Category Archives: Bankruptcy

Leading Causes of Personal Bankruptcy

DISNEY, DONALD-TRUMP, CELEBRITIES, BANKRUPTCY-ATTORNEY, FINANCIAL-HARDSHIP.5An alarmingly large number of Americans have filed for bankruptcy in recent years. Below is a list of the most common sources of modern American bankruptcy.

Medical Expenses
A study conducted by Harvard University shows that 62 percent of all personal bankruptcies have resulted from medical expenses, more specifically the hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills from rare or serious diseases and injuries. Close to 80 percent of Americans who filed for bankruptcy because of medical expenses have medical insurance policies.

Job Loss
Job loss, whether from layoff, termination, or resignation, results in an obvious loss of income. The loss of income and other benefits that come with a secure job, forces the unemployed to drain their financial resources. Unfortunately, those who cannot find another form of employment in a timely manner often must file for bankruptcy.

Poor Credit
It’s a well-known fact that many Americans struggle with managing their finances. Credit card bills, installment debt, car and other loan payments can all add up. Once the borrower is unable to make even the minimum payment on each type of debt, filing for bankruptcy is likely the only option left.

Divorce or Separation
Going through a divorce or separation is not just emotionally draining; it is often financially draining, too. Paying legal fees, dividing marital assets, deciding on child support and visitation, and maintaining two separate households puts a strain on finances for the many Americans who go through this process every year.

Unexpected Costs
Emergency spending can certainly add up, but some of the most common unexpected costs are associated with loss of property, due to theft or severe weather events. Many homeowners don’t realize they need specialized coverage for earthquakes, floods, or tornadoes. If they don’t have that coverage, they are likely to lose their homes and valuables and spend quite a bit rebuilding their lives.

There are a variety of reasons Americans turn to bankruptcy, but often, common sense, sound financial planning, and preparation for the future can prevent bankruptcy from being your only available option. At Blick Law Firm, we understand that filing for bankruptcy is an emotional experience. If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, our trusted team of attorneys can help maximize your recovery and provide you with the benefits you are entitled to. Visit blicklawfirm.com to fill out an evaluation form, or call 888-973-2776 for a free consultation today!

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What to Look for in a Bankruptcy Attorney

Written by: Michaella Radich

LIFE-AFTER-BANKRUPTCY, BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY, TAMPA LAW FIRM, BLICK LAW FIRM

Finding the right bankruptcy attorney could mean the difference between regaining financial security and prolonged struggling. There are five key things to look for in a bankruptcy attorney.

Cost

Legal fees are one of the most important factors to a client, but when it comes to legal assistance, you truly do get what you pay for. Most bankruptcy attorneys use a fairly standard pricing system for liquidation and person reorganization. The fee should include several services, like: consultation and financial analysis; the preparation of the bankruptcy petition; a review of the petition; attendance at the meeting of creditors; and follow-ups with creditors, if necessary. Some services, like litigation, however, are generally not included in a bankruptcy attorney’s flat fee. So, it is important to ask the attorney what costs could arise from any litigation resulting from the bankruptcy case.

It is important not to choose a bankruptcy attorney solely based on price. An attorney who charges significantly less than others in the same area and field, may not be very experienced with bankruptcy cases or may cut corners in handling your case.

Expertise

Technically, any attorney can handle bankruptcy cases, but it is best to choose an attorney who has handled a sizeable number of bankruptcy cases. An attorney’s number of years of experience isn’t as important as the percentage of bankruptcy cases they have handled. An attorney with decades of experience, who offers a number of different legal services, may be less qualified to handle a bankruptcy case than an attorney with less experience who focuses heavily on bankruptcy cases.

Up-to-Date on Code Changesbankruptcy chapter 7

The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act was enacted in 2005. While this law may not have any effect on your particular bankruptcy case, it is virtually impossible for someone who is not a lawyer to determine the law’s potential effect. Not all attorneys are up-to-date on the changes to Bankruptcy laws. The best way to judge an attorney’s knowledge is to ask in your consultation if the 2005 law will affect your case. If your attorney cannot answer this broad question, they might not be as caught up as they should be.

Personal Attention

Avoid getting run through the “bankruptcy mill,” by an attorney or firm that pays little attention to individual client’s specific needs. Being “run through the mill” often results in shoddy legal work and a disappointed client. A good way to avoid falling victim to the mill is by contacting the local bar association, who generally would not recommend such a firm. Avoiding a high-volume firm is another good rule of thumb for avoiding bankruptcy mills, as they usually pay less attention to individual needs.

Attorney-Client Relationship

Never choose an attorney who you personally don’t feel comfortable with. Even if the attorney is affordable, trustworthy, and well qualified, a good attorney-client relationship is paramount in bankruptcy cases because they are often very emotional life moments for clients.

If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, let Blick Law Firm assist you in maximizing your recovery and receiving the full benefits you are entitled to. Call our office at 888-973-2776 to schedule a consultation with an experienced bankruptcy attorney today!

