Kennewick Attorneys Help You Get Out Of Credit Card Debt

Credit cards are convenient and can be really helpful during emergencies. With the right credit card, you can get many perks like cash back and travel points. Plus, having a credit card can help establish a positive credit history, which is a must for buying a car or home in Washington state.

However, credit card companies are in the business of making money, and they benefit when you carry a balance that racks up interest. They often make it easy to fall into debt with high interest rates, confusing credit terms, and expensive penalties. If a credit card company has trapped you, our debt relief attorneys in Benton County, Washington state, will help you explore your options. We offer a free consultation to discuss how we'll assist you in managing or eliminating that debt.

Our credit card attorneys representing Benton County understand that when you're facing credit card debt, it's like a weight hanging around your neck. You can't even enjoy local outdoor adventures like hiking up Badger Mountain, kayaking on the Columbia River, or biking at Sacajawea State Park. You can't go to the Richland Players Theatre, the Columbia Basin College Gallery, or the annual Art in the Park without thinking about your debt. When you're in debt, even the fun of the Tri-Cities Food Truck Festival, the Hapo Community Stage events, or the Pasco Farmers Market can't take your mind off your credit cards.

Contact us now to schedule a meeting with a credit card attorney in Kennewick.

Credit card companies are experts at creating traps that keep you in a cycle of borrowing and repaying, leaving you with debt while they earn more profit. Here's how they do it:

Credit card companies attract customers with low introductory interest rates, some as low as 0% for a limited time. However, once the introductory period ends, the interest rate can skyrocket to a much higher variable rate. The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) requires credit card companies to disclose these rates upfront. However, they often hide it in the fine print.

Credit card companies often encourage or require consumers to make minimum payments, which typically only cover a small portion of the interest or fees and only pay a small fraction of the balance. Only making minimum payments creates a cycle where the principal balance remains high, and interest charges continue to pile up. In Washington state, credit card companies must provide clear disclosures about minimum payment requirements. However, these disclosures often fail to explain how making only minimum payments leads to years of debt repayment.

When you miss a payment or make a late payment, credit card companies charge hefty late fees and increase your interest rate to a penalty Annual Percentage Rate (APR). Penalty rates are often significantly higher than your regular APR, making it even harder to pay off the balance. The legal amendment Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act (CARD) requires credit card companies to notify you of changes to your APR, including penalty rates, and give you a chance to opt out. However, the penalties are still severe, and the company may continue to add fees that trap you in a cycle of increasing debt.

Certain credit cards provide cash advances or balance transfers with minimal fees at the start, but the interest begins immediately, unlike purchases with a grace period. Many credit card companies also apply high fees for balance transfers, which adds to the total debt. Washington State's Consumer Protection Act helps protect consumers from these unfair terms.

Credit card companies often advertise "deferred interest" plans, where you don't pay interest on purchases for a set period, usually six months or longer. However, if you fail to pay off the full balance by the end of that period, they charge you the accumulated interest from the original purchase date. In addition, interest compounds, meaning the credit card companies charge interest on both the initial balance and any interest that has already accumulated, which increases your debt. While the TILA demands clear disclosure of these terms, many consumers still have difficulty understanding the true cost of deferred interest.

Credit card companies often target vulnerable Washingtonians who already face financial difficulties, offering them credit cards with high limits or low introductory rates that eventually increase. Once a borrower starts using the card, they may find themselves in over their head with a debt load they can't manage, especially if they rely on the card for daily expenses or emergency purchases.

Credit card companies use a revolving credit system, where they allow balances to be carried from one month to the next month. Over time, this leads to high interest charges and extended repayment periods. It can take years to pay off the debt, and you will pay far more than you spent in some cases.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) regulates how debt collectors can behave if the debt goes unpaid, including prohibiting harassment and abusive practices. However, credit card companies can still report your debt to credit bureaus, hurting your credit score and preventing you from borrowing in the future.

Our Kennewick attorneys know all the tricks the credit card companies use to trap good Washingtonians into debt. Contact us today for a free consultation.

The best thing to do to avoid the credit card debt trap is to get out of credit card debt. Here are some helpful tips you can use to make your payments more manageable and pay off your cards for good:

• Pay more than your minimum payment to reduce your balance faster and save on interest.
• Work with your credit card issuers to reduce your interest rates.
• Consolidate credit card debts by taking a personal loan or balance transfer to streamline payments and possibly secure a more favorable interest rate.
• Set up automatic payments to ensure you never miss a due date, avoiding late fees and protecting your credit score.
• Focus on prioritizing paying off high-interest credit cards first, as this will save you the most money over time.

Our attorneys in Kennewick are experts at helping people get out of credit card debt. Call us so we can explore all your legal options for credit card debt relief.

Yes, you can legally get rid of your credit card debt. In Kennewick, Washington, there are several legal ways to help you reduce or eliminate your credit card debt. Here are some of the options you can explore with your credit card attorney in Benton County:

1. Debt Settlement: You may be able to negotiate with your credit card company and reduce the total amount you owe, though debt settlement negatively impacts your credit score.

2. Bankruptcy: In Kennewick, you can file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 to deal with credit card debt:

• Chapter 7: Most unsecured debts, including credit card balances, can be discharged under Chapter 7. However, you may need to sell some assets to repay creditors, and it's best suited for those with limited income and few assets.
• Chapter 13: Chapter 13 bankruptcy reorganizes your debt into a repayment plan lasting between 3 to 5 years, allowing you to keep property like your home if you have a steady income.

3. Debt Management Plan (DMP): With a DMP, you work with a Washington state-certified credit counseling agency to consolidate your debt into one monthly payment, often with lower interest rates.

4. Debt Consolidation Loan: A debt consolidation loan combines your multiple debts into one loan with manageable payments.

5. Debt Negotiation: You may be able to negotiate directly with creditors to lower your interest rates, reduce payments, or settle part of the debt.

6. Consumer Credit Counseling: Consumer credit counseling agencies help you create a budget and repayment plan, often negotiating better terms with creditors.

Our attorneys in Kennewick are experienced at getting clients out of credit card debt. Call us, and we'll help you explore all your legal options for credit card debt relief.

If your credit card company sues you, contact a Kennewick credit card attorney immediately to protect your rights. When you receive a complaint and summons for a credit card lawsuit, you generally have 20 days to respond to avoid a default judgment, which could lead to wage garnishment or bank levies. Our experienced debt defense lawyers will examine the lawsuit, assess possible defenses, and ensure the creditor has adhered to all required legal steps. We may challenge the amount owed, dispute the debt under Washington's statute of limitations, or argue they are in breach of the FDCPA or Washington's Consumer Protection Act. If the debt is invalid or improperly documented, our Kennewick credit card attorneys can assert these points in your defense. Additionally, we can negotiate a settlement or payment plan, helping you avoid more severe financial consequences.

For 30 years, our attorneys have helped people like you across Washington state find relief from the stress of credit card debt. We'll review your credit card debts, find legal debt relief solutions that work for you, and help you get back to enjoying the Tri-Cities. Contact our Kennewick law office for a free debt relief consultation with a qualified attorney to get started.