The Bankruptcy Discharge Before Christmas
If you file your Chapter 7 bankruptcy within the next three weeks, you will get your bankruptcy discharge before Christmas. Start your new year off right and get straight with your finances. This holiday season, give yourself the gift of a debt-free life. Most Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases take three months from start to finish. About […]
How Much Does Bankruptcy Cost?
There are three main chapters of bankruptcy for individuals, and all three have different bankruptcy costs and fees. Your total bankruptcy cost includes both court filing fees, which are an administrative requirement, and legal fees, which are paid to your attorney. If you’re having difficulty making ends meet, it’s natural to wonder: Just how much does bankruptcy cost? Chapter 7 […]
Should I File Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 to Stop Foreclosure?
Which bankruptcy should I file? Chapter 7 is quick and easy, but Chapter 13 allows repayment of missed mortgage payments. Whether you file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy or a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the “automatic stay” goes into immediate effect. The automatic stay prevents your creditors from taking any steps to try to collect money from you. Both Chapter 7 […]
D.C. Bankruptcy Attorney Advocates for Student Loan Discharge
Brian V. Lee, the District of Columbia State Chair for the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) and principal attorney for Lee Legal, met with District of Columbia Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton to discuss the student loan discharge in Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The meeting was part of “Hill Day at Home,” which allows NACBA […]
Realtors Should Not Turn Away Bankruptcy Clients
Realtors should not turn away bankruptcy clients. In fact, realtors shouldn’t have many concerns at all if approached by a client in bankruptcy. In most cases, bankruptcy does not complicate real estate sales very much at all. If the client is in Chapter 7 (liquidation) bankruptcy, usually the client needs cash quickly. Realtors often list […]
The Solution to Increasing Student Loan Defaults
In 2016, 43 million Americans carried a total of over $1.3 trillion in student debt. More than 40% of the nearly 22 million borrowers with federal student loans were in default or behind on their payments. Student loan defaults have been compared to the subprime mortgage meltdown of 2007-2010. In 2017, Americans owed over $1.48 trillion in student […]
Who Will Find Out If I File for Bankruptcy?
Are you ready to file for bankruptcy but stressed out because you’re not sure who will find out? It can be hard to pinpoint who will figure out or actually find out about your bankruptcy. But there are some basic rules of thumb. Before you file, it’s not uncommon to want to know the answer […]
Debts Discharged in Bankruptcy are Not Taxable
Settled debts must be included in your income taxes If you settle a debt for less than you owe, the balance canceled or forgiven is taxable income. You must report any cancelled or forgiven debts as part of your gross income on your income tax return. The creditor will send you an IRS Form 1099-C […]
How Long Will Bankruptcy Stay on My Credit Report?
Bankruptcy can be a life-changing decision. You should definitely educate yourself as much as possible about the ramifications before you file. Your specific circumstances will determine whether bankruptcy is the right choice for you. But you must keep your long-term objectives in mind. On a weekly basis I answer the question: How long will bankruptcy […]