Pennsylvania is a beautiful state and provides a number of benefits to senior retirees. Unfortunately, too many Philadelphia area seniors are unable to enjoy all that the Commonwealth has to offer because of a burdensome load of debt. Bankruptcy and other debt solutions can often help struggling seniors regain control of their lives. (For more on bankruptcy and senior citizens, please see my recent guest post, Senior Citizens and Bankruptcy: When the Wolf is at Grandma’s Door, or the excellent Charleston Bankruptcy Blog published by SC bankruptcy lawyer Russ Demott.) In my Philadelphia law practice, I frequently see seniors struggling to make ends meet. Many are in danger of losing their homes and even their independence, and most have been in increasingly difficult financial straights for many years.
Many factors contribute to retirees’ financial difficulties, but the most common are sudden loss of income, retirement income that is less than anticipated, the need to support adult children or grandchildren, and unexpected medical bills not covered by Medicare or supplemental insurance. In addition, some retirees fall victim to theft, predatory lenders, and out-and-out con artists. Often they keep the details of their financial problems from members of their families out of embarrassment or a wish not to trouble anyone.
Fortunately, there is no need to spend your retirement years struggling with debt that you will never be able to pay off. There are options for Pennsylvania seniors in difficult financial straights. Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy might be the answer, but it is not necessarily the solution in all cases. Seniors can and should should discuss all of their options with an experienced bankruptcy lawyer. (Many bankruptcy attorneys offer free consultations and discounts for seniors.) As overwhelming as your financial situation may feel, you can regain control over your financial future.
Philadelphia Bankruptcy Attorney Dan Mueller of Harborstone Law Group, PLLC helps individuals and small businesses in the Greater Philadelphia area resolve debt problems and regain control of their finances. You can reach him at 215-248-0989.
