I’ve written frequently on how to deal with pesky debt collectors and other creditors, but some debtors might want to know how to handle these entities once they’ve decided to file bankruptcy but before they’ve done so. This middle period, usually beginning once debtors have settled on a lawyer, can last for a few weeks, …
One of the trickier situations in New York bankruptcy is when a debtor co-owns an account with another person. It’s also a common situation: Debtors frequently own things with spouses, children, and even elderly relatives. It’s not so much of an issue when married couples file bankruptcy together—the account is indisputably an asset to the …
What Happens to a Joint Bank Account in Bankruptcy? Read More »
I recently wrote a post about why it’s important for New York bankruptcy debtors to file a tax return even if they can’t afford to pay their taxes. The most important point was that filing a return is crucial even if (and especially if) debtors can’t afford to pay their tax bills, and the penalties …
Are you a debtor, struggling to pay bills and possibly facing New York bankruptcy? What if I were to tell you, you might be a creditor and don’t know it? It turns out that government entities track when they owe people money, and sometimes private enterprises scrupulously do so as well—like when Fortune reported that …
Money Tip: Regularly Check ‘Missing Money’ Web Sites Read More »
A while back, I wrote several posts to illustrate who Brooklyn bankruptcy and New York bankruptcy debtors are by the chapter they file in. (For example here is, “Who Are Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Debtors?“) Although I think the posts covered the topic quite well, one of their weaknesses was that they used averages from aggregates, …
It’s quite common for New York bankruptcy debtors to owe tax debts, and because tax season is here, I think now is a worthwhile time to advise debtors who might believe they are unable to pay their tax bills why it’s important to at least file an income-tax return come April 17th. (April 15th is …
File a Tax Return Even If You Can’t Afford to Pay Your Taxes Read More »
A New York bankruptcy case does not need to end in dismissal; there are some situations in which debtors, creditors, or trustees may prefer to just suspend cases. That is, rather than ending cases abruptly there can be times when it’s preferable to simply hit the pause button on bankruptcy until it’s more convenient to …
What Is a ‘Motion to Suspend’ Proceedings in Bankruptcy? Read More »
Recently I wrote about the agreements big banks were striking with colleges to make money off their students. The Washington Post ran an article about similar agreements between hospitals and banks for lending money to patients to pay for their medical expenses. From a New York bankruptcy context, debtors should try to avoid these loans …
Excessive Credit-card debt is very common in New York bankruptcy. In fact, in 2016 in the Eastern District of New York, which includes all Brooklyn bankruptcy cases, the average debtor owed tens of thousands of dollars in unsecured debts. (Information from “Who Are Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Debtors?“) The question is, what are the main reasons …
Study: ‘Making Ends Meet’ Most Common Cause of Credit-Card Debt Read More »
If you can’t drive if you’re under 16, can’t vote if you’re under 18, and can’t buy alcohol if you’re under 21, then how old do you need to be to file bankruptcy? One might think that the age would be 18 because that’s the usual age for engaging in civic activities, but in fact …
no cost, 30 minute consultations in brooklyn, ny or melville, li
26 Court St # 2211
Brooklyn, NY 11242,USA
phone: (718) 855-6840
toll free:(800) 297-6840
fax: (718) 625-1966
68 south service road, suite 100
melville, ny 11747
phone: (631) 454-5248
by appointment only
