Garnishment, Bankruptcy & Foreclosure

The following is a kind of consumer advisory article recently written concerning people who call themselves "Bankruptcy Preparers." Written By Daniel Winter: March 8, 2014 The Bankruptcy law does allow non-lawyers to help people file for bankruptcy protection on their own. They are called “Petition Preparers” and there’s a whole section of the Bankruptcy Code devoted to them. But, just…Read More

It’s important to plan carefully if you are planning to file for bankruptcy and you know you have a large inheritance or gift coming your way. In many cases, the Chapter 7 process takes between 90 and 120 days depending on when initial hearings are set. In bankruptcy, an inheritance up until 180 days after filing can be used to pay back…Read More

Question: I have some collection judgments that were entered almost 10 years agao for $16,000. The interest on the judgment is now over $18,000. Can I file a bankruptcy and discharge all of it? Answer from Christopher A. Benson: As long as the underlying debt is not considered a "Non Dischargeable Debt" as defined by 11 U.S.C. 523 of the…Read More

Question: I attended the University of Arkansas in 2006 before leaving and moving to WA. I took out a private student loan (cosigned by my grandmother) in early 2007 to pay the past due tuition of 15050, which I have been making regular payments on since. The check was mailed directly to me and not the school. I didn't have…Read More

Q: Can A Mortgage Company Receive A Termination of Stay After The Bankruptcy Trustee Has Obtained a Ruling For Sale of Real Estate? The Trustee (chapter 7) has received approval from the presiding judge to sell real property. The property was then listed as a short sale. An offer came in and was accepted by the second lender. The first…Read More

Q: After a garnishment, can you request a re-payment plan instead of the enduring another round of being garnished?: My husband was being garnished for an old debt from his previous marriage. The company states they served him in 2008 when he was unemployed but he does not recall ever being served or have a record of it. He wanted to set…Read More

Q: I have been making payments to a debt collector and now have received an "ex parte" notice; why the summons?: I have made payments for the last 4 months per their "EZ Offer" and now have received an "ex parte note for hearing issue of law" from the debt collector...why are they requesting this when I have been making payments? Asked…Read More

The following is an excerpt from the Internal Revenue Service website with a link to the actual site for more information. One thing to remember is that when a person files bankruptcy, the debt is discharged and is not counted as taxable income. The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act and Debt Cancellation expires December 31, 2013. Note:  In all situations,…Read More

Many parents who are going through bankruptcy don’t want to worry their kids with the financial details of mom and dad’s life. Yet, when there is stress in the home, the kids feel it, and it may worry them more that something is happening but they don’t know what it is. Social media throws an even bigger wrinkle into the…Read More

Not all bankruptcies are the same, and not all recoveries are, either. Your credit score can improve faster than someone else’s after bankruptcy depending on your financial behavior. In Washington, you can help your credit recover faster with these financial tips: Keep your credit reports up to date. Check your credit reports to make sure all your information has been…Read More