I owe bank of america $1,700 and I just had a baby and have a 2 year old. I am not married and havent worked for 3 months, I cant go back to work cause I cant afford a babysitter. They sent me a letter saying that they want me to be found in contempt of court. I have 2 kids and cant work , what if I go to jail, who will watch my kids. I am really scared and dont know what to do. They sent me a letter of interrogatories and I didnt fill it out because they wanted a lot of personal information from me. And because I didnt they want me to go to jail for 5 days. What can I do?
2007-07-20 09:01:52 · 13 answers · asked by cruz o 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Ignoring it won't fix it, so it's time to phone Bank of America or a debt consolidation agency and set up a payment plan. Just stress that you have kids and aren't working right now. You must have some source of money. If not... even with two kids, maybe you can get something that only takes a little time or that you can do from home. Telemarketing? Paper route? I know it's not glamorous, but cash is cash. There's always something.
Best of luck. Handle it one step at a time, don't stress over the whole thing.
2007-07-20 09:09:49 · answer #1 · answered by MadDog 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you cannot go to jail. You owing someone money is a civil matter, not a criminal matter. They always ask for the person on your shoes to be put in jail, but it rarely happens. The worst that could happen is they will get a judgment against you and you'll have bad credit.
You should still answer the interrogatories, even if they're overdue. Leave off any info that is none of their business, but answer the basic stuff - enough to let the judge know that you are an unemployed mother of 2 small kids. They'll get their judgment, but you won't go to jail.
2007-07-20 09:15:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, they can't put you in jail for being in debt -- they got rid of that in the Middle Ages.
However, if you don't answer interrogatories, you could be held in contempt, but you can also argue your way out of that, and they won't put you in jail and take your kids for something so minor.
(FYI, Interrogatories ask for personal information, but it will also remain confidential in the court proceedings. I'm sure most of the questions are about where and how you live, so if you're broke and unemployed, answering these truthfully might help you instead of hurt you. Very likely, the judge will force you to answe them.)
You need a lawyer. Call Legal Aid or the Bar Association in your county and tell them you need a pro bono lawyer to help you answer the interrogatories.
2007-07-20 09:19:15 · answer #3 · answered by Hillary 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your being harassed by debt collectors (a bunch of scum bags who buy the debts for 2 or 3 cents on the dollar, and have a very, very high interest rate), go to budhibbs.com. Bud is a very well know advocate for this sort of thing. For $500 he'll get them off your back. You just need to send them the collection letters you recieve. In some states it's legal to record the phone call. There is a fair debt collection law. Sometimes the collectors will sell the debt to other collectors a couple of times, but eventually it stops. It's worked for me. I realize, that in your situation, this might not be affordable for you. I've never heard of being threatened with jail for a credit card debt, just for bad checks.
2007-07-20 09:24:19 · answer #4 · answered by Jenn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's possible, but not likely.
Get an attorney or if you can't afford one, check with a legal aid service in your area. If you take your kids to court with you, you may get home detention instead of jail.
2007-07-20 09:14:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
either get someone to pay off your debt or get a job. there are a lot of state programs to help single moms/dads with daycare expenses so you can go back to work. trust me... you'll regret not doing anything if they take you from your kids (even for only 5 days)!
2007-07-20 09:11:45 · answer #6 · answered by lxs_wlfrd 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not much. Yes you can go to jail. Go get an attorney right away. The state would get custody of your kids.
2007-07-20 09:06:09 · answer #7 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Drop the kids at mom's and do the 5 days!
2007-07-20 09:09:33 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What about the fathers of your kids? Are they paying support? If not, why not? Get legal help, fast.
2007-07-20 09:24:06 · answer #9 · answered by merrybodner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
BANKS SUCK @SS!!!!! ALL THEY CARE about are their stock holders. yes, you should try and pay them back a little here and there. Talk to some suit wearing idiot at the bank and set up a plan. Next close that account and get an account at a credit union. good luck.
2007-07-20 09:08:08 · answer #10 · answered by get dent 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