Full Description

MAKE CREDIT WORK FOR YOU!

Written by an attorney, in simple, easy-to-understand language, Credit Smart takes you from learning about credit history and the credit application process to using credit responsibly.

- From dealing with business debt and child support to handling collection agencies
- From understanding loan requirements to fitting credit comfortably and practically into your life

Get your credit under control with Credit Smart—the vital tool for dealing with credit and credit issues.


CreditSmart includes information about:
--Credit bureaus --Student loans
--Loan disclosures --Effects marriage has on credit and debt
--Secured debts --Effects divorce has on credit and debt
--Credit reports --Fair Debt Collections Act
--Credit cards --Consumer Credit Protection Act


Understand your rights—protect your financial future

Table of Contents

Using Self-Help Law Books -

Introduction -

Frequently Asked Questions -

Section I: Building Good Credit

Chapter 1: Credit: A Vital Part of Our Economy -

Chapter 2: Establishing and Reestablishing Good Credit -
-Credit History
-Credit Application Process

Chapter 3: Using Credit Responsibly -

Section II: Understanding Credit Pitfalls

Chapter 4: Types of Debt—An Overview -
-Secured Debt
-Unsecured Debt
-Debt after a Divorce
-Contingent Liabilities
-Business Debt
-Student Loans
-Child Support

Chapter 5: Strategies before Creditors and Collectors Call -
-Prepare Yourself and Your Creditors
-The “Minimum One Dollar Payment” Myth
-Wage Assignments
-Credit Counseling

Chapter 6: When the Collection Agency Calls -
-What a Collection Agency Can Do
-The First Call from a Collector
-What a Collection Agency Cannot Do
-If You Have an Attorney
-What You Can Do on Your Own
-For Further Research
-Sample Letter Requesting No Contact
-Sample Letter for Disputing a Bill
-Sample Letter to FTC

Chapter 7: Consumer Reporting Agencies and Your Credit Report -
-Information a Consumer Reporting Agency may Furnish
-Obtaining Information from the Agency’s Files
-Items Your Credit Report Cannot Contain
-The “Quick Fix”
-Disputing Items in Your Report
-Cost of the Report
-Reports for Employment Purposes
-Reports Containing Medical Information
-Requirements for Users of Reports
-Use of Other Information
-Obtaining Information under False Pretenses
-Providing Information to an Unauthorized Person
-Reporting Agency Liability for Non-Compliance
-For Further Research
-Sample Letter Requesting Removal of Information
-Sample Letter—Inaccurate Credit Information
-Sample Letter—Complaint to FTC

Chapter 8: The Internal Revenue Service -
-IRS Collections
-Assuming Incorrect IRS Bills
-Answering an IRS Inquiry
-Property the IRS Can Take
-Taxpayers Bill of Rights
-What the IRS Cannot Take
-IRS Time Limitations
-Audits
-For Further Research
-Sample IRS Correspondence
-Small Tax Case Petition Form

Chapter 9: Loan Disclosure Requirements—Truth in Lending -
-The Federal Law
-Required Disclosures
-Loan Requests—Time Periods in Which Disclosures must Be Made
-Finance Charge and Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
-Truth in Lending Disclosure Statement
-Good Faith Estimate—Residential Mortgages
-Equity Line Mortgages and Your Right to Rescind
-Balloon Payments on Consumer Loans
-Refinancing
-When Disclosure Is Not Required
-Lenders’ Liabilities and Your Rights and Obligations
-For Further Research
-Credit Application Worksheet
-Sample Uniform Residential Loan Application
-Sample Truth in Lending Disclosure Statement
-Sample Good Faith Estimate
-Sample Compliance Agreement
-Sample Notice of Right to Cancel

Chapter 10: Credit Cards and Other Open-End Consumer Credit Loans -
-Information That Must Be Disclosed
-Billing Disclosure Requirements
-Penalties for Violations
-Consumer Loan Billing Procedures
-Unsolicited Credit Cards
-Lost or Stolen Credit Card
-New Credit Card Fraud
-For Further Research
-Sample Letter—Notification of Incorrect Billing

Chapter 11: Consumer Lease Disclosures -
-Consumer Lease Generally
-Disclosure Requirements
-Residual Value Calculation
-Liabilities for Violations
-For Further Research

Chapter 12: Real Estate Loan Disclosures -
-Mortgages
-Contract or Agreement for Deed
-Deed of Trust
-Your Loan Documents
-The Mortgage Foreclosure Process
-Service of Process and Deficiency Judgments
-After the Sale—Period of Redemption
-Foreclosing a Deed of Trust
-Selling the Property before Foreclosure
-Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure
-Negotiating with Your Lender
-If You Are in the Military
-Recap—Steps You Can Take after Foreclosure Is Started
-For Further Research
-Responding to a Foreclosure Complaint
-Sample Mortgage Foreclosure Complaint
-Sample Answer to Foreclosure Complaint

Chapter 13: Repossession of Personal Property-
-Restrictions on Repossession
-Sale of Collateral after Repossession
-Lender’s Pattern of Accepting Late Payments
-Your Remedies
-If the Lender Already Has the Collateral
-For Further Research

Chapter 14: When the Creditor Files a Lawsuit -
-Judgment
-How a Creditor Gets a Judgment
-Your Defenses to the Petition or Complaint
-Moving to Another State
-Confession of Judgment
-Possible Alternatives if the Debt is Legitimate
-Effect of Judgment on Credit Report
-For Further Research
-Sample Motion for Modification
-Sample Complaint
-Sample Answer to Complaint

Chapter 15: Collection of Money Judgments -
-Actions by a Judgment Creditor
-When the Creditor Knows What Assets You Have
-Garnishments
-Writ of Execution and Levy
-Attachment of Property Not Yet in Your Possession
-Attachment of Property before Judgment
-For Further Research

Section III: Protecting your Future Credit

Chapter 16: Bankruptcy as an Option -
-Types of Bankruptcy
-How Bankruptcy Works
-Bankruptcy and Elimination of Debts
-The Bankruptcy Court and Your Property
-Pros and Cons
-How to File for Bankruptcy
-For Further Research

Chapter 17: Divorce, Debt, and Community Property -
-Marriage and Debt
-Property Settlements and Court Judgments
-Debt Assumed in Divorce
-Community Property and Debt
-The Innocent Spouse and the IRS

Chapter 18: Property Exempt from Creditors -
-State-by-State Homestead Exemptions
-State-by-State Garnishment Exemptions
-Sample Florida Declaration of Domicile

Chapter 19: Personal Assessment and Planning for the Future -
-Debt and Asset Evaluation
-Making Yourself Judgment Proof
-Personal Financial Assessment Chart
-Monthly Expenses Chart
-Your Assets Chart
-Assets Given as Collateral Chart

Glossary -

Appendix A: U.S. Government Printing Office -

Appendix B: State-by-State Consumer Affairs Offices -

Appendix C: Federal Trade Commission Regional Offices -

Appendix D: Statutes of Limitation -

Appendix E: Frequently Referenced Laws -

Index

Excerpt

Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews: