Recent Blog Posts

Bankruptcy in Florida: Is it Beneficial?

Fort Lauderdale Bankruptcy Attorney — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:18:00 GMT

Life is full of problems but money problems can be the most difficult to escape from. With today's economic woes, many Americans are finding themselves in hot water with their finances. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has estimated that more than 5.2 million Americans have been unemployed for six or more months as of April 2012. With unemployment rampant in the U.S., many hardworking Americans are being pushed into bankruptcy. Last year 1.38 million people filed for bankruptcy and it is estimated that this year will see approximately 1.25 million. As this is no small number, this phenomenon cannot be ignored.

Florida is one of the states that have been hit the hardest by the economic and housing market downturn. This means that citizens of Florida are much more likely to be considering bankruptcy than those from any other states. With bankruptcy as a viable option, it is important for any American to understand all that goes intofiling for bankruptcy. There are a number of myths surrounding bankruptcy that need to be cleared up. First of all, filing for bankruptcy does not mean that a person is financially irresponsible. As evidenced by the statistics above, this trend is hitting Americans from a broad spectrum of situations. No one group has escaped this country's financial predicament. With so many being affected, there is no reason to be ashamed if you have found yourself in this position.

Another myth that must be debunked is that bankruptcy is a cure-all that removes all debt. The purpose of filing for bankruptcy is to help you get a handle on your debt so you can get back on your feet. A significant portion of your debt will be taken care of during this process, however it will not target everything. Student debt is usually not covered in the bankruptcy process and any domestic support responsibilities will not be done away with. Not all tax debts are covered either, especially if you failed to file a tax return. Any extravagant spending done immediately before filing for bankruptcy also will not be covered and will actually be considered fraud. After filing for bankruptcy, however, it is possible to build up your credit again with careful management of your credit cards.

At Van Horn Law Group, P.A., we realize how important bankruptcy has become in this country, and especially in Florida. If you or a loved one has found themselves in a position where bankruptcy seems like the only option, the best decision you can make is contacting a bankruptcy attorney in Fort Lauderdale from our firm. With over 40 years of experience, our lawyers can help clarify any uncertainties you have about filing for bankruptcy. In this difficult time, we are here to support and guide you through this challenging process. If you are ready to make a decision about bankruptcy, be sure to contact a Ft. Lauderdale bankruptcy lawyer today!

Beware of Some Debt Counseling Organizations

Ft. Lauderdale Bankruptcy Lawyer — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:15:00 GMT

With the rise in bankruptcy filings over the last decade, there has been a consequential increase in the number of debt counseling organizations as well. Many of these credit counseling organizations are marketed as non-profit, but this does not always mean that their services are free, affordable or legitimate. In some cases, credit counseling organizations prey upon the vulnerability and trust of the clients that they are supposed to be helping.

The federal government has taken action to respond to abuses in the credit repair industry and to raise awareness of the potential for abuse by credit counseling organizations. The purpose of a credit counseling agency is to educate the consumer and assist them with consolidating debt. In addition, an agency may also negotiate with creditors on the behalf of debtors to lower interest rates and waive late and over-limit fees. Many cities across Florida have been bombarded with the growth of these organizations, and it is important for debtors to be wary of whom they trust with their financial information.

If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, you are required to have debt counseling from an approved debt counseling service before filing a petition. At The Law Offices of Brown, Van Horn, P.A., our caring team of bankruptcy experts can assist you throughout the bankruptcy process to help you reach a beneficial outcome for your financial difficulties. A Ft. Lauderdale bankruptcy attorney from our firm will represent your rights in front of creditors, banks and lenders to make sure that your best interests are taken care of. We can review the debt counseling organizations that you are considering to make sure they are accredited and that they have the necessary level of experience to help you. Ultimately, we want what is best for you and your future. Contact a Ft. Lauderdale bankruptcy lawyer at our firm today to learn more.

Discharging Your Debt is Necessary to Move On With Life

Ft. Lauderdale Bankruptcy Attorney — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 19:04:00 GMT

If you and your family have been plagued by debt, you are no stranger to the stress and uncertainty that is the result of financial problems. You may find yourself unable to buy a new car, put down money for a mortgage or save up for your kid's college education because of existing and outstanding debt. There are thousands of other Americans who are in the same place as you, and many of them have found the financial relief they need by discharging their debt.

Debt discharge is when a debtor is permanently released from the responsibility of paying their outstanding debts to creditors, and it occurs as a result of a bankruptcy proceeding. The actual moment when a debtor is freed from their debt differs depending on the type of bankruptcy that you file, and not all debts are subject to discharge. With the many different types of bankruptcy available today, it is important to consult a Ft. Lauderdale bankruptcy attorney before proceeding with a bankruptcy claim of any kind.

For example, in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your debt will be discharged after liquidation, after you have made other attempts to pay as much of the debt as possible, and after 60 days notice of discharge. The time period for discharge is much longer if you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and can take anywhere from 3-5 years. Regardless of the circumstances that caused you to incur debt, a bankruptcy attorney from our firm can help you find the answer that best suits your needs. When you contact a Ft. Lauderdale bankruptcy lawyer at our firm, we make sure that all possible debt is accounted for and that the process of debt discharge goes smoothly and quickly.

Welcome to Our Fort Lauderdale Bankruptcy Blog

Bankruptcy Attorney — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:29:00 GMT

We are pleased to announce the launch of our Fort Lauderdale Bankruptcy Law Blog with an RSS feed available at /Blog/Entire-Blog-Feed/RSS.xml