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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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Life After Bankruptcy

By Moneer Kheireddine

LIFE-AFTER-BANKRUPTCY, BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY, TAMPA LAW FIRM, BLICK LAW FIRMFor those with debt, bankruptcy can seem like the worst case scenario and something you would never want to put yourself through. However, others may see it as a fresh start or a new beginning on your financial life, which you haven’t been able to get a hold of. In truth, when you file for bankruptcy you should expect a very large change to occur in many parts of your life, and know that the struggles you will go through are simply steps on the path towards recovery.

Your life after bankruptcy will take some getting used to. Getting loans, a credit card, or anything else financially related will be very difficult. And when you finally are able to receive some form of credit, your interest and the fees you pay will be out of this world. However, there is still hope! While bankruptcy will remain on your credit report for ten years, rebuilding credit is the first step to getting back on the track to redemption and moving past this point in your life.

LIFE-AFTER-BANKRUPTCY, BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY, TAMPA LAW FIRM, BLICK LAW FIRM, CHAPTER 7 However, filing bankruptcy can have affects you never even expected. Since everyone that has any sort of financial relation to you will check your credit report, you may see different aspects of your life effected from bankruptcy. You may see your insurance go up, you may be declined from employment because of it, or your place of employment may become notified. Your life will encounter drastic changes, and some will be more difficult to cope with than others.

However, not all is lost. Your life isn’t over, we are here to aid in this process! We here at Blick Law Firm believe it’s simply an admittance of need. Sure, things will become more difficult, but it is nothing that you cannot overcome, and Blick Law is here to help you through it with legal advice, counseling, and any other form of assistance you may need. We treat our clients like family, and if you find yourself needing helping when you are going through this tough time, know that we are here to offer a helping hand. Bankruptcy doesn’t mean the end; it simply means it’s time for a new beginning.

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Life after Bankruptcy

DSCN0271Written By: Louie Talacay

You’ve hit rock bottom. You probably have very little to your name and the road to financial recovery is looking uphill. Life after bankruptcy is one full of challenges and turmoil, but it is your decision to sink or swim. The following details some things that one can expect after filing for bankruptcy.

Dependent on the type of bankruptcy you filed, your options may differ. A Chapter 13 means that the court will oversee your financial recovery. They will take a portion of your paycheck to pay off some of your debt. A Chapter 7 means that you will be absolved of most of your debts and that the court will not garnish your wages to pay off your debt.

Although a Chapter 7 allows you to walk away mostly free and clear, the repercussion can be seen on your credit. People who file Chapter 13 are much more likely to recover financially and build their credit back up in less time than those who file a Chapter 7. Of course, the bankruptcy will still be reflected on their record.

So what happens then? What should you do after you’ve filed bankruptcy? First, understand that you will no longer have access to any lines of credit. No credit cards, no loans, nothing; this means strictly dealing in cold hard cash. Save up for those rainy days because you won’t be able to use credit to pay forward unexpected fees and accidents.

This may mean having to live a simpler lifestyle, but hopefully you’ve come to terms with meagerness. Many people who find themselves in financial chaos arrived there because they lived a life that was too extravagant for what they were making.

Are you struggling to overcome your debt? Have you built it up to the point where it is not feasible to pay it off? Blick Law Firm specializes in Bankruptcy cases. We can assist you and counsel you with your bankruptcy. Furthermore, we offer alternatives to bankruptcy and refer clients who aren’t terribly off to credit rehab programs.

To find out more about our bankruptcy services and how we can assist you or anyone else, please visit our website.

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Cyber Theft| Consumer Protection

Written By: Louie Talacy

blick-law-firm, tampa-law-firm copyWhat do Target, JP Morgan and Home Depot have in common? These are all large corporations that have experienced serious security breaches. The security breaches compromised the identity of millions of consumers and shook their confidence. How do such big corporations get hacked? Aren’t there firewalls and identity protection procedures in place to prevent such breaches? Surely such huge corporations can afford the best and most secure anti-hacking products.

The truth of the matter is that, technology has evolved to a magnitude that is nearly incomprehensible. Nearly everything we do is integrated to some sort of machinery. The dawn of the internet laid the foundations for a worldwide integrated information super highway and now, more than ever, people who are tech savvy are finding ways to get ahead.

Unfortunately, some of those people are hackers who are willing to take advantage of other people’s hardships for their own monetary gains. As a result, the continuous struggle between hackers and security programmers has escalated into an intense cold war. Just like viruses and antibodies adapting to each other’s defenses, hackers and programmers are consistently evolving their tactics to keep ahead of each other.

The thought of having your information stolen is terrifying. With the advent of Black Friday and the winter holidays consumers must be more careful now than ever to protect their information. Fortunately for Floridians, new legislation has taken effect to protect consumers from cyber fraud.

Implemented July 2014, the Florida Information Protection Act imposed new regulations for protecting the consumer. Essentially the act states that companies must do more to ensure that consumer information is protected and safeguarded from hackers. The expected level of protection is based on the size of each company; obviously, the larger the company the greater the need for more advanced consumer protection.

So now that you know about these changes, you can shop a little easier for your holiday gifts. Remember there are things you can do to help protect your information such as…

1. Check banks statements and report anything that seems suspicious.

2. Keep cards in a protected wallet

3. Perform regular credit checks

If you become a victim of identity fraud please seek counsel with an attorney at…call

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