| I am a Debtor Daniel O’Brien, Esquire I’m a debtor. Not so very long ago, I didn’t have the courage to make this statement to anyone. Just like you, I was embarrassed. I didn’t want my family and friends to know that I was having financial problems because I was afraid that they would look at me differently; that they would see me as a person who was not in control of his life, a failure. And I had spent a lifetime giving everyone the impression that I had it all together. Don’t we spend a lifetime giving everyone the impression that we have it all together? I was especially secretive about my financial problems because, at the time, I was an accountant and accountants are supposed to know how to handle money, aren’t they? Well, almost 20 years have elapsed but this experience was the impetus for me to change my life and the lives of others. I learned a lot over the years but I learned it the hard way. Today, I am an attorney and part of my practice is devoted to helping others solve their financial difficulties. You can solve your own financial problems, without the services of an attorney or a debt relief agency, in less than 24 hours. RELAX AND BREATH. This is the first statement that I make to all of my new clients. Regardless of how deep in debt you are and how hopeless your situation seems, there is a solution to your problem. You just need to find it and you won’t find it when you allow your emotions to control your thinking and your actions. WORK AS A TEAM. If you’re married or have a significant other, don’t argue over debt. You have to work as a team to solve the problem. I have seen debt problems lead to family arguments and divorce. ANALYZE YOUR CURRENT FINANCIAL SITUATION. Stop spending money right now until you have prepared a family budget. Pay your mortgage, rent, and utilities but avoid spending any other money until you have analyzed your current financial situation. SELECT AN OPTION TO SOLVE YOUR PROBLEM. There are only 3 options to solve any debt problem: a negotiated repayment plan, settlement of the debt for less than what is owed, and bankruptcy. Your family budget will lead you to the best option. In future articles, I’ll explain these concepts fully. If you need answers immediately, contact me by email: attorneydanielobrien@gmail.com Bio of Daniel O’Brien I am an attorney who specializes in family and business turnaround strategies, including debt, tax, bankruptcy, and real estate workout solutions. I have written and published three books. My latest book is entitled Trade Secrets: Solving Financial Problems in Less than 24 Hours. My specialties include: analysis of individual and corporate financial information, analysis of federal and state tax data and the preparation of delinquent tax returns, negotiations with the financial communities, and the development and implementation of budgeting systems for individual and corporate clients. I received my Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Massachusetts, Master’s Degree from New Hampshire College, and Juris Doctorate Degree from the Massachusetts School of Law. In addition, I have received advanced tax certificates in Partnership and Corporate Tax Law from the Internal Revenue Service. My biography has been included in the 20th edition of Who’s Who in Business and Finance. |