May 15, 2008

• Is it Legal for a Judgment to Survive Bankruptcy?

  For bankruptcy lawyers, the word "judgment" raises red flags. This is especially true when the judgment comes from another State. (…)

January 2, 2008

• Financial Managment Course Requirement - Filing Deadline

  The bankruptcy law requires debtors to attend two educational courses.  The first requirement calls for a "debt management course" and must be completed prior to filing - your certificate of completion is your "ticket in" to the bankruptcy process. (…)

October 26, 2007

• "How Do I Recover from Bankruptcy" - Some Thoughts from the Trenches

  "How do I recover from bankruptcy?"  This question comes up in every new client interview or client meeting that I conduct.  There is no no universal answer to this question, but here are a few thoughts:

  Become a more educated consumer.  Bad financial decisions often lead to debt problems that can overwhelm you, thereby leading to a bankruptcy filing.  If you are filing or if you are close to filing, take a few minutes to step back and think about how you ended up in your financial predicament.  What would you have done differently?  Moving forward take advantage of the financial resources on the Internet, most of which are free. (…)

October 10, 2007

• Top Time Wasters in the Bankruptcy Process

  If you have read my blog at all, you know that I have been quite critical of many of the changes brought about by the BAPCPA changes to the bankruptcy law.  In general these changes have make the process of filing bankruptcy more complicated and more expensive.  Sometimes, I have to decline representation in cases with complications because the potential client cannot afford to pay me for the time it would take to untangle his/her mess. (…)

September 23, 2007

• Let Bankruptcy Be Your First Step to a Positive Financial Future

  I often advise my clients that if they are sitting my office discussing their financial problems with a bankruptcy lawyer, then everything needs to be on the table.  The house, the cars, the big screen tv, the  electronics, and even the time share (!).   My job, as the bankrutpcy lawyer is to help my client chart a course of living within one's means and getting rid of debts that are not necessary for survival.  Bankruptcy is about what you need, not what you want. (…)

February 20, 2007

• Can I Begin to Restore My Credit While I am in an Active Chapter 13?

  I’ve filed a chapter 13 due to divorce (no previous credit issues) and am paying rightly on my repayment plan having several years to go. (…)

January 24, 2007

• Myths About New Bankruptcy Law

  Although bankruptcy filing numbers are still down in Atlanta, I am starting to see more and more activity on my web site and in email inquiries from potential clients.  Nevertheless, there is still a great deal of misinformation in the general public about bankruptcy. (…)

January 20, 2007

• Bad Credit Score Results in Higher Insurance Rates

  This past week the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument on an interesting Fair Credit Reporting Act issue.  In the case of Geico vs. (…)

July 30, 2006

• Credit Counseling Requirement of Bankruptcy Code Generally Viewed as a Waste of Time

  In a previous post, I had written about the harsh consequences (i.e. (…)

July 9, 2006

• Credit Reporting Agencies Deleting Positive Information?

  One of my recent Chapter 7 clients (case successfully discharged) wrote me to say that he has noticed a disturbing occurrence on his credit reports.  He advises that positive credit information (a paid off home mortgage and five other paid in full accounts) are no longer showing up on his credit report.  Positive credit, of course, helps your credit score go up. (…)

May 12, 2006

• Post Bankruptcy Credit Rebuilding Meeting With Jonathan

  This morning, I met with one of my former bankruptcy clients who wanted to discuss credit restoration. (…)