Mark Cappel
Mark Cappel has edited magazines, web sites, and books for IBM, IDG, and Prentice Hall for the last 25 years. He earned a degree in law in 2006, and puts his law school lessons and editing experience to work every day in creating content for Bills.com that is accurate legally, yet easy to understand. When he's not in front of a computer, Mark is an amateur actor, a swordsman, and a Gate Dept. volunteer at Burning Man.
Insurance BeneficiarySep 7, 2010
If your spouse has not listed someone as a beneficiary, then the distribution will go to your spouse's estate where it will be subject to creditors' claims.
Help with Bank of America mortgage modificationSep 1, 2010
Bank of America Mortgage Modification | Free tips on how to deal with a Bank of America mortgage modification. Begin by ...
Want to Move But Don't Want to Sell HouseAug 24, 2010
A foreclosure will free you from the property, but at the expense of, among other things, your credit score.
Negotiate Short SaleAug 10, 2010
Negotiate Short Sale | Work closely with your lender. Before negotiating with the lender review your bankruptcy options. Seek out alternatives such as...
Saxon Mortgage Principal ReductionAug 3, 2010
Saxon Mortgage Services claims to offer repayment and forbearance plan, loan modifications, short sales, debt forgiveness, and deeds in lieu of foreclosure.
California Short SaleJul 26, 2010
California Short Sale | California Short Sale rules were changed by California SB 458. CCP 580e outlaws a deficiency judgment under a note secured by a deed of
Collection Account & Credit ScoreJul 22, 2010
A credit record is an imperfect snapshot of a person's credit history that is 60-90 days out of date. The soonest that any change can be reflected in a credit s
HELOC PaymentJul 22, 2010
Late-Pct wayments on HELOC | There is no standard HELOC contraith consistent terms and conditions. A HELOC from (for example) Bank of America may have...
Bonded TitleJul 20, 2010
Each state has a procedure for removing a lien from a vehicle.
Wrong Address on Credit ReportJul 16, 2010
Under the FCRA, both the consumer credit reporting company and the information provider are responsible for correcting inaccurate or incomplete information in
403b Distribution to Qualify for RefinanceJul 15, 2010
403b Distribution to Qualify for Refinance | Before you reduce your debt through a 403b distribution check out other debt relief options, including....
Refinance to 15-Year LoanJul 13, 2010
If you can afford to increase your mortgage payments by 30%, and with a 1.25% decrease in the interest rate, you can cut your overall interest expense dramatica
Deceased's American Express DebtJul 12, 2010
American Express | Creditors may contact the surviving relatives of a recently deceased debtor to try to convince them to pay the debt owed by their late...
Buy CarJul 1, 2010
A good rate on a vehicle is 8-10%. People with no or poor credit history will pay twice that.
Raise Your Score For FreeJul 1, 2010
Raise Credit Score for Free | It doesn't have to cost you money to raise your credit score. Follow a clear strategy and make smart decisions and your score...
Bank of America's EquatorJun 28, 2010
Equator is a computer database and workflow system developed by a third party and implemented by Bank of America to handle short sales.
Change Name on Mortgage When Qualifying for Reverse MortgageJun 28, 2010
Change Name on Mortgage When Qualifying for Reverse Mortgage | If you have more than one person on your deed and want to do a reverse mortgage, then shop....
Payment Protection PlanJun 24, 2010
Payment Protection Plan | The Chase payment protection plan allows for minimum monthly payments and waives interest for six months to two years if a …
Short SaleJun 24, 2010
A short sale is where a mortgagee (most likely a bank) agrees to the sale of a property for less than the balance of the loan. The new owner...
California EvictionJun 23, 2010
California eviction | In California, eviction requires written notice. if you were evicted legally, you should have received a written notice three days before
Sallie Mae CosignerJun 23, 2010
Sallie Mae Cosigner | As a cosigner, you are 100% responsible for the debt. It's hard to negotiate settlements for student loan debts, but it is easier to if...
Cancel Chevron Credit CardJun 23, 2010
Cancel Chevron Credit Card | Before you cancel your Chevron credit card monitor your credit report. The number of accounts and their length are important...
Bank of America Foreclosure & Mortgage ModificationJun 18, 2010
Try to learn if the foreclosure notice is a prelude to Bank of America initiating a foreclosure, or if it is legal placeholder designed to preserve the bank's r
Wisconsin Second Mortgage ForeclosureJun 14, 2010
Learn the rules for foreclosure on first and second mortgages in Wisconsin, and steps you can take to avoid foreclosure.
