TweetAs soon as your bankruptcy petition is filed, a court order goes into immediate effect that stops creditors from attempting to collect debts. Regardless of whether you are filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the automatic stay is applicable to both chapters.  It can be recognized as one of the greatest benefits [...]

TweetIn short, like many areas of the law, it depends. You are responsible for repaying these overpayments. However, if you file bankruptcy and include that debt on the bankruptcy and the government does not object to the discharge of the debt then it may be wiped out. As with any other unsecured creditor they will [...]

TweetA Notice of Rights to Have Exemptions Designated is a fancy way of the creditor letting you know that your property is going to be taken from you. As mentioned in another blog post, after the creditor serves you with a lawsuit you have 30 days to provide a written response, also called an answer, [...]

Tweet You sure can! It may be a bit more difficult to find a place that will rent to you than it otherwise would be, but be patient. Depending on the rental agency, you may be required to pay a higher security deposit or even be required to have a co-signer. It really depends on [...]

Tweet Preference in a bankruptcy means that you are showing favoritism to one creditor over the others.  In other words, you treat one creditor better than another. For an example, let’s say that you received a bonus check of $1000 on top of your regular pay. You have a large number of creditors and you [...]

Tweet Food stamps are a wonderful benefit for those who qualify.  If there are times when you are finding yourself in the predicament of deciding whether to pay the energy bill or buy groceries for the week, you should take the time to research the eligibility requirements for food stamps.  If you are in North [...]

TweetWith the ever improving online banking that is available through most banks, it is possible to pay almost all of your bills without ever stepping foot outside of your home.  There is no doubt filing bankruptcy can impact every situation of everyday life, but what about paying your bills?  What happens if you have everything [...]

TweetIf you are behind on car payments or decide you will not be able to make the payments in the future, you can decide to voluntarily turn in your vehicle. We encourage our clients not to voluntary turn in their vehicle prior to filing bankruptcy, but we will discuss that in more detail below. What [...]

TweetDo you owe income taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or State of North Carolina (NCDOR)?  If so, you may find that you have an income tax lien filed against you.  There are two ways to confirm whether a tax lien has been “perfected” or filed with the Clerk of Court in the county [...]

TweetWith the decline in the housing market many people find they are “upside down” or “under water” on their home.  In other words, do you owe more for the house than what it is worth?  If that is your situation and you have two or more mortgages, you may find that Chapter 13 bankruptcy is [...]