Bankruptcy Law Blog

There are many misconceptions about bankruptcy. One of the most common is that filing for bankruptcy is a permanent and devastating hit to a consumer’s credit. That is simply not true. At first, it can be a little difficult to get credit. A recently discharged consumer will likely have to pay higher interest rates and…

Living and working in the Sacramento area makes it very difficult for regular folks to get by without a car. Oftentimes, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing helps debtors in the area get rid of credit card debt and personal loans to relieve some of the pressure. But if the debtor needs to keep the car…

A major factor to consider when filing bankruptcy is timing. Even after a Sacramento-area consumer has decided that she will definitely file bankruptcy, in many cases the timing can be crucial. Often, a debtor has little choice but to file as soon as possible. Swift action may be necessary to ward off a repossession, eviction,…

One of the most common reasons people file bankruptcy is to get a fresh start on their finances. The problem is that there are some very serious consumer reporting failures in recent years that prevent debtors from gaining the full benefits of a discharge. Creditors often fail to report an updated status for discharged accounts…

A credit report can determine whether or not you can find a job, rent an apartment or buy a car or home. But the average consumer has very little knowledge about how the data is collected, who is receiving it, and what errors it contains. It is frightening how much a secret system can affect…

When people in the Sacramento area file bankruptcy, often one of their chief concerns is whether they will be able to protect the equity in their homes. The primary tool for protecting that equity is called the “Homestead Exemption.” There are federal exemptions and many states offer different maximum exemptions for folks’ primary residence. Since…

The vast majority of bankruptcy filings in Sacramento and Northern California go through the system smoothly. However, there are many situations that can arise in a bankruptcy case that involve conflict between a creditor, the debtor, and/or the trustee. Many times, these conflicts must be resolved in bankruptcy court in front of a judge. Complex…

The Sacramento area boasts a vast and active real estate market. In addition, house values can be volatile, as can the job market. As a result, many consumers in the Sacramento area can end up behind on their mortgage payments, seemingly without options, and searching for solutions. This is a common question from consumer debtors:…

It makes sense that if someone needs to file bankruptcy, they probably don’t have a lot of money. So it can be tempting to seek bankruptcy help from a petition preparer or a cheap attorney from out of town. But it makes much more sense to hire someone who is actually an attorney and is…

Northern California is filled with hard-working people. Many of those folks are small business owners. But running a small business can be a struggle, especially in a volatile economy. It is a great thing that inhabitants of the Sacramento Valley are proactive entrepreneurs. From general contractors to orthodontists, there are examples of what makes the…