No one plans to go into debt, but anyone can find themselves facing mounting bills and poor credit. A divorce, job loss, sudden turn in the economy, illness or injury can all affect your personal and family finances. After a few months, it may seem impossible to dig out of the debt.

As an experienced and compassionate bankruptcy attorney, I know how devastating it is to deal with mounting bills and deep debt. I also understand what a toll the calls and letters and even unexpected visits from creditors can take on your spirit.

I want you to know that there are steps you can take to stop this harassment. Here are five proven ways to minimize, and in some cases eliminate, the calls and letters from creditors.

1. When they call you, record the call. You can either tell the creditor you are recording the call and use your phone or a recording device to record the call. Or you can take detailed notes. Whenever possible, it is advisable to do both. Write down:
   1. The debt collector’s full name
   2. The date and time of call
   3. The exact amount you owe
   4. Exactly how many days your bill is past due
2. Do not implicate yourself: Never admit to the collector that you made charges or purchase or that you owe money. You do not want to get further into debt by agreeing to an arrangement that is not viable or only gets you deeper into debt.
3. Never share personal or financial information: You do not need to tell a collector where you work, what you earn or how much you can afford to pay. This is none of their business. You are not legally required to provide this.
4. Say goodbye. You don’t have to talk to a collector at all, especially if you feel threatened or that you are being manipulated or yelled at.
5. Formulate a plan. Assess your situation, how much you owe, which debts to pay first and what income you have coming in. There are many myths about bankruptcy out there. It may serve you well to talk to a legal professional about your situation.

At Richoux Law Firm, I offer a flat fee so that you know right upfront how much my services and representation will cost. Your one-time fee covers all court costs, credit reports, the pre-filing credit course, all attorney’s fees and also the post-filing credit course – there are no hidden costs involved.

Not sure if you should file or not? Know that a bankruptcy filing will stop debt collectors from contacting you. Depending on whether you file a Chapter 7 personal “liquidation” bankruptcy, a Chapter 13 payback bankruptcy or Chapter 11 business reorganization, bankruptcy can discharge some or all of your debts. Call me at 337-205-7049 or send me an email.

Meet with a legal professional to learn more about the pros and cons of bankruptcy. Once you understand the benefits and what your rights are, you will be able to make decisions that improve your financial future.