Just last week I was attending a meeting of creditors with one of my clients on a Massachusetts bankruptcy case, and we were watching the trustee handle a previous case involving a “pro se” debtor — a do-it yourselfer not represented by an attorney. Well this poor fellow just about got torn apart by the […]
Category Archives: Practical tips
Filing for bankruptcy without losing the clothes on your back
Also posted in Exemptions
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Make sure your bankruptcy lawyer is not in a trustee’s cross-hairs
I am already rethinking my view, stated here earlier this week, that a bankruptcy lawyer’s experience level should not be the most important factor in a client’s decision of whom to hire to work on their case. While I still wouldn’t rank it as the most important factor, the news that, on the West Coast, […]
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How to file for bankruptcy — choosing a bankruptcy lawyer
Typically, after consumers with debt problems gather all their bills together (or sometimes before), they will set out to contact a bankruptcy lawyer to help them with the process. Choosing the right lawyer to handle your bankruptcy case is an important decision, but it shouldn’t be an all-consuming or paralyzing one. There are many good […]
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Debt settlement firms are mostly bogus
Debt settlement companies that prey on the hopes of those behind on their bills often leave their customers in the lurch, to face just as many harassing calls and notices as before. Just ask Gloria Snowden of Baltimore, who signed up with a company that promised to negotiate away her $10,000 credit card debt. Snowden […]
Also posted in Bankruptcy News
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Red flags for debt settlement scams
I have written previously about why for most people bankruptcy filing is a better option than getting tied up with debt settlement companies, but for anyone who is determined to try one out, be wary of getting caught up in scams run by these organizations. How can you tell if a debt settlement offer is […]
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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 […]
Also posted in Chapter 7
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How to conquer a monster debt problem
If you are in over your head with consumer debt, take a step back, a deep breath and try to formulate a way out. It’s not easy, so let me map it out for you in five sequential steps. First, get a grip on the size of the problem. People are often shocked to find […]
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Will bankruptcy stop wage garnishments?
In almost all cases, filing a bankruptcy case will stop wage attachments and garnishments. Creditors have to respect the “automatic stay” on collections activity that goes into place once you file. An important exception is child-support deductions from your pay. These can’t be eliminated or reduced through bankruptcy, although you may be able to use […]
Also posted in Chapter 13
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A tip on re-establishing credit after filing for bankruptcy
After going through a bankruptcy, most people are a little apprehensive, if not downright terrified, of building their credit rating back up. On the one hand no one wants to sleep in the motels that only take cash, so a little credit would be good, but on the other hand, you don’t want to get […]
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What papers do you need to file for bankruptcy?
The mailbox is stuffed with bills. Your desk is overflowing. The deputy sheriff is knocking on the door with a fresh stack of litigation. You have thought about declaring bankruptcy, and are ready to call a lawyer for help. But how do you start organizing this stuff? For a simple Chapter 7 case, (the most […]
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