Debt Relief:Definitions

Definitions and Common Terms

Garnishee or Garnishment

  • A creditor can legally take money from a debtor's paycheck.

Sue or suit

  • The creditor can take legal action to get the money owed

Liens

  • The creditor can legally claim the property of the debtor until the debt is paid by placing a lien on the property

Liquidation

  • A debtor may be legally ordered to sell all assets in order to settle debts.

Consolidation

  • The process of combining all debt into one sum and having only one payment. This may be helpful when there are multiple credit cards with high interest rates. Consolidation is used in other circumstances as well.

Bankruptcy

    *Chapter 7
    *Chapter 13