Saturday, March 31, 2010

Repossession 101

Whenever you purchase a vehicle or obtain a secured loan, you will sign a contract with the creditor. Normally, there is a clause within this agreement which addresses repossession in the event of the debtor’s default. Repossession is determined by this signed contract and applicable state law.

When people talk about repossession, they normally do so in the context of auto repossession. However, repossession can occur with items other than just a vehicle. Repossession can occur with any secured item. What does this mean? Well, when you use an item as collateral, or security, toward the payment of a loan, the loan is then classified as a secured loan. Whenever there is a secured loan and the debtor defaults on his payments (even one missed payment may be enough to get the process rolling), the item can be repossessed.

Items which can be repossessed include, but are not limited to, your home (this process is usually referred to as foreclosure), vehicles, rent-to-own items, and any collateralized item. On the flip side, items which cannot be repossessed include, but are not limited to, credit card purchases, property which has not been collateralized, and secured property which is the subject of an unenforceable contract.

In addition, it is important to note that in many states a repossession can take place without your knowledge and can happen at any time or place. With regard to vehicles, in some states, creditors are legally permitted on your property to seize your vehicle. They do not have to obtain your prior consent! In other words, your creditor may not have to give you notice that the repossession will be taking place. You may walk out one morning and find that you will be walking to work that day!

The one silver lining in all of this is that normally a creditor may not “breach the peace.” What does this mean? Well, it means that when attempting to repossess your property, the creditor may not use violence or threatening behavior to take control of your property. For instance, in many states, a creditor is legally restrained from entering a closed garage to obtain possession of your car.

If you have an item repossessed, your creditor will sell the item, either publicly or privately, for what it can obtain in a “commercially reasonable manner.” You may think this is the last of your troubles; however, you need to reconsider that thought. If your creditor does not obtain the full amount you owe from the sale of the item, you may be responsible for making up the difference, or the deficiency. For instance, let’s say, you purchased a vehicle a while back and, when the vehicle was repossessed, you still owed $5,000 toward the loan. The creditor then took your vehicle, placed it for sale, and was able to sell it for $4,000. You may still be liable for the $1,000 remaining on the loan. To add insult to injury, you will likely be liable for the creditor’s repossession fees as well, such as towing, storage, preparation for sale, etc.

Some creditors will request a “voluntary repossession.” As the term implies, this is where you would voluntarily hand over the item in question to your creditor. There is one benefit to a voluntary repossession, the only one that I can see. The benefit of a voluntary repossession is that you should not have to pay any repossession fees. Just as with an involuntary repossession, you will still be liable for the debt remaining on the repossessed property and you will still have a repossession entry on your credit report. If you think you might want to take advantage of a voluntary repossession, it is wise to negotiate an agreement with the creditor to not report the repossession on your credit report. Be sure to obtain this promise in writing!

If your creditor repossesses an item and some of your personal property remained in the item repossessed, your creditor is normally responsible for the safety of the personal property. State laws normally require that your creditor use reasonable care to prevent someone from taking the personal property and/or for preventing damage to the personal property.

You should consider negotiating a resolution of the matter with your creditor. This is normally in your best interest and can be the least expensive solution for you. Creditors are typically willing to discuss a revision to your payment plan as well as settlement of the debt for a lesser amount, provided you have a lump sum amount you can offer.

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Maintaining Credit Card

A woman purchased a set of furniture in a large store. She gave the salesperson cash but never received the goods: The “salesperson”, it appeared, was a bogus one, not an identifiable employee of the store at all. Even though the customer never got a receipt for her money, even though the records of the store showed no entry for her deposit, the court ruled that the store was entirely responsible:

“Certainly the proprietor’s duty of care and precaution for the safety and security of the customer encompasses more than the diligent observation and removal of banana peels from the aisles…the duty of the proprietor also encircles the exercise of reasonable care and vigilance to protect the customer from losses occasioned by the deception of an apparent salesman.”

The principle involved here should interest you. A crook who preys upon customers from your premises is your responsibility: Suppose he’s an employee of yours? Obviously you are in trouble then. Suppose he is an employee preying not only on customers but upon your other employees, as well as upon you. The ramifications are endless. One thing is clear, It is you who will pay, whether it be damages, losses, court costs, or what not. You simply cannot afford to be so careless as to allow a thief to operate on your premises in any way. Now, that should make you think of the many different.

Ways in which you can lose through the depredations of a crook in your midst, aside from the supposedly easy calculation of what he has taken. There are numerous other side-losses which can occur, such as the expense of investigating and proving the loss, the loss or destruction of records (How that can cost you time and money and snarl things up), the loss of at least the one key employee and possibly others in the ensuing recriminations.

