Despite many best efforts from national and local governments, banks, and other financial support providers, the global economy is struggling in the current recession caused by COVID-19. If you’re seeing the effects of this recession, you are not alone. Unemployment funds provide some support, but for many, that income doesn’t fill every budget need. Those who are finding it difficult to meet monthly debt payments have several options available to them. With the help of Behm Law Group Ltd., you can learn how bankruptcy and other options of debt management in Mankato, MN, are valuable tools you can use to your advantage during times of financial stress.
While filing for bankruptcy may be one of the most legally dramatic options available to you in comparison with many other methods of debt management, it may also be the most effective because it is permanent and binding. Bankruptcy helps thousands of U.S. citizens and businesses recover from moderate to severe debt each year. If you file for bankruptcy, you will either have:
- Your debts discharged in exchange for the liquidation of non-exempt assets, or
- Your debts reorganized into a three to five-year repayment plan suited to your income and providing more favorable payment terms.
Both of these bankruptcy options are effective in their own ways, depending on the situation of the filer. If you aren’t ready to file for bankruptcy, or if it doesn’t make sense for your debts, there are other ways you can manage your debts and find relief. Some common methods include:
Loan modifications
Unlike many other ways of working out debts with your lender, loan modifications are a permanent change to debt terms. If you are able to work out a loan modification with your creditor, there will be one or more requirements altered in your payment plan. Your creditor may allow an interest rate reduction or convert a variable rate to a fixed rate. A creditor might also forbear a portion of the principal amount. This means that amount will be set aside before the monthly payment rate is calculated, which lowers the per-payment rate, but does not reduce the loan total.
Non-bankruptcy repayment plans
If you have been unable to make a debt payment for some time, you may be able to work out a repayment plan with your lender for the delinquent amount you owe. This repayment plan will likely spread the amount you owe from past payments evenly over future payments. Typical repayment plans only span three to six months, however. Lenders very rarely extend payment plans beyond three to six months.
Forbearance agreements
Forbearance agreements are similar to both loan modifications and repayment plans, but they typically occur before you are delinquent on a loan. You can request a reduction or pause on payments for a short time and work out a way to repay the amount you owe from that time.
All these options of debt management in Mankato, MN, are short-term. If the recession continues, and you still cannot meet debt payments, bankruptcy is always an available and permanent option. To learn more about bankruptcy, contact Behm Law Group Ltd. at (507) 387-7200 or stephen@mankatobankruptcy.com.
