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Do You Need Credit Monitoring? »

You see ads for these credit monitoring services everywhere–on television, online, in magazines.  There’s the one with the commercials featuring the slacker dude who would be so much better off if he’d gone to the “free” website and signed up for the paid service.  There’s the one with the overly-emotional woman whose kids were apparently [...]

FTC Takes On FreeCreditReport.com »

FTC takes on freecreditreport.com for misleading consumers about paid services.

How Does A Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Trustee Get Paid? »

A Chapter 13 is a bankruptcy reorganization for individuals–a payment plan, in other words.  The bankruptcy court appoints a trustee (there are standing trustees who serve that function in each district) and the trustee collects payments from debtors, and distributes that money to creditors. So, how does the Chapter 13 trustee get paid?
The Chapter 13 [...]

Frequently Asked Questions About Bankruptcy-Part Four »

I’ve been posting about bankruptcy questions asked most frequently by my clients, and I’ve dealt with questions about the pre-bankruptcy process, procedural issues, and Chapter 13 issues.  But almost all my clients want to know about life after bankruptcy.  Once again, I cannot over-emphasize the importance of consulting your own bankruptcy lawyer because circumstances can [...]

Frequently Asked Questions About Bankruptcy-Part Three »

Once again, I’ll try and answer some of the questions most often asked by my clients about the banrkuptcy process, continuing the procedural questions from Part Two, this time focused on Chapter 13 cases.  Bear in mind, sometimes the answers depend on individual circumstances, and you should still seek the advice of experienced bankruptcy counsel [...]

Frequently Asked Questions About Bankruptcy-Part Two »

A friend and colleage says that you can correctly answer any question about bankruptcy with the phrase “it depends.”  In this series I am trying to provide straightforward answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about bankruptcy, where that is possible.  In Part One, I discussed some questions about the information that you [...]

Frequently Asked Questions About Bankruptcy-Part One »

Most people want simple, clear, answers to a few simple questions about bankruptcy.  Sometimes the answer depends on your circumstances.  Most bankruptcy lawyers, however, turn the tables and ask a whole lot of questions before answering the client’s questions.
Because every case is different, it’s dangerous to generalize without some factual background.  While it is no [...]

How to Avoid Bankruptcy Myths and Get Accurate Information »

There’s a ton of bad information out there about bankruptcy.  So how do you know the information you are getting is reliable, and where do you go for answers to your questions about bankruptcy?
Here are some tips to avoid bankruptcy myths, and then some suggestions for how to get your questions answered.
I could set out [...]

Don't Focus Too Much On Credit Score »

In my bankruptcy practice, I talk to a lot of people who tell me how high their credit score is, or was.  I hear a lot about that from other so-called experts–how important it is to have a good credit score.  There are books, DVDs, seminars, and TV shows devoted to advising you how to [...]

Post-Petition Mortgage Payments–Good Records are Key »

When you file a Chapter 13 to restructure your debts, you usually keep making your regular mortgage payments.
In some districts, you make those payments to the Chapter 13 trustee, essentially consolidating all you debt payment.  In those districts the trustee is referred to a conduit for mortgage payments.  In others, you make your mortgage payments [...]