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Law Offices of Christopher A. Benson, PLLC

Garnishment, Bankruptcy & Foreclosure

  • By: Christopher Benson
  • Published: January 15, 2015

The short answer is typically "Yes." However, there are some unique rules. If you contributed to the IRA or 401K, and the amount is reasonable to support you and your dependents and you have not made any "unusual" contribution of sums prior to bankruptcy, then you are probably fine. Consult with a bankruptcy attorney prior to making any decisions. But,…Read More

  • By: Christopher Benson
  • Published: January 9, 2015

In Washington State, a creditor can garnish 25% of your Gross wages when they are granted a judgment against you. When you file for bankruptcy, you receive a protection from creditors called the automatic stay. The automatic stay protects you from collection activities, including phone calls, repossession, foreclosure, and wage garnishment, through the conclusion of the bankruptcy process. However, two…Read More

  • By: Christopher Benson
  • Published: January 3, 2015

Sometimes siblings or other family members find themselves the co-owner of property after a relative has passed. Or, maybe you own a business with other individuals. Any time you own a piece of property or a valuable asset with someone, your financial lives become a bit tangled—especially if one of you ends up filing for bankruptcy. When an individual files…Read More

  • By: Christopher Benson
  • Published: December 27, 2014

There's an old saying: "You can divorce your spouse, but, you don't divorce your debt." When you get divorced, often you’re still married to your debt. Washington State is a community property state, which means that the debts you incur during marriage are presumed to be joint debts. When you divorce, the judge must divide these debts between both parties.…Read More

  • By: Christopher Benson
  • Published: December 23, 2014

Debt is a relative term. If you can't keep up with the bills you currently have, then bankruptcy is always an option to get things under control. Eligibility for bankruptcy relief has less to do with how much debt you owe and more to do with your own income and the median income where you live. If you make very…Read More

  • By: Christopher Benson
  • Published: December 16, 2014

A creditor matrix is one of the most important forms in the bankruptcy process. So what is the creditor matrix, and what can you do to make sure you do right? When you file for bankruptcy, you are required to prepare a list of all your creditors and their mailing addresses. This list is called the creditor matrix. It is…Read More

  • By: Christopher Benson
  • Published: December 14, 2014

Once you file for bankruptcy, you may not be able to take it back. Whether or not you can withdraw your bankruptcy depends on the type of bankruptcy you filed and the circumstances of your case. If you filed Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you have the right to have your case voluntarily dismissed at any time. But in Chapter 7, you…Read More

  • By: Christopher Benson
  • Published: December 11, 2014

A bankruptcy trustee is assigned to all Chapter 7, 11 and 13 bankruptcy filings. Their job is to protect the assets of the estate against fraudulent claims, exemptions, and actions. At times, it may seem like your bankruptcy trustee is on your side, especially if your creditors have filed improper claims against you. Then again, it may feel like the…Read More

  • By: Christopher Benson
  • Published: December 7, 2014

When you find out your employer is filing for bankruptcy, your last paycheck may be your first concern. But if you keep your cool, you avoid a larger, more personal financial crisis. You may not find out your company is in trouble until they actually shut their doors—only companies larger than 100 people are required to notify employees 60 days…Read More

  • By: Christopher Benson
  • Published: December 5, 2014

Divorce is one of the top causes of bankruptcy, since assets and debt can be divided any way a judge sees fit in some states. It’s also painful going from a two-income household to a one-income household. You may also have new expenses in the form of spousal or child support now, attorney’s fees, and the bills get to be…Read More

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