what to do after setting up payment plan for debt?

[Anonymous]

I have a debt that I want to pay off and am in the process of setting up payment plan. I have a meeting on Friday to discuss details of the arrangements. I am currently working as a nanny and want to switch carers to retail or event planning to go with my degree that i will finish in two years. If I set up a payment plan and make these payments on time, is there any reason debt collector would attempt to garnish my wages or levy anything to get debt paid faster? I want to make sure I'm protecting myself with a payment plan and won't just have all my money taken or have my new possible employer called about my past financial mistakes. is it more like since the payment plan is set up and I am making payments regularly that's enough to satisfy? I am also getting married soon, and have been hesitant to combine our bank accounts, my soon to be husband makes way more than I do and I would hate to his savings taken because of this?

[Anonymous]

How much is the debt? If it's under a few thousand it's not cost effective for them to go after you in court.

[Anonymous]

Don't combine accounts.
Get the details of the payment plan in writing. When I was in graduate school, I had a small debt that I was paying off $100 a month over the course of 2 years. The last payment should have been $85 and some cents. Instead, at the second to last payment, they took $185 from my account. This caused 3 other small deductions to bounce and I ended up paying almost $400 in fees to my bank and those creditors.

[Anonymous]

Do not allow them automatic access to your account. Often, creditor access your account and get the entire balance at one time, and/or take more out than what you agreed to.

I would just start sending them money, not set up an auto payment. you can do that yourself. They will accept the payment and will not come after you as long as you are constant.

[Anonymous]

This debt is unfortunately around $8000. I definitely let my finances get out of control but am trying to get a handle on them now. want to make sure the payment plan will not result in them taking everything so that I can make these payments but also have enough for rent and bills etc. Thank you for the advice about not combining. I was worried about that so will mention it to my fiancé.