Washington state statute of limitations questions....

[Freedomseeker]

What is the name of your state? Washington

Thank you for the site. My question and concern is this:
I have some old debts that I discovered when checking my free credit report. One of them has been written off as of 1997. I am wondering if the statute of limitations for Washington wouldpertain to this debt. It is for a credit card that I defaulted on due to a serious issue with cancer.

My next concern if this:
Some large medical bills are not showing on the credit report. Does that indicate that they may have been taken off since it is past 7 years? If they were to sue me for the account could I plead that the statute of limitations has past? Is there a way my credit, which I trying to rebuild now can be destroyed due to a 1997 hospital bill for $22,000?

I would like to avoid Bankruptcy if I possibly can.

I appreciate any informed advice you may have to offer.

[Veronica1228]

Originally Posted by Freedomseeker

What is the name of your state? Washington

Thank you for the site. My question and concern is this:
I have some old debts that I discovered when checking my free credit report. One of them has been written off as of 1997. I am wondering if the statute of limitations for Washington wouldpertain to this debt. It is for a credit card that I defaulted on due to a serious issue with cancer.

My next concern if this:
Some large medical bills are not showing on the credit report. Does that indicate that they may have been taken off since it is past 7 years? If they were to sue me for the account could I plead that the statute of limitations has past? Is there a way my credit, which I trying to rebuild now can be destroyed due to a 1997 hospital bill for $22,000?

I would like to avoid Bankruptcy if I possibly can.

I appreciate any informed advice you may have to offer.

The SOL for credit card debt (Open Acounts) is three years from DOLA. This is the length of time that this debt can be collected on. However, it does not pertain to the length of time the item will be on your CR which is 7 1/2 years from the date it was originally reported.

I'm not sure about medical bills, but I don't think they always show up on your CR. They will be there only if they are reported. I, myself, had some hospital bills that took me a while to pay off years ago that were never reported even though they were sent to a CA.

Just because they are not on your CR does not mean that they aren't still owed. The SOL for Written Contracts is 6 years from the DOLA.

Hope this helps.

[Freedomseeker]

So if the hospital chose to sue me or a CA I would still be covered under SOL laws?

While I want to rebuild my credit and understand that I created the debt with the hospital, I still want to have a financial life at some point and feel that $20,000 in hospital debt would eat me alive financially.

If I am contacted by a CA and send them a C&D letter would that move my SOL to current??? (This is a real concern of mine)

I have some help from family right now, but don't want to open up any old cases that may bring negative affects on my CR!

Thank you so much once again. MAN...am I learning a LOT right now about all of this. YIKES!

[Veronica1228]

Originally Posted by Freedomseeker

So if the hospital chose to sue me or a CA I would still be covered under SOL laws?

While I want to rebuild my credit and understand that I created the debt with the hospital, I still want to have a financial life at some point and feel that $20,000 in hospital debt would eat me alive financially.

If I am contacted by a CA and send them a C&D letter would that move my SOL to current??? (This is a real concern of mine)

I have some help from family right now, but don't want to open up any old cases that may bring negative affects on my CR!

Thank you so much once again. MAN...am I learning a LOT right now about all of this. YIKES!

The SOL clock starts ticking when you make a payment or, in the case of credit cards, when you charge something. Writing letters, making agreements over the phone, etc., do not effect the SOL.

[Freedomseeker]

Veronica...

I so appreciate your helpful information.

I am a bit overwhelmed at this point but expect that as I clear away some of my debts life will get back on track.

I would like to buy a house one day and am beginning to think that that may never happen unless I clear any and ALL of my prior debts...reported or not.

My PRE-Cancer history of payment was A+...never late on payments such as CC's and my car, but that is ancient history I suspect, at this point.

What I currently have on my CR are school loans which are in good standing. I am hoping that that plus my paying all the past due accounts that are showing on my CR will help. THAT much is doable.

If you have any more to offer I am more than open but hesitate to pick your brain too much for fear of being a pest.

Thank you so much!
L

[Veronica1228]

Originally Posted by Freedomseeker

Veronica...

I so appreciate your helpful information.

