Author name: Hira Parveen

It may be pressure to deal with excessive debt. When people are receiving collection calls and bills begin to accumulate, many would consider recruiting a debt settlement lawyer. However, the biggest question should be asked first, which is how much does a debt settlement attorney cost? Knowing their charges, the services they render and whether they are worth it can assist you to make the correct financial choice. What Does a Debt Settlement Attorney do? A debt settlement attorney makes you negotiate with the creditors so that you pay less money. The lawyer strives to settle your debt, rather than paying it in full, by means of a settlement – which often is a lump-sum payment that closes your account at a discounted price below the full amount. They even guard your legal rights ensuring that collectors do not harass and threaten you in an illegal manner. An experienced lawyer can go through your contracts, scan your credit report for mistakes and take you through the optimal procedure of paying or reorganizing your debts. As an illustration, when you are being sued by creditors, you can have your lawyer represent you in a court of law and may prevent seizure of assets or garnishment of salaries. The Cost of a Debt Settlement Lawyer? The fee charged to settle a debt is determined by the experience, the complexity of the case and location. There are however three common methods of billing which are mostly utilized by most attorneys; Flat Fee: There are a lot of lawyers who offer one fee at the beginning of the whole process. This may be at a cost of between $500 and $3,000 depending on the number of creditors. Hourly Rate: There are those lawyers who charge on an hourly basis usually ranging between 150 and 400 per hour. This alternative can be more relaxed in case your case is not complicated or it needs less negotiation. Percentage of Debt or Savings: Some attorneys charge a percentage of the overall debt repaid or the saving. To illustrate this, say they pay out a loan of 10,000 in $6,000, you may pay a percentage of 15-25 of the saving of this 4,000. Never proceed without asking a written commitment to be clear on the fee structure. Factors That Affect the Cost There are various considerations that dictate the amount of money you will spend on the lawyer you settle your debt with. The kind of debt, the number of creditors and the total debt all determine the overall cost. In case you hold several credit cards, personal loans, or medical debts, your lawyer will take longer to negotiate with each of the creditors. The place is also important, as lawyers in big cities are more likely to charge higher than those in small towns do. Can also be the willingness of your creditor to settle costs. In case creditors are aggressive or unwilling to negotiate, the process will be lengthy and costly. Lastly, the success of your lawyer and experience might warrant a higher fee. An experienced lawyer who has won a number of cases may cost you a lot of money but in the long run they may save you a lot of money. Is It Worth Hiring a Debt Settlement Lawyer? In the event that you owe a big sum and you are being sued or are receiving an array of calls by debt collectors, it is quite helpful to get a lawyer. They know the law of debts, they can prevent harassment by creditors and they usually get better deals than those who negotiated independently. Non-profit credit counseling or doing the negotiations yourself, however, might be an option when your debts are minor or you just have a few accounts to negotiate. A lawyer will prove to be particularly useful when you: Although it is expensive to hire an attorney, he would save you the expense of falling into mistakes that would end up costing you a lot of money in the future. Is a Debt Settlement Attorney Cost Effective? Yes, absolutely. A lawyer can also in most instances talk the interest rate of your total debt or interest down. In the case of unsecured debt, suppose you have a debt of $20, 000. Your attorney can settle on the settlement of up to $12,000. You might even save 6,000 dollars on top of your legal fees which you already paid (2,000 dollars). Moreover, a lawyer makes sure that all the agreements are legally documented, so that a creditor cannot seek to recover the rest in the future. Competitions to Hiring a Debt Settlement Lawyer One can use alternatives to legal fees, as long as your budget cannot afford it. You might use a debt settlement company, and the only thing that I would do with that would be to be careful because certain companies will charge high fees and that will negatively affect your credit rating. The other alternative is to consolidate the debt, which is to convince several debts into a single loan having smaller interest. Another way is to find out repayment plans with a credit counselor who may offer you a free consultation. Nevertheless, such services do not represent you in the court nor can provide legal protections as a licensed attorney. How to Select the appropriate Debt Settlement Attorney? In seeking a lawyer, one should seek a lawyer with experience on the area of consumer debt. Check references, request client referrals and ensure that they are licensed in your state. Avoid anybody who promises a particular result or forces you to make upfront payment without a written agreement. Professionalism is represented by transparency and openness. Ask questions like: The selection of an attorney may result in a debt relief success or even the failure to repay the debts. What is the Impact of Debt Settlement on your Credit? Paying the debts, which temporarily lowers your credit score, is due to the fact that creditors can report your account

