Archive for November, 2009

National City Bankruptcy Attorney – Do You Really Need One?

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Since bankruptcies have become harder to file after the passing of Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, the need to hire a National City bankruptcy attorney has become more important than ever. The requirements and paperwork needed to justify the filing of bankruptcy protection has become more stringent. A lot of people encounter problems with such a proceeding primarily because they do not know what to do and they have not provided appropriate documentation. Although bankruptcy courts are very helpful, the sheer number of people and businesses filing for bankruptcy due to the recent financial crisis has made it close to impossible for the courts to assist and accommodate everyone in a timely manner.

If you want to get over your bankruptcy proceeding fast, then you would require the services of a National City bankruptcy attorney. It is worth noting that the number of filings in the Southern District of California Bankruptcy Court for 2008 increased to 13,633 filings from 7,669 the previous year. If you want to have bankruptcy protection at the soonest possible time, it is important that you have all your papers in place to justify your application. A bankruptcy lawyer is important because he will check if all your documentation and requirements needed for filing are in place.

In order to determine beforehand if you have other options other than filing Chapter 13 or 7 bankruptcy protection, you will need a National City bankruptcy attorney to help you you’re your lawyer is an expert in such a proceeding so he can provide you with adequate information on what alternatives you can take. Sometimes you will even be amazed that bankruptcy may not be the only recourse to get you back on your feet and achieve financial solvency.

If you are one of the many people who are planning to file bankruptcy protection, you should act immediately. If you dillydally, you will end up losing more money on things that might not really be helpful to your cause. One of the things that you need to do first is to look for a National City bankruptcy attorney who has adequate experience in bankruptcy proceedings in San Diego County. Finding a local lawyer to help you out is not only cost-efficient, but it will also hasten things as well. It would also be a good idea to find a law firm that is not only focused in bankruptcy, but in debt settlements and loan modification proceedings as well.

La Mesa Bankruptcy Attorney – The Person Who Will Look After You

Monday, November 16th, 2009

A lot of people think that a lawyer, such as a La Mesa bankruptcy attorney, is someone you should avoid at all cost. It seems that past experiences and loads of lawyer jokes have made many individuals to think that lawyers are people who cannot be trusted. However, in a time when a lot of people are experiencing financial difficulties because of massive job losses, unpaid credit card debts, and unprecedented number of foreclosures, a bankruptcy lawyer who works in your locality is a person whom you can depend on to look after you, especially in one of the most difficult periods of your life.

Although credit counselors can teach you how to save money and what to do in order to make both ends meet, they are not really in a position to assist you efficiently during your bankruptcy protection filing or proceeding. If you put your trust on bankruptcy judges to look after you, you might be disappointed. Although they are inclined to help people regain financial solvency, this is not really their job. They have to be impartial to ensure that both parties will be treated fairly and equitably. So, who is the person who will work for your benefit and will try his best to make the results of the proceedings advantageous to you? If you guessed La Mesa bankruptcy attorney, then you are correct.

Think of a La Mesa bankruptcy attorney like me and my associates as a friend whose sole job is to do what is best for you. We will guide you and provide you with pieces of advice on what your options are. More often than not, bankruptcy is not the only way out of your financial mess. If the lawyer you hire is also an expert in other financial services, you can also count on him to extend a helping hand in coming up with a debt settlement solution.

Let’s face it, bankruptcy can be very complex. Since bankruptcy lawyers have devoted time and effort in mastering the ins and outs of such proceedings, we are in a better position to negotiate on your behalf. We are your ally on your road to financial recovery. The only thing you need to remember is to pick the right La Mesa bankruptcy attorney. Make sure that you choose a local attorney if you live in La Mesa so that it would be easier to consult and meet with your lawyer.

Lemon Grove Bankruptcy Attorney – First Step in Bankruptcy Filing

Monday, November 16th, 2009

If you are planning to file for bankruptcy protection, the first step that you need to take is to look for a Lemon Grove bankruptcy attorney, if you live in Lemon Grove and the nearby areas. It is a common misconception that lawyers will just siphon off money from their clients. Remember that in the law profession, experience and track record are the two things that people should look for. More often than not, lawyers like me get new clients through referral systems. This means that we have to make the people we represent happy and contented with the outcome of their court proceedings.

Once you have found the perfect Lemon Grove bankruptcy attorney for you, the next step is to arrange a meeting with him. There are many law firms, including us at Shanner and Associates that do not charge for the first consultation. At this point, it would be a good idea to be honest with your lawyer. You have to lay everything on the table so that your legal representative can come up with the best option for you. Remember that your bankruptcy attorney will only be effective in representing you if you are forthright at the very beginning.