I am a bit overwhelmed at this point but expect that as I clear away some of my debts life will get back on track.

I would like to buy a house one day and am beginning to think that that may never happen unless I clear any and ALL of my prior debts...reported or not.

My PRE-Cancer history of payment was A+...never late on payments such as CC's and my car, but that is ancient history I suspect, at this point.

What I currently have on my CR are school loans which are in good standing. I am hoping that that plus my paying all the past due accounts that are showing on my CR will help. THAT much is doable.

If you have any more to offer I am more than open but hesitate to pick your brain too much for fear of being a pest.

Thank you so much!
L

I'm not exactly sure what you are asking for, but below is a very helpful website that can give you some ideas on rebuilding your credit, getting out of debt, etc. I hope it helps.

[url]http://www.creditinfocenter.com/[/url]

[Freedomseeker]

Forgive me, I wasn't clear in my last post.

I am asking for your opinions and also any tips you may add to this thread.


Since I have a bit of financial help at the moment I thought I would pursue my credit restoration as follows:


1.)Pay any current or newer overdue bills in full. (I was thinking of getting a confidetiality letter signed by any bills which are late so they don't report them after pmt. This includes my student loans which are reported on my CR but in good standing.)

2.)Attack the overdue bills I have in collections, (which ARE showing on my CR) once I have VOD from the CA. (There are currently 3 and I would get a letter from them that the report would be lifted off my CR.)

3.)Tackle a charged off credit card account that is showing on my CR, first trying to deal with the bank. I believe I can make an agreement to pay less to settle the debt.

4.)See if the money lasts and look into my past unpaid medical bills from the cancer surgery. If I am unable to pay this one, will it still affect my applying and getting a home loan, car loan? Could it? How, considering SOL and the non-report of the debt?

?-Does this sound as though it is a logical and orderly plan or will I shoot myself in the foot? I have some financial help but don't want to be foolish as I try to rebuild my credit. If there is a more effective place to use the payment $$$ right now?

I want to get it prioritized!

?-Is there anything to be gained by digging up old debts which I may have missed or have gone off my CR that are past the seven year mark???? (at least other than morally???)

Warm Regards,
L

[Veronica1228]

Originally Posted by Freedomseeker

Forgive me, I wasn't clear in my last post.

Since I have a bit of financial help at the moment I thought I would pursue my credit restoration as follows:

I am asking for your opinions and also any tips you may add to this thread.

1.)Pay any current or newer overdue bills in full. (I was thinking of getting a confidetiality letter signed by any bills which are late so they don't report them after pmt. This includes my student loans which are reported on my CR but in good standing.)

2.)Attack the overdue bills I have in collections, which ARE showing on my CR once I have VOD from them. (There are currently 3 and I would get a letter from them that the report would be lifted off my CR.)

3.)Tackle a charged off credit card account that is showing on my CR, first trying to deal with the bank. I believe I can make an agreement to pay less to settle the debt.

4.)See if the money lasts and look into my past unpaid medical bills from the cancer surgery. If I am unable to pay this one, will it still affect my applying and getting a home loan, car loan? Could it? How, considering SOL and the non-report of the debt?

?-Does this sound as though it is a logical and orderly plan or will I shoot myself in the foot? I have some financial help but don't want to be foolish as I try to rebuild my credit. If there is a more affective place to use the payment $$$ I want to get it prioritized!

?-Is there anything to be gained by digging up old debts wwhich I may have missed or have gone off my CR that are past the seven year mark???? (at least other than morally???)

In my opinion 1-3 definitely sound like a good plan. #4 will have to wait of course to see if it is something you can afford. However, if it is past the SOL I don't see why you would bother paying it. It is not reported on your CR and therefore won't effect your ability to get a loan.

As far as digging up old debts, I wouldn't bother with that either. If they are past the SOL they are no longer collectable and cannot hurt your credit any longer. Forget about them and just focus on your current debts.

Good luck.

[Freedomseeker]

Thank you once again Veronica with the spiked heels!

I am gonna make a go of this crazy life! I'm not 20 something anymore, but I still have dreams...and I'm STILL ALIVE!

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help and advice!

Blessings,
Linda