college bill to collections -- background check/C&F Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi TLS,

I am a current 1L. I had one bill at my exchange school(in IL) in sophomore year and since I didn't check my account after departure, a bill around $50 was "sent to collections". I paid immediately after recognizing that outstanding bill to the university.

I haven't even recognized that it was sent to collections since other than a "collections administration fee" of $40 charged to my account, no collection agencies have ever contacted me. Besides, it only passed due date for around 70 days which I assume doesn't qualify to be sent to collections in usual cases. As I paid directly to the university, I don't even know if that bill was actually "referred for collections" or it is just some internal fee charged to my account. I tried to check with the university's biling department if my bill was actually referred for collections, but all they told me is that "we see an collections administrative fee charged to your account."

As a foreigner I didn't recognize that "referred for collections" would actually hurt me until now. And I freaked out when I read some questions in bar applications phrased like "Have you ever had debt sent to collections or charged off?". I didn't have an SSN back then and I have been abroad for several years after that semester. Thus, I even wonder whether that would show on my credit history(I don't even think that I have an actual credit history since I don't have a credit card here).

So here are the questions: Would that be necessary for me to disclose this bill in my future bar applications? Should I just add an addendum stating what I know about that or should I just answer" Yes" to the question about debt to collections and fill out the form? Would that ding me for biglaw SA/FT background check? I don't think this is sth that I need to disclose to my law school, but is there any necessity that I need to amend application to include this stupid incident?

I know I am being paranoid but I am pretty worried after reading http://www.xoxohth.com/thread.php?threa ... forum_id=2. Please help!

[Anonymous User]

To be clear: that is a troll thread. I had some vaguely severe C&F issues (criminal), and nobody cared. I can't imagine that they're going to give a shit about your bill that got referred to collections.

EDIT: oops, I didn't realize this was for the bar. That thread you linked was about the internal firm background check. I haven't had the bar one, but I still can't imagine that they're going to care about some weird bill from your university. That collections fee also sounds very much like an internal late fee.

[Anonymous User]

To be clear: that is a troll thread. I had some vaguely severe C&F issues (criminal), and nobody cared. I can't imagine that they're going to give a shit about your bill that got referred to collections.

EDIT: oops, I didn't realize this was for the bar. That thread you linked was about the internal firm background check. I haven't had the bar one, but I still can't imagine that they're going to care about some weird bill from your university. That collections fee also sounds very much like an internal late fee.

OP here: Thank you for your response! That thread I linked freaks me out so thanks for your reassurance. I really don't think that weird bill qualifies as something that needs to be disclosed for questions like "Have you ever got your credit card revoked, or debts to collections or charged off?" and will check further with the billing apartment of my college.

[zot1]

You should always err in the side of disclosure. The mere fact that you are afraid of disclosing and would like to not do it because of the possible consequences ("not in my social," "might not be in my credit history") speaks volume of your character.

Debt issues are important to the bar because chances are that you will be dealing with client money and they want to see that you will be responsible.

Just explain away what happened like you're doing here and you should be fine.

But really, don't be afraid to own up to something because of consequences. This could lead to some bad judgment in your career.

[kellyfrost]

Disclose. You should disclose everything, but keep in mind, this isn't going to impact a CF determination in any way.

As a previous poster said, err on the side of caution. Disclose, disclose, disclose.

[encore1101]

You should always err in the side of disclosure. The mere fact that you are afraid of disclosing and would like to not do it because of the possible consequences ("not in my social," "might not be in my credit history") speaks volume of your character.

Debt issues are important to the bar because chances are that you will be dealing with client money and they want to see that you will be responsible.

Just explain away what happened like you're doing here and you should be fine.

But really, don't be afraid to own up to something because of consequences. This could lead to some bad judgment in your career.

Wow, get off your high horse.

[A. Nony Mouse]

I'm not going to say it has anything to do with a person's character, but being inclined to brush away things that might look bad is a bad tendency in law. Totally human, but it is likely to get someone in trouble.

