Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “What Happens If…?” series?
It's a set of plain-English guides that walk through the real consequences — and your actual options — when a money decision or crisis goes sideways, from missing a single payment to filing bankruptcy. Each guide gives an honest, step-by-step timeline instead of scare tactics.
Are these guides specific to my state?
The core process — federal tax rules, credit reporting, bankruptcy chapters — is national. But several outcomes vary by state, including intestacy (who inherits without a will), repossession and foreclosure notice periods, tenant protections, and debt statutes of limitation. Each guide flags where your state law changes the answer.
Is this financial or legal advice?
No. Everything here is educational and general. For decisions with legal or tax stakes — bankruptcy, estate planning, an IRS dispute — confirm the specifics for your situation with a licensed attorney or tax professional.
I'm in a money crisis right now — where should I start?
Start with the guide that matches your most urgent deadline — a missed mortgage payment, a debt-collector lawsuit, a looming tax bill — then use our free calculators to model your next move. Most situations have more options than they first appear.
Does DigitalWealthSource earn money from these guides?
No. DWS runs no ads and no affiliate links, so nothing in these guides is steering you toward a product for a commission. The goal is simply the most accurate, honest answer to “what actually happens?”