- Financial Term Glossary
- Debtor
Debtor
Debtor summary:
A debtor is anyone who owes money to a creditor.
Debtors are responsible for repaying what’s owed.
Once you clear a debt, you’re no longer a debtor to that creditor.
Debtor definition and meaning
Debtors owe money to a creditor, which can be another individual, a lender, a company, an organization, or the government. When the money owed is a loan, the debtor may also be called a borrower.
Key concept: A debtor is someone who owes a debt.
Debtor: a comprehensive breakdown
As soon as you owe someone money, you incur a debt and become a debtor.
There are many ways to become a debtor. Here are a few examples:
Sign mortgage paperwork and complete a home purchase
Buy a plane ticket with a credit card
Buy a car with a car loan
Get a personal loan at your credit union
Go to the hospital and incur a medical bill
Lose a case in small claims court
Bounce a check
Forget to pay a parking ticket
The person, company, organization, or government you owe money to is called a creditor. The law provides debtors and creditors with rights and responsibilities so that we can use the credit system to spend money safely and easily.
The debtor is responsible for repaying what’s owed. The creditor is responsible for communicating what's owed and for processing payments accurately.
Debtor examples
Laura became a debtor when she used an auto loan from her credit union to buy a car. She signed papers agreeing to the terms of the loan, including its interest rate, years to repay, and monthly payments. She's chosen to go paperless, and accesses her account online to check her last payment, current loan balance, and other information. When she pays off her loan, the lender will give her the clear title to her car.
Jim became a debtor when he had a medical emergency and ended up in the hospital. Fortunately, he recovered and was discharged after a week. Jim’s health insurance didn’t cover his expenses entirely. He now owes about $16,000 in medical debt, which includes his deductible and coinsurance fees. He spoke to their accounting office, and they worked with him to set up a schedule of payments that he could afford.
Natalie became a debtor when she bounced a check to Luna's Pizza on Friday night—but only for a couple of days. When the restaurant owner called her on Monday, Natalie drove to Luna's, paid in cash, and apologized. As soon as you pay off your debt, you're no longer a debtor.
The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. For personalized legal advice, consult with a qualified attorney licensed to practice law in your state.
Debtor FAQs
Are all types of debt eligible for debt resolution?
No. The following types of debt are generally ineligible for debt resolution programs:
Secured debt, like a mortgage, HELOC, or auto loan
Federal student loans
Tax debt
Utility bills
Legal judgments
Debt incurred by a business you own or through self-employment work
Debt resolution programs could address unsecured debts such as:
Credit cards or department store cards
Medical bills
Most personal loans
Collections or repossessions
Lines of credit
Some payday loans
Some private student loan debt
No creditor is obligated to help you resolve a debt for less than the full amount.
What types of debt can be consolidated?
Just about any kind of debt can be consolidated, including credit cards, medical bills, student loans, personal loans, car loans, and private debts.
Mortgages can be consolidated but because they tend to be bigger, this strategy has a different name. You'd normally want to look at a mortgage refinance loan, which is a new mortgage that pays off your old mortgage. If you don’t want to refinance your mortgage, a home equity loan might be a good option.
How long does it take to get out of debt?
Most people can get out of debt through a debt resolution program within two to four years. Bankruptcy can take anywhere from four months to five years.
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