[kellyfrost]

You should always err in the side of disclosure. The mere fact that you are afraid of disclosing and would like to not do it because of the possible consequences ("not in my social," "might not be in my credit history") speaks volume of your character.

Debt issues are important to the bar because chances are that you will be dealing with client money and they want to see that you will be responsible.

Just explain away what happened like you're doing here and you should be fine.

But really, don't be afraid to own up to something because of consequences. This could lead to some bad judgment in your career.

Please step down off your high horse.

[zot1]

My horse ran away long ago. Everything here is advice, meaning not one actually has to follow. You don't like it? No one is forcing you to listen to it.

[zot1]

You should always err in the side of disclosure. The mere fact that you are afraid of disclosing and would like to not do it because of the possible consequences ("not in my social," "might not be in my credit history") speaks volume of your character.

Debt issues are important to the bar because chances are that you will be dealing with client money and they want to see that you will be responsible.

Just explain away what happened like you're doing here and you should be fine.

But really, don't be afraid to own up to something because of consequences. This could lead to some bad judgment in your career.

Wow, get off your high horse.

Are you still mad about the thing with your wife? I was really just trying to help you out. I still think she could be making more money somewhere else.

[Anonymous User]

I freaked out about a bill that went to collections, but in my state was informed that (1) only bills of over $300 need to be reported, and (2) only delinquent bills over $300 that have resulted in judicial action need to be reported. I was only freaking out, because I have other things that had to be reported.

My understanding is that a bill under $100 doesn't even impact your credit score. You can still opt to disclose it depending on your state bar's questions, but the reason they care about delinquent bills is they suggest you may struggle to honor your obligations to clients, and be an embarrassment to the profession. Even if you fall behind on payment, many state bars only care if the collection bills manifests itself in a lawsuit, because that suggests that you not only can't plan your finances effectively, but cannot even work out a plan to repay your debts in collection. Your utility bill doesn't really apply here.

[Anonymous User]

will they find bills that aren't on your credit report, but used to be? I had bills removed this past august, don't know if they were mine or not. I simply disputed them and said i had no knowledge/record of them (which is true, no clue what they were about). They have been removed but now the collection agency which reported them has been calling me telling me to pay (still not on my credit report as of this morning), except they won't give me any records about what they are for, with who, etc. (seems somewhat like a scam, but i don't want to risk not passing C&F).

[Anonymous User]

You should always err in the side of disclosure. The mere fact that you are afraid of disclosing and would like to not do it because of the possible consequences ("not in my social," "might not be in my credit history") speaks volume of your character.

Debt issues are important to the bar because chances are that you will be dealing with client money and they want to see that you will be responsible.

Just explain away what happened like you're doing here and you should be fine.

But really, don't be afraid to own up to something because of consequences. This could lead to some bad judgment in your career.

[Anonymous User]

You should always err in the side of disclosure. The mere fact that you are afraid of disclosing and would like to not do it because of the possible consequences ("not in my social," "might not be in my credit history") speaks volume of your character.

Debt issues are important to the bar because chances are that you will be dealing with client money and they want to see that you will be responsible.

Just explain away what happened like you're doing here and you should be fine.

But really, don't be afraid to own up to something because of consequences. This could lead to some bad judgment in your career.

Thank you for your advice. But would that be sth I need to amend my law school app for tough? I mean my school doesnt ask abt debt at all.just to make sure.

[zot1]

You should always err in the side of disclosure. The mere fact that you are afraid of disclosing and would like to not do it because of the possible consequences ("not in my social," "might not be in my credit history") speaks volume of your character.

Debt issues are important to the bar because chances are that you will be dealing with client money and they want to see that you will be responsible.

Just explain away what happened like you're doing here and you should be fine.

But really, don't be afraid to own up to something because of consequences. This could lead to some bad judgment in your career.

Thank you for your advice. But would that be sth I need to amend my law school app for tough? I mean my school doesnt ask abt debt at all.just to make sure.

I mean, if I were in your shoes, I would disclose and explain your situation. If this is an error, you have nothing to worry about. Shit happens.

