I am in the Orlando area. Embarrassing... BUT my credit card company is suing me. I'll try to make this short. I WANT to pay. But, last year - I was on a payment plan to repay. The payment plan ended, and they jacked up my interest rate to 35%. This credit card has a 20,000+ balance. I'm 33 now, had it since I was 18 thru marriage, divorce, etc. I ended up with all the debt accumulated in the marriage in order for him to let me keep the house. Anyway. They raised the rate - I called them & told them I can't afford that. They said since my account was current I was not eligible for another payment plan. I had to wait to be past due. I waited 3 months, then called back - they still would not help me make affordable payments. The interest was like 590 per month alone. I told them I could pay 300 per month - they said "oh just pay what you can" ... But I said ... what's the point of paying 300 per month when that doesn't even cover the interest? They basically said, sorry we can't help you. Through the past year - I have contacted them several times and each time they still say no. So, now they are suing me :( I'm scared. I have NEVER EVER not paid a bill! Even with this credit card in the past 15 years (with the exception of the last year) I have maybe been late 2 times. All of my other bills are paid on time every month. I feel like I'm stuck. So, I got served on Saturday & have 20 days to file a response with the courts. I called my family law attorney yesterday and he was supposed to call me back, hopefully to give me some advice and maybe to refer someone to help me. I'm hoping he calls me today. But in the meantime - do any of you have an attorney that specializes in this type of thing? I'm so embarrased and I want to pay. I just can't afford almost 900$ per month. Please help.
Do not ignore it. If you don't show - then they will win a judgment against you and you will get your paychecks garnished.
I don't live in FL so I can't recommend an attorney - what I do recommend is for you to call the court house and ask for a referral or referrals.
Contact a consumer credit card counciling services (CCCS), they will help negotiate your monthly payments to them based on your income. It will mark your credit "slow" but it's better than the alternative and you won't need a lawyer. Since they are non-profit, they only charge a small administrative fee for helping.
Go to avvo.com, that might help you find an attorney or at least get some answers from people in similar situations.
Good luck!
I would consult a bankruptcy lawyer. Even if you don't go that route in filing for bankruptcy, they can advise you and possibly help you with handling your creditor that appears to not even want to work with you. Some creditors are real buttholes! Once you get a lawyer on your side, the creditor will be more willing to work with you. Some lawyers have a one time free consultation. Hope you can get this resolved. I think most creditors are pocket gougers.
Call Clark Howard or go to his website. He gives excellent advice in matters such as this.
google Legal Aid for your area.
1) They can discuss bankruptcy options (it not as easy as it used to be, and given the info you provided I'm not sure you would qualify).
2) How ya gonna pay the lawyer?
