Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Massachusetts

I have debt from many years ago. I have since gone onto disability. A year ago a collection agency called me and I agreed to pay them $10 a month because I did not know what else to do. By my offering the $10 a month did I re-instate my agreement for the original credit card debt? I never sent or signed a written agreement to promise this payment but have been sending in payments for well over a year. I did verbally agree to send it though. I do not know how long ago I accrued the debt. I am struggling to make ends meet and am wondering if I can stop paying this $10 a month without being hauled into court. My name is on a house with my dad's & brother's names and my dad and I live in it currently. We have a homestead act on the property. I wish to avoid having liens put on the property. I do not know Massachusett's laws regarding this situation.

I cannot afford bankruptcy nor a lawyer which is why I am posting this here.

Thanks for your help.

Kat


Asked on 4/20/11, 2:43 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
David Baker Law Office of David Baker

Debt collectors certainly can be relentless, so I understand your worry. I do think you should consider bankruptcy, however. There are programs that can help you find a lawyer who will do the bankruptcy case (a "chapter 7 case", most likely) for free. This is called "pro bono". In Boston, the Volunteer Lawyers Project does this. I believe there are similar programs in Worcester and Springfield, if you live near those cities. In any event, look in the Yellow Pages (if you can find one!) for the Bar Association near you and call it; they can help you find a "pro bono" lawyer.

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Answered on 4/20/11, 4:17 pm


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