Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Consumer Debt Grows in Florida
The strong economy continues to encourage consumption, with people buying everything from new cars to expensive nights out on the town. However, many people fuel their consumption with debt, and this is certainly true in Florida. According to the Tampa Bay Times, average debt grew by $1,305 in 2018 in Florida. This ranked the… Read More »
Should You Store or Dispose of Patient Records?
When a business files for bankruptcy and dissolves, it needs to do something with its records. This is as true of health care businesses that have extensive patient records. But what should you do with them? Interestingly, the Bankruptcy Code in section 351 explains that a health care business may destroy patient records when… Read More »
How to Prepare for Your Bankruptcy Consultation
Whether to file for bankruptcy is a big decision, so we encourage people interested in dealing with their debt to schedule a free consultation. The purpose of the consultation is twofold: it allows the attorney to get a better idea of your financial decision so they can advise whether bankruptcy is right for you…. Read More »
Mixed Messages on Delinquency Rates
The Great Recessions is well behind us by now. In fact, for almost a decade the United States has experienced strong economic growth. As a result, borrowers have generally been able to make regular payments on their debts. Furthermore, lenders learned their lesson and tightened their lending standards, no longer issuing paper-free loans. However,… Read More »
Credit Freeze Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Identity theft continues to be a big problem in Florida and around the nation. Anyone with access to personal information such as your date of birth and Social Security Number (SSN) can use that information to take out loans in your name—without any intent of paying them back. When the thief takes off with… Read More »
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 »