08/31/2026
💳 **Making the minimum payment every month can create the illusion that your credit card debt is under control.**
In reality, with many credit cards charging interest rates above 20%, you can make payments month after month and still see very little change in the balance.
As Maryland bankruptcy attorneys, we regularly speak with people who have been doing everything they can to keep up. They are making payments, avoiding missed due dates, and trying to stay current. But high interest keeps eating away at most of the money they send in.
That is when it becomes important to look beyond the minimum payment and ask a different question:
**Is this debt realistically going to be paid off, or am I just maintaining it?**
If you are depending on credit cards for everyday expenses, transferring balances just to create breathing room, taking cash advances, or watching your total debt stay the same despite regular payments, the current strategy may not be sustainable.
For some Maryland consumers, a structured payoff plan may still be the best answer. For others, Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or another debt-relief strategy may deserve a closer look.
There is no benefit in spending years making payments that barely reduce the principal if there may be a better path forward.
The first step is simply understanding what you owe, what you can realistically afford, and what options are available under Maryland bankruptcy law.
