Sometimes bankruptcy is worth considering as an answer to your debt problems. But before coming to that decision, there are other options—one good, one bad—worth exploring. Here’s a bad option: Ignore your debt. Some people fall into debt and just pretend it’s not there. Others think they can put off creditors and debt collectors indefinitely. […]
It’s a sad fact of life but money issues often lead to marital discord, which in turn can lead to the overall breakdown of marriage and eventual divorce. In this difficult area, many misconceptions persist regarding the responsibility of debts. For example, one client recently came to me with the following situation: she and her […]
If you’re thinking of representing yourself in a divorce proceeding, there are two options I would suggest considering. Both come with significant pros and cons, which you should be aware of before moving forward. Option 1 – Family Law Facilitator Most counties in California offer a “for-free” service called the Family Law Facilitator. One or […]
In a recent blog post, I discussed the pros and cons of choosing to represent yourself in court actions, rather than hiring an attorney to handle your matter. In such legal areas as civil litigation, family law, bankruptcy, small claims, traffic court, etc., there are times when you can act effectively on your own behalf […]
Is someone who relies upon support payments from his or her ex-spouse (either for themselves or for any children they may have) affected when their former spouse or partner files for bankruptcy? When someone files for bankruptcy relief under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, that person’s creditors must immediately stop all collection efforts on their […]
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a legal action that allows a person to eliminate most of his or her debts. With respect to unsecured debts, such as general consumer debts, credit card debts, and any other debts that aren’t secured by some form of collateral, the vast majority, if not all, will be wiped out. […]
There’s a familiar—and dangerous—cycle I regularly see with regard to debt and bankruptcy relief. Many people come to the conclusion that they’re carrying more debt than they can afford, so they file for bankruptcy, get relief from those debts, and then fall into the same debt-incurring behavior. Eight years pass, (the legal period between filing […]
In today’s economy, many people find themselves underwater with regard to their monthly expenses. When their total monthly debts amount to more than the money they’ve got coming in—and, as is usually the case, the monthly mortgage payment represents their larges expense—people sometimes opt to neglect this big debt and pay off their smaller, more […]
Clients sometimes come to my office regarding a claim they have on a defaulted personal loan or they want to retrieve a security deposit from a landlord or have some other matter where money is due them. In many cases, the amount they claim is too small to warrant being handled in acivil court of […]
It’s more than half way through the year so this is a great time to take care of some essential legal planning responsibilities – and you’ll feel much better when you do. Estate planning Many people mistakenly think of an estate plan as something that matters only when they die, but there’s really much more […]