[encore1101]

You should always err in the side of disclosure. The mere fact that you are afraid of disclosing and would like to not do it because of the possible consequences ("not in my social," "might not be in my credit history") speaks volume of your character.

Debt issues are important to the bar because chances are that you will be dealing with client money and they want to see that you will be responsible.

Just explain away what happened like you're doing here and you should be fine.

But really, don't be afraid to own up to something because of consequences. This could lead to some bad judgment in your career.

Wow, get off your high horse.

Are you still mad about the thing with your wife? I was really just trying to help you out. I still think she could be making more money somewhere else.

I didn't even realize that was you. I wasn't mad about it to begin with, but I see making snide assumptions about people is in your nature, you judgmental prick.

[zot1]

You should always err in the side of disclosure. The mere fact that you are afraid of disclosing and would like to not do it because of the possible consequences ("not in my social," "might not be in my credit history") speaks volume of your character.

Debt issues are important to the bar because chances are that you will be dealing with client money and they want to see that you will be responsible.

Just explain away what happened like you're doing here and you should be fine.

But really, don't be afraid to own up to something because of consequences. This could lead to some bad judgment in your career.

Wow, get off your high horse.

Are you still mad about the thing with your wife? I was really just trying to help you out. I still think she could be making more money somewhere else.

I didn't even realize that was you. I wasn't mad about it to begin with, but I see making snide assumptions about people is in your nature.

Talk about making assumptions by making assumptions. Doing great there, bud.

[encore1101]

My horse ran away long ago. Everything here is advice, meaning not one actually has to follow. You don't like it? No one is forcing you to listen to it.

I fail to see how "The mere fact that you are afraid of disclosing and would like to not do it because of the possible consequences ("not in my social," "might not be in my credit history") speaks volume of your character," constitutes advice.

[encore1101]

You should always err in the side of disclosure. The mere fact that you are afraid of disclosing and would like to not do it because of the possible consequences ("not in my social," "might not be in my credit history") speaks volume of your character.

Debt issues are important to the bar because chances are that you will be dealing with client money and they want to see that you will be responsible.

Just explain away what happened like you're doing here and you should be fine.

But really, don't be afraid to own up to something because of consequences. This could lead to some bad judgment in your career.

Wow, get off your high horse.

Are you still mad about the thing with your wife? I was really just trying to help you out. I still think she could be making more money somewhere else.

I didn't even realize that was you. I wasn't mad about it to begin with, but I see making snide assumptions about people is in your nature.

Talk about making assumptions by making assumptions. Doing great there, bud.

You're right. I assumed you weren't a judgmental prick. That was obviously my mistake.

[zot1]

My horse ran away long ago. Everything here is advice, meaning not one actually has to follow. You don't like it? No one is forcing you to listen to it.

I fail to see how "The mere fact that you are afraid of disclosing and would like to not do it because of the possible consequences ("not in my social," "might not be in my credit history") speaks volume of your character," constitutes advice.

Oh cool!

[zot1]

You should always err in the side of disclosure. The mere fact that you are afraid of disclosing and would like to not do it because of the possible consequences ("not in my social," "might not be in my credit history") speaks volume of your character.

Debt issues are important to the bar because chances are that you will be dealing with client money and they want to see that you will be responsible.

Just explain away what happened like you're doing here and you should be fine.

But really, don't be afraid to own up to something because of consequences. This could lead to some bad judgment in your career.

Wow, get off your high horse.

Are you still mad about the thing with your wife? I was really just trying to help you out. I still think she could be making more money somewhere else.

I didn't even realize that was you. I wasn't mad about it to begin with, but I see making snide assumptions about people is in your nature.

Talk about making assumptions by making assumptions. Doing great there, bud.

You're right. I assumed you weren't a judgmental prick. That was obviously my mistake.

I hope your wife does eventually get a better job.

[encore1101]

I hope your wife does eventually get a better job.

That's nice.

[Johann]

i would never tell/provide anyone more than they explicitly asked for.