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After filing a chapter 7 bankruptcy, you will be required to attend "the meeting of creditors".  The meeting takes place at court around 45 days after you file bankruptcy. If you have to attend the hearing.  If you do not attend, the trustee, who runs the meeting will likely file a motion asking the court to dismiss your case.   The meeting is referred to as the "meeting of creditors" because creditors are notified that they may attend and question you about your assets and any other matter relevant to the administration of the case. The good news is that creditors rarely attend the meeting.  On the rare occasions when they do, they are usually trying to locate secured property.  Commonly I see jewelry shops shops asking for the location and return of jewelry where the debtor defaulted on the loan.  Other creditors may ask questions to see whether a debtor should be in a chapter 7 when they can afford to pay back their creditors.  Again, it is rare that a creditor shows up to ask questions.  The meeting usually lasts only a few minutes and may be continued if the trustee is not satisfied with the information provided by the debtor. Often meetings are continued when the debtor fails to provide acceptable identification and proof of Social Security number. Also, many debtors fail to send the trustee tax returns and pay stubs 7 days before the hearing, per California Eastern District Bankruptcy Court rules.  In short, make sure you are prepared for the meeting.  If you have hired an attorney, the attorney will make sure to send the documents to the trustee and remind you to bring your driver's license and social security card to the meeting.  

If you fail to provide the information requested at the meeting, the trustee will likely set another date for you to return to provide the information.  Multiple instances of non-compliance will likely lead to the trustee requesting that the bankruptcy case be dismissed or that the debtor be ordered by the court to cooperate or be held in contempt of court for willful failure to cooperate. The information enables the trustee to understand your financial circumstances for filing bankruptcy and speeds up the questioning process. The trustee will ask questions to ensure that your financial information is correct, that you do not have assets that can be sold with proceeds going to creditors and to make sure you understands the positive and negative aspects of filing for bankruptcy. 
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Confidentiality or Obstruction of Justice: Where’s the Line? For a consumer bankruptcy lawyer, I’m litigious.  I’m quick to sue. I hate it when people do illegal stuff to my customers. People in financial trouble can be magnets for illegal stuff.  Fair Debt Collection Practices Act violations.  Fair Credit Reporting Act violations.  Illegal internet payday loans. […]The post Confidentiality or Obstruction of Justice: Where’s the Line? by Robert Weed appeared first on Robert Weed.

Oregon Debtors are often certain that they want to give up their houses in their upcoming Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, but no one likes a mystery when it comes to figuring out how much time they have in the property. The reality is that you will know exactly when you will have to leave, months before the due date for doing so comes up.
Most often, your mortgage lender will file a Motion to Lift the Automatic Stay in the Oregon Bankruptcy Court so that it can begin the process of foreclosure legally. This process usually takes at least a month or two after your bankruptcy case has been filed. Even after the creditor receives relief from the automatic stay from the Oregon Bankruptcy Court, it will take months before the lender is actually able to complete the foreclosure process. There are steps you can take during that process to ensure that you get even more time in the property. These steps should be reviewed with your bankruptcy attorney.
Many lenders will not even file a Motion to Lift Stay during your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Often homes are so underwater that there really is no rush on the lenders part to foreclose its interest. The fact is that if you have already left a home and have no interest in returning, it may be safer to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy where, at least for now, you may be able force the lender to take the house back quickly.

The original post is titled How Long Can I Stay in the House After Surrendering It in My Oregon Chapter 7 Bankruptcy? , and it came from Portland Bankruptcy Attorney | Northwest Debt Relief .

Victims of domestic violence will have a new place to go to feel safe. Construction recently began on a new facility in Pinellas County for women who are victims of domestic violence. According to this story on ABC Action News, the new facility should be open sometime in 2015.
There is a currently a facility in St. Petersburg called CASA that houses nearly 30 people, but really only has room for half that many. Many of these people stay together at CASA in what is the size of a college dorm room.
The new facility will have 100 beds and will be able to provide services to approximately 1,000 families each year.
Law enforcement agencies in Pinellas County, Florida receive over 8,000 calls a week from people who are the subject of domestic violence. In addition to filing criminal charges, victims of domestic violence can also file for a protective order with the Clerk of the Court in Pinellas County, Florida. There are several different injunctions that you can ask for including domestic violence and stalking. Here is a link to the Clerk’s website that will provide you with additional information regarding injunctions.
If you have been the victim of domestic violence and need assistance with obtaining a protective order call one of The Reissman Law Group, P.A.‘s attorneys today.
We are here to for you and will help get you the truth and justice that you deserve. Let one of our compassionate and caring attorneys help you during this difficult and confusing times. Contact us today for a free consultation.
The post Domestic Violence appeared first on St. Petersburg Law Blog.