I frequently speak with clients who have arrived in financial difficulty because of a health issue which was not covered by their insurance policy or when they needed medical help but were not covered with a health insurance policy. Uncovered hospital/doctor bills can ruin even the most careful financial plans. Most of the time, a…
DetailsWhether you have received your 2010 tax refund or not, you earned it last year. Because of that, the bankruptcy court considers it an asset even if you haven’t seen your check yet. With some simple planning, clients can avoid turning those funds over to the trustee. Meet with an experienced bankruptcy attorney to discuss…
DetailsMany clients are terrified by the prospect of filing bankruptcy because they think their creditors will end up taking their worldly possessions. In reality, in over 90 percent of Chapter 7 cases, clients are able to keep all of their things, and still discharge their unsecured debts. Why? It’s pretty simple. The fact is that…
DetailsMany clients wait until they get served by the sheriff with a collections lawsuit before seeking help with their financial problems. The awful knock on the door inspires fear and more stress about a client’s trouble. My initial reaction when fielding such a desperate call is, “Do not panic, we can go over your options…
DetailsMany people I meet with explain how apprehensive they were to schedule a consultation. Here are a few key items to expect: 1. You will meet with me. Not a paralegal. Not an associate attorney. If you hire me, you purchase my time, energy, and expertise – not someone else’s. 2. You will be treated…
DetailsMany times, during an initial consultation, I will hear the words, “Gosh, I would have come and seen you earlier.” And, I usually agree. Even if a bankruptcy filing is the last step you ever want to take (who would WANT to file for bankruptcy?), you should consult with a professional as soon as financial…
DetailsOften times when I meet with clients, our first task is to determine what type of relief is available under the bankruptcy laws. A Chapter 7 Bankruptcy filing is a powerful tool for getting a client’s finances, and life, back under control. Usually with this type of case, one’s unsecured debts are cancelled, and they…
DetailsYes, a bankruptcy filing can be made by one spouse without the other. Doing so means the non-filing spouse’s assets do not get examined by the trustee or court. It also means the non-filing spouse does not get the full protection of the automatic stay or the bankruptcy discharge. A key question in determining whether…
DetailsWhen I meet with a potential client who might be able to avoid a bankruptcy filing, I often send them to OnTrack Financial. They treat people the right way, and are doing a lot of good for our community.
DetailsOne of the most effective ways a creditor can get paid is through wage garnishment. Generally, a creditor gets a court order which directs an employer to withhold a certain amount of their employee’s pay. The garnishment order is usually a very unpleasant surprise which arrives before payday. If a wage garnishment takes more from…
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