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Questions Answered by Suzette Douglas
3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for California on
Q: Can you help me and my spouse file a bankruptcy

I'm on a fixed income

I receive disability

Suzette Douglas
Suzette Douglas
answered on Jan 17, 2018

I agree with my colleague that you may not need to file bankruptcy. With that said, some people who are judgment proof still desire to file in order to avoid creditor harassment. You are located in Rialto which is not too far from the Riverside bankruptcy court where a bankruptcy clinic is held.... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for California on
Q: is chapter 13 multiple bankruptcy filing within a year or a calendar year (jan 1st -dec 31)?
Suzette Douglas
Suzette Douglas
answered on Sep 5, 2017

It is within a year of filing.

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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Collections, Consumer Law and Family Law for California on
Q: Am I liable for my wife's credit card debt? We are married and she's is going through some mental distress(bipolar?).

How am I to protect myself from financial ruin if I can't stop her from making extreme purchases?

Suzette Douglas
Suzette Douglas
answered on Jun 21, 2017

It depends. California is a community property state. This means that debts incurred by your wife before marriage are generally hers alone unless you were a co-signor. However debts incurred during the marriage generally belong to the community which means joint responsibility. You mentioned... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for California on
Q: If a person declares BK, can they include 2 of their credit cards, but keep 1 credit card & their line of credit intact?

I'm asking for a 91 yr-old person who owns nothing (lives in an bare bones minimum apt; no car; no jewelry; owns nothing of value). The person lives on a line-of-credit (LOC) and credit cards. Only income is $915 from SSI. Rent pymt is $1250/mo. My concern is that the bank who provides the... View More

Suzette Douglas
Suzette Douglas
answered on Jun 6, 2017

If social security is her only source of income then she does not need to file bankruptcy. Creditors cannot garnish or levy social security benefits. This means she is judgment proof. If she is concerned about creditor calls, then have her change her phone number. If however she decides to file... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for California on
Q: I am dealing with an HOA need to know if filling for bankruptcy will help them get off my back .
Suzette Douglas
Suzette Douglas
answered on Jun 6, 2017

It depends. Bankruptcy may or may not be the answer depending on your situation. An attorney needs to look at many factors to determine whether you qualify for bankruptcy and whether it is best. I recommend contacting a bankruptcy attorney to discuss your situation more fully. Most attorneys... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Collections and Divorce for California on
Q: I have about 40K in credit card debt in my name only. I'm married, soon to start divorce process. we own a house togethe

Equity in house is about $100K. but I'm giving up the house to my husband since he's keeping the kids and I won't be paying child support (an agreement between both of us). Can my creditors still come after the house even if it's on my husband's name and we are recently... View More

Suzette Douglas
Suzette Douglas
answered on Jun 7, 2017

I agree with the other attorneys. Sounds like the house is a community property asset which means your creditors can go after. Assuming you file bankruptcy, the trustee can also go after should you fail to list and/or if there is unprotected equity. In such event, your spouse could be put in the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy for California on
Q: In Ch 7 Bankruptcy, can I create promissory notes now if I never made them then for small loans from parents, friends?

I have past verbal arrangements Ive been paying on to each of my parents, a friend, and foreign friends who live overseas. I never executed promissory notes in that time. I've paid more than $200 aggregate within last 12 months on each person. Should I make the promissory note now mentioning... View More

Suzette Douglas
Suzette Douglas
answered on Apr 28, 2017

If you owe them money, they would be listed as insiders to whom you made payments. Depending on how much was paid and when, the trustee may go after. If possible, have them return the money to you.

You can then exempt it and pay them back later. Discuss additional strategies with your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy for California on
Q: Can I file an amended schedule for homestead exemption from 100 to 175 thousand if I turned 55 a few weeks after filing?

California. I filed chapter 7 and claimed 100 thousand for the homestead. I filed alone. Me and my wife qualify for the 175 thousand dollar homestead. We made under 35 thousand and I am over 55 years old. The Trustee said I can't claim it because I was not 55 when I filed for Bankruptcy. I was... View More

Suzette Douglas
Suzette Douglas
answered on Apr 28, 2017

Unfortunately the exemption amount is determined at the time of filing. To get the higher exemption amount, you should have waited until you turned 55. The timing of a bankruptcy filing is critical. I wish you much success.

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy for California on
Q: I have just received a standard discharge on my chapter 13. I want to know if I can now sell a property
Suzette Douglas
Suzette Douglas
answered on Apr 28, 2017

You have to wait until the court has officially closed the case or abandoned the property otherwise it may belong to the bankruptcy estate. If the case has closed or the trustee abandoned, you should be okay to sell. Talk to your attorney to make sure one or the other has occurred.

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy for California on
Q: how do you get a bankruptcy off your credit reports it's been over ten years since I filled
Suzette Douglas
Suzette Douglas
answered on Apr 28, 2017

The bankruptcy should fall off automatically. If not, contact the respective reporting agencies and ask them to remove. This can be done online.

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: ?How can I stop An unlawful detainer

I got served with papers to evict me yesterday. But landlord would not take the rent I have it on text messages.and now I'm thinking About fililing for bAnkrupt. I need help.

Suzette Douglas
Suzette Douglas
answered on Apr 28, 2017

Bankruptcy is one route to use depending on where you are in the process and what your goals are. If you choose to file BK but the landlord gets a judgment of possession before you file, then you are generally out of luck. If not, you may be okay but note there are other qualifying requirements.... View More

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