Resolve to get out of debt in 2015.

My busiest time as a bankruptcy attorney in Asheville, NC is about to begin.  Just as gym memberships rise after New Year’s Eve celebrations end, so do bankruptcy filings.  Here are answers to a couple key questions about how to become debt free through the bankruptcy courts. What kind of relief am I eligible for?…

I got served with a lawsuit for my credit card. What happens next?

As an Asheville bankruptcy attorney, I speak with many potential clients soon after they get served by the sheriff with a collections lawsuit.  The uncertainty surrounding a legal action is unwelcome and stressful.  Although a collection lawsuit can be intimidating, many times clients can defeat the action by taking the appropriate action either in bankruptcy…

High-priced loan costs increase even more in North Carolina.

The most expensive type of short term financing is getting more expensive in North Carolina.  Targeting consumers who are desperately trying to make ends meet, these lending companies pay millions to influence the North Carolina legislature. The result is higher interest rates, more fees, and much larger profits for the companies. As an Asheville bankruptcy lawyer,…

Bankruptcy for the small business owner

As an Asheville bankruptcy lawyer, I frequently sit down with people who own a small business which is struggling to make ends meet. It is important for the small business owner to understand their rights both in bankruptcy and outside of bankruptcy before calculating their next best financial move. How is the business organized? If…

Will my bankruptcy filing affect my spouse’s credit?

No, only the person who files a bankruptcy case will have the filing reported on their credit history. Under the bankruptcy code, a person has a right to file a case without their spouse. As a bankruptcy attorney in Asheville, NC, a common question I receive from stressed out consumers is whether they should file…

Consider your bankruptcy options before spending retirement money.

When financial trouble strikes, people get creative trying to make ends meet.  One common strategy is to use retirement money to pay monthly bills.  As a bankruptcy attorney serving clients in Franklin, NC, I speak to people daily about ideas they have come up with to deal with their debt problems.  I almost never suggest…

Protecting Home Equity in Bankruptcy

As an Asheville bankruptcy attorney, one of my functions is to help clients estimate the correct values for the property they own.By doing this well, we can permanently protect assets from the reach of the client’s creditors.This process has recently become more complicated for folks living near Asheville who have equity in their homes, want…

Student Loans Lawyer: Restructuring Debt Outside of Bankrutpcy

As a North Carolina Student Loan Lawyer, I speak with potential clients frequently about their bankruptcy options.  Many times, a bankruptcy discharge will not effect their liability on student loans. If your budget has been turned upside down by a burdensome student loan payment, you may have a right to change the required monthly cost…

Can I sell property before filing for bankruptcy?

Frequently, yes. As long as you sell your property for fair market value, there is usually no problem with selling an asset prior to filing your bankruptcy case in Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Problems arise in the bankruptcy context when one sells property for less than market value.  Even with the best intentions, such…