Illinois consumer law and bankruptcy lawyer Penny Bach often has to step in when clients in Boone County find themselves trapped between debts, creditors, and consumer abuse.
Debt is frightening and stressful enough on its own. But it rarely comes alone. From threatening creditor calls to the deceptions that landed you deep in debt in the first place, it can often feel like you are alone and up against the worst the world has to offer.
Fortunately, you have rights and options, even if you are not aware of them, both with regard to your debts and the nefarious practices of those who take advantage of you as a consumer. In Boone County, Illinois, attorney Penny Bach works tirelessly to help consumers struggling with debt as a bankruptcy lawyer, while also representing some of the same clients in consumer law litigation.
This is because debt, consumer protection, and bankruptcy are also closely connected in a number of different ways, sometimes in vicious cycles that only make getting out feel more difficult. But that also means that the intervention of a skilled consumer protection lawyer may be all that is required to get out from under both.
Bankruptcy can be the ultimate solution to many folks’ debt problems in Boone County. Chapter 11 bankruptcies can help businesses (even small businesses under subchapter V), while Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 help individuals and families get out from under crushing medical, credit card, or other unsecured debts.
In theory, a bankruptcy will also stop creditor harassment, prevent or delay garnishments or foreclosures, and solve many of the other problems that deep debt can bring. In practice, however, it is not always effective at this, depending on when you start the procedure and the willingness of creditors to behave and follow the law.
More importantly, perhaps, as consumer law lawyer Penny Bach regularly has to remind some clients, bankruptcy may not be available or even optimal for everyone’s situation. Fortunately, it is not the only tool in your toolbox, or hers, and many specific debtor problems (including many that feed into or result in deep debt) can be targeted with other measures, lawsuits or claims.
As you will soon learn, consumer law protections and bankruptcy are closely linked. In part, because they both represent legal protections for individuals against large corporations and institutions. But also because:
Bankruptcy also doesn't solve the source of your debt problems, and sometimes those sources are far from benign, and more than just misfortune. When you find yourself neck-deep in debt because you were tricked or misled into agreeing to additional charges, debts, or costs that you are then unable to pay. For example, this can occur when signing up for a mortgage or when refinancing your home. Others might end up struggling with debt because of credit card companies' predatory and sometimes even illegal behavior. In either case, prompt legal action with the help of a consumer law attorney may be able to get those debts taken care of, or even compensated, before bankruptcy is even required.
Few families in Boone County realize it, but several federal and Illinois laws exist to prevent harassment by people whom you owe money to (creditors). Both the original company or institution you owe money to, and any third party that buys that debt to try and come after you, have to abide by these rules and restrictions, which become even more strict during bankruptcy.
For example, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prevents creditors from deceiving, harassing, or illegally obtaining and/or sharing your personal information. You might have grounds for a claim against them if a creditor has:
If you feel you may have been the victim of such behavior, contact a consumer law lawyer as you might have grounds to sue, and certainly can use our help to stop them.
Recovering from deep debt or bankruptcy takes time, especially when it comes to your credit score. While it probably won't take the full ten years after a bankruptcy to recover (and might even improve faster than without the bankruptcy), the process can be significantly slowed by errors or by credit reporting agencies' misbehavior.
Folks in Boone County with a debt or bankruptcy on their record are particularly vulnerable to credit errors, which can affect your ability to borrow or the rates at which you can. Alternatively, having a credit agency send your information to employers, for example, can cause real harm to your career.
If you are suffering from false information on your report, or negative elements are being kept over 7 years, or you have lost job opportunities because of a credit mistake, a consumer rights lawyer can help you hold them accountable and demand compensation.
Bach Law Offices, Inc | Protecting consumers and debtors in Boone County and throughout Illinois.
When the odds feel stacked against you, debts are closing in, creditors are harassing you, or you are being taken advantage of or ignored by a big corporation, we can help. You deserve to have someone on your side, ready to help you save your business and protect your rights.
As your consumer law attorney in Boone County, we can help you handle a bankruptcy or its aftermath, help you tackle debt or fake debts on your credit report. Just reach out to our team online to schedule a consultation or call (847) 440-5998 today.
