Do you need a debt relief lawyer?

Without question – yes.

If you still have a steady income but just aren’t making enough money to cover even the minimum payments on your credit obligations, then debt negotiation may be the best of your alternatives to bankruptcy.

Debt negotiation as a process, however, is complex and full of intricacies. Without a proper attorney to help them, most average folks wouldn’t even know where to begin.

That’s where we come in. The experienced attorneys at Harold Shepley & Associates are well-versed in debt negotiation, foreclosure defense, bankruptcy law, and more.

In addition to giving you the confidence of an experienced professional beside you, the debt negotiation attorneys at Harold Shepley & Associates can:

• Reduce your overall debt – We work with creditors to reduce the actual amount of money you owe and lengthen payment periods. We are frequently successful at minimizing your debt to as little as 60 cents per dollar owed.

• Guard you against litigation – Some forms of settlement can still leave you open to be sued by your creditors. When you work with the experienced attorneys at Harold Shepley & Associates, we ensure that terms are included in your agreements that prevent this from happening.

• Don’t ignore them – Often times the calls are so overwhelming that people are tempted to just let them ring. All experts say this only makes it worse. The quicker you begin to deal with them, the quicker you can be done dealing with them.

• Get a lawyer – An experienced attorney like the ones at Harold Shepley & Associates will be well versed with federal guidelines preventing debt collectors from acting in certain unethical ways to obtain their money, like fear tactics or impersonating law enforcement. The collectors have attorneys working for them, you should get one working for you.

• Keep your records – Debt collectors can lose or sometimes never receive proof that you have paid your debts. Always safeguard your important documents such as paid in full notices and receipts of final payment, as well as initial contracts. It’s much harder for collectors to get money you don’t owe them if you’ve got proof that you’re paid up.

Collectors will sometimes even resort to illegal means to attempt to get money from you. Don’t let yourself be intimidated; don’t let yourself be bullied – know your rights and don’t be afraid to use them.

If you’re dealing with a large quantity of debt, you’re probably feeling totally overwhelmed. Though the road out of financial struggle can be long and painful, there are some steps you can take to ease the journey. We’ve compiled a list of just a few measures that you can use to help get your finances back on track:

• Research your options – The first step in choosing a path is figuring out which paths are open to you. Many people don’t even know that there are other means of debt relief beyond bankruptcy. Foreclosure defense, debt negotiation, or debt consolidation may be your best bet in certain situations.

• Don’t be afraid to get help – The whole reason that firms like Harold Shepley & Associates exist is that most people cannot handle significant debt on their own. Even our founder, Harold Shepley, had to reach out for help when his debt was too much to bear – and he was already an established attorney! There is no shame in asking for help when you need it.

• Centralize your debt – One reasonable monthly payment is easier to make than several smaller payments. Managing your money can be much easier after a debt consolidation. Consolidation is not necessarily for everyone, but in the right situation it can speed your debt recovery and help you breathe easy quicker than any other method.