When you choose to ignore a problem it typically doesn’t just go away and often gets worse. Many of my bankruptcy clients bury their heads in the sand because they are hoping and praying their financial situation will get better. As human beings, when we are not ready to face a problem, we think it’ll go away on its own. We bury our head in the sand because we think that it’s going to get better. People go through their retirements. They go through their savings because they don’t want to be in bankruptcy, so they deplete everything. That breaks my heart because in a bankruptcy, I could save things like that. I like it when people come to see me when they haven’t sold off their possessions or depleted their savings so I can still help them save their savings, retirement and possessions through exemptions. I’ll never forget this one elderly lady. It was during the mortgage meltdown, and she had gone up to Oregon because…Read More
Alimony and spousal support or any type of support is the same, and it is potentially awarded to the spouse with less income from the higher earner. There is a software program called a Dissomaster or an X-spouse that calculates an amount. To calculate the amount, you plug in the income, health care, and certain deductions. It really is that simple. What Are Valid Reasons To Modify Spousal Support? There are valid reasons to modify spousal support. It typically depends on whether it’s a permanent or final order. If it’s temporary, that can always be modified because of a change. If it’s final, it depends on what’s written in the marital settlement agreement. If it says that the court loses jurisdiction, then it can never be changed. You usually want to retain jurisdiction in case there’s a change in circumstances that allow either a raise or an end in support. What Factors Do California Courts Consider In Determining Custody Or Parenting Time? In California, as…Read More
The Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Paragraph 4) includes Bankruptcy. Therefore, United States Bankruptcy Law has been around for more than 200+ years. Virtually every industrialized country in the world has the option of filing bankruptcy as a method of financial relief. The earliest mention of bankruptcy is in the Old Testament, Book of Deuteronomy 15:1-2: “At the end of every seven years you are to cancel the debts of those who owe you money. Everyone who has lent money to his neighbor is to cancel the debt: he must not try to collect the money: the Lord himself has declared the debt canceled.” Bankruptcy is the necessary safety valve in the free market system. Without bankruptcy, people in financial diffulty would give up or become part of the underground. Society will benefit by your bankruptcy, as you will be able to become a productive citizen again and spend your money locally. It is not a crime to not pay your bills, you cannot go…Read More
Dealing with financial debt is one of the most difficult challenges married couples can face. Issues like joint bank accounts, credit scores, and differing approaches to finances can create friction in otherwise healthy relationships. Money problems can also bring an onslaught of questions: What are our debt relief options? Can one spouse file bankruptcy without the other? How will this affect our individual credit scores and our financial future together? The good news is, bankruptcy doesn’t carry the same stigma it once did. For many, it can provide an appealing solution to an otherwise grim situation. If you are facing mounting debts, a Jackson CA bankruptcy attorney can explain your options, both as individuals and as a couple. Contact the Law Office of Diane Anderson to learn more. What Are Our Bankruptcy Options As A Couple? When it comes to exploring bankruptcy options, a key question many married couples have is whether to file as a couple or as individuals. Filing Jointly As a couple, you can choose to file a joint…Read More
If you are facing mounting medical bills, struggling under large amounts of debt, or trying to keep your finances afloat after a long period of unemployment, it may be very tempting to consider filing bankruptcy yourself. But is that a good idea? Trying to navigate the bankruptcy process on your own can quickly become a waste of time and money. Instead of alleviating the stress you’re already dealing with, it can intensify it, as it’s easy to make costly mistakes. Having an experienced Jackson CA attorney in your corner ensures that your filing goes as smoothly and quickly as possible. At the Law Office of Diane Anderson, we understand that dealing with debt can be emotionally exhausting. We strive to work with clients in a compassionate and professional way. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help. What Are Some Mistakes You Could Make When Filing Bankruptcy Yourself? Bankruptcy filings can be complicated, and there are plenty of pitfalls you could fall into when you don’t…Read More
