Senior Citizens Are Increasingly Filing for Bankruptcy Protection
Older Americans are increasingly filing for bankruptcy due to soaring healthcare costs and reductions in social services. According to a recent report, since 1991, the rate of senior citizens filing for bankruptcy protection have increased twofold for Americans 65-74 years old and threefold for those 75 and over. These increases are astonishing and represent a […]
The Hidden Costs of Owning a Home
According to the Urban Institute, 63 percent of millennials who bought homes have regrets resulting from underestimating the hidden costs. Zillow found that American homeowners spend nearly $9,400 in hidden costs to own and care for a median-priced home. Let’s first differentiate hidden costs from not-so-hidden costs. Not-so-hidden costs: Mortgage, taxes, and insurance Your mortgage […]
Austerity Measures, or How to Avoid Bankruptcy, No. 1
Austerity measures in Greece have set off violent riots and nationwide strikes over the last decade. In 2010, Greece suffered a sovereign debt crisis, sometimes called the Greek Depression. A member of the European Union, Greece requested a bailout, which the EU granted, but only with a caveat: Greece would have to implement a number […]
Retail Therapy Is a Symptom, Not a Cure
Americans love to shop. The shopping process can be an emotionally gratifying experience, allowing us to exercise freedom of choice and expression. But contemplating and planning our purchase generates excitement which combats stress. Oftentimes, retail therapy is a symptom of larger problems. Retail therapy is not a cure. Why we shop Shopping to feel better […]
The Six Stages of Civil Litigation
Civil litigation can be divided into six distinct stages. Some of these litigation steps sometimes get skipped. At other times, they overlap. But no stage is more important than any other. Here are the six steps of civil litigation. I. Investigation You must thoroughly investigate your claims and defenses and counterclaims because you must be […]
202 Bankruptcy and Foreclosure Lawyer Also Serves 703 and 301
Several recent posts have received nationwide attention, and we welcome the positive response. My office has fielded calls from hundreds of people all over the country interested in issues I’ve written about here. Unfortunately, if you live outside the metropolitan Washington, D.C. region, our office is unable to provide any information or advice beyond what’s […]
9 Best Personal Finance Apps of 2019
Personal money management can be a formidable task. Tracking expenses while keeping up your bank balance is just one item. Bill payments, saving, investments, and credit score all comprise our personal finances. Personal finance apps to the rescue! The best of them provide several different features for finance management. You may have to experiment to […]
“Fail State:” A Study of American Higher Education
Produced by Dan Rather, the 2018 documentary Fail State takes a look at American higher education, student loans, and for-profit colleges. Here are some key takeaways from the film. A bit of history The Higher Education Act of 1965 created student loans backed by the federal government, work study, and access to student grants. As […]