Most of the people in California and around the country who file personal bankruptcies each year do so because of medical debt, and many of them found themselves overwhelmed by bills despite having health insurance. Common reasons for hospital and doctor bills not...

California residents and others who are diagnosed with cancer may incur significant debt in an effort to overcome their illnesses. However, it may be possible to reduce or eliminate that debt by declaring bankruptcy. Furthermore, individuals may get relief from...

Consumers in California and throughout the country may be entitled to have some of their unsecured debts wiped out in bankruptcy. As a general rule, bankruptcy is available to honest debtors who are looking for a fresh start. However, there are many factors that a...

Many people in California are struggling under a significant debt burden that they may find themselves unable to repay. This is reflected in statistics in the credit-card industry that show that the rate of bad debt is climbing for people across the country. The rate...

Many people in California find bankruptcy a potentially appealing option, but they are worried about the long-term effects on their credit scores. After all, Chapter 7 bankruptcies remain on a person's credit report for 10 years while Chapter 13 bankruptcies, with...

Getting a business loan in California can be complicated for those who have filed for bankruptcy in the past. This is generally true whether a person filed for a liquidation or reorganization bankruptcy. However, it is usually easier to get financing the farther...

Levels of student debt are higher than they have ever been for students and ex-students in California. However, discharging this debt in bankruptcy is nearly impossible. To help alleviate this problem, the American Bankruptcy Institute's Commission on Consumer...

Debt collectors in California and other states may try to convince debtors that it is in their best interest to pay off a debt. In most cases, debt collectors are trained to say whatever is most likely to solicit the response that they want. For instance, they may say...

Some people in California may be among the 1 in 7 nationwide who are surprised by medical bills from out-of-network providers despite visiting an in-network hospital. The incidence varies from state to state, with admissions that include at least one out-of-network...

A California resident who is struggling with debt might want to consider several options before filing for bankruptcy. In some cases, it's possible to negotiate a payment plan with creditors. A debtor could also consider credit counseling. Some credit counseling...