What IS the “S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index”?
I got curious—I’ve been hearing about this index for years without knowing what it’s actually measuring. So I dug a little and here’s what I found out. At 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the last Tuesday of every month, Standard & Poor’s Financial Services releases the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices. It’s actually not a single […]
Criminal Fines, Fees and Restitution Are Never Discharged in Bankruptcy, Right?
Obligations you owe related to your conviction of a crime cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. End of story? Usually, but not absolutely.
Another Five Ways to Save Your Home through Chapter 13
In my blog last Thursday I gave you the first five of ten big ways that Chapter 13 allows you to keep your home. Here are the other five. 6. If you need to sell your home, Chapter 13 usually gives you much more time to do so than a Chapter 7 case. More […]
Student Loans Are a Cash Cow for the Federal Government?
The federal government is making billions of dollars for itself on student loans every year. So why double the interest rate on the loans next year? To boost those profits.
The Widening Circles of Harm from Student Loan Debt
Student loans are not just burdening recent graduates. They’re now directly hurting people you wouldn’t expect. And dragging down the whole economy.
Ten Ways to Save Your Home through Chapter 13
In my experience the number one reason people choose to file Chapter 13 instead of Chapter 7 is to save their home. And it’s not just because it gives you a bigger hammer against your mortgage company. It gives you a hammer, but also a whole bunch of other tools. Some are more subtle but […]
Are Creditors Going to Challenge the Discharge of Debts in My Bankruptcy Case?
Every creditor has the right to challenge your ability to write off your debts in bankruptcy. But none of them likely will. Why not?
Property Exemptions in Bankruptcy—A Grand Political Compromise
The amount of property you get to keep in a bankruptcy is the result of a 200-year-old Constitutional battle of states’ right versus federal power. The Bankruptcy Code provides for a uniform federal set of property exemptions, but if you live in one of 35 states you cannot use those exemptions. Instead you’re stuck with […]
Can Child or Spousal Support Ever Be Written Off in Bankruptcy?
You’ve heard that no debt in bankruptcy is more untouchable than child support and spousal support. Is that true? Can Chapter 7 or 13 ever help?
Is Discharging a Student Loan Possible in Bankruptcy?
What does it take to write-off a student loan in bankruptcy? An “undue hardship.” And that is a very tough standard to meet.