Credit Repair, 7th edition

293 Pages·2005·1.99 MB·English

by  Robin Leonard

7th edition
Credit
Repair
by Attorney Robin Leonard
updated by Attorney John Lamb
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7th edition
Credit
Repair
by Attorney Robin Leonard
updated by Attorney John Lamb
SEVENTH EDITION JUNE 2005
Editor STEPHANIE BORNSTEIN
Illustrations MARI STEIN
Cover Design MARY E. ALBANESE
Book Design TERRI HEARSH
Production JESSICA STERLING
CD-ROM Preparation ANDRÉ ZIVOKOVICH
Index JULIE SHAWVAN
Proofreading JOE SADUSKY
Printing CONSOLIDATED PRINTERS, INC.
Leonard, Robin.
Credit repair / by Robin Leonard.-- 7th ed.
p. cm.
ISBN 1-4133-0192-4
1. Consumer credit--United States--Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Finance,
Personal--United States--Handbooks, manuals, etc. 3. Consumer credit--Law and
legislation--United States. I. Leonard, Robin. II. Title.
HG3756.U54L46 2005
332.7'43--dc22
200504523
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Acknowledgments
Thank you to Shae Irving, who brought great ideas and energy to this project. For the
fourth edition, thank you to James Judd for the material on identity theft.
—R.L.
About the Authors
Robin Leonard graduated from Cornell Law School in 1985. She is the author or co-
author of numerous Nolo books, including Solve Your Money Troubles: Get Debt Collec-
tors Off Your Back & Regain Financial Freedom, Bankruptcy: Is It the Right Solution
to Your Debt Problems?, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Repay Your Debts, How to File for
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, A Legal Guide for Lesbian and Gay Couples, and Nolo’s Pocket
Guide to Family Law.
John Lamb updated Credit Repair for 2005. John has been a consumer lawyer for most
of his career (now measured in decades), emphasizing credit, credit reporting, privacy,
automobile, and landlord-tenant issues. He has advocated consumer reforms in court
and the Legislature and speaks and writes frequently on consumer issues.

Table of Contents
I Introduction to Credit Repair
A. Credit Repair Fast Facts .................................................................................................I/2
B. When to Get Help Beyond This Book ..............................................................................I/5
C. Helpful Icons Used in This Book .......................................................................................I/5
1 Assessing Your Debt Situation
A. Take Care of Financial Emergencies ................................................................................1/2
B. Face Your Debt Problems ..............................................................................................1/2
C. Understand Your Options for Dealing With Your Debts ........................................................1/3
2 Avoiding Overspending
A. Keep Track of Your Daily Expenditures .............................................................................2/2
B. Total Up Your Income ...................................................................................................2/4
C. Make a Budget or Spending Plan ...................................................................................2/7
D. Prevent Future Financial Problems ..................................................................................2/11