Avoiding debt collection is not the same as debt relief
Facebook, Twitter and other social media websites have profoundly changed the way many Americans share information about their lives. But does that mean that it’s fair game for debt collectors to contact debtors on those websites? The answer is essentially no. But federal regulators realize they need to do more to prevent debt collectors from […]
Bankruptcy as a debt relief option for credit card debt
Credit card debt is a problem that plagues many Americans. Residents of the San Antonio area certainly experience their share of this, as do many other Texans. It continues to be a problem, here and elsewhere, even as some measures of the economy slowly improve. If your credit card debt has become unmanageable, filing for […]
Debt collectors and disclosure to third parties: law sets limits
Being in debt should not be a matter of shame. Many people face struggles in paying their bills. And there are many factors beyond a person’s control such as job loss or medical bills that can throw a family’s finances out of whack. Fortunately, we don’t live in a society that throws people in debtor’s […]
In one portion of Texas, bankruptcy filings are down – but what does that mean?
In at least one part of Texas, bankruptcies fell last year for the third year in a row. But does that mean people are doing better, economically speaking? That might be a question to which facts and figures do not provide an easy answer. In 2012, there were 3,955 consumer bankruptcy filings in the San Antonio-based U.S. Bankruptcy […]
Foreclosure defense: the benefits of the automatic stay
Few people or organizations want to seem Scrooge-like at Christmas. The enduring image of Charles Dickens’s fictional character is a cautionary tale of pushing people too hard at the holidays. It is perhaps no surprise, then, that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the giant, quasi-public mortgage lenders, have announced a moratorium on evictions from December […]
Bankruptcy counseling: why is it required and what does it do?
You may have heard that when the federal bankruptcy law was amended a few years ago, Congress put in a few new hoops to jump through. To a degree, this is true. There is now, for example, a requirement that someone filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 attend a bankruptcy counseling session. […]
Credit card tips and tricks for the holidays
Black Friday, the now-notorious start of the holiday shopping season, is only three days away. For those already struggling with credit card debt, kicking off another spending extravaganza is not exactly a happy occasion. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself in both big and small ways. Legally, keep in mind that […]
Rebuilding credit after bankruptcy and divorce
Facing both bankruptcy and divorce is a challenging double whammy. But sometimes it’s necessary to dig deep down and keep going, knowing there’s a new life waiting on the other side. It’s certainly not uncommon to have problems with both money and your marriage. After all, money problems are often a major stressor in a […]
Credit Card Debt: Consumer, Beware
Credit card debt is like a slippery slope. You may start down that path, thinking you’ll catch up soon. But life happens – injuries, illnesses, lost or downsized jobs. Suddenly, you find yourself slipping farther down the slope. If you are in this position, bankruptcy can be an effective response. It offers a way to […]
Foreclosure in San Antonio: an update on trends
In the long, sluggish slump that has followed the real estate crisis, many people turned to bankruptcy to help save their homes. In particular, the automatic stay on creditors’ collection efforts that comes with a bankruptcy filing can help forestall a home foreclosure action by a mortgage lender. The San Antonio area has been greatly […]