December 18th, 2009 by Hank Evers
In the true spirit of Christmas giving, Doan Law Firm, California’s largest family of attorneys, is making an unprecedented offer to its most financially distressed neighbors; free bankruptcy consultations to residents of Orange County and the Inland Empire through the end of the year.
In addition to the free consultations, from today through the end of the year, Doan Law Firm will provide complete legal services on a pro-bono basis (free-of-charge) to the first 50 qualified Chapter 7 applicants.Applicants must demonstrate their need for pro-bono services by meeting the qualifications found at www.doanlawfirm.com/probono
In an open letter to the Bankruptcy Bar, the United States Bankruptcy Court recently conveyed that the organizations currently assisting low-income people in bankruptcy are seeing hundreds of families on the brink of foreclosure or in other economic distress. The Court underscored that the number of newly homeless families contacting these groups has also risen and that even a brief consultation with an attorney can make a big difference to a pro se (self-representation) party. It further said that attorney assistance greatly helps the court and other litigants.
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December 14th, 2009 by Guillermo Machado
When a client comes to see me, they are usually struggling with debt. Might be a little or a lot; much of it depends on the eye of the beholder. For some, $20,000 in debt is a drop in the bucket; for others (most), it’s a noose that only seems to tighten with each twitch of the head.
So Mr. Dapper Debtor tells me, “I want to file Chapter 7 to get rid of my debts, approximately $50,000 of old credit cards.”
And I say, “I agree with you. You should eliminate this debt if you can no longer pay it back.” (fraud arguments aside)
Dapper then tells me, “Great, so you will help me?”
I say, “Of course, but first we must determine whether you qualify for Chapter 7 relief under the current standards.”
Dapper asks me, “What are these standards?”
I say, “First you must pass a means test, then show no excess income and finally not have any unexempt assets that the court might liquidate for the benefit of your creditors.” (besides not having filed bankruptcy within a certain period of time)
Dapper says to me, “Well, lawyer, I make $150,000 a year and I’m single. Will I still qualify?”
I sink into my chair, get very cozy and say, “Maybe.”
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Tags: chapter 13, chapter 7, Consultation, creditors, debt, explanation, lawsuits, lifestyle, Means Test, Options, social stigma, supersition
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Debt Consolidation Companies vs. The Bankruptcy Attorney - Bout Scheduled For 1 Round
December 21st, 2009 by Guillermo MachadoClient comes to my office and says, “I’ve been paying $600/month to a debt consolidation company.”
I respond with, “How long have you been doing this?”
Client answers, “About 9 months.”
“I’m in the wrong line of work,” I joke. “Ok, so you’ve paid $5,400 to a debt consolidation company over the last 9 months. What have they done for you?”
The client slaps a lawsuit from his creditor on my desk, “This.”
“Looks like money well-spent.”
“You trying to make a jerk out of me?!” retorts the client.
“Absolutely not, my friend. I’m just trying to enter your frustration so that I can offer the actual solution to your financial problems.”
“I’m sorry—ever since I’ve thrown my money away on this program, I simply don’t trust people anymore.”
“Understandable.”
“I mean what’s the big difference between you and a debt consolidator anyway?”
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Tags: bankruptcy news, chapter 13, chapter 7, commentary, Consultation, debt consolidation, instant relief, lawsuit, real
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