Other losses: the possible straying of other honest employees by example, the cost of hiring and training replacements, the loss of business by time lost on customers plus possible customer involvement in unpleasantness, bad publicity and prestige loss, general lowering of morale among the whole staff, particularly dangerous when unwarranted suspicion is forced upon honest employees, possible bankruptcy or at least loss of necessary funds which in turn can lead to a whole list of losses.

When hiring employees many companies now pull a credit report. Do you know what is in yours? If you do not manage your finances well, how does reflect on your potential employment? Pulling your credit report yearly and managing your personal finances play a big part in the way people view your personal character.

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How Bad is your Debt Problem?

Many of us complain from time to time about our finances. We complain that we cannot afford the luxuries that we would like or that something coming up is costing us too much… perhaps our bills have gone up and we are finding ourselves with less and less disposable income. To find yourself in a position where your finances feel a little tight is nothing new.

But what if it goes further than that and you find yourself in a position where you can’t pay your monthly expenses? What if you can’t afford to pay your bills? What if you can’t afford your loan, mortgage or credit card repayments? Is this indicative of a serious debt problem?

Of course it might do. However, you should try to avoid getting yourself worked up until you have actually assessed whether or not there even is a problem! Assessing your debt problem requires nothing more advanced than a scrap of paper and a pen.

You need to sit down and write down absolutely everything you earn each month. Include everything that is income, your wages, any benefits you might receive where applicable, any second income from side jobs and anything else at all. Then write down essential expenses. It is critical here that you really do only include the essentials - a new pair of shoes doesn’t count! Include your mortgage, any bills and a BASIC grocery shop within this.

Now take a look at the figures. If your expenses are higher than your income then you potentially have something of a problem. But that doesn’t mean you should enter automatic panic mode. Instead, calmly assess whether or not the situation is resolvable or even whether it is likely to be long term. It might just be a short term thing if, for example, you have reduced working hours for a couple of months. Basically, if you know it will only be a short term thing you could try personally approaching your creditors to enquire about something of a payment break until the situation is resolved. If, on the other hand, it is looking more like an ongoing issue, you would be better advised to seek a professional solution.

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New Credit Card Rules Come With Extra Warnings

On February 22, 2010 the new regulations of the Credit Card Act of 2009 went into effect. Most of the new rules are a benefit for consumers as no longer will the credit card companies be able to increase interest rates on existing balances, modify payment due dates and other questionable practices that were normal in the past. However, customers need to be especially watchful now about extra fees that could concern them because profits are down for the credit card banks in part due to the new regulations and also due to the lingering recession that is causing people to rely more on cash and less on credit.

Right now the credit card companies are implementing some new creative measures to defend their profits. Unsuspicious customers need to be wary of new, supplementary fees that may be tacked onto their credit card bill.

Many existing credit card accounts are now being hit with an annual fee. In the past, most annual fees were kept for the high-end reward cards so most cards did not include this fee. Annual fees add considerable costs to the price of credit regardless of how often or how much a user charges on their card. Users have the choice of putting in an application for a new card without an annual fee and canceling their old card but if they do that their credit score will take a hit.

Under the new regulations, the credit card banks must notify the customer of any changes to the credit card at least 45 days in advance. Users need to be aware of how critical it is to read all communication from the credit card companies as the notifications could be bundled in with the monthly statement or mailed in an envelope that resembles a solicitation or is unremarkable and easy to ignore. Read all information from your credit card companies very warily.

The credit card companies may also start charging higher interchange fees. Interchange fees are the fees charged to merchants whenever a customer pays with a credit card. Merchants often must pass on those increased costs to consumers in order to protect their own businesses. Higher interchange fees could result in increased prices.

The new regulations will not permit college students to acquire a credit card without a co-signor or the evidence of their capacity to pay. The credit card banks are limiting their risk by reserving the option to keep the co-signor on the account until long after the college student has turned 21 and should be responsible on their own. Therefore, co-signors need to aware of the extent and duration of their own legal responsibility when they co-sign for another.

Credit card businesses can no longer increase the rates on existing balances however, many increased rates previous to the rules taking effect and offered consumers interest rate rebates for paying on time or making a particular amount of new charges every month. These interest rate rebates are an artificial savings and smart consumers will avoid these tricks by paying off the balance every month.

Many of the credit card companies inequitable practices of the past have been eliminated by the credit card act so long as the credit card issuers are seeing waning profits patrons can expect to see new tactics put forth that will cost them more.

