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Your current state is Virginia
I have acquired a large amount of debt over the past year due to medical bills, credit cards, and title loans. I was laid off from my previous job, and my new job brings in very low income, around $1500 to $2000 per month. I have a wife and a child and am at risk of losing my home, my vehicle, and... View More 
I'm behind on my car payments, and the loan balance is higher than the car's value due to rollovers from previous cars. I haven't filed for bankruptcy before, and I'm not sure which type to file. Is it possible to negotiate a new payment plan if I file for bankruptcy?
answered on Jun 11, 2025
Filing for bankruptcy can help you manage a car loan that’s upside down (when you owe more than the car is worth), especially if you’re behind on payments. The right type of bankruptcy depends on your specific financial situation, and each option offers different tools for negotiating or... View More
In November last year, I paid a deposit of $9,238.72 to a roofing company for materials with the expectation of work being completed. They delayed the process, and communication stopped after the last interaction on 05/28/2025, during which the roofer promised to schedule the replacement by... View More
answered on Jun 8, 2025
Take a criminal complaint against st the roofing company for theft by failure to make required disposition of property. Bankruptcy cannot affect the criminal prosecution.
I filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and completed the schedules. Before filing, I received a $1,400 cash gift from a friend to help cover a lawyer fee and a work-related expense. By the time I filed, I had no cash on hand, and there was no mention of needing to disclose gifts received prior to filing... View More
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answered on Jun 7, 2025
You generally only list what you own on the filing date, and if you had no cash in hand when you filed, there was nothing to schedule. Gifts you received before filing and spent before the petition date are not property of the estate at commencement.
Because federal bankruptcy forms focus... View More
I am trying to negotiate a settlement agreement with a second mortgage lender, Real Time Resolutions, but they are uncooperative and refuse my offers, even when I propose paying more than the original balance. The original lender GMAC went bankrupt in 2008, and Real Time Resolutions acquired the... View More
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answered on Jun 7, 2025
You might start by pulling a current title report and verifying whether the statute of limitations or any procedural missteps have weakened Real Time Resolutions’ claim. Nobody wants to file bankruptcy, so exploring whether they unintentionally let the lien lapse can be a powerful bargaining... View More
Approximately four years ago, I fell at the Fort Lauderdale airport while boarding a flight and hired a law firm in Fort Lauderdale on a contingency basis. Initially, they told me I had a strong case, and I signed agreements with them. Over the years, communication about my case was minimal, with... View More
answered on Jun 7, 2025
If a company files for bankruptcy, lawsuits—including personal injury claims—are usually halted by an automatic stay. However, if the company has insurance that covers the claim, you can file a motion for relief from the stay to proceed with the lawsuit. Courts may grant it if the insurance... View More
One of our past clients, a national restaurant chain, has filed for bankruptcy, owing us approximately $50,000 for SEO services provided under a signed agreement. We were actively communicating with their internal team until April but unfortunately missed the official Administrative Expense Bar... View More
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answered on Jun 7, 2025
Missing the Administrative Expense Bar Date does make recovery more difficult, but you may still have some options. One of the first things you should do is review the court’s docket and any communications you had with the debtor to confirm whether you received proper notice of the bar date. If... View More
I'm seeking advice on how to reverse a sheriff lockout and reinstate a property to the tenant. The tenant has been locked out due to actions by a real estate agent and an attorney for the bank, who posted false bankruptcy dismissal information to justify the lockout. The court previously... View More
answered on Jun 6, 2025
File a motion with the court detailing the fraud by the real estate agent and the attorney. Lithe court can grant you relief fro. Their actions.
I am planning to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy today to address my credit card debt. I am not using a lawyer and need guidance on which forms are specifically required for this process. Could you help me with details about the necessary paperwork and any steps I should take immediately?
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answered on Jun 5, 2025
You’ll need to complete the required credit counseling course and gather key financial records like credit card statements, pay stubs, and bank account details. Once that’s done, you can fill out the official bankruptcy forms (you can get them from the court clerk or its website).
