Many people are concerned that filing for personal bankruptcy means losing everything they own. After all, in 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 >>
April 19, 2021
Bankruptcy Aftermath
How To Defend Against a Bankruptcy Preference
What is a Preference in Bankruptcy? Read more >>
March 29, 2021
Tax Issues in Divorce: Who Represents Who?
Katie Clunen is a sharp family law attorney in Westlake Village, CA. She recently asked me whether a couple with tax issues going through a divorce need separate attorneys to deal with the tax problem, or whether they can jointly hire a tax attorney. Watch this short Vlog for the answer. Read more >>
February 12, 2021
“Preferential” Repayments to Creditors Before Bankruptcy: the Case of Family Members
Many of my bankruptcy clients want to know what will happen if they repay a family member before filing bankruptcy. It’s an important and common question I just faced. Read more »
October 13, 2020
Reaffirming Debt in Bankruptcy
In bankruptcy, all of a debtor’s debts and assets are brought into the case. The debtor does not choose which assets are used to pay debts, or which creditors get stiffed or get paid. Read more »
July 17, 2020
Bankruptcy Triggered by Medical Bills
In the past year, there’s been lots of talk– especially by politicians — about millions of personal bankruptcies being triggered by massive medical bills. While this may be true, I’m here to report that I have not had a bankruptcy client whose medical debt topped $100,000. Read more »
April 3, 2020
Life After Bankruptcy for a Small Business Owner
Jim loves to fly. It’s how he makes a living. He leases luxury airplanes and ferries rich people wherever they want to go. Jim once flew Lee Iacocca someplace and chatted with him for four hours. His former company also performed engine maintenance and other plane repairs. But the company took a financial nosedive when a large client stiffed him for $200,000.Read more »
March 24, 2020
I Don’t Do Magic
I don’t do magic (despite owning four bunnies that I could pull out of a hat). I say this because I occasionally have a client who has heard of a legal maneuver to solve her problem, yet is too good to be true. Read more >>
June 4, 2015
Wells Fargo: Paid ME for Their Incompetence
I took a client through a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and got her a discharge. She and I were done, and she had no more personal debt. Then she sought a loan modification Read more >>
September 24, 2014
Wells Fargo: Worst Bank EVER
I don’t like Wells Fargo Bank. Its abusive policies make it impossible to think well of it. I try not to do loan modifications for clients because all banks are reluctant to negotiate them. Banks are forced to do so by well-meaning statutes. Read more >>
September 22, 2014