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Debt Settlement- A debt free solution

Are you in knee deep debt? Can’t pay the bills and you try to avoid collection calls and ends up bankruptcy filing? Have you heard about debt settlement? Then you might consider debt settlement. It’s an efficient, simple means to cut down your debts and designate all your obligations to third party, possibly, debt settlement company. Although, as consumer, there’s lots of possible settlement advice available on websites. Another is you can opt hiring a lawyer in your behalf or choose debt settlement companies.

Debt settlement, debt negotiation or debt arbitration, whatever you may call it, is a collective agreement related to a creditor and debtor to reduced the balance that is considered as full payment . If there’s a termination in the negotiation of payments, the debtor set up the lowest possible monthly payments in a specified period of time meant for creditors.

As a consumer you can make your own settlements through advices available on websites, or hire a lawyer to act on your behalf or use the debt settlement companies. Some debt settlement companies ask you to pay a large amount of fees whereas others deduct a monthly fee from your bank accounts in exchange of the offered services. All you got to remember is to always go for debt settlement companies that charge only after a settlement is made.

A debt settlement firms negotiates on borrower’s behalf to lessen the debt amount when payment is made on regular monthly basis .The participation of a debt settlement negotiator here is merely the main reason for the negotiations to succeed for they believed that they will get the reimbursement of their money from the borrower at the earliest possible time. Student loans, auto financing and mortgages are not included under this category. Merely credit card debts are classified here.

For these reasons, debt settlement companies extend its credit repair facilities to assure continuance in the credit report in your behalf. Thus, debt settlement major pull back is when the deleted parcel of debt is counted as taxable income or an IRS Form 982. In addition, while the debt settlement company approach bears your concern, a do-it-yourself debt settlement is the most inexpensive compared to professional assistance of a third party.

While debt settlement has its benefits, it has cons too. A debt settlement company does not pay on debtor’s behalf so they still remain in default. A creditor can file a lawsuit whenever he wants. The debt settlement completely destroys your credit report. Although it comes back up after a period of time, it is still an initial setback .For this reason debt settlement companies offer credit repair facilities to ensure maintainability on the credit report on debtor’s behalf. Another major drawback to debt settlement is that the canceled portion of the debt is considered as a taxable income. (IRS Publication Form 982).

Simply make a point you interpret how the procedure works and talk terms in the best potential way. If you’re determined, they’ll act on negotiation with positive duration of your credit report. Now, more debt settlement company are aiming in that concern, to render debt settlement defend to any consumers, with respect to uphold positive credit report likewise high percent cutoffs of amount debt, that is, when pertains to the issue of bankruptcy, debt settlement is simply the solution and it’s better to avoid bankruptcy since it destroys your credit account and doesn’t help all your dues to write-off.

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What To Know About Bankruptcy In Massachusetts

Taking a look at bankruptcy in Massachusetts invariably becomes necessary whenever a person — regardless of the broader economic environment — has hit a point in his or her financial life where bankruptcy may be the only option. It just happens that times are tougher than usual lately, so knowing what bankruptcy’s about, either in the Bay State or elsewhere, could be important.

In 2005, the federal laws governing bankruptcy across the nation were revised in certain ways. Each state also has exemptions on the books that help to deal with differences in a state’s laws and Massachusetts is no different. Congress passed a series of changes to bankruptcy procedures (25 of them, to be exact), so keep that in mind when considering bankruptcy as an option to deal with financial ills.

Bay State residents can expect several different exemptions that revolve around the exclusion of certain property, for the most part. It’s hard to put down exactly when might be the right time to file for bankruptcy, just as there are no definites when it comes to what can be included and what can be excluded from a filing. As was said, there are many different reasons for why people file, with home foreclosure and job loss be two of the biggest ones.

Whatever the reason, there are also two different types of bankruptcy a Bay State resident can file for, depending on specific circumstances; Chapter 7 (straight bankruptcy) and Chapter 13 (”Wage Earner Bankruptcy”). Which type of bankruptcy that will selected, as was said, depends on just what it is the filer is trying to accomplish, in accordance with the 2005 changes to the federal bankruptcy law.

Chapter 7 is the most popular (if that’s the word to use) form of bankruptcy that most people file for when they’re looking for a fresh start or a clean slate. Today, this form of bankruptcy will require a means test and a hearing to determine if the petitioner meets the criteria for Chapter 7. Once it’s approved, all but exempt assets will be sold off and then creditors paid off. Chapter 13 is a reorganization and then a set payment schedule.

All bankruptcy in Massachusetts procedures have their genesis with the filing of an official bankruptcy petition to the federal bankruptcy court. A statement of financial affairs is provided to the court along with a schedule of actions to be taken in order to proceed. There’s a $299 filing fee for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which is the most common form. It’s probably best to take on an experienced bankruptcy lawyer before proceeding, though.

