Posts by Tom Butcher
Why Bankruptcy Isn’t as Scary as It Sounds
Many people today are going through more profound financial strain than ever before. This has become challenging, which could make it impossible for you to meet all of your financial obligations. The term Bankruptcy is a scary word for most people. It is automatically associated with business closures, financial problems, and tarnished credit. At Butcher Law Office,…
Read MoreWhat’s Life Like After Bankruptcy?
If you are reading this, chances are you have received your Chapter 7 discharge, or you recently finished paying your Chapter 13 plan. If this is the case, congratulations! You now have an opportunity to move forward with a fresh start. While bankruptcy gives you financial relief, you may have some questions about your life…
Read MoreCan I Pay Back Family Before I File Bankruptcy?
During difficult financial times, you turn to family and friends for help. They lend you money when banks couldn’t, regardless of your credit score. But when your debts pile up, can you pay back your family any money owed to them before filing for bankruptcy? A quick answer is “no.” You should avoid paying relatives and…
Read MoreLarge Corporate Chains Filing for Unprecedented Number of Bankruptcies
The United States government issued trillions in loans to businesses during the coronavirus. But this hasn’t prevented them from failing to make their bills. Now millions of dollars in debt, these same companies are filing for corporate bankruptcies, typically Chapter 11. An estimated $1.22 trillion has been absorbed over the course of just five months.…
Read MoreAre You Headed Toward Bankruptcy? Don’t Touch Your Retirement Savings & Other Considerations!
If you, like so many Americans right now, are struggling with job loss or other financial stressors, you may be considering the prospect of bankruptcy. While bankruptcy may be an option of last resort, many Americans think that they can avoid bankruptcy by cannibalizing their retirement accounts or making other moves that simply forestall the…
Read MoreUnemployment Rate Skyrockets to 36 Million as Economic Uncertainty Looms
As the coronavirus continues to take more American lives and livelihoods, the number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits has skyrocketed to 36 million. Yet those seeking unemployment are finding it difficult to file claims or even get through to a human representative. Meanwhile, states appear to be running out of money to fund unemployment claims…
Read MoreCan I Keep My Car in Bankruptcy?
One of the major concerns for people considering bankruptcy is how the bankruptcy will affect their car — not only the car loan but the car as a potential asset. In this article, we’ll discuss the interplay of cars and bankruptcy. Can I Keep My Car in Chapter 7? The short answer is usually “Yes!”.…
Read MoreWill Mortgage Forbearance Save Your Home From Bankruptcy?
Mortgage and rent forbearance were woven into the text of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which was cobbled together quickly and we’re all still trying to figure out what it means, how it will be paid for, and what other measures are necessary to protect our economy from the shutdown. Meanwhile, many…
Read MoreChanges to the Bankruptcy Code Under the CARES Act
For those who were dealing with budgetary shortfalls, The CARES Act provided some much-needed relief. This relief not only made major changes to unemployment, extending coverage and providing extra relief for those who were laid off during the coronavirus quarantine, it also included changes to the bankruptcy code for those who were in the midst…
Read MoreCan We Expect a Surge in Bankruptcies Due to Coronavirus?
How financial institutions deal with the coronavirus will tell us a great deal about what the financial future holds for Americans across the country who work in sectors that are considered “non-essential” for the purposes of this quarantine. Already, a number of businesses such as restaurants, bowling alleys, and other hospitality and recreation centers are…
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