When it comes to debt relief in Houston, the most considerable risk isn’t always negotiation – it’s typically getting sued, making hiring an expert Texas debt attorney critical for your overall success. Debt settlement cases are typically extremely complicated and put you up against extremely aggressive and strategic creditor law teams whose sole purpose is to receive the highest level of compensation. Because of this, although it may be tempting to opt for DIY negotiations or an unprofessional debt settlement company, our team at Heston Law Firm is undeniably the best option for debt relief support, regardless of how large or small your debt may be. Use this blog as your guide to realize the immense benefits of hiring a debt relief attorney and why they are integral to all debt relief cases.
Debt Settlement Overview: Why an Attorney is Essential
If you find yourself in a situation where debt relief is necessary, there are three primary options for you to choose from:
- Handling it on your own
- Hiring a non-attorney debt settlement company
- Hiring a debt relief attorney
While it might seem like these options are simple, the truth is that it is a massive decision that can severely alter the outcome of your case. Both handling your debt relief case and hiring a non-attorney debt settlement company carry significant risks, making your team at Heston Law Firm the best, most trustworthy choice.
Your Creditor’s Underlying Legal Strategy
The truth is that your creditor does not have to settle and most definitely does not want to help you or find a suitable middle ground. They skillfully train and obligate their personnel to extract the maximum possible payout from you, regardless of ramifications or unique situations. Because of this, the payment figure and the schedule are often extremely unfair, as they view debt settlement as simply a collection method, not a negotiation.
The Self-Representation Route: A Risky Choice
While the appeal of skipping fees can be tempting, this is probably the biggest mistake you can make when it comes to debt relief cases. This is because you will be up against highly aggressive legal collection agents and attorneys without any professional strategies or systems to protect you. Many times, self-represented individuals are taken advantage of and end up failing negotiations due to missing critical time frames.
What Makes Non-Attorney Debt Settlement Companies Unreliable
Although many debt settlement companies are able to negotiate on your behalf, they operate with extreme limitations that only a debt attorney can surpass. This is because, at their core, they are simply not a law firm and don’t have the skills or qualifications to serve as one. The biggest reason they are so unreliable is that the law forces the debt settlement company to step away the moment a creditor decides to sue you, which forces you to scramble and hire an attorney at the last minute.
The Debt Attorney Advantage
The game changes from the moment you choose to hire a debt attorney for your case. Instead of being an exposed target that your creditors can easily manipulate, your legal team at Heston Law Firm can act like a legal shield for you and your finances. It is integral to have a fully licensed legal team in order to help you optimize your case and gain the best possible outcome. The three primary differences between a debt attorney and a non-attorney debt settlement company include:
- Legal duty: Attorneys have a fiduciary duty, which means that they are legally compelled to act in your best interest. This is unlike a debt settlement company that is first and foremost a business that is hoping to gain profit.
- Litigation defense: When you hire a debt attorney, they are legally qualified to defend you in court if the creditor decides to sue.
- Confidentiality: Working with an attorney over a debt settlement company means that you have the right to attorney-client privilege, which promises complete and total confidentiality of all financial information.
By choosing to work with a debt attorney at Heston Law Firm in Houston, you gain full protection from the harassing calls that many credit card companies make to try and bully you into an unfair payment structure. We do this by handling all communication on your behalf, keeping it concise, professional, and always in your favor.
Above all, the biggest benefit is the litigation defense. Because most settlements occur after litigation is threatened, having that option in our back pocket can mean a world of difference.
Your Debt Attorney’s Toolkit: How it Extends Past Negotiations
Debt settlement cases involve much more than simply negotiating a lower percentage and a more flexible payment schedule. Many times, the most vital parts include using key legal tools in order to protect your rights, challenge the debt’s validity, and protect the future of your financial health. At Heston Law Firm in Houston, we do this by using a specialized legal tool kit in order to help secure our clients the most beneficial outcome for their debt relief case.
The first tool we use is debt validation and legal review. This includes demanding proof of the debt in order to not only make sure that there are no errors, but also to potentially invalidate the debt completely.
Additionally, our team can calculate the unique tax implications that the discharged debt can have on your financial situation. The IRS considers discharged debt taxable income most often. We can do this by working with certified CPAs or tax professionals to find possible insolvency exceptions.
What truly sets working with a debt attorney apart is that we understand the court system backward and forwards – we also understand the creditors’ goals. Because of this, we can use it as leverage to secure you better settlements, including:
- Lower percentages
- Favorable payment terms, such as more structured payments
- Avoiding damaging stipulations
Debunking Common Debt Attorney Myths
If you’re about to embark on a debt relief case, it can be tempting to listen to the myths and save money by choosing DIY or non-attorney debt settlement companies. But the truth is that our team at Heston Law Firm saves you money in the long run by fighting for an outcome that benefits you, not your credit card company. Here are the top three incorrect myths about debt attorneys in Houston:
- They are too expensive: The truth is that in the grand scheme of things, professional legal advice can save you significant funds in the long run by lowering your risk of losing the lawsuit.
- Debt settlement harms your credit score: If debt settlement is required, then your credit score is already in danger. If your overall goal is financial stability, your attorney can help you find it that much faster.
- The process takes too long: Quality settlement agreements usually take over a year to conclude. Debt atonement can just help us advance by using time strategically.
Regardless of your unique situation, Heston Law Firm is here to help with our highly trained team of Houston debt attorneys. Don’t let your credit card company bully you into an unfair agreement. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and to get in contact with a debt attorney.