After you’ve completed your bankruptcy, it’s important to continue the positive momentum you’ve started by taking steps to rebuild your finances. And the first place to start is your credit. Although bankruptcy may not hurt your credit score as much as you anticipated, it’s likely that you took a hit. And it will be listed on your credit report for seven to 10 years, depending on which type you filed, which can impact your credit opportunities. Don’t despair, though. You can start rebuilding credit after bankruptcy with the tips discussed below. For more information about bankruptcy and how it can help, speak to a Jackson CA bankruptcy attorney at the Law Office of Diane Anderson today. How To Rebuild Credit After Bankruptcy Some of the first steps you should take after bankruptcy include the following: Creating a budget. This will keep you on track and make sure you are not spending too much. Building an emergency fund. You should have enough money to cover a few months’ worth of bills in…Read More
How Often Can You File Bankruptcy? The answer varies, depending on what type of bankruptcy you want to file and what type you have filed in the past. You will also need to review the timing of your past bankruptcy and how it was resolved. That’s because what really matters is not when you last filed bankruptcy, but when you last received a bankruptcy discharge. If you have filed bankruptcy in the past, a Jacksonville bankruptcy attorney can help you determine whether you are eligible to file another bankruptcy. Call The Law Offices of Diane Anderson today to learn more. Obtaining A Bankruptcy Discharge Typically, the goal with bankruptcy is to obtain a discharge and eliminate most of your debt. In cases involving personal bankruptcies, most debt is discharged after a limited amount is paid to creditors. This allows the individual to pay what they are able and discharge the rest. Once you obtain a bankruptcy discharge, you may be debt-free. However, medical issues, unemployment, divorce, and other…Read More
If you are behind on your car payments, you may be searching for ways to avoid repossession. But when can a bank repossess someone’s car? And what can you do about it? Below, we dispel some common car repossession myths, and explain what you can do to protect your vehicle. To learn more about bankruptcy and car repo, call The Law Offices of Diane Anderson to speak to a Jackson CA bankruptcy attorney today. Myths About Car Repossession Even if you’re not behind on your payments, you should be familiar with your rights. Here are some common myths associated with car repossession: Myth #1: Financial companies and banks must wait until you are three months or more behind on payments to repossess your car. When can a bank repossess someone’s car? In reality, the bank or financial lender can repossess your vehicle if you are even one day late with a payment. It’s unlikely that the bank will send a repo man if you are a few days late; however, they…Read More
If you are considering Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the automatic stay may be a compelling reason to file. But what is an automatic stay? And how can it protect you if you are in bankruptcy proceedings? Contact The Law Office of Diane Anderson today to learn more. What Is An Automatic Stay? Upon filing bankruptcy, the court will issue an order that will immediately stop most legal actions being taken against you and your property. This is called an automatic stay. An automatic stay may be issued to address an array of legal actions that are being taken against you, including anything undertaken by creditors, collection agencies, and the government. Anyone you owe money to may be put on hold while your bankruptcy runs its course. The automatic stay can stop the following: Credit card companies Car lenders Mortgage lenders Collection agencies Medical bill collectors Government entities Utility companies Landlords What Can An Automatic Stay Prevent? An automatic stay will affect the following situations: Disconnections of Utilities…Read More
Filing for bankruptcy can halt any creditor action against you. But can bankruptcy stop foreclosure? While it can stall the process, it can’t stall it forever. There are, however, ways that that bankruptcy can help you protect your home. If you are facing foreclosure, our Jacksonville bankruptcy attorney can help. Contact the Law Office of Diane Anderson to learn more. What Is The Foreclosure Process? Banks can’t simply kick you to the curb as soon as you miss a payment. Generally, missed payments will have to start piling up before they begin the foreclosure process. But for those who are falling behind on numerous bills at once, the entire situation can be overwhelming. Indeed, you will have some serious choices that you will have to make in the near future. One of those will be considering bankruptcy. Let’s start with the basics. The bank or lender who supplied you with your mortgage has an automatic lien on the property. That means if you do not continue to make…Read More