywhere else to get any money.

My only option is to suck it up, go back to work sicker than a dog and do what I can, while I continue to fight for SSI, and now I read that companies discriminate against you if you have bad credit, and I may not be able to find a job at all.

This is unreal, the government gave out all this bailout money to these banks, they are now sitting at 0% interest on this money and yet they continue to jack interest rates up on those of us that can't afford their bills anyway.

It's unreal to me, I don't know whether to file bankruptcy, or what to do, any HELP would be appreciated, please no holier than thou comments from those lucky people who still have their health and their jobs and are still able to pay their bills, I only wish I was one of those lucky people, and berating me will do me no good.

[debtcollector`]

We only berate people that deserve it.

You are in a tough spot. No real income and debts that must seem awfully large. But let's look at what you have done. You paid most of your debt obligation down. There are people that a collector just can't help. People that deserve it.

If I handled your collection and verified what you have posted here, I'd set your next callback for 30 days and take your number out of the rotation. It's not much, but it is what I'd be able to do.

As for yourself, filing BK will cost -- I'm really not sure how much, but I'd bet it is at least $1,000. It doesn't seem to make much sense to file BK for only $6k. Given your situation, you might be able to settle the debt for that $1,000.

You may have to try to find a job you can hold and perform.

Good luck.
DC

[BBailey]

For your response, and your advice. I'd been seeing ads in the local paper for attorneys willing to file bankruptcy for you and they take payments. Gee if I could afford to make payments I wouldn't need to file. I feel awful about this, I want to pay my bills, I have spent my entire life being taught if you make a bill you pay it, and have followed those rules as part of my life, but due to circumstances out of my control I find myself unable to do this.

Thanks for your advice on the bankruptcy, I kind of had the same feeling, but wasn't sure.

I'm currently looking for a job, but I have read alot of things that say if you have bad credit you will be denied a job as well, I hope this isn't the case, but I guess we'll see. I am hopeful that I can find something I can do, but of course according to my SSI attorney this will start my case ALL OVER AGAIN, I can hardly wait. It just amazes me that I spent 27 years in the work force and the government can hand out all this money to make the banks solvent but can't spare the little bit of SSI it would take to settle with me.

Partly my fault also because when I started my job I was 19 and didn't feel that I needed long term disability so I never bothered to take it out, and never really thought about it again, never expected to get sick. So anyone reading this if your company offers long term disability, invest the few dollars a month and if you never need it, great but if you find yourself in my situation in your early 40's and you need it at least you'll have it, I'd give anything to turn back time.

Best of luck to you and your wife in your new business, and happy holidays.

[cosine]

Originally Posted by debtcollector`

As for yourself, filing BK will cost -- I'm really not sure how much, but I'd bet it is at least $1,000. It doesn't seem to make much sense to file BK for only $6k. Given your situation, you might be able to settle the debt for that $1,000.

While I agree $6k is low for doing a BK, such things can be done for far less than $1k of cost and often for zero cost (there are provisions in certain cases for waiving the BK filing fee(s)) ... if the person doing BK qualifies as indigent. And this information is directly from a volunteer attorney at Legal Aid of WV. I suggest if the OP wants to pursue that course, she contact a Legal Aid service in her area.

[url=http://www.lawv.net/Home/PublicWeb/LegalSvcs/WVMap]Select your county[/url]

[creditorRights]

to be honest, if you own absolutely no property, have no job, and live with your mother who cares about your remaining debt? they can't get blood from a stone can they?

[cosine]

Originally Posted by creditorRights

to be honest, if you own absolutely no property, have no job, and live with your mother who cares about your remaining debt? they can't get blood from a stone can they?

True!

They can still sue and make her life more miserable, and harder for her to get out of the hole she's in. OTOH, maybe she can get a free daily 8 AM wakeup call out of the situation.