I don’t take credit cards. I don’t think it’s ethical, and here’s why Read more »
December 29, 2021
Why Bankruptcy Attorneys Shouldn’t Accept Credit Cards
Author: John Faucher
How Bankruptcy Attorneys Can Stop Unethical Debt Collectors
In the cat-and-mouse game between debtors and creditors, it’s no surprise that there are dishonest debt collectors. Many of my bankruptcy clients are well-acquainted with debt collectors, often having been harassed by them for years before coming to me. Among the illegal collection practices these collection firms employ Read more »
December 21, 2021
Sebastian Explains Why Disclosing All Assets is Key to a Positive Bankruptcy Outcome
Sometimes my clients don’t believe me when I tell them they must disclose all their assets when going through Chapter 7 bankruptcy (or any other bankruptcy). With that in mind, maybe Sebastian, my Feline Paralegal, can explain things a bit better Read more »
December 10, 2021
Why You Should Give IRS As Much Documentation As Possible
There are hundreds of strategies for handling IRS issues. But not all strategies are as effective as others.
A car-repair owner got audited and brought his tax-return preparer (Jim) to handle the audit. The preparer said to give the IRS as little information as possible . “The IRS won’t want to go to trial, and they’ll cave in at the last minute,” he said. But something didn’t seem right Read more »
December 1, 2021
Why I’m “Only” Assertive and Not Antagonistic
Here’s something I discuss on the landing page of my website, because I think it’s that important: I’m assertive but not antagonistic. Okay. So what? Some clients are so angry with the IRS they want to use me primarily for revenge, even if their case would have a better outcome if we approached the adversary calmly Read more »
October 13, 2021
The Statute of Limitations on IRS & FTB Tax Debt Collection
A potential client called me last week for help in dealing with the IRS. He owes taxes for 1992 to 1996. Had he filed the returns on time? Yes. Had he filed bankruptcy in the meantime? No. Had he filed an offer in compromise? No. Has he heard anything from the IRS in the last three years? No, but he thought that was because he had moved Read more »
October 4, 2021
Hard Truths for Debtors Who Procrastinate
Since the fall, I have seen a big uptick in desperate people calling me for tax or bankruptcy help. What kind of desperation? These people have been either on the IRS’s radar, or been having debt problems, for many years and then the crisis hits: the IRS puts a lien on a house, or a creditor gets a default judgment and the sheriff Read more »
September 23, 2021
Discharging Tax Debt in Bankruptcy
It’s possible to discharge (have tax debt wiped out) most federal taxes in bankruptcy. There are exceptions, however. Many of the times when taxes aren’t dischargeable in bankruptcy are very straightforward, but one is open to interpretation and thus quite murky. Read more »
September 13, 2021
Sebastian Explains Why Selling Property for Less Than Market Value Before Bankruptcy is A No-No
If a debtor sells property for less than full market value before filing bankruptcy, the law considers this a form of theft from the bankruptcy estate: the Bankruptcy Trustee could have sold it for more money to pay off the debtor’s creditors. But, sometimes Sebastian the Feline Paralegal’s explanations are more fun to read. Read more »
September 3, 2021
The Bankruptcy Trustee
When you file a a chapter 7 bankruptcy, everything you own and owe is legally transferred to a Bankruptcy Trustee, who can then use your assets to pay your debts. Read more »
August 26, 2021