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The Law Office of Dionna Reynolds

Chicago Estate Planning Lawyer

833-878-7837
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  • About Us
    • Dionna Reynolds
    • Tanya S. Hurd Jones
    • Judith Smith Stephney
    • Javier Porcayo
  • Practice Areas
    • Estate Planning Attorney
      • Wills and Trusts Attorney
    • Real Estate Attorney
      • Real Estate Attorney – Investor
    • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Illinois
    • Eviction Services
    • Professional Notary Services
    • Probate and Estate Administration
    • Property Tax Appeals
    • Quit Claim Deed / Deed Filing Service
    • Nonprofit and Business Formations
    • Corporate Lawyer
  • Book Online
  • Blog
    • A Fresh Start Isn’t Just a Feeling — It’s a Plan
    • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: Hitting Reset on Your Finances
    • Klarna, Afterpay & Buy Now, Pay Later Are Now Being Reported to Credit Bureaus — What You Need to Know and How Bankruptcy Can Help
    • Top Books on Financial Literacy & Estate Planning
    • The Law Office of Dionna Reynolds, LLC Expands with Downtown Chicago Location and Announces New Book Available for Preorder
    • 🌷“Easter, Eggs, and Estate Plans: Don’t Leave Your Family Hunting for Answers”🐣
    • Exciting News: Our New Downtown Office is Now Open—By Appointment Only!
    • Understanding Mechanics Liens: What Contractors and Property Owners Need to Know
    • Probate Horror Stories: What Happens When You Don’t Have a Will
    • Valentine’s Day for Your Business: Show Your Clients Some Love!
    • The Cost of Waiting: Why Estate Planning Can’t Wait
    • Navigating Complicated Real Estate Matters: Why Buying Without a Deed is Risky and How We Can Help You Sell Property
    • New Year, New Opportunities: Empowering Families and Communities in 2025
    • Empower the Future: Teaching Financial Literacy to Youth & Teens
    • New Federal Reporting Requirement for Illinois Businesses: Are You Ready?
    • Local Attorney Dionna Reynolds Wins $10,000 BMO Celebrating Women Grant
    • Why Estate Planning Is Essential for Homeowners and Their Families
    • Back-to-School: A Perfect Time for Both School Supplies and Legal Documents
    • Rooting for Team USA in the Olympics: A Time for National Pride and Personal Preparation
    • Why Now is a Good Time to Pursue Eviction in Cook County
    • Inflation, Interest Rates, and Your Home Buying Dreams: A Mid-Summer Reality Check
    • Don’t Be Left in the Dark: Birth Order Doesn’t Dictate Caregiving Decisions
    • Summer Safety Tips for Your Home: Stay Cool and Secure This Season
    • Navigating a Shifting Market: Tips for Buyers and Sellers in a High-Interest Rate Environment
    • Understanding Guardianship for Adults: Protecting the Elderly with Medical Conditions and Mental Incapacity
    • Understanding Reassessments in Calumet and Bremen Townships: A Guide for Property Owners
    • Unveiling the Wealth-Building Potential of Trusts: A Simple Guide
    • The TikTok Ban: Implications for Real Estate and the Average American
    • Navigating Evictions: A Delicate Balance Between Protecting Rights and Property
    • Empowering Women During Women’s History Month: The Vital Role of Estate Planning and Entrepreneurship
    • Paving the Way: The Role of Real Estate Law in Advancing Civil Rights
    • Happy New Year from The Law Office of Dionna Reynolds, LLC – Here to Help You Achieve Your 2024 Goals!
    • Honoring Loved Ones During the Holidays: Preserving Family Legacies Through Probate
    • “The Gift of Peace: Why Estate Planning is the Perfect Holiday Present for Your Family”
    • “Year-End Surgeries: The Importance of Estate Planning and Power of Attorney”
    • Cybersecurity Impact on Real Estate Closings: A Guide for Clients Using Fidelity National or Chicago Title
    • Navigating Eviction: A Guide for Landlords to Protect Their Investments
    • Navigating Inflation: Financial Tips from Your Trusted Attorney
    • Why Millennials Should Set Up Their Estate Plan Now
    • The Power of Attorney: Why It’s Essential for Your Peace of Mind
    • What is a Real Estate Land Trust?
    • Do Not Be Discouraged When Buying a Home
    • 5 Tips From Attorney Reynolds on How To Sell Your Home
    • Benefits of Homeownership vs. Renting
    • Five Top Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Attorney
    • Frequently Asked Estate Planning Questions – Volume 4
    • Frequently Asked Estate Planning Questions – Volume 3
    • Frequently Asked Estate Planning Questions – Volume 2
    • Frequently Asked Estate Planning Questions – Volume 1
    • Do Not Call Registry
    • ESTATE PLANNING
    • How to Lower Your Property Taxes
