Under some circumstances, a collector may invite substantial liability and end up turning over a pretty large check to a Washington or Oregon consumer for making collections calls to a cell phone. Federal law now places stringent limits on debt collectors using automated dialing machines. How often does this happen? If there are a few moments of silence on your line when you pick up a call, chances are good that the collector is using an auto-dialer. If the collection agency leaves a pre-recorded message, the odds are also great that the caller used an auto-dialer.

I. Pursuant to Administrative Order 13-01, the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida has implemented a "Loss Mitigation Mediation" (LMM) program. The goal of LMM is to "facilitate communication and exchange of information in a confidential setting and encourage the parties to finalize a fesible and beneficial agreement with the assistance and supervision of the United State Bankruptcy Court."

Sometimes in a Bankruptcy case, timing is everything There are lots of numbers in the Bankruptcy Code: numbers that limit filing under Chapter 13 consumer reorganizations based on the amount of debt that you owe; numbers that determine the amount of your exemptions; and numbers that determine your eligibility for a Chapter 7 filing based [...]The post Should You Delay Filing a Bankruptcy Case Until April 1? appeared first on

Differences Between Bankruptcy And Debt Consolidation There are huge differences between bankruptcy and debt consolidation services.  If you’re filing a chapter 7, you are going to get a fresh start.  If you are using a debt consolidation service, you are going to wind up paying back to creditors.  It’s quite possible that you really don’t+ Read MoreThe post

Filing for bankruptcy is a difficult decision. Bankruptcy can come as a relief, but you may also feel a sense of failure. It isn’t the end of the world. In fact, it’s a new beginning.

To start a chapter 7 bankruptcy case, a person needs to file a petition with the United States Bankruptcy Court. Usually the case is filed with the Bankruptcy Court in the district where the person lives. If a person lives in Palm Beach County, Florida it is usually filed with the Bankruptcy Court in Downtown West Palm Beac Miami and if a person lives in Broward County, Florida, the case is usually filed with the Bankruptcy Court in Ft. Lauderdale. The Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida includes Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and other nearby counties.

How Soon Can I Buy?

Before bankruptcy, I tell my clients to stop the automatic withdrawals to those internet payday loans.  They always find it’s so hard to get their banks to help.  Today’s  New York Times says the same thing.

Since many bankruptcy filers end up filing soon after getting their tax refund back, they are often curious as to whether any of their creditors can seize the refund before it gets to them.  For many, the only way to afford the fees to file bankruptcy is by using that tax refund money.  Only state and federal agencies can intercept a tax refund.  So normally, only the IRS or possibly ORS will have the right to take that money.  However, if a creditor has a judgment against you, they could seize that money as soon as it enters your bank account since creditors with judgments have the right t