The Oregon Bankruptcy Court’s recent ruling in In Re Watt requires a mortgage holder to accept title to a home surrendered in chapter 13 bankruptcy. Prior to In Re Watt, a borrower could surrender a home in Chapter 13 bankruptcy but wait for months, if not years, on end while the mortgage lender took its time foreclosing on the property. This was a particularly cruel fate for Oregon debtors with ongoing HOA obligations, but really a hardship for just about any Oregon homeowner/Chapter 13 debtor hoping to walk away from a property and really start over.

Bankruptcy Provides Instant Relief When you file chapter 7 bankruptcy, the relief is instant. An automatic stay is created which is then sent to all of your creditors notifying them that you have filed for bankruptcy protection. Most collection efforts must cease from that point forward. You will have a meeting of creditors also referred+ Read More

One of the most frequent questions I get is: "How am I going to pay the attorney's fees and costs for a bankruptcy?"

Yes, we know you're seemingly strapped, but you actually have more resources than you realize.

Here are some:

One of the most frequent questions I get is: "How am I going to pay the attorney's fees and costs for a bankruptcy?"

Yes, we know you're seemingly strapped, but you actually have more resources than you realize.

Here are some:

One of the most frequent questions I get is: “How am I going to pay the attorney’s fees and costs for a bankruptcy?”
Yes, we know you’re seemingly strapped, but you actually have more resources than you realize.
Here are some:

One of the most frequent questions I get is: “How am I going to pay the attorney’s fees and costs for a bankruptcy?”
Yes, we know you’re seemingly strapped, but you actually have more resources than you realize.
Here are some:

CNN reports that the average student loan debt in the United States at the end of last year was nearly $30,000. In New York the numbers are almost as bad; the average is just over $25,000.  Between 2008 and 2012, student loan debt rose a shocking six percent per year. Seventy percent of college seniors nationwide graduate with student loan debt, and 20 percent of that debt is owed to high-cost private lenders.

It seems that just about every month or so a lender or a towing company is withholding the debtor’s vehicle despite the fact that a chapter 13 bankruptcy case had been filed. Most lenders are now up to speed on the Thompson case which governs cases in the state of Illinois with regard to repossessed+ Read More

I recently met a client who first learned that she had been sued when she received a post card in the mail from the court indicating that a default judgment had been entered against her.  Frequently I meet clients who first learn of a judgment when their paychecks or bank accounts become garnished.  “How can they garnish me when I never had a chance to go to court!” is the common complaint.

I recently met a client who first learned that she had been sued when she received a post card in the mail from the court indicating that a default judgment had been entered against her.  Frequently I meet clients who first learn of a judgment when their paychecks or bank accounts become garnished.  “How can they garnish me when I never had a chance to go to court!” is the common complaint.