    • How to Contest a Will
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Dionna Reynolds
    • Tanya S. Hurd Jones
    • Judith Smith Stephney
    • Javier Porcayo
  • Practice Areas
    • Estate Planning Attorney
      • Wills and Trusts Attorney
    • Real Estate Attorney
      • Real Estate Attorney – Investor
    • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Illinois
    • Eviction Services
    • Professional Notary Services
    • Probate and Estate Administration
    • Property Tax Appeals
    • Quit Claim Deed / Deed Filing Service
    • Nonprofit and Business Formations
    • Corporate Lawyer
  • Book Online
  • Blog
    • A Fresh Start Isn’t Just a Feeling — It’s a Plan
    • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: Hitting Reset on Your Finances
    • Klarna, Afterpay & Buy Now, Pay Later Are Now Being Reported to Credit Bureaus — What You Need to Know and How Bankruptcy Can Help
    • Top Books on Financial Literacy & Estate Planning
    • The Law Office of Dionna Reynolds, LLC Expands with Downtown Chicago Location and Announces New Book Available for Preorder
    • 🌷“Easter, Eggs, and Estate Plans: Don’t Leave Your Family Hunting for Answers”🐣
    • Exciting News: Our New Downtown Office is Now Open—By Appointment Only!
    • Understanding Mechanics Liens: What Contractors and Property Owners Need to Know
    • Probate Horror Stories: What Happens When You Don’t Have a Will
    • Valentine’s Day for Your Business: Show Your Clients Some Love!
    • The Cost of Waiting: Why Estate Planning Can’t Wait
    • Navigating Complicated Real Estate Matters: Why Buying Without a Deed is Risky and How We Can Help You Sell Property
    • New Year, New Opportunities: Empowering Families and Communities in 2025
    • Empower the Future: Teaching Financial Literacy to Youth & Teens
    • New Federal Reporting Requirement for Illinois Businesses: Are You Ready?
    • Local Attorney Dionna Reynolds Wins $10,000 BMO Celebrating Women Grant
    • Why Estate Planning Is Essential for Homeowners and Their Families
    • Back-to-School: A Perfect Time for Both School Supplies and Legal Documents
    • Rooting for Team USA in the Olympics: A Time for National Pride and Personal Preparation
    • Why Now is a Good Time to Pursue Eviction in Cook County
    • Inflation, Interest Rates, and Your Home Buying Dreams: A Mid-Summer Reality Check
    • Don’t Be Left in the Dark: Birth Order Doesn’t Dictate Caregiving Decisions
    • Summer Safety Tips for Your Home: Stay Cool and Secure This Season
    • Navigating a Shifting Market: Tips for Buyers and Sellers in a High-Interest Rate Environment
    • Understanding Guardianship for Adults: Protecting the Elderly with Medical Conditions and Mental Incapacity
    • Understanding Reassessments in Calumet and Bremen Townships: A Guide for Property Owners
    • Unveiling the Wealth-Building Potential of Trusts: A Simple Guide
    • The TikTok Ban: Implications for Real Estate and the Average American
    • Navigating Evictions: A Delicate Balance Between Protecting Rights and Property
    • Empowering Women During Women’s History Month: The Vital Role of Estate Planning and Entrepreneurship
    • Paving the Way: The Role of Real Estate Law in Advancing Civil Rights
    • Happy New Year from The Law Office of Dionna Reynolds, LLC – Here to Help You Achieve Your 2024 Goals!
    • Honoring Loved Ones During the Holidays: Preserving Family Legacies Through Probate
    • “The Gift of Peace: Why Estate Planning is the Perfect Holiday Present for Your Family”
    • “Year-End Surgeries: The Importance of Estate Planning and Power of Attorney”
    • Cybersecurity Impact on Real Estate Closings: A Guide for Clients Using Fidelity National or Chicago Title
    • Navigating Eviction: A Guide for Landlords to Protect Their Investments
    • Navigating Inflation: Financial Tips from Your Trusted Attorney
    • Why Millennials Should Set Up Their Estate Plan Now
    • The Power of Attorney: Why It’s Essential for Your Peace of Mind
    • What is a Real Estate Land Trust?
    • Do Not Be Discouraged When Buying a Home
    • 5 Tips From Attorney Reynolds on How To Sell Your Home
    • Benefits of Homeownership vs. Renting
    • Five Top Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Attorney
    • Frequently Asked Estate Planning Questions – Volume 4
    • Frequently Asked Estate Planning Questions – Volume 3
    • Frequently Asked Estate Planning Questions – Volume 2
    • Frequently Asked Estate Planning Questions – Volume 1
    • Do Not Call Registry
    • ESTATE PLANNING
    • How to Lower Your Property Taxes
    • How to Contest a Will
  • Contact Us
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Blog

