[pcnatx]

Hello,

I live in Austin, Tx and due to some bad luck and health my credit has suffered a major blow over the last few years. I have a repo on my car, an eviction, a few personal loans plus I owe the utility company for bills dating back to 1981. I am not able to find a place to live or buy another or even get a consolidation loan for everything so my questions are:
Is bankruptcy an option for me (no secured debts)
If a company or agency does not report my bill to a credit reporting agency, how long can they hold on to the bill or hold it against me?
Any advice is appreciated. I am currently living with friends but that is difficult and I need my own place and transportation.

[Enigma]

First of all welcome. Read what is on this board and learn.

As far as filing BK, only a competent attorney in your local area can advise you as what to do.

[centex]

Originally Posted by pcnatx

Hello,

I live in Austin, Tx and due to some bad luck and health my credit has suffered a major blow over the last few years. I have a repo on my car, an eviction, a few personal loans plus I owe the utility company for bills dating back to 1981. I am not able to find a place to live or buy another or even get a consolidation loan for everything so my questions are:
Is bankruptcy an option for me (no secured debts)

Difficult to say. You need to consult with someone in the area. Fees I have seen in the area recently have ranged between $700 and about $1500 for most BK7 or BK13 filings, with the fee having a lot to do with what assets there are that may need to be protected. I don't deal with many working in that area, and as a result, I cannot tell you one office will be better than another.

On the bright side, if you DO file, at least you know you only have to go downtown for the appearances.

If a company or agency does not report my bill to a credit reporting agency, how long can they hold on to the bill or hold it against me?

They can hold it into pertetuity if they choose. The SOL for litigation may preclude legal action to collect. However, as an example, a utility may require payment of any and all past-due amounts prior to the establishment of new service. I have heard that the City has elephant-like memory, but I cannot spear to TxGas or the other utility transmission entities in the Austin metropolitan area.

Any advice is appreciated. I am currently living with friends but that is difficult and I need my own place and transportation.

Depending on how recent the problems are, you may be able to find an independent landlord through CraigsList. Similarly, there are inexpensive cars routinely listed on there. What you want to do is avoid management companies as they will routinely take the path of least resistance.

[jlynn]

Tote the note type lots will not do a credit check - with $500 to $1K down, you should be able to get into transportation that will get you down the road. Utility companies do tend to have the memory of elephants. If you pay off the old debts I do not believe they will continue to refuse you service, however you will need to be prepared to pay deposits. Even if you file BK to clear the debts, they can and likely will ask for a deposit.

As Centex said, you will probably have better luck finding a rental via an individual as opposed to an apt complex. With the de-regulation of electricity in TX, you should be able to circle around any old bills if you switch providers. Water is a different story - you are stuck with whomever is the provider. Phone service can be had with a prepaid cell phone.

You say your old debts date back to 1981, but its not clear when the most difficult ones to work around occurred. Repo? Eviction? etc.

Good luck to you!