How do I access the client portal?
You can access it by going to https://client.higbeeassociates.com/login. Your login and password should have been sent to you via email with the subject XXXX.
Who will my attorney be?
All clients have at least one attorney assigned to their case. Our legal team has more than a dozen attorneys— all with experience serving clients who are experiencing financial hardship. The attorney assigned you will depend on what state you reside in.
What if creditors harass me?
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that protects you from harassment by third-party debt collectors who are attempting to collect debts on behalf of another person or entity (creditor). The FDCPA makes it illegal for a debt collector to do such things as use abusive language, make unrealistic threats, call you repeatedly, call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 pm., unless you agree to it.
Can you stop debt collectors from harassing me?
Yes! Once debt collectors cannot contact you after they are notified about our representing you. We may be able to get you compensation from the debt collector if they contact you after they are notified of our representation.
How much does it cost to file bankruptcy?
Chapter 7 bankrpucy starts at $1250 and goes up based on the complexity of the case. Chapter 13 bankruptcy starts at $3500 and goes up based on the complexity of the case. We do not handle bankruptcy in all states. If we cannot handle your bankrputcy case, we help you find a qualified attorney who can. The court will also charge a filing fee and require you to complete a class that costs around $50.
Will people know I filed bankruptcy?
Bankruptcy does result in a record that is available to the public— though, it is probably unlikely to be noticed by your friends or neighbors. However, it will appear on your credit report for 10 years.
How do I pay for debt settlement?
You can pay hourly based on the time we spend on the matter or based on a percentage of the enrolled debt. Eitherway, you do not pay us until an account is settled and you only pay us for the accounts we settle.
When will you start to settle my debts?
Our legal team starts working on your settlement strategy as soon as you start the program. Typically, the first settlement occurs between four to six months after a client enrolls in the program.
Do I need to approve each settlement?
Yes, every settlement must be approved by you. The attorney will review it and may make recommendations, but the decision to settle an account is entirely yours. We will notify you via text message or email when we have a settlement offer. You can also set-up pre-approval that allow us to accept a settlement that meets your preset requirements. Remember, settlement offers are time sensitive, so please be quick to respond.
What happens after you approve a settlement?
Once you authorize a negotiated settlement, payment will be submitted to your creditor through your DSA, according to the agreed upon terms. At this time, the law firm will collect the portion of the fee owed for that particular account.
Will creditors or debt-collectors sue me if I am in a debt settlement program?
It is unlikely, but possible. If it happens, do not panic. We have handled thousands of lawsuits from creditors, we are here to help. Please contact us right away so we can discuss options on how to fight back.