Monthly Archives: August 2015

Filing Bankruptcy | Chapter 7 vs 13

Screen Shot 2015-08-25 at 1.20.44 AMBy: Moneer Kheireddine

Bankruptcy. When you think of bankruptcy, you often assume failing to pay back debt and losing everything you own. In reality, however, bankruptcy is a process in which consumers OR businesses can remove or repay some/all of their debts under the protection of the federal bankruptcy court. Bankruptcies can be divided into two types — liquidation and reorganization. Chapter 7 bankruptcy specifically falls under the liquidation category. It’s called liquidation because the bankruptcy trustee may take and sell (“liquidate”) some of your property to pay back some of your debt. However, some items are exempt from liquidation under certain state laws. Not all bankruptcies are the same, despite the similar names.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy has many rules and procedures that must be followed; they typically last three to six months. Within Chapter 7, some of your property may be sold to be lower your overall debt. In return, most or all of your unsecured debts (that is, debts for which collateral has not been pledged, such as medical debts and most credit card debts) will be erased.Not everyone can file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. For example, if your disposable income is sufficient to fund a Chapter 13 repayment plan (after subtracting certain allowed expenses and monthly payments for certain debts) Chapter 7 bankruptcy will not be available to you. If you owe money on a secured debt (such as a loan on a motorcycle and the motorcycle is a pledge of payment) then you have the option to continue paying the loan if the lender agree, pay the lender a lump sum equal to the value left on the loan, or allowing the creditor to repossess the property.

Overall, bankruptcy isn’t always the solution. Even though it can wipe out many debts (such as credit card debt and medical bills) there are still some debts it cannot touch. Tax debt, child support and spousal support debt, and several others are still kept after bankruptcy. If Chapter 7 bankruptcy is an option you are considering, we here at Blick Law Firm encourage you to contact us at 888-973-5215 for a free consultation in order to help you understand your options.

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What to Look for When Hiring an Attorney

Screen Shot 2015-08-10 at 12.08.53 PMBy: Moneer Kheireddine

The court system can be a complex and daunting environment. Hire an attorney to explain the courtroom situations and proceedings so that you may be properly prepared and represented should you find yourself in court.

However, what should one be looking for when examining potential attorneys for hire? Here is a list that will guide you on how to go about finding the right attorney to represent you in court:

Ask around. When a legal problem arises in your life, there is a high chance that someone you know may have experienced the same issues. A personal referral to an great attorney is a simple and effective way to find legal representation you can trust!

Use technology to your advantage. Research any attorneys you come across and look for attorneys who go above and beyond the call of action. Those involved in community services or are highly experienced in their fields will go a long way.

Ask questions. When you are looking into potential attorneys to represent your case, no reputable one will turn you away for asking questions. Talk to them to gain an understanding on whether or not they will be the right fit for both you as a client to your specific case.

Look for honesty. An attorney that is going to be representing you should be genuine, honest and ethical in the court of law. Make sure they are upfront about the costs associated with their service, and always make sure you are honest with them in regards to your case for best client-attorney relationship.

Examine their history. Ask your state bar association whether or not the lawyer in question has ever been on the receiving end of an ethical complaint. Knowing how they’ve performed so far can give you a fair amount of insight into whether or not they will be able to represent you to your expectations.

Remember, hiring an attorney, the right attorney, is critical to the success and outcome of your current legal situation. Choosing the best one for you is the first step to ensuring a successful case, so make sure to take the time to look for the best of the best. We here at Blick Law Firm are committed to serving you and to our mission to helping the hurting. If you would like to learn more about our services and offerings, or ask any questions to learn more about what we stand for please contact us today at 813-931-0840.

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American Bar Association | Avvo Legal News

By: Moneer Kheireddine

Screen Shot 2015-08-10 at 11.47.45 AMThis week in legal news, Avvo founder and CEO Mark Britton alongside many others took the stage of the first day of the ABA’s House of Delegates meeting and they spoke on several key issues facing the legal industry. One of Mark’s main points was to encourage the audience to “look at this through lens of innovation”. He spoke on several key issues of the industry, and the steps they are taking in order to provide care and support for the legal industry.

Several of his points included facts in regards to trends within the industry, such as the fact that four out of five low-income litigants are unrepresented or a survey that was conducted that said 34 percent of the population believe that lawyers have nothing to offer society. His solution was to “get rid of UPL” and partner with more credible experts instead. He made statements speaking of how the legal industry was made to serve the legal consumer, not ourselves.

Other speakers, such as Bay Area Legal Aid Executive Director Alex Gulotta and Lisa Foster, director of the Department of Justice’s Office of Access to Justice also spoke on the subject of public interest as well as the poor representation of the poor and non-native English speakers. Alex spoke about the “complex maze” faced by people of modest means, and suggests expanding to create a single point of entry in which people who are seeking justice can easily be helped. Lisa Foster spoke on those poorly represented, such as the poor and non-native English speakers, and stated that, “the problem is exacerbated by lack of adequate funding for public defenders in many states”.

Many other speakers graced the stage, but many of them touched on the same basic point in regards to legal matters. Most offered opinions on the downward trend of industry and offered varying solutions to the problems faced in every state within the country. Time will only tell if the issues presented will have any success in being corrected or solved in the coming years.

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