Illinois Attorneys Compare Personal Bankruptcy and Credit Counseling

 
By Money Maven on May 19, 2009 11:51 AM

Chicago and Atlanta Bankruptcy Attorney Rob Semrad on Credit Counseling
Remember the old adage, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is?" If we could just keep that in mind, credit counseling companies would probably go out of business - and folks wouldn't fall victim to any more scams trying to eliminate debt.

You've probably heard of credit counseling companies that claim to repair your credit, right? Well, some people aren't sure what the difference is between credit counselors and bankruptcy attorneys such as our professional lawyers in Chicago and Atlanta. To simplify, credit counseling isn't guaranteed to work; bankruptcy is.

Let me explain. First of all, credit can't be "fixed" by going to a few counseling sessions, as counselors promise. The only way to improve your credit is to pay off your debt, have it forgiven or reach some compromise between the two- and then wait for time to do the repair work. This can be achieved through a bankruptcy plan.

Second, credit counselors charge (heavily) for their services. In addition to an upfront fee, they also require monthly payments. And while you're paying them, they're also being paid by someone else - you'll see what I mean when you check out our video. Despite forking out hundreds - sometimes thousands - of dollars, there's no guarantee the services will improve your debt. In fact, many people come to us after credit counselors have left them in a deeper hole than they began with. The truth is, credit counseling is just negotiation - there's no guarantee creditors will accept a plan (or that they won't sue you later). Bankruptcy, on the other hand, is action. It's your legal right as an American citizen as stated in the U.S. Constitution.

Now, I'm not saying that bankruptcy is an overnight cure for debt - you're still expected to pay it off. But you'll do so with lowered payments and legal protection. And at DebtStoppers, we'll answer your questions and provide information upfront - and at no cost. It's not our job to make decisions for you - that's your territory. What we can do is show you your options so you can make the right choice (to get started, just sign up for our free one-on-one debt analysis). If you do decide that bankruptcy is your best plan, our professional bankruptcy attorneys are here to guide you through the process. Unlike with credit counseling scams, our services have a clear end result - freedom from debt. And if you can achieve and maintain a debt-free life, your credit will take care of itself.