Latest Blog

26 June

Klarna, Afterpay & Buy Now, Pay Later Are Now Being Reported to Credit Bureaus — What You Need to Know and How Bankruptcy Can Help

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services like Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm, and others have exploded in popularity, offering shoppers the option to split purchases into manageable payments with little friction.

But in 2025, there’s a new reality:
BNPL accounts are now showing up on your credit report.

That’s right — what used to feel like a “low stakes” payment option now carries higher consequences. If you’re falling behind or juggling too many BNPL accounts, the impact on your credit and finances may already be unfolding.


BNPL is Now On Your Credit Report

Starting in late 2024 and into 2025, major BNPL providers began reporting payment activity to credit bureaus. Here’s what that means now:

  • Klarna officially started reporting U.S. customer activity to TransUnion in 2024, with full integration underway in 2025.
  • Affirm has been reporting certain long-term BNPL loans for years — and that reporting is expanding.
  • Afterpay and others are expected to begin or expand reporting during 2025, depending on the provider and the type of loan.

So what does this mean for you?

  • Missed or late payments are now affecting your credit score.
  • Active BNPL accounts may appear on your credit report, changing how lenders view your creditworthiness.
  • If you’re using multiple BNPL services at once, your total debt load may look riskier — even if each payment seems small.

The Hidden Cost of “Split It Now, Pay Later”

It’s easy to lose track of BNPL payments — especially when you have multiple purchases with different providers. You may suddenly find yourself:

  • Paying five to eight small bills each month
  • Getting hit with late fees for missed payments
  • Seeing your credit score drop — even for missed payments as low as $30

What used to feel like a convenient tool can quickly become a trap.


Bankruptcy Can Help You Reset

If BNPL debt is part of a larger financial struggle — and you’re falling behind — bankruptcy may provide relief and protection. Here’s how:

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

  • Wipes out unsecured debt, including Klarna, Afterpay, credit cards, personal loans, and medical bills
  • Stops collections, garnishments, and lawsuits
  • Offers a fresh financial start — quickly, if you qualify

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

  • Creates a court-approved 3- to 5-year repayment plan
  • Lets you catch up on secured debts while including BNPL balances in your plan
  • Helps you keep your property while reorganizing your debt

How Our Law Firm Can Support You

At our firm, we understand that financial stress can come from anywhere — and today, that includes BNPL debt. You’re not alone if you’ve found yourself overwhelmed by small payments that became a big problem.

We help by offering:

  • Free consultations to review all your debts, including Klarna, Afterpay, and Affirm
  • Guidance on whether bankruptcy makes sense for your situation
  • A personalized legal plan to stop the bleeding and move forward with confidence

Take Action Before It Gets Worse

BNPL balances are no longer hidden. They’re on your credit report. If you’re overwhelmed, behind on payments, or unsure how to manage growing debt, we’re here to help.

Call or schedule your free consultation today.
Let us help you regain control of your finances — and your peace of mind.ounger generations through estate literacy. 
Website: https://www.attyreynolds.com

Written by Javier Porcayo · Categorized: Uncategorized

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Client Testimonials

Thanks to Attorney Reynolds, I now have a well-structured estate plan that provides peace of mind knowing my family and legacy are secure. I wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone seeking expert, thoughtful, and truly personalized estate planning.

T.B

Mrs.Reynolds and her team were very helpful 👏 took time to explain everything throughly highly recommended her for your will trust probate needs 😉

T.B

Ms. Reynolds was very informative and clearly explained everything I needed to know about my estate. I am so glad and grateful to her for representing me. The members of her office were very helpful and supportive too. Thank you for everything!

U.R

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