The purchase of a home is one of the greatest financial achievements in life. However, if you already have debts on credit card, loans, or other debts, then you may be curious whether debt consolidation is going to help or hurt your likelihood of getting a mortgage. The fact is that debt consolidation may either affect your capacity to purchase a home either negatively or positively, depending on how you do it and when. The connection between debt consolidation and home purchase is one thing that can be understood to make you make good financial decisions prior to applying to be a mortgage holder. We shall discuss its functionality, what the lenders are seeking and how you can prepare to increase your chances of being approved. What Is Debt Consolidation? Debt consolidation refers to an act of pooling various debts (credit cards, personal loans or medical bills) into a single loan or payment. The primary objective is to make the repayment easier and preferably get a low interest. Some of the frequent methods of consolidating debt are through taking a personal loan, a balance transfer credit card or a home equity loan. Through pooling of various debts, borrowers would find it easy to control their financial status and concentrate on paying a loan rather than moving between several dates of payment. But with the debt consolidation, as it alters your credit history in general, you should know how it impacts your mortgage application. The impact of Debt Consolidation on your Credit Score One of the most important factors that the lenders consider in giving a mortgage is your credit score. The consolidation of your debts may and may not positively affect your credit, but it all depends on the timing and the type of debts consolidation you may opt to go through. When you submit a loan request to consolidate your loans, the loan provider conducts a hard credit check, which temporarily demeans your credit score allotment. Another factor that can affect your score is that opening a new credit account can also lower your average account age. Nonetheless, as soon as you start to pay off regularly and on time to your consolidated loan, your rating can begin to increase gradually. The reason is that history of payments and less use of credit (what percentage of available credit you are using) constitute a big part of your score. As long as you use your consolidated loan in a responsible way, it will not take long to get your credit score back, not to mention the fact that it might even be even better than before. Debt Consolidation – Can You Qualify to Buy a Mortgage? Yes – debt consolidation may allow you to get a mortgage provided that it is utilized in a strategic manner. Mortgage lenders scrutinize very hard your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, which is a ratio of debt payments that you make monthly to your gross monthly income. A low DTI indicates that you will be able to afford as well as deal with other financial commitments, like a mortgage. Your DTI ratio can also be improved by combining high-interest debts into a single manageable loan at a reduced monthly payment, which will make you attractive to lenders. It is also financially disciplined – a major aspect that the lenders consider when evaluating those who want to be lent money. But timing is everything. When you commit to consolidating immediately before submitting a mortgage application, your credit report will indicate a new loan account, which will temporarily put off lenders. Preferably, you ought to bring together and normalize your finances, at least half a year prior to making an application of a home loan. When Debt Consolidation Might Hurt Your Chances? Consolidation of debt is not always good in the short run. You may end up in new debt immediately before you are about to secure a mortgage and this may make the lenders raise eyebrows. They might perceive it as an indication that you are having difficulties with handling the current commitments. Also, your new consolidation loan will add to your overall debt, and when you make any defaults it might hurt your credit score and DTI ratio. The lenders may become convinced that you heavily depend on borrowed money because you utilize high rates or continue to apply new credits frequently. In a nutshell therefore although it is true that debt consolidation may raise your financial profile in the long run, bad timing or default may cause an interim reduction in your mortgage approval rates. Best Time to Consolidate Before Buying a Home It is always a good idea to settle debt long before you are planning to purchase a house. This will allow your credit score to rebuild and show it is financially responsible. An objective of paying off your consolidated loan on a regular basis over a few months should be made before you submit your mortgage application. Also, you do not want to acquire new debts at this time like automobile loans or a new credit card because every more loan you take on, the higher your DTI will be and limit your ability to repay the mortgage. It is also good to have a look at your credit report and see any discrepancies and check your score monthly. The difference in interest rate you can get can be big even by small points. The Lender Perceptions towards Debt Consolidation Debt consolidation is not necessarily looked upon as a bad thing by mortgage lenders. Most people in fact value borrowers who are prolific in managing their debts and making efforts to make the repayment process easier. Consistency is most important to the lenders, to pay on time and to maintain a low amount of debt in comparison with your income. They also look at your general financial status such as stability of income, employment history and savings. Therefore, in case consolidation will assist you to be in charge of your money

