Did you know that most people who file a bankruptcy case will never see a bankruptcy court judge? There are exceptions, of course, but the vast majority of people filing bankruptcy in Massachusetts or New Hampshire never appear before a judge. They all have a meeting with a trustee, however, which is required by the […]
Category Archives: Chapter 7
“Am I eligible for bankruptcy?” — means test information for New Hampshire residents
Since 2005, debtors considering Chapter 7 bankruptcy are required to qualify, or pass a “means test” in order to have their debts discharged under the favorable laws found in this section of the Bankruptcy Code. Although debtors throughout the United States are required to submit the means test forms, the results may differ based on […]
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“Am I eligible for bankruptcy?” — means test information for Massachusetts residents
Since 2005, debtors considering Chapter 7 bankruptcy are required to qualify, or pass a “means test” in order to have their debts discharged under the favorable laws found in this section of the Bankruptcy Code. Although debtors throughout the United States are required to submit the means test forms, the results may differ based on […]
Posted in Chapter 7
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Massachusetts to move money in dispute over credit card interest rates
The Massachusetts state government will soon start moving its money out of accounts it has on deposit in Citi, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo because those giant banks have refused to cap their interest rates at 18 percent. Many more people in Massachusetts have been forced to consider bankruptcy recently, because many banks have […]
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Is there any way around filling out this damn means test form?
One of the biggest wrinkles — perhaps THE biggest — in the Bankruptcy Code changed that were passed in 2005 was the introduction of a “means test” to see if debtors qualify for eliminating their debts in a case filed Chapter 7 of the code. A simplified explanation of the way the test works is […]
Posted in Chapter 7
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So what is better, debt settlement or bankruptcy?
So you have decided to tackle a debt problem. Congratulations — but you may immediately stumble on the question of just how to do it. For instance, should you sign up with a debt settlement company, or just declare bankruptcy? If you own a radio or a television, you can’t get away from a constant […]
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Massachusetts supreme court will decide foreclosure issues
The Supreme Judicial Court in Massachusetts said yesterday that it will hear the Ibanez foreclosure case, which has caused turmoil in the banking and mortgage lending business. In 2009, the Land Court issued the original Ibanez ruling which required that the true mortgage holders be properly identified before foreclosure proceedings could continue. The pace of […]
Also posted in Bankruptcy News, Chapter 13, Foreclosure
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Some reasons why a consumer might want to switch from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7 bankruptcy
When a debtor switches his or her case between different chapters of the bankruptcy code, we lawyers say they are “converting” the case from one chapter to another. This is usually done by having the debtor’s bankruptcy attorney file a simple motion with the judge. Why would a debtor who had gone to the trouble […]
Also posted in Chapter 13
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Utility shut-offs and the bankruptcy law
If you are behind on your utility bills, a bankruptcy case may be a solution to your problem. Past due utility bills are dischargable in Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases. If you have been threatened with an impending shut off of electric, gas, propane service, etc., bankruptcy will delay it and may prevent it altogether. As […]
Posted in Chapter 7
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Bank of America will no longer allow debit overdrafts
The Bank of America has announced that it will soon stop permitting its customers to make overdrafts on their debit cards. The new policy will be phased in over the summer of 2010. The move comes on the heels of new federal regulations that limit bank fees on overdrafts. The new regulations require a bank […]
Also posted in Bankruptcy News
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