by Ethan Dunn
For New Pittsburgh Courier
(Michigan Chronicle)—The word debt is uncomfortable, and it sometimes comes with the idea that you have done something wrong (you haven’t), or that you are irresponsible (you aren’t). Some financial planners are estimating that the average 50-year-old American is well over $100,000 in debt.
Debt, on its own, is not a problem. Debt becomes an issue when you are one unplanned event away from not being able to make a payment. If your livelihood is solely dependent on your paycheck and you are spending your paycheck the second it comes in, what happens if you lose your job?
Let’s look at some common forms of debt to better understand when they can become unmanageable.
Household debt
Drive through a neighborhood, and you will see household debt. Here are some examples of household debt or consumer debt:
- Mortgages (and 2nd Mortgages)
- Home Equity Loans
- Credit Cards
- Cars
- Furniture
- Student Loans
Credit cards are referred to as revolving debt.
Why? Not only can the interest rate on credit cards fluctuate, but the amount you pay towards them every month can vary. Do you pay the minimum that is required? Do you pay off the full amount?
Although it is not advisable to get into credit card debt, especially because the interest rate is so high, you will not likely default on revolving debt as fast as non-revolving debt (more on that soon). If you lose your job, have an unexpected medical expense (more on those too), you can survive by making the minimum payments. Again, this is not ideal, but we are not talking about optimum circumstances. This is in the event of a financial emergency.
Non-revolving debt
This type of debt covers everything else in the above-mentioned list. Your mortgage, your second mortgage, your home equity line of credit, your car loan, and your student loan have required amounts you have to pay at designated intervals.
If you are relying on your next paycheck to make a non-revolving debt payment, this this is where you re no longer insulated from the unforeseen.
Medical expenses
This is what causes half the bankruptcies in America. In addition to the medical bills, it can also lead to you being incapable of working. Next to this unemployment and uninsured losses stand as the other common reasons why people become bankrupt.
How Bankruptcy can help if you’re in debt
This is the tool that our legal system has made available to each person in the U.S. Unfortunately, the credit card companies, and credit collections industry have been very effective at telling Americans that bankruptcy is a shameful process and that you should feel badly about needing some relief. I often talk to people who believe that not being able to pay their bills is almost criminal. We remind them that it is our government hat has created this tool that allows every person a level of grace and opportunity to be free from crushing debt.
The bankruptcy system is designed to balance your need to pay your creditors with your need to be free from being trapped by overwhelming debt. Bankruptcy does provide a fresh start through a process that allows you to e open and honest with your creditors and tell your story about how you ended up being unable to pay your bills without being judged. Our bankruptcy system allows your creditors to understand why your need relief from your debt and it allows you to created a budget that will help make sure you are able to make the real changes that will help keep you from having to file bankruptcy in the future.
(Ethan D. Dunn is a member of Wolverine Bar Association and is the managing member of MAXWELL DUNN, PLLC, a boutique business and bankruptcy law firm. In his law practice he guides individuals and entrepreneurs through their toughest financial challenges using both bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy legal tools for dealing with debt.)
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