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If you need to fix your debts, filing bankruptcy to get rid of them is much better than committing fraud.  What do I mean by that?  Simply that many people think that they can give money or title to property like houses and cars to other people in order to avoid creditors. One problem with […]

What is bankruptcy debt consolidation?  It is commonly known as chapter 13 bankruptcy.  You can lower your total debt payments, like credit card and medical debts, by consolidating your debts.  There are many debt consolidation companies, but a lot of them will rip you off and none of them can give you the legal protections you […]

If someone contacts you and tries to get you to pay a tax debt, this could be a scam.  Beginning April 2017, the IRS contracted with private collection agencies to try to collect taxes that the IRS has not been able to collect.  You might be able to get rid of tax debts in bankruptcy. […]

Do you need to choose a bankruptcy attorney?  If so you should make your choice wisely.  Many people go price-shopping for a bankruptcy attorney, but this is definitely the wrong way to choose one.  Think about this: Would you choose a doctor this way? The best way to choose an attorney is to find one […]

Do you have a serious income tax problem with the IRS and/or California Franchise Tax Board (FTB)?  If so please contact our office so that we can help, but you’re obviously much better off avoiding these problems to begin with.  Some tax debts can be dealt with in bankruptcy, but if that doesn’t work for […]

Do you hesitate to file bankruptcy because you are concerned about your credit, even if you are in foreclosure?  Are you more concerned about your credit or the stigma of filing bankruptcy than about saving your home?  Don’t laugh; I have a case like that right now. Marge (not her real name) filed chapter 13 […]

The short answer is yes, but filing bankruptcy without a lawyer can be very financially dangerous.  Of course it is tempting for people in bad enough financial situations that they need to file bankruptcy to try to save money, but that savings must be weighed against the potential risks of making mistakes that could cost […]

Betty (not her real name) had racked up substantial divorce attorney fees that she could not afford to pay, and she came to see me about filing bankruptcy.  But Betty was afraid that even with bankruptcy she’d still have to pay her divorce attorney fees.  Betty’s divorce attorney fees were a large part of her […]

If you need help paying your student loans, act now before it’s too late.  Help for student loans is starting to become harder to get. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos withdrew two memos by former President Obama that required the government to help people with their student loans.  As I’ve written recently, the Trump administration is […]

Are you having trouble making your student loan payments?  You can get affordable payments for all federal student loans, both direct loans and FFEL loans.  (There is also possible help for private student loans, but the options are far fewer.)  Currently, you are legally entitled to certain repayment programs for federal student loans.  However, as […]