The... View More
I am trying to claim sole responsibility for household expenses for Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy purposes. There are three people in the household: me, my boyfriend, and his nephew, who does not contribute financially. I pay all gas, water, and trash bills monthly totaling $205, and contribute some... View More
answered on Jun 4, 2025
While I agree with the advice of my colleague, it is my position that Bankruptcy is not DIY. Find a good lawyer to walk you through. Bankruptcy lawyers understand the lack of money in their client.
Good Luck
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I'm looking for guidance on starting the probate process in Fort Worth, Texas, for an estate without a will. The estate includes a home with a mortgage and some credit card debt. What steps should I take to begin probate, and are there any specific considerations I should be aware of given... View More
answered on Jun 4, 2025
Simply file a petition to open probate and acknowledge there is no will. Everything else should be the same as far as information required.
I received a settlement from a personal injury case for a slip and fall where I broke my wrist. Without my consent, my wife transferred all the money into my sister's account. After an argument, I left home, and subsequently, my wife announced that she wanted a divorce. She then cut off... View More
answered on Jun 3, 2025
Yes. You can recover your settlement proceeds through your divorce action.
I am being sued for not paying for a car that I am no longer leasing. I returned the car, but did not receive any documents upon returning it, and now they have issued court payments against me. I called the car dealership when I decided to return the car but received no written acknowledgment.... View More
answered on Jun 3, 2025
If you're being sued because you didn't pay for a car you leased and then returned, and you're thinking about filing for bankruptcy because you don't have money, bankruptcy will likely stop this lawsuit and get rid of the debt in Tennessee.
In most cases, when you file... View More
I experienced a loss of income in December 2024 and couldn't pay my mortgage. I initially applied for a loan modification and was approved. My uncle, who was helping me with my bills, passed away in September. Due to stress and depression, I missed work in January and February, and... View More
answered on Jun 3, 2025
Based on your situation, you still have several potential legal avenues to explore before foreclosure becomes final. Here's how a foreclosure defense or bankruptcy attorney may be able to help:
1. Foreclosure Defense
Even though your loan has been referred to the lender’s... View More
I am currently filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and want to know if teachers' classroom-related expenses, which the IRS allows for deductions on tax returns, can be considered legitimate expenses on Schedule J. These expenses haven't been documented in my financial records, only on my tax... View More
answered on May 31, 2025
In our opinion, yes, list your teacher expenses where those are allowed by the IRS and your tax returns document those expenses.
You will have to show the bankruptcy trustee your last two tax returns to the trustee anyway. And even most bankruptcy courts defer to the IRS.
If the... View More
I have both a credit card and a car loan with Navy Federal and am filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. My payments on both the credit card and car loan are current, and I plan to reaffirm the car loan. I'm reviewing the contract terms, and I came across the following language:
"I... View More
answered on May 31, 2025
Yes. It appears that your car is cross-collateralized with the credit card debt, although you might possible be able to avoid that in bankruptcy court.
I am considering filing for personal bankruptcy under Chapter 7 specifically to address credit card debts. How much should I expect the process to cost?
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answered on Jun 2, 2025
Chapter 7 bankruptcy typically costs between $1,800 and $2,500 in attorney fees, depending on your location and case complexity. There is also a standard court filing fee of $338. This usually includes full representation and guidance through the process. You will need to take two required courses,... View More
I have recently filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the Central District of Illinois and indicated a high expense for necessary, non-cosmetic dental work on Schedule J, amounting to over $800 per month with a total treatment cost of $9,000. I am in pain and urgently need to get the work done. I have... View More
In the Central District of Illinois, I have filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition, and my federal student loan payments, which are currently in forbearance, were not included on Schedule J by my lawyer. These payments are set to resume about a month after the 341 meeting of creditors. I have not... View More
answered on May 28, 2025
They should not be listed in Schedule J if you are not currently paying them. However, they should be disclosed on Schedule E of priority debts owed. That is sufficient disclosure in your petition.
I am a UK/US dual national planning to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Louisiana. I understand that I must declare all my assets both in the US and the UK, and that Chapter 13 only discharges my US debts. However, I've received conflicting information on two points: 1. Am I required to... View More
answered on May 29, 2025
You should list all assets, both US and UK, in your Petition.
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