I lost my job over a year ago, my home was foreclosed about 6 months ago and I now have as income only my small pension. I am 61 and have not been able to find another job and medical issues at home nearly prevent me from doing so at this time anyway. I tried to see my home before foreclosurer as soon as I lost my job knowing I could not afford the payments. I also purchased a mobile home knowing that I could afford the smaller payments and at that time, had hoped my former home would sell and things would get better. They did not. Not I get collection calls, repeated calls one after another for credit cards I cannot pay and a deficiency from sherrif sale tied in with HSBC and OCwen... (another whole story).

I only own my mobile home with maybe $3,000 in equity... it is an older mobile. I have a car and that is about it. My pension covers only medical, food and necessities...

What can happen... it appears we are not facing the third tire of collectors, the "bad" collection agencies. Recently got call from John Frye, Attorney in VA regarding debts.

Suggestions, information would be appreciated. I never expected to lose everything and now it only continues although I am somewhat numb having already lost my career and home,, it is so what is next and who cares...

Thanks for any info!

Check with your local Legal Aid. Make an appointment and ask them what paperwork you would need to bring in to them to get legal help. Your situation is what a lot of people are living. There are people that care, they just have to know you need help. Good Luck

Check in at Social Security at least 3 months prior to you turning 62. They will let you sign up to get your Social Security then and you'll be all set to collect when you turn 62. You won't get your first check though until you are age 62 and 2 months though. But at least you'll have that and your pension to survive on and the good news is that no debtor can touch your SSR check! Don't think you'll collect more money if you wait until you are 65 as you won't. You may get a check for about $100 more if you wait until 65, but in the meantime you'll be foregoing a monthly check for 3 years and that can definitely add up to thousands a year.

Check in at Social Security at least 3 months prior to you turning 62. They will let you sign up to get your Social Security then and you'll be all set to collect when you turn 62. You won't get your first check though until you are age 62 and 2 months though. But at least you'll have that and your pension to survive on and the good news is that no debtor can touch your SSR check!! Don't think you'll collect more money if you wait until you are 65 as you won't. You may get a check for about $100 more if you wait until 65, but in the meantime you'll be foregoing a monthly check for 3 years and that can definitely add up to thousands a year.

Thanks,
My pension in Michigan is also exempt. Can they make me sell my mobile home to pay credit card debt or attach a lien to it?

My first question is are you being sued? You mentioned something about an atty. I want to know this before I give any advice on this.

My first question is are you being sued? You mentioned something about an atty. I want to know this before I give any advice on this.


Not yet being sued, but I suspect that soon I may be. It will not generate funds to pay them though. I have harldly enough money to live on and I need my car for medical...

Have you tried to file for SSI, Welfare, or (disability if you have one?)?

My next question is how many of these acc's are out of statue? A lot of people misunderstand how this works. In every state the statue of limitations varies as does renewal. Renewal is if an acc was out of the statue of limitations and a payment is made it renews the statue over again.

My advice find out what the statue of limitations is on contract acc's in your state for any credit cards or loans people are coming after you for. If it is out of the statue of limitations don't worry about it they can't sue you all they can do is call you until it is put in a paying status.

Now the acc's that are still within statue I advise that if you get SSI, Welfare, or Disability that you make what ever that companie's minimum payment is, because if you meet your state's criteria for a law suit then you can get sued. They can not sue you if you are making payments of ANY kind!! I know the company I work for's minimum payment is $25. However if you can only do 10-15 dollars you can do that too, all it will mean in that case is that collection calls will keep coming because the payment is not "accetable" but it is still a payment. If at some point you randomly win the lottery or come into a large sum of money up the payments to something you can afford.

If you have any acc's that are within the statue of limitations and they are relativaly small (200-600) then see if any family you have could help you with say 50-75 dollar payments.