Understanding the issue of filing for bankruptcy in Massachusetts can be scary. It’s critical that you have confidence in your decision making and a qualified bankruptcy law firm MA can help guide you down the right path.

Keep Your Eye On The Bottom Line

Business must always look at the bottom line. This applies not only to income but also making sure the business runs smoothly but that sales are reported accurately along with minimize loss through theft or waste. Below are some items a business can keep and eye on to keep things on track.

Sales Slips

Should be serially pre-numbered in book. Receipts should be obtained from each sales person and an audit of the numerical sequence made weekly. Unnumbered sales slips are frequently used to give customers receipts for cash sales which are never entered on the records.

Cash Collections

Should be carefully supervised. Pre-numbered duplicate receipt books should be used and the numbers audited. Invoices and statements should carry a printed message to the customer telling him to look for a signed company receipt on all payments. Receipt books should be audited weekly or more often with extra attention to numerical sequence or alterations on duplicates.

Accounts Receivable

Monthly statements should not be routed to customers via the collectors. They should be mailed independently so as to cover any discrepancies between collections and records of same. All customer accounts should be periodically confirmed via either mail or direct contact. This stops collusion between collectors and the employee who posts accounts receivable. All receipts should be turned in for deposit daily. Duplicate copies of deposit slips should be certified by the bank teller and mailed by the bank to the employee who reconciles the bank accounts.

Disbursements

When possible, they should be made by pre-numbered check rather than cash. In addition to providing a safeguard this reduces the amount of cash on hand at any time.

Petty Cash

Should contain a fixed amount calculated to cover one week, replenished if and when necessary by the exact amount required for disbursement. Your petty thief will often start his career by “borrowing” in a small way from petty cash. Therefore approved vouchers should be required for all expenditures with amounts written out in ink or type to verify the numerals, a safeguard against “kiting.” When reimbursed they should be canceled by a “paid” stamp. Audits of the petty cash fund should be made at irregular intervals as a surprise, the oftener the better.

Reconciling Bank Accounts

This should be completed promptly by an employee other than the one who prepares the deposits or signs the checks. Delay in the reconciling can cover, temporarily, fraud, forgery, or alteration by your employees or the bank.

Physical Inventory

If taken quarterly or semiannually, better than annually. Should include spot check of packed boxes, bins, cases, etc. Valuable goods easily pocketed should be kept under lock and key. Losses through pilferage or error are common and worth trying to stop by supervision. Regular inventory control can disclose shortages due to theft or inaccurate accounting.

Scrap and Waste

Unusual variations in disposal should be noted. Sales of scrap and waste to junk dealers can be profitable to the dishonest seller and the buyer if control is not adequate. Old inventory can be sold on eBay at times for company profit. Monitor employees who handle online sales.

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Stop Drowning in Debt

If you are overloaded with debt and can’t answer your phone because of collectors calling, then perhaps a bankruptcy case is a good option. Congress did not want our citizens to be overloaded with debt just because they’d made financial mistakes. As a result, Congress created the Bankruptcy System. It is designed to give good people a chance to re-set their financial lives.

As the economy worsens the number of bankruptcy filings is rising. The Los Angeles Times reported that in year 2009, there were around 1,446,000 Bankruptcy. In January 2010, there were 102,600 total bankruptcy filings and the number of people filing bankruptcy continues to grow. Experienced Bankruptcy Attorney Dan Scott says that there are 3 Myths aboutBankruptcy that should be dispelled.

There are 3 Myths about Bankruptcy That Must be Dispelled

Myth 1: Filing bankruptcy can be pricey. Of course when you file a bankruptcy case you will have to pay court costs a legal fee to your attorney’, and perhaps other miscellaneous fees. The cost will depend on your case or situation. However, when compared with the benefit you will receive (relief from owing all or most of your debts) the cost is minimal. You’ll hear some folks say that the money you spend for a bankruptcy likely could be used up bringing past-due accounts, or making the payment arrangements. However, the truth is that if you couldn’t make the payments in the past, it is unlikely you will be able to make them in the future.

Myth 2: You may lose your property in a bankruptcy: Obviously if you have a car or house that has a lien or mortgage, you’ve got to address that lien or mortgage in your bankruptcy case. Usually a deal can be structured inside your bankruptcy case where you can keep making the payments and keep the property. Bankruptcy Attorney Dan Scott, in his video series found at http://www.danwillhelp.com, reveals that in most circumstances you will be able to use your exemptions to keep property that is not encumbered by a lien. Exemptions are simply a procedure established by Congress to allow you to keep property in a bankruptcy case. Don’t think for a minute that you’ll be able to keep property on which a lien has been granted unless you can make the payments.

