For the past year and a half, I had been doing SO good! The fog lifted and I got my butt into action. Paid off bills that I had neglected due to depression, cleaned the house and maintained it, got a new place a new car. I was feeling like my old self again for the first time in years.

Until earlier this week....
In my mailbox I find a letter that an old debt that I had caught up with me. For those who may not know, I used to be a drug addict before I became pregnant. At that time in my life, I destroyed my credit and borrowed from anyone I could for money. A few of these debts are just too outrageous for me to ever pay and thanks to new laws, I can't file bankruptcy. So one of the $10,000 debts found me and they are being pretty aggressive. I'm pretty sure a wage garnishment will be coming. My choices if this happens are: 1. lose my house or 2. have the ex move back in and pray he can pay me enough to cover my loss. While both are bad, i'll probably opt for the second option I don't want to have to deal with him, my stomach is in knots about it and i'm finding that i'm starting to get that "I don't care about anything. I just want to run away" feeling again. It's not good because deep depression will surely follow. When I tried to talk to my mother about it she wasn't very supportive. She told me she's too emotionally drained to be supportive due to my deadbeat aunt and the mess she left when she died. Apparently, she's too emotionally wrapped up in that to just listen to me and tell me it's going to be ok. I'm so sad right now. I have no one to talk to. I have one friend that I talk to often, but it seems that anytime I need to seriously talk about what is going on with me the subject gets changed. Her response is always something like "that sucks. guess how much ethel ate for lunch today?" or "i had a bad day too. i've had dirrhea". WTF???? I'm telling her that I may either lose my HOUSE or be forced to move back in with my abusive ex and she thinks her poop issues are a better topic of discussion???? I could just freakin' scream! I'm sorry to dump on you all here, but i'm in hysterical tears right now. I just don't feel like one damn person gives a **** about me.

Hi I'm not sure of how Ohio does things but I would at least run this by a lawyer. Maybe he/she could work out some form of payment plan with the Debt Co. ?

Dawg

I was just thinking this. I'm not sure if I should wait until they start talking about taking court action against me, or contact one now. See..this debt is very old and it is actually going to be past the statue of limitations in about a year. If I arrange a payment plan before I necessarily have to, the clock starts ticking again and i'll be bound to the debt for another seven years. If I ignore them and wait it out, I won't have to pay if they don't "get me" before the date it falls off of my credit report. So i'm really confused as to what to do about it. I suppose an attorney could answer this for me as well.

I wouldn't wait to talk to an attorney.

and some how it never ever makes it to that seven year mark, They (the Debt Co.) finds some way to still came after you. so Yes talk to an attorney and soon. Get the sunshine back in your life.

Dawg

I'm so sorry. I'm really no use to you; I have no advice for you. BUt I'll do the only thing I can and offer my support and pray that things get better for you. I am sorry your going through such a trying time in your life and that your family and friends aren't able to be there for you. I know we don't know each other but if it helps to vent you can vent away in my direction I'm a good listener. I wish there was more I could offer you but the best I can do is be a friend if you need one.

Just wanted to tell you I'm sending positive thoughts your way. It's so not fun to have to worry about money, and I'm sorry you're going through this.

Thanks everyone. I can't believe how quickly I slid back into this aweful hole. I called off work today simply because I couldn't get myself together. I hate that my daughter is seeing me this upset, but I can't STOP. We are going later to look at a dog that we may bring home with us. Maybe that will help distract me. Blah I feel like such a loser right now...and I was doing so good. I have a week off the last week of the month so i'll make an appointment with an attorney then.

Hey,

You are awesome and don't forget. You kicked a drug habit, overcame debilitating depression, got out of an abusive relationship and are raising a beautiful daughter. Honestly girl, a $10,000 debt is not bigger than any of those monsters.

Lawyers are expensive...go to a reputable Credit Counseling service. I looked up some in the Cleveland area and here is info on one on Euclid Ave:


Consumer Credit Counseling Service is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA). (that means they are reputable)
Our money management programs are accredited through the Council on Accreditation for Children and Family Services.

Client fees are determined by income eligibility guidelines. While we do offer services that require a fee, our initial money management session is free.

Call them and make an appt. ASAP. Not only can they help you w/ this issue. They offer financial management classes, budgeting and all other type of services that will help you in the long term. (My counselor suggested I get the Advanced Earned Income Credit on my paycheck to supplement my income during a tight spot. She also helped talk to my mortgage company when I was facing foreclosure.)

Consumer Credit Counseling Services

Keep your head up! No denying this is a giant, but definitely not Goliath.

I agree with what Maharahi said. You need to talk to a credit counseling service. Lawyers are expensive and only out for them.
You can find a credit counseling service that will help you find out what you owe and help you establish a way to get back on track.

Thanks you SO much for this information. I will give them a call first! You are very right. I've overcome bigger obstacles than this one. It just seems that no matter how hard I work to climb the mountain, there is always something lurking to push me backwards. Geeze! How much strength is one person supposed to have?? My biggest concern with all of this is that I won't be able to afford my house anymore. We just moved here and Jewel is so happy here. I did talk to my mother last night (before I went and got silly drunk. LOL) and she told me that she would come to my house and sit with Jewel a few nights a week if I had to get a part time job. I figure if I can get this child support out of the ex and work as a cashier somewhere for 16 hours a week that should fill in the gap for me.