Washington DC
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Telltale Signs It’s Time to File for Bankruptcy
Living in a state of debt has become the accepted way of life for many. Although bankruptcy has become far more common than it was decades ago, it still intimidates many Americans who are in a situation where filing may be best. You should consider filing bankruptcy when what you owe exceeds what you can…
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Because You’re Ready for a Fresh Start
Because you’re not making enough money to live on. Or because your expenses just are out of control. Because life should be more than nonstop work and worry. You may be ready for bankruptcy. Because you have no assets to speak of. Or because you’re at risk of missing out on basic life necessities. Because…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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A Day Late and a Dollar Short
Creditors expect not only to be paid, but to be paid on time. Mortgage companies are no different. When it comes to your mortgage, you can’t be a day late and a dollar short. When you’re dealing with your home, the stakes are too high to risk otherwise. Credit bureau reporting Mortgage companies report religiously…
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What to Look For When You Hire a Lawyer
When you hire a lawyer, it’s a bit different than hiring other kinds of professionals. There are many different aspects of the practice of law that you will want to take into account before you sign a retainer agreement. Here are some key characteristics to consider when you hire a lawyer to represent you. Legal…
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Bankruptcy Discharge of Student Loans Would Boost U.S. Economy
When the Great Recession officially ended in June 2009, the total outstanding amount of student loan debt in the U.S. was $675 billion. Today, total U.S. student loan debt has more than doubled to $1.465 trillion. If allowed to do so, not every student will declare bankruptcy to discharge student loans. But for those who…