Myth 3: Not all your debt can be discharged. This is not exactly a “myth” but it is often over stated. Most of the debt individuals have WILL be discharged in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. (For the difference between a Chapter 7 and a Chapter 13 check out the video at http://www.danwillhelp.com.) Unsecured debts such as credit cards and signature loans are dischargeable. However, if you have student loans, back child support, certain taxes debt, claims arising from fraud or a DUI will not be discharged. Yourbankruptcy lawyer can give you more guidance on this.

These are tough times. Every where you turn folks are facing financial challenges. You may want to take a look at the video series published by experienced bankruptcy lawyer Dan Scott at http://www.danwillhelp.com. There’s simply no need to avoid bankruptcy just because of uncertainty.

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Character - The Most Vital Step In A Business

Character and reference checks on each employee the first and certainly one of the most vital steps a business can take, this also includes people and companies that will be doing work at your home. Once you let a crook into your place they are probably going to be able to get through any of your other defenses.

If he is a real professional he can break you in a short time, possibly acting as a confederate of a gang. Your background and credit check is paramount. If possible, records of employment for 10 or more years should be reviewed, checked. Are there gaps in the record? Why? Do they hide prison sentences? Financial difficulties in a previous job? Who knows this person for how long? Does he live within the kind of income you intend to pay him without needing more? Is his bank account constantly overdrawn ? It is true that you cannot always tell the potential thief from his record.

Chief source of loss is from the trusted person with a hitherto-unblemished record, which indicates honesty up to a point. The point, however, may be reached when the need for more money overcomes resistance to temptation.

Payrolls can be padded in many ways. Timekeeping records are easy to manipulate. Company expense reports can be exaggerated. It is not that difficult to carry a fictitious employee on the payroll. If the same person who prepares the payroll does the actual paying there is always possibility of fraud either independently or with others. There should be checks and balances including an independent check on the preparation and payment. New names should never be added without authorization. Accurate timekeeping and supervision is important. A payroll supervisor or manager should have custody of funds only during actual paying-off time.

Purchase Orders should be serially pre-numbered and triplicated in different colors to make identification easier if done by hand. If done on computer systems should be put in place to verify purchases. Unnumbered purchase orders invite false purchases. Blanks should not be left around.

Tracking the flow of money throughout a business and personal household finance is important step in making sure money spent is used where it should be spent.

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The Importance Of Debt Consolidation

People consolidate debt for many different reasons. Sometimes they want to lower their interest rates or just want a new loan to pay off a number of other loans. Either way, when consolidating debt, you now have one loan instead of many.

It can be hard to secure a new loan on one of your assets if you are already using that as collateral. A house is a good very example of this. As you probably know, when you take out a mortgage, your house is the collateral. Having this collateral helps the lender feel safer about loaning you the money. They know that if you default on your loan, they can take your collateral, such as your house, and sell it to get their money back. This makes your loan less risky, and in turn lowers your interest rate.

When you consolidate your debt, it doesn’t address what the root of problems is. Depending on the circumstances, snowballing might be the better solution.

Debt consolidation can be a great way for someone who has a lot of debt to get on track with repayments. Credit cards usually have very high interest rates, much higher than a secured loan like a mortgage. Offering collateral can help you get a secured loan with interest rates that are substantially lower than the rates on your credit cards. A lower interest rate can help you pay off your creditors much more quickly.

When you choose a debt consolidation program, you need to remember that it’s a debt repayment programs. When you enroll in a debt consolidation company, they will negotiate with your creditors for some lower interest rate and may even eliminate any late fee that you have encounter.

Today, there are multiple options to consolidating one’s debt. Credit counseling programs, debt settlements, debt consolidation loans, bankruptcy may all sound confusing sometimes. Therefore, it is advisable to check on financial position before making decisions for debt consolidation. Debt consolidation programs are debt repayment programs. The debt consolidation companies consolidate the unsecured debts to facilitating student and personal loans. Once you enroll into a program companies negotiate with the creditors on your behalf for lower interest rates possibly eliminating the late fees. In exchange you are supposed to pay a lump sum monthly payment which is dispersed to the creditors.

Debt consolidation loans are disguised equity loans. You unsecured debts are paid back with the equity that is built up in your current home. These loans will take all of your unsecured debt and turn into secure debt that’s backed up by your house. If you happens to fall behind and can’t pay back your loans, you could loose all of your property.

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