People who file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy must meet certain income qualifications. In most  cases, debtors who fail to meet income requirements do not qualify for Chapter 7. People with higher income levels often must pursue a repayment plan under Chapter 13 to take control of debt. People who are currently unemployed or who have…

No two bankruptcies are the same. While there are some cases where the person or business pursuing bankruptcy must liquidate assets as in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, other times a person might end pursuing Chapter 13 bankruptcy which means they need not worry about selling anything. Instead, Chapter 13 bankruptcy involves restructuring and reducing the amount…

What Changes to California’s Homestead In a recent poll conducted by TheTrackr.com, 29% of Americans reported that their home was their most valuable asset. Homeownership plays a critical role during the bankruptcy process. The role that homeownership plays in the bankruptcy, however, is about to change substantially due to legislation that has been passed by…

Estate planning is critical for everyone, but if you own real estate, proper estate planning is particularly important. Without adequate planning, your surviving loved ones can be left to face substantial estate taxes without the ability to pay these debts. Through the use of proper estate planning, however, it is possible to maintain assets for…

Many people look at marriage as one of the momentous events in their life. If you or your fiancee is struggling with debt and debating whether to file bankruptcy, however, your situation can easily turn into a confusing one. You might even be wondering whether it is a good idea to file for bankruptcy or…

Despite the economic downturn brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, low mortgage rates remain an attractive option for many people considering buying a house. Even if you are in the middle of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy repayment, you might still be able to obtain a mortgage loan and buy a new home. While there are…

If you are worried that bankruptcy will wipe out your retirement savings, the good news is that retirees often can keep their retirement savings even if they have substantial debt. This is because bankruptcy law exempts most retirement accounts from bankruptcy.    While every state has its own bankruptcy code, California law often views social…

An automatic stay is one of the critical parts of filing bankruptcy. The stay stops most collection efforts against a debtor as soon as that individual files for bankruptcy. These orders exist without the need for a court order. To give you a better idea of the role that the automatic stay plays in a…

Facing a large amount of debt often feels overwhelming. Beside uncertainty about how you will make your monthly payments, it is also common to feel uncertain about what your future holds. While many people think that bankruptcy can help, they are afraid of undergoing the process when they are not sure if it is the…

No business owner wants to file for bankruptcy. If you have to engage in this process, however, there are some critical pieces of information that you should know. Understand that in the right cases, bankruptcy can be invaluable. An experienced business bankruptcy lawyer can help you determine whether bankruptcy is the best option for your…