A title loan may seem like a quick fix when you have to get cash and in the shortest time possible. Those loans enable you to take a loan citing the title of your vehicle as a security. However, to make sure that you would be approved quickly and easily, there are several documents that you should prepare before you apply. Having the knowledge of what is needed does not only save time but also helps to avoid delays which may cost you a precious opportunity. Wondering what you need to get a title loan, you have as well come to the right place to get all the documents you need to show ownership, ID, and any other documents needed to be approved by the lenders without any fear of being rejected. What Is a Title Loan? Title loan is a short-term secured loan which takes the title of your car, motorcycle or truck as a security. This implies that you are provisory transferring possession of your car in lieu of a loan. Your level of borrowing will be based on the value of the vehicle, its condition and equity. As long as you continue driving your car, the title is retained by the lender until the time you pay the loan. Such loans are normally applied in emergency costs, bills or temporary cash crises. Nevertheless, being the high-interest and short-term ones, they must be taken with moderation and a full knowledge of the conditions. Why Lenders Require Documents? Title loans are secured, a lender is required to verify the ownership and the car is not given to another loan or lien. A good documentation safeguards you and the lender because it will establish the fact that the asset is legally yours. It also assists in confirming that you can repay, the authenticity and that the vehicle complies to the legal lending criteria. The lender cannot go without proper documentation, which is why it is necessary to prepare all the necessary documents and apply to it. Primary Documents that are needed to secure a Title Loan The vehicle title is the most valuable document in case of title loan – it should be in your name, it cannot have any lien against it and it should be registered. But that’s just the start. We are going to discuss one by one of the documents required and its importance. Title (Proof of Ownership) of Vehicle The loan process is supported by the vehicle title. It entitles to show that you are a lawful owner of the car, truck, or motorcycle, which is used as collateral. The lender will put a temporary lien on the title until the loan period is over and the lien will be removed after you pay the entire loan amount. Unless your title has been clarified to include only you, the lender or co-owner, then you will have to clear before you apply. An unencumbered title is fast to approve. Government-Issued ID To identify with the lender, you are required to show a valid photo ID issued by the government, e.g. the driver license, passport or state ID. This measure helps to avoid fraud and make sure that the applicant and the car owner are one. In other instances, when the vehicle is registered in a business, the lender might require the presentation of more documents to confirm the ownership and right to borrow in the business. Registration and Insurance of Vehicles Your car has to be insured and registered under your name. The lender can perform a check of your registration to ensure that the details on the vehicle are similar to your title and ID. Insurance is also very essential as it provides protection to the lender and you in case of any damage or accident in the term of a loan. Some lenders would not grant you with your application unless you are actively insured. Proof of Income Even though there are title lenders who do not at all insist on the verification of income, majority of the responsible ones do. They would want to see that you have a stable income to pay back the loan within the right time. You may submit latest paychecks, financial records or invoices of self-employment. There are also instances where evidence of social benefits, or pension revenue can also suffice. An income demonstration can also increase approval rates and potentially improved conditions. Proof of Residence Most lenders will require evidence on your residence, to confirm your address. It is significant in terms of contacts and adherence to lending standards. You may use latest utility bill, lease agreements or mail where your name and address is listed. In case you have just moved, remember to carry copies of both previous and new locations of residence so as to prevent instances of confusion during the check-in process. Photos or Inspection Report of Vehicles Most lenders insist on pictures or a physical inspection of the vehicle to ensure that it is in good shape. This will assist them in determining the present value of the same in the market and making sure that it is in line with the description you have on your title and registration. Online title loan companies are accepting of online photos rather than on-site. It is important to get the exterior, interior, odometer, and VIN (vehicle identification number) that will be accurate. The title loan application can be expedited in several ways In order to be approved within a short time, make sure that your documents are precise and current. The process can be slowed down by even minor errors, such as typing in an incorrect name or an incorrect address. It is always good to carry original copies and in case, scanned copies can be easily submitted. It is also used in communicating with the lender in advance and requesting them to send their documentation checklist. All lenders are slightly differentiating in accordance with local regulations and company policies. Online pre-application saves time

