A New Year’s Resolution Worth Considering: Getting Clear About Your Debt Options

Getting Clear About Your Debt Options

The beginning of a new year causes a lot of people to stop and take stock. We think about health, family, work, and—often quietly—money. For many Alabama and Mississippi families, financial stress is not new. It has simply followed them from one year into the next.

If dealing with debt is on your list of resolutions this year, there is one step that almost always makes sense and costs nothing: having a free, confidential conversation with an experienced bankruptcy attorney.

That step does not mean filing a case. It does not lock you into a decision. It simply gives you reliable information about where you stand and what options are available.

Consulting a Bankruptcy Attorney Is About Understanding, Not Filing

One of the most common misconceptions we hear is that calling a bankruptcy lawyer automatically leads to bankruptcy. In reality, that should never be the starting point.

A good bankruptcy attorney does more than explain the filing process. They look at the full picture—income, expenses, types of debt, timing issues, and goals—and help you understand all of the available paths forward.

Depending on the situation, that discussion may involve:

  • Whether bankruptcy makes sense now, later, or not at all

  • How wage garnishments, lawsuits, or collection activity can be addressed

  • Differences between secured and unsecured debts

  • Alternatives that may be available outside of bankruptcy

Sometimes the best advice is simply knowing what not to do.

Why Information Alone Can Make a Difference

Debt often causes stress not just because of the numbers, but because of the uncertainty. Collection calls, letters, and threats of legal action leave people feeling stuck and unsure of what comes next.

A consultation replaces that uncertainty with clarity. Even when no immediate action is taken, understanding how the law works and what protections exist allows people to make better decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

We regularly hear from clients that they wish they had come in sooner—not because they should have filed earlier, but because they would have worried less.

Free and Confidential Means No Pressure

At the Bond & Botes Law Offices, we offer free and confidential consultations because people should be able to explore their options without fear of being pushed in a direction that does not feel right.

There is no obligation to move forward.
There is no requirement to file.
And there is nothing to lose by asking questions.

Our role is to explain the options clearly and honestly, based on decades of experience helping individuals and families across Alabama and Mississippi.

A Practical Way to Start the Year

Most New Year’s resolutions involve big promises and quick burnout. This one is different. It is not about committing to a particular solution—it is about understanding your situation before it gets worse.

You may learn that:

  • Your situation is more manageable than you thought

  • You have options you were unaware of

  • Bankruptcy is not necessary—or that it may be a useful tool when used carefully and at the right time

Either way, you start the year making decisions based on facts rather than assumptions.


Questions We Commonly Hear:

Will speaking with a bankruptcy attorney hurt my credit?

No. A consultation has no impact on your credit report.

Am I required to file if I schedule a consultation?

No. The decision is always yours.

Is the consultation really confidential?

Yes. Everything discussed is protected, even if you never become a client.

What should I bring?

Whatever information you have is fine. We can work through the details together.

Take the First Step Without Commitment

If debt is something you have carried into the new year, consider starting with information rather than worry. A free, confidential consultation costs nothing—and often provides clarity and peace of mind that people wish they had sooner.

Phone: 877-581-3396
Email: Click Here to email us through our website
Website: https://www.bondnbotes.com/






This post is intended for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. To discuss your specific situation, we encourage you to schedule a confidential consultation with an attorney.

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Bond & Botes Law Offices

At Bond & Botes, we now offer full service bankruptcy consultation and filing over the phone or by video from the comfort and safety of your home or office. Please call 1-877-581-3396 or click here to setup your free phone or video consultation.

The lawyers at the Bond & Botes affiliated offices serve clients at offices in Anniston, Birmingham, Montgomery, Opelika, Decatur, Huntsville, Florence, Haleyville and Gadsden, Alabama; Vicksburg, Hattiesburg and Jackson, Mississippi. Read our disclaimer here. You can view our Privacy Policy here.

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Age-Herald Building
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
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Opelika 36801
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Vicksburg, MS 39180
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Long Beach, MS 39560
Phone: (228) 206-0115

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