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Surviving Furlough During the Government Shutdown
The first known use of the word “furlough” dates to 1631. The word is from the Dutch word “vorloffe,” meaning “permission” or literally “for leave.” The modern non-military definition of furlough is “a period of time when an employee is told not to come to work and is not paid.” Since 1976, there have been…
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Top 5 Foreclosure Defenses in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC
If your mortgage company forecloses, you may have defenses. Virginia and Maryland are nonjudicial foreclosure jurisdictions, which means you must sue the mortgage company to raise these defenses. But the District of Columbia is a judicial foreclosure jurisdiction. In DC, you can raise these defenses in your Answer to the Complaint for Judicial Foreclosure. Here…
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Don’t Wait Until You Hit Rock Bottom to File Bankruptcy
You don’t have to be penniless to file bankruptcy. You don’t have to have your back against the wall. And you don’t have to lose everything to get a financial fresh start. Don’t wait until you hit rock bottom to file bankruptcy. Don’t deplete your savings trying to avoid bankruptcy 57 percent of Americans have less…
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Be Tough, Not Uncivil
Litigation isn’t for the weak of heart. Opposing counsel will seek any advantage to exploit, and a case can be won or lost by small margins. But you do not need to be rude when litigating a case. You must be tough, not uncivil. Let the facts rule Get your story straight and let the…
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Can Eviction Happen in Cold Weather?
Landlords in Virginia can legally evict you during a blizzard, but in Maryland and DC, whether you can be evicted depends upon just how cold it is. Cold weather evictions in Washington, DC In the District of Columbia, the U.S. Marshals Service executes writs of restitution issued by DC Superior Court judges. D.C. Code § 42–3505.01…
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How Student Loan Debt Prevents Homeownership
Perhaps it’s no surprise, but student loan debt prevents homeownership. In just the third quarter of 2018, total outstanding student loan debt increased by a whopping $37 billion. The amount of student loan debt in the United States now stands at an eye-popping $1.56 trillion. Out of necessity, student borrowers must delay homeownership while attempting to…
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Think Twice Before You Co-Sign for a Loan
A family member or a close friend is usually a person with whom we have a special connection. We highly regard these relationships which allows us to willingly assist them when there is a need, especially when we are able. How does this translate when asked to co-sign for a loan? It may not be…
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Why Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Cases Get Dismissed So Often
Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases get dismissed for lots of different reasons. Most dismissals, however, can be avoided. Chapter 13 is complicated Obtaining trustee and creditor consensus on a court-approved repayment plan takes hard work, finesse, and expertise. Chapter 13 allows a debtor to propose several plans in an attempt to reorganize. But unnecessary delay will…
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What is a Notice of Intent to Accelerate?
Almost every mortgage contains the requirement that your lender send a Notice of Intent to Accelerate before it can initiate foreclosure proceedings. What is a Notice of Intent to Accelerate? Sometimes called a Default Letter, the Notice of Intent to Accelerate usually states that a mortgage loan is in default. The letter will also state…
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Tips for Litigating a Warrant in Debt in Virginia
Traps abound in any lawsuit, especially if you’re the defendant. A single misstep can prove very costly. Here are some tips for litigating a warrant in debt in Virginia. Call the lawyer Deal directly with the attorney who filed the case. Do not attempt to contact the named plaintiff or original creditor. Once a warrant…
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