Monthly Archives: March 2019
More Businesses on the Cusp of Bankruptcy
The recent announcement that Payless has filed for bankruptcy is a testament that the turmoil in the retail industry is far from over. According to Business Insider, four large retailers have already filed for bankruptcy in the first two months of 2019, and there is no reason to assume the pace will slow for… Read More »
Debt Collector Tricks and Secrets
If you’ve fallen behind on a debt, then you might start receiving phone calls and letters from collection agents. Many people visibly sweat at the words “debt collector” and for good reason. These folks have developed a reputation for scaring ordinary consumers who have simply run into some financial trouble. The federal government has… Read More »
Will Filing for Bankruptcy Hurt My Chances of Serving in the Military?
The U.S. military is choosy who it allows to enlist. Many people are aware that they need to meet certain physical requirements before they can join the military, but fewer are aware that their finances will come under scrutiny as well. One option for dealing with a crushing debt load is to file for… Read More »
Firm Behind Bridge Collapse Files for Bankruptcy
The collapse of a pedestrian bridge in Miami made national news last year when it killed six people. Now, according to NBC 2, the contractor behind the project, Munilla Construction Management (MCM), has filed for Chapter 11 in federal court. This filing will protect the company as it tries to rework its debts. Ultimately,… Read More »
Can a City File for Bankruptcy?
We tend to think of individuals and companies filing for bankruptcy. But there are other entities that can file bankruptcy—cities and counties. According to Fox News, the nation’s largest city could be on a glide path to bankruptcy. That’s right—the Big Apple, New York City, is so indebted that its only choice might be… Read More »
Should You Pay off Old Debts in Collections?
Many people in Florida have one or more accounts in collections. This happens when their creditor sells their debt to a collection agency, which specializes in getting people to pay up. Your debt will be reported on your credit history as in collection, which should hurt your credit score. You might also be receiving… Read More »
Have You Checked Your Credit Report Lately?
To qualify for loans, you need a solid credit history of timely payments. Without it, the only types of loans you can get are those with outrageously high interest rates. Most people have no idea what their credit history consists of. Even worse, they have never taken a look at their credit history report,… Read More »
Will Filing for Bankruptcy Hurt My Social Security Benefits?
Increasingly, more seniors are filing for bankruptcy. Their reasons vary. For some, medical expenses are eating up a larger share of their income, while many try to support family members. At the same time, retirees have a frayed safety net as few have the type of generous pensions that their parents enjoyed a few… Read More »
What is the Wildcard Exemption in Florida?
Losing property is probably the worst part of a Chapter 7 liquidation. This is part of the trade-off at the heart of a Chapter 7—you get to wipe out unsecured debts (like credit card debts), but you have to give up property in exchange. Helpfully, Florida exempts certain property from bankruptcy, such as your… Read More »
What if I Move after Filing for Bankruptcy but Before I Receive a Discharge?
People move for a variety of reasons, job change being one of the most common. But will moving affect your bankruptcy in any way? Although bankruptcy law is federal, you must file for bankruptcy in the district where you live. Also, bankruptcy relies on state law in certain situations, such as the list of… Read More »