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Filing Chapter 13 to Stop an Eviction
ASK LEON Bankruptcy expert Leon Bayer answers real-life questions. Dear Leon, I filed a face sheet Chapter 13 bankruptcy a few days ago in Los Angeles. Now I need a lawyer to take over my case and...
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Paying Off Credit Card Debt v. Filing for Bankruptcy
ASK LEON Bankruptcy expert Leon Bayer answers real-life questions. Dear Leon, I am making my credit card payments on time, but they are a substantial amount each month. Would it be a good idea to...
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Bankruptcy-Specific Exemptions Will Stand in Michigan
Yesterday the U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari in Richardson v. Schafer, 2013 WL 598486 (U.S. Feb. 19, 2013). This case, which came out of the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, revolved around this...
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New Bankruptcy Means Test Figures Released
Starting on April 1, 2013, bankruptcy filers will be required to use new figures when completing means test calculations. Those new figures include updated median family income numbers for each state,...
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When Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Is a Bad Deal
ASK LEON Bankruptcy expert Leon Bayer answers real-life questions. Dear Leon, Should I file bankruptcy? I started debt consolidation almost five years ago. I pay $400 per month. My remaining balance...
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Can the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee Take Money in Your Spouse’s Separate...
ASK LEON Bankruptcy expert Leon Bayer answers real-life questions. Dear Leon, I filed an individual Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Los Angeles – my wife did not file jointly with me. Most of my debts are...
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Bankruptcy Code Dollar Amounts Change
On April 1, 2013, the Judicial Conference of the United States published increased dollar amounts throughout the Bankruptcy Code. These amounts affect many aspects of bankruptcy, including what items...
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Big Increase in Ohio Homestead Exemption
The Ohio legislature approved a huge increase in the Ohio homestead exemption. As of April 1, 2013, the amount that homeowners can exempt in Chapter 7 bankruptcy is $132,900. This is up from $21, 625....
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U.S. Trustee Suspends Random Audits
On March 30, 2013, the Office of the U.S. Trustee announced that it would stop conducting random audits of bankruptcy cases. The indefinite suspension is due to budget constraints. Random Bankruptcy...
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Changes to the Official Bankruptcy Forms
Recently the Judicial Conference made automatic adjustments to the dollar amounts that are included in various provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. Those adjustments went into effect on April 1, 2103....
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FICO Provides Insight Into the Impact of Foreclosure, Bankruptcy, and...
The other day I listened in on a Making Home Affordable training webinar entitled The Impact of Mortgage Assistance on Credit. The training was particularly noteworthy because of its presenter: Joanne...
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Married Same-Sex Couples Can File Joint Bankruptcy Petitions
With its landmark decision today in United States v. Windsor, 570 U.S. ___ (2013), the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, clearing the way for legally married same...
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Oregon Bankruptcy Filers Can Now Use the Federal Exemptions
Effective July 1, 2013, those filing for bankruptcy\ in Oregon will be able to use the federal bankruptcy exemptions instead of the Oregon exemptions. In addition, Oregon added an exemption for...
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Listen to the Podcast: Bankruptcy Attorney Leon Bayer on KALW’s “Your Legal...
Last night Nolo author Leon Bayer was featured on San Francisco public radio station KALW’s “Your Legal Rights.” If you missed Leon’s show, you can listen to the podcast. Go to KALW’s website at...
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Can I Keep Money in My Health Savings Account if I File for Chapter 7...
If you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and have money left in your health savings account (HSA) or medical savings account (MSA) you may be wondering if you have to turn them over to the bankruptcy...
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Bankruptcy Filers: Don’t Strike Out On an Ethical Fast Ball
ASK LEON Bankruptcy expert Leon Bayer answers real-life questions. Dear Leon, I need to file bankruptcy but I have a baseball card collection that I don’t want to lose. I started collecting as a kid...
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If I File Bankruptcy Can I Get Rid of a Car Accident Judgment and Get My...
ASK LEON Bankruptcy expert Leon Bayer answers real-life questions. Dear Leon, A few years ago I was in a car accident. I didn’t think it was my fault, but I didn’t have insurance. The other driver’s...
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Should Bankruptcy Cause a Guilt Trip?
ASK LEON Bankruptcy expert Leon Bayer answers real-life questions. Dear Leon, I filed for bankruptcy a year ago. I felt badly about filing, but after paying my bills every month I had $10 left to...
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Can I Get Rid of a Title Loan Lien on My Truck in Bankruptcy?
ASK LEON Bankruptcy expert Leon Bayer answers real-life questions. “If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me…” Ruth 4:3-10 Dear Leon, A few years ago I took out a title loan on...
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What to Do If You Can’t Open a Checking Account After Bankruptcy
ASK LEON Bankruptcy expert Leon Bayer answers real-life questions. Dear Leon, I filed bankruptcy and I included money that I owed in bank fees and overdrafts on my checking account. The bank closed...
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