Construction or redesigning of property may demand urgent and fast funds. The usual take too long as traditional banks are demanding and require strict documentation, a long approval process and a perfect credit score. A hard money lender construction loan is the ideal solution to the developers, investors, and builders that cannot afford delays. It is flexible, quick approvals, and funds specifically aimed at individuals who know the speed of the real estate. A hard money loan is not simply a panacea – it is a strong financing tactic that assists the investor to seize opportunities that others may falter. We shall see how these loans are, to whom they are directed, and what is the reason they have become such a reliable instrument in the building and real estate industry. What is a hard money lender construction loan? A hard money lender construction loan is a short term loan to finance a building or a renovation venture. This kind of financing is offered by the private investors or lending companies as opposed to a traditional loan by the bank. The property is being built or improved under which the loan is secured as opposed to the credit, or income of the borrower. The property itself is in other words the collateral. This enables borrowers who might fail to satisfy the conventional lending requirements to be able to borrow. Real estate investors, flippers and developers are particularly fond of hard money loans, as they require funds urgently to start construction or do the same project that is already in progress. How Does a Hard Money Construction Loan Work? A hard money lender will inspect the property value; especially the amount of money the property is likely to fetch once it has been repaired (ARV). This is the approximate value of the property once after construction or renovation is done. The lender will determine the amount of loan to give out based on this value. To take the example, when you have complete project that is supposed to fetch out $500,000, the lender may fund it at 70 percent of the entire amount, and you receive funds of 350,000. The financing is typically provided through installments, or draws, when each project stage is accomplished. This arrangement would keep the project within the schedule and keep the risk of the lender within the bounds. After completion of the project, you may sell the property or refinance it by taking a standard mortgage repaying the hard money loan. Why Does a Hard Money Lender Be Better than a Bank? Speed is the primary reason why developers and investors get attracted to hard money lenders. Construction loan approval by traditional banks may take weeks or months, whereas, in most cases, a hard money lender will approve and fund a construction loan in just a few days. Moreover, the hard money lenders are more concerned about the future of your project rather than your credit history. This best suits borrowers who may have irregular income, low credit scores or those operating on different projects at the same time. Hard money loans are more accommodative as well. The lenders that operate privately are able to tailor the terms of the loans, flex the rates of repayment and even with some unusual projects which are usually not accepted by the banks. The major Advantages of a Hard Money Construction Loan Hard money loans have a number of benefits to real estate investors and builders: They enable you to get swiftly upon an opportunity which promises a profit. Real estate timing is everything and access to funds instantly can or can break a deal. These loans are secured by property, and hence more of the attention of the process is on the property rather than the credit report or income statement. Flexibility is also another significant advantage. Hard money lenders have the capability of funding residential or commercial real estate projects, land development, or property flops which banks may turn down. They know the real estate markets more and are perhaps more willing to negotiate on the project-specific needs. These mortgages also enable you to borrow on the potential value of a house rather than on its present state. It comes in quite handy when it comes to renovation or fix-and-flip work where property value will increase tremendously as soon as there are improvements. Drawbacks You Should Know Although the benefits are obvious, one should be familiar with the trade-offs. The interest rates charged on hard money construction loans are usually high and may be between 8-14 percent as opposed to normal loans. They also come with reduced repayment periods which are usually 6 to 18 months. Due to these aspects, hard money loans are most suitable in short time projects that are capable of producing quick returns – the flipping of a house or the completion of a build that one intends to sell. In case you need long term funding, then it is better to refinance into a conventional mortgage when the project is complete. Who ought to take a Hard money Construction Loan? Hard money loans are targeting the professionals who know how to deal with real estate time schedules. They suit best developers of small residential properties, investors who are buying and selling properties, or even constructors that require a bridge loan until longer finance sources are secured. They also can be used by buyers who can find incredible offers on distressed or underrated properties. The poor state of the property will be rejected by traditional lenders but hard money lenders will look at its value in the future and will therefore find it easy to borrow funds to renovate it. How to Find a Trustworthy Hard Money Lender? It is important to select the appropriate lender. When seeking a lender, one should always seek someone who has experience in construction financing and who has a good review of their clients. The aspect of transparency is important – enquire on every fee, interest

