A joint report by the Federal Reserve, Office of Thrift Supervision and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency found significant irregularities in the foreclosure activities of ten of the nation’s largest mortgage lenders, and ordered those lenders to “remediate all financial injury to borrowers caused by any errors, misrepresentations, or other deficiencies.” According to [...]
April 2011
I discuss financial problems with people everyday. I usually ask people to give me a little history–how did they get to the point of needing to discuss bankruptcy? Some of the answers wouldn’t surprise you–job loss, medical bills, divorce. But it might surprise you how frequently I hear a story that involves financial help to [...]
Filing a bankruptcy shouldn’t be the dreaded remedy that many people think it is. There are many benefits to filing; some obvious and some un-expected. My top three obvious benefits: 1. Your bills go away, or at least you get a handle on them through a Chapter 13 plan. Bankruptcy simply eliminates (discharges) most, if [...]
Debt colllectors use the threat of being sued because it terrifies most people. Debt collectors know that, and use it. Yet most of the things consumers fear are myths. Among the myths I encounter among my clients: I can be sued and not know it. The creditor can come to my house and take my [...]
Recently I had the pleasure of spending several weekends with an Elder of a Missouri Amish community. During these two weekends many hours were spent discussing the Amish way of life and various viewpoints including finances and debt. The Amish community believe in a simple way of life. Simple meaning a conservative or non-cluttered way [...]
