Prospective clients are often concerned about keeping their car once they file for bankruptcy relief, and rightly so. Most people rely on their car to get them back and forth to work, for transporting their children, and for many of the important tasks one does on a daily basis.  Bankruptcy usually allows people to keep their current vehicle, and in certain situations, even allows for the lowering of the monthly payment. Sometimes, the payment can even be eliminated. Chapter

Although people have the right to represent themselves in court proceedings, doing so is often compared to performing surgery on one’s self without using a doctor. You may be able to make the initial cut, but what do you do once your faced with actual blood and guts? The comparison to bankruptcy is apt. Anyone can file the necessary forms to begin a bankruptcy case, but completing it successfully usually requires an experienced bankruptcy attorney such as those at The Law Off

Cynthia first came into my office early last Winter with a plucky attitude, but a mountain of debt. Unfortunately, Cynthia was a single mother, having been abandoned by her ex-Husband when she suddenly fell ill in late-2016. Cynthia had an enormous amount of medical bills, a few credit cards that were maxed out, and a payday loan. The debt was crushing her, and she saw no way out. One creditor was even threatening to garnish her wages. In addition to the stress of having so m

One of the scariest episodes a person can endure is to wake up one morning to discover that their paycheck or bank account has been garnished. Imagine checking your bank balance and discovering a huge negative number in your account as a result of a legal order placed by someone you owe money to. Additionally, what if you looked at your paycheck and saw 25% less than you expected to be paid, only to learn that your employer was served with a wage order? These actions can deva

The decision to file bankruptcy can be stressful, and doing research on the process can add to your stress level. Many of my clients are concerned about what actually happens when they go to bankruptcy court for their hearing, and the anxiety they feel is usually related to the prospect of having to actually meet with their creditors face-to-face. After all, the first hearing in bankruptcy court, known as the Section 341 hearing, is also called the Meeting of Creditors. While

Filing bankruptcy is an important decision and one that requires you to take drastic steps to right your financial ship. Although you can file a bankruptcy case without a lawyer, I would no more recommend that you do so than I would recommend you try to preform surgery on yourself, or try to pull your own teeth. Interview and hire an experienced, knowledgeable bankruptcy lawyer when you need help, and here are a few things to consider when doing so. 1. Going with the cheapes

It’s that time of year again……..tax time. For some, it is the happy time where large refunds are received and the influx of money is used to make large purchases, or to get caught up on delinquent bills. But for others, tax time is the most dreaded time of the year. Penalties, interest, and the threat of IRS collection action can be a daunting challenge. How can bankruptcy help you deal with your tax debt? The most important advice I can give to anyone who is concerned about

Many clients who come to me arrive after having attempted to complete a debt management program or debt consolidation. While I applaud their efforts, the majority of those people have actually made their situation much worse by trying to avoid a bankruptcy filing. There is an old saying about a road that is paved with good intentions, and that could not be truer than in this instance. Why bankruptcy over debt management? Let’s examine the answer. Debt management companies are

Most individuals who file for bankruptcy relief file under one of 2 chapters of the Bankruptcy Code, Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Although other chapters exist, such as Chapter 11 for business reorganization, and Chapter 12 for family farmers, the vast majority of cases are filed under either chapters 7 or 13. So what is the difference? Chapter 7 is typically used by individuals who have a large amount of unsecured debt (credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, etc.), very

I speak to or meet with people every day who report hearing many of the common myths about filing for bankruptcy protection. Often these misconceptions come from, “word on the street”, research on the internet, or stories from someone who heard from someone about these various facts. Let’s address a few: FICTION: If I file for bankruptcy I will be labeled a “deadbeat”. FACT: Nothing could be further from the trust. Most, if not all, of my bankruptcy clients have come to

Homeowners or those that aspire to be often use bankruptcy as an effective tool to reorganize their financial lives. Often people who either own their own home, or wish to buy real estate in the near future, express concern about how the filing of a bankruptcy case can help them either keep their home or qualify for a mortgage after the filing. For those who already own their home and need to file, bankruptcy can be an important method by which a homeowner can modify their mo

We all hear about the reasons people need to file for bankruptcy:  job loss, illness, unexpected medical expenses, rise in interest rates, etc. I thought it may be helpful to understand some of the reasons we, here at The Law Offices of Adam M. Freiman, recommend that our clients should file for bankruptcy irrespective of the reason they initially consult with our office. 1. Help to improve credit scores - As discussed in a prior blog, bankruptcy can actually help improve cre

Every one of my clients enters my office in a state of confusion, anxiety, and financial distress.  Although typically their number one goal is to alleviate those conditions, they quickly realize that they have to live life after filing a bankruptcy proceeding and are concerned about the conditions under which they must do so. A legitimate concern for most people is what life after bankruptcy looks like, and just how far their credit score will drop once they file. Imagine a

The number one question people ask me when I tell them that I am a bankruptcy attorney is, “How can people that need to file bankruptcy pay your fees?” It is not only a good question, it’s an important one for anyone who is considering filing bankruptcy and is looking for an experienced lawyer to help them through the process. First, a warning.  I would strongly advise anyone against trying to file a bankruptcy proceeding without being represented by an experienced bankruptcy