Zombie Debt: Reasons Why Some Debt Doesn't Just Die

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4 SCENARIOS FOR WHEN OLD AND LINGERING DEBT CAN BE REVIVED.

Real Estate Attorney

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Resolving a legal or financial problem can be difficult. But imagine the surprise and

frustration when a former debt obligation, retired long ago, rises again. Below are four of

the common "zombie" debt scenarios that clients often encounter and how to address

them:



1. DIVORCE.

Generally, in a divorce, a divorce decree or separation agreement will shift monthly credit

obligations from one ex-spouse to another.



Contrary to common belief, these court orders do not release either spouse of the underlying joint credit obligation. Only ones' creditor can do that. So when one ex- spouse fails to make

a payment to a joint creditor, a creditor can still sue both parties to the loan obligation for a

loan default.



2. LOAN GUARANTYMany lenders and banks will require an individual to

personally guarantee a loan. A loan guarantor cannot unilaterally revoke a loan guaranty. Tearing up or providing a written revocation of one's personal

guarantee has little effect, except to agitate the creditor.



A guaranty only expires when the subject loan is paid off, or when both parties to a loan agreement

mutually rescind or revoke the guaranty in writing. Careful: Make sure one's loan guaranty specifically references the date and amount of the loan so that there is no confusion that when the loan is paid off,

the corresponding guaranty is extinguished.



3. BANKRUPTCYWhen a debtor files bankruptcy under a Chapter 13 wage earner plan, they pay back their creditors according to a legal formula and court order. Mortgage balances and

monthly payments can be reduced and unsecured credit card balances can be lowered by as much as 10% of the

existing balances.



But if a debtor fails to maintain payments according to court sanctioned payment plan, the bankruptcy can be dismissed. If dismissed, all of the debtor's former balances on obligations will

come rushing back to the debtor as if nothing had ever happened.


4. ZOMBIE DEBTEach year, billions in unpaid bad consumer debt is written off by lenders. Often the right to collect on this bad debt is sold

to collection companies. Some debt is so old that it is considered worthless. It is out of "statute'. This means that the legal right and time to collect such old debt has expired by law, and the debtor can no longer be pursued on the debt.




Collection companies that purchase old debt do so in hopes to receive even a small payment

from an unsuspecting debtor. This small payment resets the time limitation for

collection back to the beginning and the obligation, or "zombie debt", rises again.


It is important to maintain a safe place for legal documents and to monitor monthly payments. Banks, lenders, or title company maintain

loan documents for their own benefit. So good record keeping is helpful to defend against retired obligations that reappear as unpaid

obligations. Knowing the dates and amounts for loans and keeping releases and discharges of the same, in a safe place, can mean the difference of hundreds, even thousands of dollars, and so is vital to

one's financial and legal planning.

CONCLUSION.

Since 1990, David Soble has been a real estate and finance attorney in Ohio and Michigan. He advises

national banks, lenders, loan servicers, consumers and business owners on residential and commercial real estate, finance and compliance issues. He has been

involved in thousands of real estate transactions, being responsible for billions in real estate loan portfolios

throughout his career.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


31800 Northwestern Hwy.Suite 350

Farmington Hills, MI 48334Phone: (888) 789-1715

Disclaimer: You should not rely or act upon the contents of this article without seeking advice from your own, qualified attorney.

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Zombie Debt: Reasons Why Some Debt Doesn't Just Die