You’d be surprised how many famous people, whom we consider wildly successful, have gone through financial turmoil and bankruptcy. Many of them went on to be wildly successful after bankruptcy. Read more »
February 6, 2024
Celebrity Bankruptcy
Author: John Faucher
341 Meeting Questions You’ll Be Asked
Wondering what you might be asked in a 341 Meeting of the Creditors? This Chapter 7 meeting with trustees and creditors can loom large in the minds of some of my clients. Let me demystify what you’ll have to answer in this quick, painless meeting. Read more »
January 31, 2024
Best Museum Rooms
The best museums transport me to different times and places. Sometimes, just a single room or even display in a museum is all I need to get my museum “fix.” Indeed, here are some of my favorite museum rooms: I would be entirely happy visiting this museum if I were limited to seeing just this one room. Read more »
January 24, 2024
My Favorite Museum Restaurants
I love museums and I love to eat. Here are my favorite museum restaurants, locally –in Southern California– in the greater United States and even abroad! Read more »
January 19, 2024
Favorite Christmas Traditions
Merry Christmas! I’m here to share my favorite Christmas traditions. Sebastian, my Feline Paralegal, is still steamed I made him dress at Santa for the Faucher Law office Christmas party. Read more »
December 21, 2023
What To Do in Orange County
Recently, my youngest daughter –Rose—moved to the city of Orange. I’ve had a lot of fun going to visit her: she has a great little yard I’ve helped her renovate. Since I feel like I’ve become somewhat of an “expert” on Orange County again, here’s my current favorites there. Read more »
December 8, 2023
Should I Cash In Retirement Accounts to Pay off IRS or Credit Card Debt?
In a word: NO!!! Please: NO! You should never sacrifice your financial security in retirement to pay current debt. Most importantly, bankruptcy allows you to erase credit card and (most) tax debt and keep your retirement accounts. So why would anyone cash in retirement accounts they will need in the future to pay off today’s debts, if today’s debts can be discharged in bankruptcy? Because most people don’t know better. Read more »
November 14, 2023
Scammed by a Tax Relief Firm? What to Do
Many of my tax clients come to me after being scammed by a “tax relief” firm. These bottom-feeding scammers simply take the money and then do nothing: don’t return phone calls or emails, don’t do any work. The tens of thousands of dollars they take from people seems only to be invested back into the marketing and sales machinery of these scam firms: buying more radio, television and google ads, and hiring more salespeople to sign up unsuspecting consumers. Here’s what to do when you’re hood-winked by one of these “Opti-con” tax “resolution” firms. Read more »
November 9, 2023
California Bankruptcy Trustees’ Document Portals Ranked
California Bankruptcy Trustees document portals should be ranked. And I’m doing so here, in the first annual Faucher Law ranking of bankruptcy document portals! The Bankruptcy Trustee overseeing a chapter 7 bankruptcy always requires several kinds of documents substantiating the bankruptcy petition to be submitted. This is done via web portals. But not all portals were created equal: some are easy to use and some are downright terrible. Thus, the “need” for a portal assessment. Read more »
October 27, 2023
Are You A Consumer or A Non-Consumer Debtor?
When filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in California, it’s important to know if you’re a consumer or a non-consumer debtor. If you’re a consumer debtor, then you need to meet the Means Test, an income threshold you cannot go above and still qualify for a chapter 7. If you’re a non-consumer debtor, then you do not need to meet the Means Test; how much you earn may, but won’t necessarily, disqualify you from filing for Chapter 7. So what? Most everyone would prefer a chapter 7 to be free and clear of their debts without going through years of repayment first. Read more »
October 27, 2023