Dealing with debt is difficult at any time, but the physical and financial repercussions caused by COVID-19 were completely unexpected and exceptionally difficult. Picking up steam quickly in the Spring of 2020, the worldwide pandemic not only tragically took lives, but it also took millions of jobs—wreaking havoc on the US economy and life as most of us knew it.
Issues like private student loan debt immediately came to the forefront, especially with over 45 million borrowers currently indebted for a cumulative total of over $1.74 trillion. While the government helped with deferments on millions of loans, there was little offered to private student loan debt borrowers, left to hope for minimal relief given by private loan servicers. Medical debt, already an enormous problem and the number one reason for bankruptcy, began escalating immediately.
For the legions of unemployed, the use of credit cards was the only option in many cases. And while many account holders probably did not want to max out their credit cards, as we all know, desperate times can indeed call for desperate measures. The problem with using credit cards as an alternate form of income is that it is a fallback measure that doesn’t last long. And shortly after, creditors expect to be paid.
Debt collections were put on hold throughout the summer of 2020; however, as life began to slowly edge back toward some semblance of normalcy, that meant phone calls and mail from creditors and debt collection agencies resumed—as well as the potential for finding a private process server or deputy at the door bearing summons and complaints for lawsuits. While many were brought on due to debts taken on before COVID, many other serious debts and potential lawsuits were the result of dealing with a worldwide pandemic, no jobs, lack of food, medical care, and more.
If you are being sued, speak with a collection lawsuit attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options. Because the current financial climate is so conducive to negotiation, this is a great time to reach to any lender and ask for help or extended deferments. Work with a legal professional to outline a successful strategy for getting you back on track financially.
Speak with an attorney from Fitzgerald & Campbell, APLC as soon as possible to examine your options. Our attorneys have decades of experience in serving clients as they navigate through challenging financial situations, to include student loan issues, bankruptcy, and other debt management processes. We are here to help! Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation, call us at (844) 431-3851, or email us at info@debtorprotectors.com.