When you borrow out, you make regular installments. Life is uncertain though. What would happen in case you lose your job, get sick or cannot work? It is in that case that we have debt protection. Debt protection on a loan is a financial safety measure that protects you against the stress of defaulting on a loan in case of any stressful situations. The way this works may assist you in deciding whether or not to add this to your loan contract. How to Protect Your Debt on a Loan? Debt protection, also known as loan protection insurance or payment protection, is a product that is provided by lenders to protect your loan repayments in case you are financially strained. It serves as an insurance net which stops or insures your payments in case you cannot afford to do so in certain reasons as due to loss of employment, disability or death. As an illustration, in case of some unforeseen event such as loss of a job, debt protection can enable you to cover most of the debts or have them deferred after a few months. This will ensure that your loan does not fall into default and spoil your credit rating. Lenders provide this option on credit cards, auto loans, and personal loans in most instances either as an optional add-on or as a condition of the loan. The Debt Protection Process The debt protection is done by charges of a small fee or percentage on your ordinary loan payment. This is the premium which goes to cover the protection plan. Should any qualifying incident arise such as the loss of employment or disability, you can make a claim to your lender. On approval, the lender will stop your pay or make your pay on your behalf within a specified duration. Depending on your plan, the coverage can be as short as you like. There are those policies that cover a few months of protection and those that could cover a year or longer. As soon as you are financially cured, your payments go back to normal. The terms should be properly read since different lenders have different coverage terms. As an example, certain plans are not applicable to resignation but involuntary unemployment or may not cover medical conditions that already exist. Debt Protection Plans Types There are normally three broad categories of debt protection: Job Loss Protection: This is optional coverage that will cover your loan payments when you become unemployed as a result of no fault. Disability Protection: Assistance in case you are unable to work because of sickness or accident. Life Protection: This is a type of insurance that settles up the balance of your loan in case of death during the repayment period. Other lenders offer all these features as a single plan whereas there are those who will only offer you the protection that you require. Advantages of Debt Protection Debt protection does not simply provide a person with a sense of relief but also peace of mind. In case something outside your control hits your earnings, the knowledge that your loan payments will be safe will ensure that you save yourself late fee, punishments and damages to your credit rating. It will come in handy particularly in cases where you have dependents or your financial status is crunchy. As an example, individuals who have mortgages or auto loans will be at an advantage because they will not lose their house or cars in the event of loss of income temporarily. The other advantage is convenience. Majority of the debt protection schemes are simple to start with your lender, without the tedious insurance documents. Drawbacks and Limitations Debt protection is good but not the right option to everybody. The second disadvantage is an extra cost. The monthly payment or the premium may appear negligible though it may accumulate with time. You might not require this supplemental coverage in case you have a good emergency fund, or you have several sources of income. Further, not every claim is accepted. Certain plans are very strict in terms of eligibility. Some voluntary resignation, loss of self-employment, or some medical problems may not qualify, to give an example. It is important to look at your agreement before signing in. Is Debt Protection Worth It? The question of whether it is worth it or not in terms of debt protection is a personal issue. You may not need it, provided that you have savings to pay all of a couple of months of expenses and your job is secure. Nonetheless, in the event of a livelihood that is paycheck to paycheck or where you have dependents that are dependent on your earnings, this coverage can be the most important safety net. Debt protection is the best during the uncertain economic periods or when the financial situation is unpredictable. It is an intelligent alternative to individuals who have big loans like mortgages, car loans or personal loans, and missing on payments can have severe long term consequences. How to Get Debt Protection? Debt protection is usually an option that most banks, credit unions and other financial institutions provide with a new loan. It is also available to request after your loan is in effect. Get the cost and coverage information of various lenders before enrolment. When you already have life or disability insurance, check the coverage that you have- you might already be covered. In other instances, the extension of loan protection may be redundant to similar benefits you may have. Financial planning tools such as The Debt Freedom Advisor or Amortization Calculator on Rich brother Finance can also help you estimate the repayment schedule and know how debt protection might affect your budget monthly. Final Thoughts Debt insurance of a loan is a form of financial secure against the uncertainties in life. It also lets you take responsibility in borrowing because you will be sure that even should some misfortunes befall you, you will not end up destroying

