Initial Facts This is a bankruptcy case study for Ms. F. who resides in Aurora, Illinois. She is in the office to determine whether or not she can qualify for chapter 7, the fresh start bankruptcy. Otherwise, she is potentially interested in a chapter 13 bankruptcy case which is a reorganization of debts. Let's look at the facts of the case. She is a homeowner with a market value of $158,000. She is current on her first mortgage with Everbank and the outstanding balance totals $124,000. When we calculate in her homestead exemption of 15,000, costs of sale, and associated fees for transferring real estate, there does not seem to be significant equity in the property. For this reason, chapter + Click Here For Read More

Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 For consumers who are thinking about filing for bankruptcy, the advice of which chapter to file from an attorney is the most critical piece of information right from the start. The difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 is significant. Chapter 7 is known as a fresh start which allows for the elimination of miscellaneous, unsecured debt such as credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, utility bills and debts for other types of services. The case typically lasts no longer than four months and most debt will be eliminated with the exception of student loans, parking tickets, recent taxes, child support, maintenance, and other nondischargeable debt. Chapter 13, + Click Here For Read More

While it is possible to change bankruptcy attorneys in the middle of the case, it often will not make a difference in the outcome of the case. The relationship between a client and a bankruptcy attorney is one of trust, confidence, respect, diligence and communication. If there is a breakdown in any one or more of these areas, then it may be wise to make a change as to attorney. However, clients often want to make a change because they are seeking either alternative advice or a different result. In these cases, it may make sense to stick with the attorney that you hired originally. In recent chapter 13 case which was confirmed and well underway for the past two or three years, the thought + Click Here For Read More

New Rules To Recover Impounded Vehicles In recent months, there has been a tidal wave of activity surrounding bankruptcy, the City of Chicago, parking tickets and consumers trying to recover their impounded vehicles. For many years, it was common practice for the City of Chicago to release vehicles back to a debtor upon the filing of a chapter 13 bankruptcy. This was done in most cases as a legitimate way to recover collateral while also proposing a repayment plan for a portion of the parking ticket debt. Some of these cases actually made it through to completion of the plan while others died either a slow death or a quick death. Unfortunately, the system was abused by many individuals, pro + Click Here For Read More

You should complete your Chapter 13 bankruptcy case before you apply for new credit. You should wait the 3-5 years while the case is running since you are holding off your current creditors. In some cases, a vehicle can be purchased and financed after filing, provided a proper motion is brought before the court which gains the approval of the court. Some lenders will contact Chapter 13 debtors for credit opportunities despite the general rule that it should not be done. + Click Here For Read More

For over 11 years, the Legal Action television show has been airing on a weekly basis throughout the suburbs of Chicago on Comcast. Providing exceptional legal advice in the area of bankruptcy is a valuable tool for many people who are either considering bankruptcy or who have already made that decision to file. The information shared with the viewers over the past 11 years has hopefully helped people feel more comfortable about the process, be better prepared for the process and most importantly, wind up with a fantastic end result. Chapter 7 v. Chapter 13 For many people, chapter 7 is the best option. Chapter 7 will eliminate most debts except for student loans, recent taxes, parking + Click Here For Read More

I’m So Afraid To File Bankruptcy There is a very common concern or fear among those that are in debt with regard to filing for bankruptcy relief. They fear what they don't know. They don't know whether they are going to ever get credit again. They fear whether the entire world is going to find out about the bankruptcy filing and whether or not that filing is going to follow them for the rest of their lives. There is also a fear of failure. Some people look at bankruptcy as an absolute failure as a financial endeavor. Others however, look at bankruptcy as the fresh start for which it was really designed to be. Bankruptcy goes all the way back to biblical days. It was also made a part of the + Click Here For Read More

The Bankruptcy Code puts specific demands upon the debtor seeking to eliminate debt through a bankruptcy filing. It is important for clients to realize that these demands are inherent in the bankruptcy code and are not needless demands from their bankruptcy attorney. In many cases, debtors will wrongfully assume that the demand is coming from their attorney. It is important to shift this way of thinking so that the client realizes that the attorney is simply trying to have the debtor fill the requirements of the bankruptcy code. Completion Of Credit Counseling The first major requirement to file for bankruptcy is the completion of a credit counseling session. This is a one hour session + Click Here For Read More

If you're thinking of filing for bankruptcy, take the advice of an experience, bankruptcy attorney. Be honest, truthful, open and revealing when dealing with your bankruptcy lawyer. If you have assets that are going to be unprotected, your lawyer will advise you with regard to those assets. If you have made transfers that could be determined to be fraudulent, your lawyer will advise you as to what can happen with those transfers. Whatever is going on in your financial situation, you must make a full disclosure to your lawyer so that the right thing can be done. Unfortunately, there are times when the bankruptcy lawyer simply does not know what the client has done before, during or after the + Click Here For Read More

3 Options Regarding Financed Cars When a person files for chapter 7 bankruptcy relief and they have a financed vehicle, the debtor has three options with regard to that secured debt. The debtor can reaffirm the debt on the vehicle, redeem the debt on the vehicle or surrender the vehicle in full satisfaction of the debt. In the majority of cases, I am seeing my clients reaffirm auto loans. They generally like their car, want to keep their car and they need their car to work and live in today's society. In rare cases, the debtor can redeem the debt on the vehicle by paying the original lender the market value of the vehicle in full. This is done through an outside lender who steps into the + Click Here For Read More