What do attitudes about the nature of poverty tell us about bankruptcy filings?

In 1995, 60 percent of Americans said that poor people did not show enough initiative to lift themselves out of poverty, while only 30 percent acknowledged that circumstances beyond the person’s control caused wealth or poverty. 19 years later, these figures had shifted to 44 percent and 46 percent, respectively.

When asked to identify these external factors, some pointed to low-wage jobs that do not pay enough for people to get ahead, while others observed that wealth or poverty was essentially a matter of being born into a wealthy or poor family. Still others blamed the high number of government assistance programs that, they claim, encourage people to remain poor.

Historically, filing for bankruptcy was typically not considered an option for many people who found themselves struggling with mounting and uncontrollable debt. The stigma attached to bankruptcy was one of shame and failure. However, over the past decade or so, that stigma began to fade as many people realized that bankruptcy was often the only solution to the financial crisis they found themselves in.

In 2012, over 1.2 million people in this country filed for bankruptcy. Prior studies have shown that the leading causes of bankruptcy are medical expenses, unemployment, unexpected life events, and credit card debt.

But just how much of role do medical expenses play in causing people to have to file for bankruptcy? Is it actually one of the leading reasons as we have been led to believe? Many analysts and studies point to the high price of medical care–not only for people who have no medical insurance–but also for people who do have medical coverage as the number one leading cause. It has been cited as the cause of sixty percent of bankruptcy filings each year. However, this statistic was actually garnered from a 2007 Harvard University study. A recent study reached different a conclusion.

Most Americans have some form of debt, and many struggle to make payments. Some are fortunate enough to get by with responsible budgeting, consolidation, and other financial strategies. However, unexpected circumstances, such as a suffering an injury or losing a job, can cause a debtor to fall behind. In some cases, creditors will garnish a debtor’s income to pay debt.

Although wage garnishment can severely limit a person's financial freedoms, certain requirements must be met in order for wage garnishments to be legal. This article will briefly discuss how wage garnishment laws work in Texas.

Texas Laws Regarding Garnished Wages

Owning a home is one of life's great accomplishments, and mortgages help people achieve this dream. Home loans, however, can become burdensome when an individual or family enters difficult financial circumstances.

Some homeowners face bankruptcy or foreclosure as a consequence of struggling to meet mortgage payments. Fortunately, experiencing tough economic challenges does not always mean debtors will lose their homes or declare bankruptcy. Here are some helpful tips when monthly payments become difficult to afford:

1. Review Your Mortgage and Contact Your Loan Provider

Many Americans are aware different types of debt exist, but may not know some forms of debt are more manageable than others. The type of debt also can affect an individual’s options when trying to file bankruptcy.

According to Investor Place, the average American citizen carries $225,000 or more in debt. This accounts for America’s total debt in credit cards, mortgages, and various loans, as well average interest rates and the percentage of citizens with more than $500 put away in a savings account.

Credit Card Debt