Blog

Feb. 26, 2021

If you have borrowed money from friends or family members before you file for bankruptcy, here is one thing you definitely should not do. There are a number of technical rules that control this situation, and I will make this as simple as I can for you.

Feb. 25, 2021

It's not unusual for creditors to require a cosigner when they give credit to someone who doesn't have a great credit history. For example, if young adults are applying for student loans, the lenders will often require the parents to sign as a cosigner on the debt before they agree to issue a substantial student loan to the student. The same standard often is followed before a creditor will issue a car loan or even a credit card to someone who doesn't have the greatest credit history.

Feb. 24, 2021

Keep in mind that one of the major goals of bankruptcy is to give people a fresh financial start and give them the ability to approach the future with a more positive outlook on their lives. There is an old saying that the past is history, the future is a mystery, and right now is a gift. That's why they call it the present.

Feb. 23, 2021

Many of our clients are married, and they often wonder, "Do we both have to file for bankruptcy together, or can just one of us file for bankruptcy and protect the credit rating of the person that is not filing for bankruptcy?"

Feb. 22, 2021

When we file a chapter 7 bankruptcy petition for our clients, our usual goal is for the client to obtain a discharge. This means that if the case is successfully completed our client will have all or virtually all of their debts wiped out, and they will keep whatever property they own. That's the goal.

Feb. 22, 2021

Getting sued can be pretty scary. But if you learn how to defend yourself, you might be able to fight the case without paying for an attorney, and you might even win. In this blog, I'm going to assume that you are getting sued because you didn't pay your credit card bill.

Feb. 21, 2021

How would you like to get some cash from your mortgage company? That's right, instead of you paying your mortgage company, you might be able to get your mortgage company to pay you. We have had mortgage companies pay our clients a nice sum of money by using a program that is sometimes referred to as Cash for Keys, or sometimes they call it Reimbursement for Relocation Expenses.

Feb. 20, 2021

Unfortunately, your home was just sold at a New Jersey sheriff's sale, and you are still living in the property. Do you have to get out right away, or can you stay a little while longer until they force you to leave?

Feb. 19, 2021

Motor vehicle surcharges aren't any fun. They are imposed by the MVC (Motor Vehicle Commission - many people still call the MVC the DMV. The DMV stands for the Division of Motor Vehicles - but they officially changed their name to the MVC quite a while ago). Surcharges are in addition to court fines and penalties. For example, if someone has been convicted for DUI, the penalties imposed by the court will be quite serious.

Feb. 18, 2021

Have you ever heard the term "judgment proof"? If you owe a lot of money to the bill collectors, but your income is very limited and you really don't own anything of any significant value, you just might be judgment proof.