Articles
Retaining Credit Cards through Bankruptcy
I have many clients who want to hold onto a credit card through bankruptcy. But this is not always the best idea and is a lot more difficult than it may seem at first blush. In the first place, you must list all creditors you owe money to in your bankruptcy, including any medical bills…
Time Barred Debt; or, Debt that Lives on Past its Expiration Date.
If debt were milk, this milk would be rotten. I am speaking about old debt, or time-barred debt. This article addresses time-barred debt, how to respond to time-barred debt, and how bankruptcy may play into the analysis.
Bankruptcy Hearing – What If I Cannot Attend on the Date the Hearing is Set For?
Every time a bankruptcy is filed, a corresponding bankruptcy hearing is set. This hearing is commonly called the “Meeting of Creditors” hearing, or the 341(a) hearing (which is the section of the bankruptcy code that establishes this mandatory hearing requirement). At this hearing, a bankruptcy trustee will ask a series of questions (as described in…
Debt Settlement – Why This May Not be A Good Option for You
Debt settlement is one option to consider when trying to resolve debt issues. However, sometimes this option may not the wisest option to choose. It will be a good idea to meet with a bankruptcy lawyer to weigh all your options first, including debt settlement or bankruptcy. There is an entire industry focused on debt…
Should I Wait to File Bankruptcy Until After I Receive My Tax Refund?
This article is posted in a strange part of the year (August), but this question comes up usually starting around October: “Should I wait to file bankruptcy until after I receive my tax refund?” Or a variation of this question: “If I file bankruptcy right now, will I lose a portion of my 2014 tax…
The Pitfalls of Receiving an Inheritance Shortly After You File Bankruptcy
Inheritance, including life insurance proceeds, and bankruptcy can prove to be a very serious issue if not planned for correctly. An individual, depending on timing, may have to surrender a portion or all of an inheritance or life insurance proceeds as a result of filing bankruptcy. This article discusses inheritance in the context of bankruptcy,…
Where Do I File Bankruptcy If I Just Moved To Oregon?
From time to time, I come across the issue of someone who recently moved to Oregon, and is considering bankruptcy. They come to my office, and I conduct my usual free bankruptcy consultation. I soon learn that the person has only been in Oregon but a few months, or for even less time. This raises…
5 Mistakes to Avoid Before You File Bankruptcy
There are many mistakes for consumers to avoid before filing bankruptcy. The following list is what I consider some of the top mistakes to avoid before filing bankruptcy. 1. Not Being Honest With Your Attorney: Disclose everything to your attorney;
What Can You Do When You Accidentally Miss a Creditor in Bankruptcy?
Infrequently, a client will come to me after they receive their bankruptcy discharge with a debt that the client forgot to include in their bankruptcy. At the time the client filed the bankruptcy, the debt was not listed on their credit reports nor had the client received a bill for the debt to the best…
Potential Tax Consequences of Settling Debt Outside of Bankruptcy
Settling debt for less than what is owed on the debt can create tax liability. This article discusses this issue, and how bankruptcy and even insolvency may resolve this issue. By settling debt for a fraction of what you owe may open the door to tax liability. For example, you settle a debt for $5,000…
DISCLOSURE*
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
I am a debt relief agency. I help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.