Hi I recently married a man with amazingly bad credit. He started on the credit path too early, and gave up trying to keep it decent --years ago. He has had at least 2 repos, multiple judgments and has a couple writs of garnishments on his wages (which will likely never be paid because of a regular Michigan child support garnishment) I also started early and made quite a few mistakes...but then cleaned up my act and had fairly decent credit... until lately. <sigh> We got married and had a baby...then H was diagnosed with epilepsy and wasn't allowed to work for about 6 months...then went back to work...endured a few lay offs.. but is back to work now. Anyway, long story short... Things are getting worse for me credit-wise, and are VERY bad for him. I am not exactly sure of either of our scores, I know he is sub500 (but not by much) and I am hovering somewhere just under 600 I have ordered our credit reports from all three CRAs -- by mail. I have been reading lots of different credit boards for a few months. (maybe too many boards, for too long, with out asking questions) I have MANY questions. But I will start out with just a few. 1) Is there ANY way to get a credit monitoring service or combined CR thingy...with OUT using a credit card? Or is it just best to do the real time paper reports. 2)Because of all that is wrong with my husbands reports, he wants to file bankruptcy. I know that it wont be the end of the world if he does, but if we can avoid it - I would rather. Is there ANY objective place I can go, or person I can speak to (once we get the reports) to get a better (more knowledge) opinion? 3) With all of the differing opinions and options out there (BillB/Hibbs/validation/ etc.) how does one wade through all of this sanely? Thanks in advance. Peri
But when you have one group of people saying that validation/dispute works, and another saying its borderline illegal and that you should sue everyone..and another saying ignore CAs don't deal with them at all (cease-comm), and then someone comes back and says that yes, you do have to deal with them. How do you know what to do? Maybe I just need to stick to one board, and only one board. LOL Also, if it turns out that my husband does need to file bankruptcy, is it just best for me to file with him and get it over with? Or is it best (if my report can be cleaned up over time) to deal with them seperately? Bankruptcies are ususally discharged in 6 months. I have asked my husband to let me see what I could get done in 6 months on my own..and if it seems worth it to not file - then don't. he wants very badly to buy a house - he does not care about interest at this point -- as he believes we can refinance later.. and was told by the mortgage dude -- that he would be able to help him get a house AFTER his report went over 500... and filing bankruptcy would do that ...so he is pretty anxious to file.
1*But when you have one group of people saying that validation/dispute works, and another saying its borderline illegal and that you should sue everyone..and another saying ignore CAs don't deal with them at all (cease-comm), and then someone comes back and says that yes, you do have to deal with them. How do you know what to do? Maybe I just need to stick to one board, and only one board. LOL 2*Also, if it turns out that my husband does need to file bankruptcy, is it just best for me to file with him and get it over with? Or is it best (if my report can be cleaned up over time) to deal with them seperately? he wants very badly to buy a house - he does not care about interest at this point -- 3* he believes we can refinance later.. 4*was told by the mortgage dude -- that he would be able to help him get a house AFTER his report went over 500... and filing bankruptcy would do that ... 5*so he is pretty anxious to file. Peri ================== 1*There are boards giving out wrong bad advice this is not one of them. Sounds like you've visited Yahoo and MSN 2*Why let his credit drag yours down with it. BK should not be considered unless all other means have been explored and exhausted 3* If you can't finance now without a BK how you gonna do it after you add a BK derog to your reports? 4*but is it so? 5*but could regret it later.
PS New Member Must Reads.--------------------------- http://consumers.creditnet.com/straighttalk/board/showthread.php?s=&postid=350770#post350770 http://consumers.creditnet.com/straighttalk/board/showthread.php?s=&postid=314910#post314910 http://consumers.creditnet.com/straighttalk/board/showthread.php?s=&postid=352826#post352826
Motley Fool is another board giving out bad advice. THE END ** *** ** LB 59 """"```--~~~~~~~~~--```'""'''
Can you get a Visa debit card for your checking account? If not, no worries. Once you start disputing, you will be getting updated reports. Here is good Research, research, research. Become intimately familiar with the FDCPA, FCRA, and your state's debt collection laws. Know the statute of limitations for your state. When you get differing opinions, research, and ultimately you may have to just make a personal choice for your particular circumstances. You've done the first step right by ordering your reports. Once you get them, things will be a lot clearer. Good luck, and welcome to the board!
