35 thousand in debt

[Dawnisha]

So i started a fire in a home i rented, I was there a total of 7 days. The fire was my faught I turned my back on cooking food. I accepted the responsibilty. My landlord at the time, the home owner told me verbally that I would be released of my lease, pretty much act as though i never lived there. Also I will not be held accountable for ANY damages. Now her insurance is making me reimbure them 35,916.48. I want to cry, I dont know what to do. I have emails from myself and the homeowner back and forth. With statement telling me Im free from the lease, and damages of the fire. What could I do, should I fight this? I will never be able to buy a house. I cant pay this back. Im still behind on bills from the fire!!

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

The landlord filed with their insurance company and it's the company that has determined you are a fault for these damages, not the landlord. Doesn't matter what the landlord told you in terms of you not owing anything.

Gail

 

[Dawnisha]

Ok, so talking to other people, even Tom Martino from Fox 31 news said my best solution is BANK RUP... What do you think?

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

So...you're asking us for advice on how you can cheat an insurance company out of a debt that you yourself admit you owe?

Bankruptcy can have some significant long term effects. For one, you can likely kiss your ability to get a loan to purchase a house goodbye from many lending agencies (unless you're interested in paying a whopping interest rate). A fair number of landlords wouldn't even rent to you.

While bankruptcy seems the answer to some, it is important that you review every side of this. Start with this site:

http://www.bankruptcylawinformation.com/index.cfm?event=dspLongTermEffects

Gail