I don't know if re-filing increases the hurt of having a BK on your file or not - I would guess not.  I do know that raising a score is easier to do when you have cash and are able to keep your debt low.   ... View more

For the first half of our marriage, we had quasi-seperate finances (two joint accounts, so that debit cards didn't cause issues), and seperate credit cards.  Later, when I got involved in an LLC/partnership for business reasons, we completely seperated things (so that nothing could come back on him if the business went bad).  We are both on the mortgage, but that's it.  He pays the household bills, I direct deposit money into his household account.  We both still consider it "our" money, we consult on purchases etc, and pass money back and forth freely, but I like knowing that if one of us has a legal issue, everything we own won't get frozen. ... View more

My understanding is that they assume a 'dismissal' is because you didn't keep your payment arrangements.  There is no consideration for a dismissal due to a cancellation or withdrawal of the bankruptcy - - aah, the joy ... View more

I don't like the new look and my most recent Quarterly Report has disappeared. ... View more

Agree - I can't find anything and it all seems like it was designed with big 'preschooler' sized graphics and icons. ... View more

Yes - somehow it doesn't seem fair does it.  I have a mortgage account that shows up as IIB even though we were never late on the payments and we decided to not even go through with the bankruptcy. ... View more

...as a side note....60% seems really high if they aren't an agent of the OC.  If they bought the bad debt, I'd start at more like 25% if  I were going to go the settlement route.  good Luck ... View more

Weird - now I'm wondering if I should burn one of my credits to see if my score has increased.  I've been flatlined for the last 6 months with EQ. ... View more

JCP has been kind to me.  Got a couple of CLIs the 1st year - from $400 to $1600.  They are helping me rebuild my credit and as a result, they have earned a loyal customer. ... View more

True - the whole way BK is reported is just wrong is so many ways - (thank you politicians).  I certainly wish that  I had found this forum first, but I guess if I can serve as a warning for others my life will have served it's purpose.   ....I have to admit that it still gripes me to see that perfect payment history flagged as derogatory, but life and FICO is not always fair, but it's much much better when you know the rules to the game (thanks everyone here) ... View more

I filed a CH7 and then didn't go through with it - my mortgage payment history was perfect -  was never late and now, 3 years later it still says IIB.  They say that since I filed, they will still put the IIB in the comment section.  So nice. ... View more

I'm sorry that this happened to you - it's not fun.   These accounts should be showing as a Charge Off with a zero balance.  The note should say 'settled for less than amount owed' or something to that effect.  It will stay on your credit for 7 years.   My advice to you is that you contact these companies and make sure that they issue the 1099s in the name of the LLC, and not in your personal name, or you will have to personally claim the amount that they charged off as income to the IRS - (nothing like kicking you when you're down).   Good Luck ... View more

Make absolutely sure that your BK will go through.  I stopped making may payments as my attorney recommended, but then ran into all kinds of legal issues in the BK and I ended up settling the debts outside of the BK court - double whammy on my scores. ... View more

I believe they can, which is why sometimes it is actually worse to pay an old debt than to not pay - (a failing of the FICO scoring system IMHO) ... View more

Wildcat is correct.    Getting a judgement costs money, so they will try to avoid that.  At around 6 months they may assign your account to a collection agency who will try to collect for several more months.  Depending on the amount you owe they may never actually seek a judgement and just settle for savaging your credit and harrassing you.    The minute you file BK everything your creditors is doing comes to s screeching halt.  You need to decide what path you want to go down.  You can have 120s and then head into chargeoffs and settlements - which is bad for your credit or you can have a BK which is bad for your credit, but having both just seems like a super double-whammy - I'd avise you to avoid having both if you can. ... View more

The IRs will probably just tell you "no".  I'd speak to a tax professional. ... View more

If you have a mortgage person that you trust, I would discuss the scenarios with him/her.    Be glad that you don't live in a communtiy property state and have the option to just use your wife's credit   Good Luck! ... View more

Well, since you have already filed once, your CR has already taken the hit for that so filing again shouldn't make it much worse.  Frankly, I would speak to an attorney about filing a Ch7 instead of a Ch13. ... View more

I have found that they generally update 7-14 days after they cut their statements.  If you want the $0 to post, make sure not to use those credit cards until after the statement cuts showing the $0 balance due.   It's a waiting game & sometimes waiting is very, very hard ... View more

I'm with O6.   If he's in a position to hand out some consequences for rude behavior from a customer service employee, more power to him.   I'd be very interested in CapOne's response. Message Edited by QueenBean on 01-25-2010 10:06 AM ... View more

I was able to get an Orchard cardearlier this year with about a EQ 550.   Message Edited by QueenBean on 12-31-2009 07:18 PM Message Edited by QueenBean on 12-31-2009 07:18 PM ... View more

  The balance should be $0 and status CO.  the notes should indicate that the account was settled for less than the amount owed.     It took a couple of months for my settlements to report properly.  If they don't, I would contact the law firm who handled your settlement. ... View more

Yes, with cash-in-hand I was able to successly negociate 20-25% of the balance due - but the previous poster was correct - your credit score will take a huge hit & even though you will show a $0 balance, they can report you as a CO each month. ... View more

The way I understand it is that if you "opt in", they will allow a charge that takes you over your credit limit to go through, and will impose a fee.  If you "opt out", any charge that takes you over your limit will be declined.   I opted in, simply because in case of an emergency, I'd like to have the flexibility. ... View more

I rec'd a Target RedCard with a less than 1 yr old dismissed BK and scores in the mid 500 range.  I rec'd a JCP card with 580s about 6 months later. ... View more

That doesn't sound right to me, the debt is either charged off, or it is carried and reported as 120+ days late.  I can't imagine that any company writes off bad debt monthly. ... View more

I'm not an attorney, but any change of re-opening the case because the judgement is impossible to satisfy? ... View more

Txjohn is correct.  Property taxes are not a personal debt, the taxing authority will lien the property. ... View more