The sheriff just served me with a lawsuit. What happens next?

Many potential clients schedule initial consultations after receiving a summons delivered by the sheriff’s office.  As an Asheville bankruptcy lawyer, I know that the uncertainty surrounding a formal legal action is unwelcome and stressful.  Although a collection lawsuit can be intimidating, many clients can protect their assets and defeat the action by taking the appropriate…

Do I need to file a bankruptcy case?

Filing for bankruptcy protection can be a difficult decision. Many clients I’ve spoken with as an Asheville bankruptcy lawyer tell me that they have tried everything to avoid filing. Though well-intentioned, many consumers who file bankruptcy after struggling for a long time would have gotten a better result had they reached out for professional help…

If I file for bankruptcy, is my tax refund protected?

As an Asheville bankruptcy lawyer, I advise consumers to protect the things they own by using their available exemptions. In over 95 percent of the Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases filed in Western North Carolina, all of the property a consumer owns fits within the North Carolina or Federal Bankruptcy exemptions. Consumers get to keep all…

Even insured face crushing medical debt.

The most expensive place in the world to get sick is the United States. According to a new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the New York Times, 20% of people who own health insurance policies have still had difficulty paying a medical bill within the past year. 53% of people who do not…