Two years ago, the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office proposed regulations that would help control debt collector abuses (as reported by Bankruptcy Law Network here) by requiring debt collectors to inform people that the debt they were trying to collect was too old to try to collect in a court proceeding. The final rule went [...]
Family Debt Problems
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 [...]
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 [...]
A Chapter 13 bankruptcy will normally take a minimum of 3 years and may have to continue for 5 years depending upon the income of the debtor. Because of the length of time involved in a Chapter 13, there is always the very real possibility that the debtor may have unanticipated major expenses during the [...]
An Oregon attorney, Derrick McGavic is being disciplined for FDCPA violations as announced by the Oregon Attorney General’s Office this week. Derrick McGavic, a Eugene, Oregon attorney whose law firm sued consumers for credit card companies and debt collectors, agreed to submit his resignation to the Oregon State Bar. In addition, McGavic & Finney, [...]
You’re at home one evening, sitting down to a pleasant dinner with your family. The kids are chattering, your spouse is listening to you talk about your day, and the food is on the table. It’s like Norman Rockwell popped up from the grave to arrange the scene. That is, until the phone rings. You [...]
