Posts Tagged ‘Bankruptcy’
Bankruptcy might seem like the end of the road, but the stigma is not nearly as severe as it once was. In the past, it meant that the chances of getting approval on unsecured personal loans applications were practically nil, while even those lending firms who might be willing to take a chance would still be more likely to say no.
But in the modern world of finance, it is possible to get post-bankruptcy loans to repair credit ratings and begin the rebuilding process to a stronger financial status. In fact, it is that the credit rating improvement is the purpose of the loan that can lead to approval.
Still, there remains an acute risk to lenders that approval unsecured loans after bankruptcy, and for that reason the term can sometimes be debilitating. Higher interest rates may be expected, but with the advent of the internet, and the online lenders that can be found on it, the heavily increased rates do not need to be accepted.
Strategies To Recover After Bankruptcy
While bankruptcy might not be the end of the road, recovering from it does require starting again. This is where a small unsecured personal loan can come in so useful. However a loan is not the only strategy to choose, with low interest credit cards and dedicated saving helping the cause also.
Getting post-bankruptcy loans to repair credit ratings is admirable, but often the starting point is actually in building a savings account. In getting together a lump sum, a lender can see a committed attitude when a loan is finally applied for.
It can also help in securing a low interest secured credit card, with a small credit limit. This is necessary mainly due to the fact that our society is credit card orientated, but by making credit card repayments on time, a history of repayment is built up. So when it comes to applying for unsecured loans after bankruptcy, there is an indication of good financial habits.
If you need to file bankruptcy and you want honest answers please call Attorney James Miller at 414-277-7742 to discuss your bankruptcy options. The Law Firm of Miller and Miller serves all Wisconsin communities including those in Kenosha, West Bend, Germantown, Waukesha, Racine, Brookfield, Ozaukee, Mequon, Menomonee Falls, West Allis, South Milwaukee, Okauchee and Madison.
The Huffington Post chronicles this incredible story in which a debt collector allegedly called 911 on an 85 year old woman:
Read it here.
If you live in Southeastern Wisconsin and are being badgered by debt collectors call Miller and Miller today at 414-277-7742.
With offices in Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Germantown, we’re sure to be located close to you whether you live in Waukesha, Racine or somewhere in between.
It’s that time of year again! Your W-2s and 1099 forms have been sent out and have likely hit your mailbox or e-mail inbox recently. While preparing your taxes is no fun, especially if you think you are going to owe Uncle Sam this year, it is a good idea to get them filed before you file for bankruptcy. Why? You are required to turn over tax returns for your case to be prepared and for the trustee to review. If you drag your feet in getting them filed, you may just delay your case moving forward. In addition, you may be putting your tax refunds at risk of having to be turned over to the case trustee if you receive them after you file. If you are planning on filing bankruptcy soon and have questions about the timing of filing your taxes, please contact our office to schedule a free consultation, and we can help you make that decision. To best serve residents of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, Racine, Kenosha, and Walworth counties, we have conveniently located offices in downtown Milwaukee, Germantown, and Kenosha. We are here to help!
There is no perfect time to file for bankruptcy. Ideally, you should wait to file at a point when you have not touched your credit cards for several months and your credit card charges over the past year have not taken a big jump. Further there is less chance that you will face any objection if you have made at least the minimum payment over the past 6 months or longer.
Section 523 of the Bankruptcy Code sets out a number of situations in which credit card debt will not be discharged. Section 523(a)(2)( c) makes non-dischargeable consumer debt totaling more than $500 for luxury goods and services owed to any one creditor that are incurred within 90 days of filing, or cash advances totaling $750 or more owed to any one creditor made within 70 days of filing.
Section 523(a)(2) makes non-dischargeable debt owed to a creditor that was incurred by false pretenses or by fraud.
So to sum it up, Section 523 gives credit cards at least two arguments to challenge a Debtor:
1. Recent credit card use (within 3 months) for anything but necessities like food, clothing and shelter
2. Any credit card use in the recent past (up to a year prior to filing) if a Debtor makes charges where there is no reasonable expectation of repayment.
Here’s another way to think about it: If you have lost your job, and for the last year your only source of support are credit cards and cash advances, you should not expect to avoid a challenge by the credit card issuer just because you wait 91 days after your last use of your cards.
What, then, should you do if you need to buy food or gasoline in the weeks before you actually file?
You should recognize that shortly after you file, there is a very good chance that your credit cards will all be canceled and you are going to have to find another way to pay for your food and gasoline. A bankruptcy may eliminate old debt but it will not help you pay your current or on-going bills.
As a practical matter you are not going to want to spend the money litigating Section 523 dischargeability actions. Bankruptcy litigation is expensive and if you are scraping to buy food and gasoline, you will not be able to afford litigation. The fee you pay your bankruptcy lawyer will almost never include litigation.
If you are in Southeastern Wisconsin and are having trouble with your credit card debt, contact Miller and Miller today. We have offices in Milwaukee, Germantown, and Kenosha, making sure that whether you live in Racine or Waukesha, you have a office close to home.
All too often, clients come into our office, review their credit report, and are shocked to see what is listed. Sometimes this is because there are old items that have been forgotten, but another culprit is identity theft.
As the web has evolved, so have criminals and their tactics. With websites that look similar to name brand sites, con artists can pluck information as consumers enter what they believe is a legitimate site. Once someone has stolen your identity and injured your credit score, it can be challenging to repair the damage.
“Everything is done online these days,” says Identity Theft Resource Center Social Media Coordinator Nicki Junker. “Most of the time the victims of cyber-savvy criminals won’t be able to trace where the identity theft — a crime that has seen double-digit increases in the last five years — happened.”
Identity theft often goes unnoticed until it’s too late and the damage has already been done. In 2010, around 8.6 million households had at least one person who was a victim of identity theft, up from 6.4 million households in 2005, according to a recent study by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. Identity theft cost U.S. households about $13.3 billion in 2010, with the average loss being about $2,200.
Consumers can, however, take precautions to safeguard themselves and their identities while shopping online. Junker offers five ways to protect yourself online:
1. Confirm the site is legit: Before giving any personal information, check the URL to make sure that you’re still on the same site where you plan to make your purchases and that you haven’t been moved over to a fake one. Junker said sometimes consumers are switched over to a “cyber squatter’s” site that looks similar to a retailer’s site. It’s easy to be tricked into giving up credit card and other personal information.
2. Shop securely: When you start to check out and get ready to pay for your purchases, the URL should start with “https,” which means the site is secure. A secure site uses security technology to encrypt the information you send to the site, meaning computer hackers are stopped from collecting the data as it crosses the Web. You can also look for a closed yellow padlock at the bottom of the screen. If you see an open lock, you can assume that the site is not secure.
3. Use credit cards: Federal credit laws limit the amount a con artist can take on a credit card. Debit cards don’t have the same protections. “If they have a debit card, they can clear you out,” Junker explains. “You’re much better protected using a credit card than a debit card.”
4. Google the retailer: Before buying from a website, type in the retailer’s name and the word “scam” or “complaint” into a search engine. It’s a way to check out a retailer to see if the business is legit or not.
5. Explore the site: Can you find where the company’s office is located? Does the site clearly state a refund policy? Does it promise too much? “If it sounds too good to be true, it isn’t,” Junker warns. Take your time and make sure nothing seems out of whack or iffy.
Shopping online is a convenient way to avoid store crowds and traffic. By following these web-savvy tips, your shopping experience can be safe and convenient. If you are living in Milwaukee-Waukesha-Racine area, the attorneys at Miller and Miller can help you to repair and rebuild your credit if you think there are errors. Call us at 414-277-7742 today!