As an Asheville bankruptcy attorney, I spend a large portion of initial consultations discussing the negative consequences of filing a case.One fear which is often overblown, in my view, is the effect of a filing on your credit score. Many folks incorrectly think they will not ever have access to credit again or will not…
As an Asheville bankruptcy lawyer, I frequently advise people against filing a bankruptcy case when they have recently paid back a relative or family member.Making gifts or large payments to family members on the eve of bankruptcy can limit your debt relief options.Much better results can be achieved by filing a bankruptcy case first, and…
As a bankruptcy attorney in Asheville, NC, many of my potential clients ask about what they should tell creditors who call repeatedly.The creditor conversations usually go similar to this hypothetical conversation: “Sir, if we don’t receive at least $100 this month, we are going to be forced to take legal action.” Or, “This debt is…
As a bankruptcy attorney in Asheville, close to half of the people I meet for free, initial consultations are judgment proof. This means creditors have virtually no way to collect money or property from them under North Carolina law. You are judgment proof if all of the property you own fits within the North Carolina…
As a bankruptcy attorney in Asheville NC, I counsel people who have tried to stop automatic bank drafts to a specific creditor but end up with more overdraft fees from their own banks instead. Last week, I met with someone who was charged over $300 because a draft they had already called their bank to…
As an Asheville bankruptcy attorney, Spring is my busiest time of year. Tax refunds are a reason bankruptcy filings go up. Why spend refund money on credit card minimums when you can wipe out your debt by filing a Chapter 7 case? With careful planning, you can file for bankruptcy and keep your tax refund.…
As an Asheville bankruptcy lawyer, I help people protect various assets. This is called exempt property. In over 90 percent of the Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases I file, all of the property my clients own fits within the North Carolina or Federal Bankruptcy exemptions. They get to keep all their property. One type of asset…
As an Asheville bankruptcy lawyer, I speak with people every day who are upset and overwhelmed by their financial situation. If they could work harder, make more money, and pay back all their debts, they would. Unfortunately, in today’s economy, it is frequently not that easy. When called upon, my job is to help honest…
Many bankruptcy clients wait until they get served by the sheriff with a collections lawsuit before seeking help with their financial problems. Better results can be achieved by acting earlier, but all is not lost merely because a lawsuit has been initiated. My first reaction when fielding such a desperate call is, “Do not panic,…