When you are struggling with your bills and in need of a bankruptcy attorney, where do you turn first? For most people, they will search the internet to gather information. There is a wealth of information available regarding the different Chapters under the bankruptcy code as well as a plethora of attorneys ready, willing and able to take your case. The problem lies in just which attorney is suited for you and your particular case. Is your case extremely complicated that would require a seasoned, well-experienced attorney? Is your case a typical, simple Chapter 7 that should go off without a hitch? How do you make a decision on which attorney to hire? My advice to anyone seeking an + Click Here For Read More
Archives for 2013
Bankruptcy – Chapter 7 Recommended – Case Study
February 6, 2013 by
This is the case of Randolph Booker who lives in Warrenville, Illinois, DuPage County Illinois. Mr. Booker has never filed a bankruptcy before. He is not a homeowner and he lives with family so technical no landlord/tenant situation. He has a 2011 Nissan Pathfinder that is financed by Nissan Motor Acceptance. He is current on the vehicle. He owes approximately $35,000 on it. It’s worth about the same. And his monthly payment is very high at $752 per month. He has a checking account at Bank of America, no savings account; minor household goods worth approximately $1000 and minor clothing worth about $400. He does have three shotguns and some golf clubs with a garage sale value of + Click Here For Read More
What Is The Cost To File Bankruptcy In Illinois?
February 5, 2013 by
There are several factors that can affect the cost to file for bankruptcy in Illinois. The first factor is which Chapter of the bankruptcy code are you filing under? If you are considering filing a Chapter 7, then you are going to have a fixed cost known as the filing fee. At the time of this writing, the filing fee for Chapter 7 bankruptcy is $306.00. This fee gets paid directly to the Clerk of the United States Bankruptcy Court and is mandated unless a waiver is granted. If you are considering filing under Chapter 13 of the bankruptcy code, then the mandatory filing fee with the court at the time of this writing is $281.00. Again, there are waivers in particular cases based upon the + Click Here For Read More
Do I have to list everyone that I owe money to? – Bankruptcy
February 5, 2013 by
Under either chapter 7 bankruptcy or chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must list all of the people that you owe money to. This includes credit cards that you want to keep, friends that lent you money, family members that lent you money and anybody else that you owe. The one exception to this would be with regard to credit cards that have a zero balance. If you have a zero balance, then technically you do not owe any money; therefore, that creditor does not have to be listed. However, I want to cautious you that you are likely to receive a letter from that credit card company terminating your charging privileges going forward. So don’t plan on being able to keep any type of credit card after + Click Here For Read More
Filed for Chapter7 bankruptcy recently. Why must I pay back creditors?
February 4, 2013 by
Each case is different. Under Chapter7 bankruptcy, the debtor gets a fresh start. Under chapter 13 bankruptcy, the creditors get paid a certain percentage on the dollar over a three to five-year payment plan. The reason why one person would have to back a creditor and another would not is based on equity, income, assets and liabilities. Let’s take the case of someone who has disposable income per month in excess of their expenses. That person is typically going to be required to file a chapter 13 and put all of his or her disposable income each month towards a chapter 13 repayment plan which could last anywhere from 3 to 5 years. If, on the other hand, you have someone who does not + Click Here For Read More
What Property Will I Lose When I File For Bankruptcy
January 31, 2013 by
Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows for a fresh start. It also allows for you to keep a certain amount of property known as exempt property free and clear from creditors and from the long arm of the trustee. In terms of real estate, you can protect up to $15,000 worth of equity. In the case of a joint case, husband and wife, you can protect up to $30,000 worth of equity in a piece of real estate. In terms of other property, there is a $2400 auto exemption and a $4000 miscellaneous personal property exemption that can be sprinkled over any type of personal property. When you have a joint case, the exemptions are doubled. So when you ask am I going to lose my property whether it be a house or + Click Here For Read More
Bankruptcy – I Share a Bank Account, Is That Money At Risk?
January 30, 2013 by
Well, all of your assets must be listed on a bankruptcy petition and this is true under chapter 7 or under chapter 13. If you are joint on a bank account, that basically means that you and the other party on the account both have equal rights to that money. If the sum is in excess of the state exemption amounts, then a portion of that fund or account may be touchable or attachable by the trustee in order to administer it for the benefit of creditors. Now, in a chapter 13 bankruptcy case, your property is completely protected so it wouldn’t matter if you had a joint account that had nonexempt equity. In a 13, you simply must pay back at least as much as creditors would get in a chapter + Click Here For Read More
Foreclosure -Can I lose my house if I am behind on my second mortgage?
January 25, 2013 by
If you are behind on your second mortgage, you technically can be foreclosed upon by that second mortgage and eventually lose the home. The second mortgage might not be the one who gets paid or made whole but they can push the issue and actually do the bidding for the first mortgage company in a foreclosure action. My advice to consumers and those that are going through bankruptcy is to maintain current payments on both the first and second mortgage holders. If you fail to make either the first or the second mortgage payment, then either one of those vendors can institute a foreclosure action if you fall far enough behind. In some cases, you can fail to make the second mortgage payment + Click Here For Read More
Chapter 13 Is Possible With Extra Income
January 22, 2013 by
This is the case of Carla Salerno from Chicago, Illinois who is interested in filing for bankruptcy. Ms. Salerno does not own any real estate. She is currently renting from a landlord at the same address as her but on the second floor. It is a month-to-month lease. She does not own a vehicle. She is not paying for a vehicle. She is not using anybody’s vehicle. She has a checking account at Citibank. She has no savings account. She has $560 on account with her landlord as a security deposit. She has minor household goods worth approximately $400 and normal clothing worth approximately $400. She has no IRA, 401(k), profit sharing or other retirement account. She does not expect + Click Here For Read More
Bankruptcy Case Study For Jose Manual Verones – Debt
January 21, 2013 by
This is the case of José Manuel Verones who comes to me with Wauconda, Illinois seeking debt relief. Mr. Verones is not a homeowner and he currently lives with his parents so he doesn’t have a formal lease. He’s got a 2000 Chevy Malibu which is worth $2000 and it is paid for. He has a checking account worth $500. No savings account. No household goods, very little in the way of clothing. He does have $5000 in a 401(k) and he gets a tax refund each year of approximately $600. He is single with no dependent children. He has been working for the last three months as an inside salesperson, earning approximately $24,000 per year. At the end of the month from his paycheck, he nets $1655 + Click Here For Read More