Some of the things that you should bring during your first meeting with your Lemon Grove bankruptcy attorney include the income taxes that you haven’t paid, outstanding balances on your mortgage, and other debts. You should also provide a monthly breakdown of your monthly bills, which should include credit cards, utilities, club memberships, Internet purchases, and other types of bills and subscriptions. When filing for bankruptcy, you really need to be thorough and honest with your lawyer. You should also furnish your lawyer with copies of important documents, including pay slips for the last two months, court papers in connection with any lawsuits or legal actions that you are currently involved in, divorce papers, and any other pertinent papers that can affect your case.

What you can do, in order to help your Lemon Grove bankruptcy attorney in representing your case, is to be open with your lawyer. Even if the questions that he asks could sometimes sound too personal, for as long as they are related to your financial problems, then you really have to answer honestly. Some of the things that your attorney may ask could be related to your marital status, the length of your stay in the state, and your debt payment practices.

Bankruptcy in California – The First Step Towards Financial Stability

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

Bankruptcy in California has many guidelines, both basic and complex. If you are filing personal bankruptcy, it may be approached differently than if you are filing as a business. Depending on the situation, the focus on personal bankruptcy may be liquidation, debt consolidation, foreclosures, repossessions or wage garnishments.  If it will be filed as corporate bankruptcy it will include asset liquidation and/or reorganization. In recent months we have heard the term bankruptcy being used a lot, from national finance experts to the local news anchors. Do most people really understand what it is, though? Is it an end or beginning to financial stability?

There are three types of bankruptcy in California, Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13. Chapters 7 and 13 are most commonly filed for individuals. Chapter 11 is for businesses.  In both Chapter 7 and 13, a petition is filed with the court, detailing information regarding assets, debts, income and “exempt” assets. In Chapter 7, the court appoints a trustee to review the filing, conduct meetings with creditors, liquidate specific assets and distribute proceeds to the creditors. The process is usually completed in three to four months.  In Chapter 13, a repayment plan is set up for a three to five year period of time.

Chapter 11 is used by sole proprietors, partnerships and corporations for reorganization. The business files a petition with the court that itemizes assets and liabilities, details finances, projects earnings and provides a history and cause of the filing. A plan, preferably created by the debtor, will also be filed, detailing the steps they intend to take to clear its debts. This plan is voted on by the creditors. If accepted, it will be confirmed by the court.  Guidelines for bankruptcy in California allow the debtor to act is its own trustee, retaining possession of property and assets.

Though circumstances vary from one individual to another, there are some questions to ask yourself before deciding to pursue the bankruptcy option. Are you able to pay only the minimums on your bills? With strict budgeting, are you unable to yourself out of debt in five years? Are your loans or mortgage being foreclosed?  In many cases, bankruptcy in California does not remove all debts. Alimony, Child Support, taxes and student loans are among the debts you may still be held responsible for. A qualified, experienced attorney can help you sort through the differences and decide which option is best for you.

San Diego Credit Card Debt – Don’t Charge It, Take Charge

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Charge it! Too many of us are turning to plastic these days, to help make ends meet. Rising costs of living and shrinking income are leaving even the most financially savvy individuals scrambling to make the bills at the end of the month. San Diego credit card debt is at a near all time high, and more and more folks, just like you and I are defaulting on their bills. Credit card companies are finding themselves in a crisis as well, as folks that have over extended themselves are not making payments, leaving their creditors holding the bill with little recourse to get paid.

The rise in San Diego credit card debt has caused many creditors to raise their interest rates and increase the required minimum monthly payments that all of their customers must make. These hikes are leaving even the most conservative users of credit to suffer under new and increased monthly financial burden. Unfortunately, more and more people are being forced to use their credit cards as a way to put gas in their tanks, food on their tables and in some cases even to keep a roof over their heads.

With the economy as uncertain as it is today, and any recovery seeming miles and miles away, San Diego credit card debt is like a giant weight that is bringing all of us down. Unless you can find a way to simplify your life and cut some of your expenses, so that your monthly bills are less than your monthly income, “charging it” may just cause you to lose it all. Rather than paying your cable bill on plastic, it may be time to consider canceling cable, until you can afford it. Before you use credit to fill your gas tank again, you should investigate if there is a less expensive, public transportation method available to you.

Unfortunately, for right now, it appears that San Diego credit card debt is not going anywhere in a big hurry. Rather than allowing yourself to succumb to the credit card crisis of 2009, it is time that you took charge of your finances, and disempower the creditors. Until we get back into the mind frame of living fully within our means, the light at the end of the tunnel is not going to get any closer or brighter for any of us. Meeting with a bankruptcy attorney or other financial planner can help get you closer to that light.