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You’ve probably seen the ads in your newspaper, in your local classifieds sheet, or in the phone book, and you’ve probably wondered if the ads are true. They are.

It depends. Did you sign a contractual agreement stating that you would repay? If you did AND it was filed with the court then yes you owe the debt. What you want to look for is a document called a Reaffirmation and that Reaffirmation MUST be filed with the court to be [...]

One of the first questions I’m usually asked by a potential client in financial trouble is, “I can’t file for bankruptcy—if I do, I’ll lose everything!”
Not true. Not even close to true. In fact, in the vast majority of cases, people keep everything they own—their home, their cars, their furniture, their retirement, and even the [...]

When someone files for bankruptcy, an “estate” is created. Yup, an estate. Almost as if you had died. The bankruptcy court appoints a trustee (in some states, this is called an administrator) to oversee your estate. So, what is in your estate? Your estate consists [...]

Under certain circumstances a creditor may charge your bankruptcy case for attorney fees. Some bankruptcy cases have assets that are distributed to creditors. Before a creditor receives any money, the creditor must file a Proof of Claim identifying the amount allegedly owed to that creditor. Federal bankruptcy law by itself does [...]

The sales pitch of the “bankruptcy assistance” sites or the petition preparers claims that since bankruptcy is nothing more than filling out forms, why do you need a lawyer?
You need a lawyer to 1) know what goes in those forms; 2) to help you plan so as to keep as much as the law allows; [...]

For along time in the United States we have recognized that husbands and wives are separate legal entities. We may take for granted that women can own property in their own name or that a husband does not ‘own’ his wife. But we do accept that generally speaking, spouses are not responsible for [...]

The next step is attending the initial consultation.  Some attorneys offer a free initial consultation and some charge a fee for the consultation.  If an attorney comes highly recommended, do not let the consultation fee be a factor in your decision making process.  Although there are many reasons why an attorney may or may not charge a [...]

Prospective clients often ask me “How do I pay you when I am bankrupt?” The cost of filing bankruptcy, and how you get that paid, is a primary concern to virtually everyone who considers bankruptcy.
Attorney fees for filing bankruptcy depend on a number of factors–prevailing rates where you live, the relative complexity of your [...]

One of the most important changes, if not the most important change that you will need to make after you file for bankruptcy is the way you make your payments. Creditors will look at whether or not your financial management behavior has changed.  Did you learn something from filing bankruptcy? Lessons such as do [...]