Home Equity Line of Credit TermsJun 14, 2010
HELOC Terms | A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is akin to a credit card secured by property. The terms of a HELOC vary, so check your contract and...
401k to Pay Student LoanJun 11, 2010
Taking a 401(k) distribution my result in lower interest costs, but will almost certainly result in the increased monthly...
Home Loan ModificationJun 7, 2010
A home loan modification is a permanent change in one or more of the terms of a mortgagor's loan, allows the loan to be reinstated, and results in a payment the
Investment AdviserJun 4, 2010
First, you need to find an attorney who is experienced in wills and trusts. Second, you need an investment adviser.
Foreclose on Second Deed of TrustJun 4, 2010
Foreclose on Second Deed of Trust | A second mortgage can be foreclosed upon even if the first mortgage is current. Check your loan documents, speak to ...
Refinance or Home Equity Loan?Jun 2, 2010
Refinance or Home Equity Loan? | To decide whether you should refinance or take out a HEL, start by looking at your current mortgage interest rate, then...
Short Sale on HELOCJun 2, 2010
Short Sale on HELOC | If you allow a foreclosure you will face a deficiency balance. You will also need to buy a new property or pay rent, which are new...
Cash Out Retirement AccountJun 1, 2010
If you are paying a high interest rate on this loan, then consider receiving a distribution large enough to extinguish this debt plus the second credit card.
Peer-to-Peer LoanMay 24, 2010
Peer to Peer Loan | Consider borrowing from someone in your circle of friends, or from a peer-to-peer lender such as Lending Club or Prosper.
Chapter 13 vs. Deed in Lieu of ForeclosureMay 19, 2010
Chapter 13 vs. Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure | If you cannot afford your mortgage payments look into options including a modification, bankruptcy or deed-in-lieu.
Ex-Spouse & ForeclosureMay 19, 2010
A mortgage is a contract. A divorce is a contract. One does not trump the other. Just because a judge signs a divorce decree does not make the divorce any more
Florida Usury LawMay 14, 2010
In Florida, the legal rate of interest is 12%. The general usury limit is 18%. On loans above $500,000 the maximum rate is 25%.
Alabama Mortgage RefinanceMay 6, 2010
Among other factors, lenders calculate and analyze your debt-to-income ratio to determine the size of the mortgage or mortgage refinance you can afford.
I Have No Credit History What Can I Do?May 5, 2010
What can I do if I have no credit history?
Strategic Mortgage DefaultMay 5, 2010
Strategic mortgage default is where a homeowner voluntarily walks away a mortgage because the balance of the mortgage(s) is greater than the fair market value o
Short Sale SellingMay 5, 2010
Short Sale Selling | If you sell your home for less than you owe on it, you may be liable for a deficiency balance, depending on your state laws. Check...
Mortgage Refinance CanadaApr 28, 2010
Confirm with your lender/ servicer that there is a penalty, and if so calculate what the exact penalty will be. It should be 1% of your outstanding balance or l
California Divorce MortgageApr 27, 2010
California divorce mortgage | In a California divorce, mortgage lenders are not bound by a divorce decree. If your spouse does not comply with the decree...
Mortgage Foreclosure NevadaApr 23, 2010
Mortgage Foreclosure Nevada | You may be liable for a deficiency balance in Nevada after a foreclosure. Look into the MHA programs including HAFA and...
HARP Refinance CaliforniaApr 22, 2010
Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) allows home owners to refinance their existing mortgages to current low interest rates even if their LTV is greater tha
Mortgage Foreclosure MichiganApr 22, 2010
Michigan is a recourse state, and a mortgagee can foreclose judicially or non-judicially. Learn more about your rights and liabilities at Bills.com
Mortgage Foreclosure VirginiaApr 22, 2010
Virginia is a recourse state. Learn what this means, and other foreclosure rules for Virginia at Bills.com
Mortgage Foreclosure GeorgiaApr 20, 2010
Mortgage Foreclosure Georgia | Look into foreclosure avoidance options including the HAFA program. HAFA sets guidelines for short sales and deeds in lieu...
Mortgage Foreclosure CaliforniaApr 20, 2010
Second Mortgage California | California's non-recourse and anti-deficiency laws may protect you against a second mortgage foreclosure. Also, your taxes...
Student Loan DisabilityApr 15, 2010
If you are disabled and have a federal student loan, the Dept. of Education may cancel the balance of your loan. However, you must apply to have your loan cance
$12000 IRS DebtApr 12, 2010
IRS debt problems can often be solved by using the services of a tax professional who has a track record of successfully negotiating on behalf of clients...