Understand debt collection laws, your rights against collectors, lawsuits, wage garnishment, and how to stop illegal harassment.
The biggest U.S. cable provider debt restructuring story right now involves Optimum Communications, the broadband and cable company formerly known as Altice USA. Optimum is negotiating a restructuring of roughly $26 billion in debt that could transfer control of the company to its lenders, resolve litigation between the company and its creditors, and possibly be…
The best way to pay off credit card debt for most people is to pay the minimum on every card, stop adding new charges, and send every extra dollar to the card with the highest APR. This is the debt avalanche method, and it usually costs the least interest. If you cannot afford your minimums,…
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: FUN) is facing several separate problems at once: a fatal incident on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on October 12, 2026, precautionary closures of nine similar coasters at six parks, individual brain injury lawsuits over the X2 coaster in California, about $4.9 billion in net debt,…
Does medical debt affect your credit score in 2026? Yes — but far less than it used to, and the rules depend on where you live. Medical bills under $500 have been removed from all credit reports nationwide. Paid medical debt no longer appears at all. Unpaid medical collections over $500 can still hurt your…
Does credit card debt die with you when you pass away? No — credit card debt does not die with you. When you die, your outstanding credit card balances become the responsibility of your estate. Your estate pays creditors before distributing anything to your heirs. If the estate cannot cover the debt, it is typically…
Is a mortgage considered an asset? No — a mortgage is not an asset to the homeowner. It is a liability: money you owe to a lender. However, the home you purchased with that mortgage is an asset. The mortgage and the home are two separate things on your personal balance sheet. Your equity —…
Does a mortgage count as debt? Yes — a mortgage is legally and financially classified as debt. It appears on your credit report, factors into your debt-to-income ratio, and affects your ability to borrow money. However, a mortgage is widely considered “good debt” because it builds equity, can increase your net worth over time, and…
The Primary Cardholder Pays—Not the Authorized User The primary cardholder, who opened the account and agreed to the card’s terms and conditions, is solely responsible for paying off any balance on the card, regardless of who made the charges. Being an authorized user generally does not obligate you to pay the debt. This federal protection…
Generally, a “good” debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is 36% or lower, while 43% is the absolute ceiling for most traditional mortgage lenders. If your ratio is below 36%, you are viewed as a “safe bet” by banks. If it climbs above 50%, you are in what lenders call the “danger zone,” where qualifying for new credit…