"citizens advice" in the US?
Discussion
I've asked something similar before but without the search working can't find it to see what the answers were!
Friend is in a bit of a sticky wicket financially in the US (she is American) but doesn't know who to turn to. Do they have a "citizens advice" type thing, where someone can go and discuss their options and find a way out?
Friend is in a bit of a sticky wicket financially in the US (she is American) but doesn't know who to turn to. Do they have a "citizens advice" type thing, where someone can go and discuss their options and find a way out?
There are lots of advertisments on cable TV for "We will fix your credit" A lot of them have been exposed as fraud, or at best, not a good way to go.
Being poor or in the crapper in the US is not pleasant, bankruptcy is always an option, but if you have assetts you could (and probably will) lose them.
Best place to start would be an accountant, a proper one, not a tax preparing outfit like H & R Block. He will be able to assess how bad a hole she is in and could reccomend an attorney who could file bankruptcy if that was the best option.
If she owes taxes......do something asap.
Accountants can, and often prefer to work directly with the IRS, it means giving permission for the accountant and IRS to speak directly. No big deal. I have this on a permanent basis.
Even if I was audited I would not have to attend the hearing.
If she has any cases against her, tell her to make sure she attends or she will get an immeadiate judgment agaist her(default). Even if she just says sorry and asks the court for time to pay it is better than being a now show and possibly having a warrant issued. Legal advice would obviously be better (than mine)
An accountant of her choosing is the best place to start.
Laws regarding debt and bankruptcy vary State to State BTW.
Being poor or in the crapper in the US is not pleasant, bankruptcy is always an option, but if you have assetts you could (and probably will) lose them.
Best place to start would be an accountant, a proper one, not a tax preparing outfit like H & R Block. He will be able to assess how bad a hole she is in and could reccomend an attorney who could file bankruptcy if that was the best option.
If she owes taxes......do something asap.
Accountants can, and often prefer to work directly with the IRS, it means giving permission for the accountant and IRS to speak directly. No big deal. I have this on a permanent basis.
Even if I was audited I would not have to attend the hearing.If she has any cases against her, tell her to make sure she attends or she will get an immeadiate judgment agaist her(default). Even if she just says sorry and asks the court for time to pay it is better than being a now show and possibly having a warrant issued. Legal advice would obviously be better (than mine)
An accountant of her choosing is the best place to start.
Laws regarding debt and bankruptcy vary State to State BTW.
Davi said:
many thanks both of you. Without going into detail, it's a single issue, but it's for uninsured healthcare. I think you can probably imagine the figures are rather frightening 
I dread to think, I had an injection into my should a couple of weeks back, in there for about 25 mins, the cost of that? best part of 2k.
ks, two marvellous things about the UK:Davi said:
SteveNorthEast said:
Is your friend so poor or weak she cannot even Google for herself?
Just asking.
She's just had the vast majority of her lower internals removed due to cancer and will never have the same life again. Thank you for your input it was extremely helpful.Just asking.
What I would say is get your friend to discuss the matter with the billing department - and explain the situation. In my limited experience they will reduce the bill dramatically initially (and from what I've heard try to sort out a payment plan)......in my case one bill went from $800 to $600 to nothing.......
I'd assume if it's been the "big C" it was extremely costly - but from the hospitals perspective it's better to be paid something rather than nothing.
Best of luck to your friend.
Neil
The first thing to remember is that the costs quoted to the patient in the US are, essentially, complete BS.
The actual amount paid by the health insurance companies are more in line with UK private prices.
Last time I got comparable numbers, the US figure was inflated about 50 times.
Your friend needs to speak to the billing department, or have someone do it for her.
The actual amount paid by the health insurance companies are more in line with UK private prices.
Last time I got comparable numbers, the US figure was inflated about 50 times.
Your friend needs to speak to the billing department, or have someone do it for her.
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