Student Loan Reform Voted Down

Senator Elizabeth Warren’s Student Loan Reform bill was just voted down today by the Senate.  This would have permitted student loan borrowers to refinance their loans at a lower interest rate.   This was largely voted down in partisan voting.   Republican Senators voted overwhelmingly no. So, how do you get yourself heard?   Here is a list of the … Read More

What Happens if You Get Sued by a Creditor?

Being Served with a Lawsuit by the Sheriff Here in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh), anywhere between 100 and 150 credit card lawsuits are filed each week. So, what usually happens and what’s your best response? Well, a sheriff’s deputy will be required to come to your house to deliver the actual lawsuit paperwork to you personally. This can be unnerving … Read More

How to Prepare to Meet with a Bankruptcy Attorney

Income Information is Essential! Many bankruptcy attorneys offer a free consultation for those who are looking into bankruptcy as an option. So, how best to prepare for that meeting? The most important issue is to determine your total household income, particularly over the past 6 months. This is due to the “means test” requirement of the Bankruptcy Code, which spells … Read More

Does My Spouse Need to File Bankruptcy With Me?

Does My Spouse Need to File Bankruptcy With Me? This is a frequent question, so here are the pros and cons. Please remember that my answer is written only for those people living in Pennsylvania. The short answer is no, your spouse does not necessarily need to file. If your spouse doesn’t want to file, then they won’t be required … Read More

Student Loans–Find Out What You’ve Got!

What Student Loans Do You Have? When I ask people what types of student loans they’ve got, many borrowers simply reply that their loans are with Sallie Mae. Okay, stop right there. That doesn’t tell me much, because Sallie Mae collects on both federal and private loans. So, let’s go deeper and really answer this question better. There are two … Read More

Got a Lot of Debt? Here are your Four Options

The Four Options for Getting Out of Debt When I meet with new bankruptcy clients for the first time, we review all of their options with respect to handling their debts. The reason they’ve contacted a bankruptcy lawyer is because they aren’t satisfied with their first option. So exactly what is that first option? Option Number One: Make Payment Arrangements … Read More

Gary Indiana Councilman Sentenced for Unfiled Tax Returns

Gary (Indiana) City Councilman Ronier Scott was sentenced to serve three months in federal prison for income tax evasion after a federal judge said Tuesday that the five-month term requested by his lawyer and prosecutors was too much. U.S. Magistrate John Martin also ordered Mr. Scott to perform 400 hours of community service. “Just being at home, that’s wasted time,” … Read More