One of the reasons I became an Asheville bankruptcy lawyer is that I believe the debt collection industry is unfair. Frequently, the debt collectors know that their targets are judgment proof, meaning the collector can only receive money voluntarily from the borrower – not through the legal process. Still, their approach is to continue calling.…
As an Asheville NC bankruptcy attorney, most people I speak with do not realize what legal options they have concerning their debts, or that many of their friends and neighbors have already decided to file a bankruptcy case.More than 1 million people filed for bankruptcy protection in 2013.The statistics from my own practice may surprise…
As an Asheville bankruptcy attorney, I speak with many clients soon after they get served by the sheriff with a collections lawsuit.Although a collection lawsuit can be intimidating, many times clients can defeat the action by taking the appropriate action either in bankruptcy court or through the state court proceeding. If Served, You Still Have…
As a bankruptcy attorney in Asheville, NC, one of the most common questions I speak with clients about is what type of relief they qualify for.The ‘means test’ was implemented by Congress in 2005 in part to limit Chapter 7 relief to only the individuals who truly need it. Means Test The means test limits…
I became an Asheville bankruptcy lawyer partly because collection companies break the law in order to profit. By breaking the law, the collectors receive more money from people unable to pay than they would otherwise. Their profit strategy is to intimidate, annoy, and irritate folks into writing them a check for some amount. I think…
Yes. As a bankruptcy attorney in Asheville NC, I primarily recommend two ways to protect your tax refund in a Chapter 7 case. First, we can use the bankruptcy exemptions you are entitled to.When exempted properly, Chapter 7 trustees are not allowed to intercept tax refunds.The vast majority of North Carolina bankruptcy filers use part…
A new year is upon us, and my busiest time as a bankruptcy attorney in Asheville, NC is about to begin.Just as gym memberships rise in the Spring, 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…
As an Asheville bankruptcy attorney, I see my bankruptcy filings increase during the months of January and February.People resolve to clean up their financial lives as part of their new year’s celebration.When I see people raring to go for a bankruptcy case in January, I frequently explain that they need to wait a couple months…
Deciding you need to separate from a spouse is an incredibly emotional and painful decision. Once made, it is important to understand your legal rights and obligations regarding the debts which will remain after the divorce decree has been finalized. As an Asheville bankruptcy attorney, I frequently spend time with clients who benefit from a…
As an Asheville bankruptcy lawyer, I speak about the costs of filing a bankruptcy case at every initial consultation.Part of figuring out a strategy to improve your financial situation is evaluating the costs of filing a bankruptcy case, and comparing those with the costs of not filing a case. Are you currently making payments on…