Whenever the debt starts working against one, most individuals seek methods of paying the debt and seek a solution. The debt settlement may seem a nice offer. However, the most frequently asked question by people is: Should I use an attorney to settle the debts? By knowing the work of a debt settlement attorney, the difference between them and the debt relief company, and when it is worth spending money on a lawyer, you will be able to make a wise financial decision. What Does Debt Settlement Attorney do? A debt settlement attorney is an authorized attorney who assists you in negotiating directly with your creditors in order to lower the total amount of debt. They act on your behalf and make sure that whatever agreements you reach on are recorded in a proper way. An attorney knows the financial laws and the behavior of the creditors, unlike a debt settlement company. This may be useful in the event that your account is already in collections or a lawsuit has been filed against you by a creditor. A competent attorney would also save you any harassments, unfair trade or scams that can arise at times when collecting the debt. They deal with communication, prepare settlement letters and make sure that the final agreement is legally binding. Debt Attorney and Debt Settlement Company The debt settlement companies are non-licensed to provide legal advice and they negotiate the settlement of debts at a lower price. They have a tendency of applying the same method to all clients and you are not always the same. A debt attorney on the other hand custom undertakes the process to your financial and legal situations. In case you owe a lot of money or have already been served by the court, it is safer to hire a lawyer. But in the case of smaller credit card bills or short-term loans, negotiating with creditors directly or going through one of the settlement companies of a good reputation may work. When It Makes Sense to Hire an Attorney? To some extent, it is not only helpful but even almost imperative to hire a debt attorney under some circumstances. In case you are sued by a creditor, you are getting wage garnishment notices or are being harassed by collection firms, you may hire a lawyer to defend you in court. They are able to prevent judging or making payment arrangements prior to the development of a lawsuit. The other situation in which a lawyer proves to be useful is facing many creditors or substantial amounts like a business, tax obligation or secured loan. Legal representation: This guarantees that your rights are not violated as a result of a complicated negotiation. What is the Cost of a debt Settlement Attorney? The price to employ an attorney of debt is different based on your state, difficulty of your debt, and the experience of the lawyer. Other lawyers bill by the hour, as others charge per case. Most of the times, it is more costly to hire a lawyer than to hire a debt relief company, but it can result in more savings in the long run, when done right. Before starting, it is necessary to have a written fee arrangement. Another thing you should see to it is that your lawyer is communicative, and his or her expectations are clear and realistic concerning the results of your case. Do Debt Settlement Attorneys Have Risks in Hiring? Although there are fewer risks associated with a company compared to working with an attorney, the latter still has certain dangers. Other lawyers may change excessive initial fees or may promise unrealistic settlements. Never engage any person to represent you without conducting a research about him or her. Make sure that the attorney is a licensed attorney, and has experience in debt or consumer. It is important to remember that even when you use an attorney to settle your debts, it might impact your credit. Creditors also can list settled accounts as paid in full and this may stay on your credit report many years later. Substitutes to Hiring a Debt Attorney You can do other options in case your debt situation is not severe. You can directly call your creditors and request them to lower their interest rates, prolong their payment terms or even hardship programs. The nonprofit credit counseling agencies also assist to devise workable repayment schemes that do not involve any legal action. In Rich Brother Finance, you can also create a personalized repayment plan using the Debt Freedom Advisor or Debt Snowball Spreadsheet as a financial tool. These tools enable you to estimate the time you will take to clear all your debts as well as how to make payments so on to achieve quicker results. Conclusion: Should a Debt Attorney Be Worth It? Debt settlement attorney may not be a waste of money provided that you are being sued or experiencing a complicated debt that needs a professional to negotiate. They are a source of peace of mind since they will do the legal paperwork and ensure the agreements have been well documented. Yet, when your debt is less or you are capable of it, then you can pay it out yourself in organized repayment solutions or monetary guidance. The trick is to evaluate your economic position in a realistic manner. Legal assistance is not a bad idea, and it should be used in line with the debt level, income and repayment targets. No matter which path you decide to take, whether it is an attorney or do it on your own, doing something is what is important to being debt free. FAQs