index page

How should we proceed?

Date: Thu, 04/27/2017 - 17:53
Submitted by Tom on Thu, 04/27/2017 - 17:53
Posts:
Credits:
[Donate]

Hello! My daughter has a medical bill of $4000 which has been sent to collections. Prior to informing me of this debt, she made arrangements of $150/month and has made two payments. She is now in some financial straits due to a lay-off from work coupled with other credit accounts and bills, and has asked my help. My first thought was to suggest she contact them by mail, have the debt validated and posture herself to negotiate for a reduced balance on the account (was thinking 25% is the magic number.). Has she shot herself in the foot by making payment arrangement and making payments? This is uncharted territory for me and I need advice? What do you suggest???


For starters, your daughter who I am assuming is an adult, should be reading thru this forum to learn how to cope with her debt.

She got laid off....did she apply for unemployment? She can ask them for validation...more than likely they will be able to. She can tell them in a letter that she has in financial difficulty and can only pay 25 per. She is not going to get a reduced balance unless she is going to pay that balance immediately....and coming up with 1k or more is not indicating them that there is financial problems.


Submitted by SOAPLADY on Sat, 04/29/2017 - 19:20

SOAPLADY

( Posts: 17315 | Credits: )


Don't have much to add after what Soaplady has said. Would like to add only one point. If you want to validate the debt, do this in writing. Your daughter can get a sample debt validation letter online. Ask her to send the letter via certified mail.

Tough to reach the 25% magic number especially when she has already made a payment arrangement.


Submitted by ditchdebt on Mon, 05/01/2017 - 04:23

ditchdebt

( Posts: 675 | Credits: )