Bankruptcy Law

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Delinquencies on the Rise for Subprime Auto Loans

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Subprime auto loans are back in a big way, and according to recent data have climbed to the highest level in a decade, with large increases in loans to borrowers with credit scores below 660.  The number of subprime auto loans becoming delinquent has climbed to the highest level since 2010 in the third quarter and is following a pattern similar to the months leading up to the 2007-2009 recession, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

New auto loans to borrowers with credit scores below 660 have nearly tripled since the end of 2009.  In 2016, approximately $50 billion of new auto loans per quarter have gone to those borrowers thus far.  About $30 billion each quarter has gone to borrowers with credit scores below 620.

The increasing delinquency of subprime auto loans is concerning because it comes as the overall economy is on the mend and the employment rate is improving.  The credit quality of other types of loans has improved.

Delinquency rates declined in the quarter for mortgages, student loans and credit cards.  The number of individuals with a new foreclosure notation on their credit reports hit the lowest level in 18 years of data.

The increase in auto loans, particularly the subprime sector, has raised alarms among some regulators in Washington. The rate at which auto loans for borrowers with credit scores below 620 has climbed for 10 consecutive quarters, especially on loans made to those with the lowest or subprime credit scores.

Lenders know that subprime borrowers are more likely to default and become delinquent on their loans and charge them higher interest rates.  The mistake during the financial crisis was that while the lenders expected higher defaults among subprime loans, they failed to anticipate just how high it would rise.

Click here to read more on this story.

If you are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

 

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Student Loans, Timothy Kingcade Posts

For-Profit College Debt Strikers Plead with Obama to Discharge their Loans before Trump’s Inauguration

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More than 1,000 students (calling themselves the Debt Collective) from for-profit schools are protesting, claiming their colleges used manipulative financial tactics while providing them with a subpar education.

They released a statement and video on Monday, pleading with President Obama to discharge their student loans before President-elect Trump’s inauguration.  The Debt Collective claims that the Obama Administration has yet to provide the relief it promised.  One former Corinthian student said she had $32,000 of student loan debt and was unemployed, despite having applied to about 300 jobs in the criminal justice field.  She said she had either received no response or had been told she did not qualify.

The Department of Education refunds federal loans to students enrolled in the last 120 days before a college closes in what is called a closed school discharge.  ITT Tech closed its doors in September.  But students who left the school before that 120-day time frame or who graduated but still feel they were defrauded by their college must instead file a “borrower’s defense to repayment” claim.

The Obama Administration had planned to resolve back-logged relief claims from Corinthian and ITT Tech students by the spring of 2017, but will likely now be under additional pressure to speed resolution of the claims.

Click here to read more on this story.

For borrowers who are struggling with student loan debt, relief options are available. Many student loan borrowers are unaware that they have rights and repayment options available to them, such as postponement of loan payments, reduction of payments or even a complete discharge of the debt. It is important you contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

 

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Relief, Student Loans, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Bankrupt Student Can Discharge Debt because it “Technically” Was Not a Loan

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A financial agreement between a student and an educational institution is not considered a student loan and as a result in the bankruptcy case ( D’Youville Coll. v. Tucker (In re Tucker), the borrower was able to discharge her debt.

Judge Michael J. Kaplan of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York concluded that because the debt was not “an education benefit overpayment or a loan,” the exception to discharge under Bankruptcy Code Section 523(a)(8)(A)(ii) does not apply.

The financial agreement entered into between both parties was “no more than an agreement to pay for tuition, fees and other registration costs (whatever they turn out to be), at some unspecified future time, and not for an ‘educational benefit overpayment or loan’ as contemplated in §523(a)(8)(A)(i), the court said.

This case is similar to two other recent cases in the Western District of New York, with the exception that in this one, there was no promissory note signed by the debtor.

Exceptions to discharge under the Bankruptcy Code are construed narrowly and a creditor must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that its claim falls within one of those exceptions.

The court sided with the borrower in this case because it did not find a specific amount due in the financial agreement. The agreement contained a monthly interest provision and indicated that an adjustment would be made for financial aid received at a later time.

The financial agreement between the parties was “nothing more than a running account,” the court said.

Click here to read more on this story.

For borrowers who are struggling with student loan debt, relief options are available. Many student loan borrowers are unaware that they have rights and repayment options available to them, such as postponement of loan payments, reduction of payments or even a complete discharge of the debt. It is important you contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

 

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Student Loans, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Xerox Ordered to Pay $2.4 Million to Settle Illegal Debt Collection Charges

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Many of us know Xerox as the company that handles office supplies, printers and similar products.  However, back in 2009 the company acquired ACS and has been operating as a lender of student loans through Xerox Education Services (XES).

The division has come under much scrutiny in the past year for allegedly violating debt collection laws and overcharging borrowers.  Now the company has decided to settle the charges by paying a $2.4 million settlement.

The initial investigation began in December of 2015. After analyzing the company’s loan servicing practices, officials found that XES had failed to properly process applications for federal loan relief associated with the Income-Based Repayment Plan under the Higher Education Act.  This forced student loan borrowers to pay more than they needed on their debt.  They were also hit with more late fees when they could not afford to make their payments.

The company was charged with violating debt collection regulations by making frequent and repeated phone calls to borrowers and not investigating credit reporting disputes. This led to false information being reported to credit agencies.

Under the settlement, XES will pay $2.4 million, which will be be used as restitution for borrowers who tried to apply for relief but were not able to enroll. The company has also agreed to credit late fee overcharges, reform service members’ accounts, stop its illegal debt collection practices, and establish a “Borrower Advocacy Group” that will help loan recipients apply for income-based repayment plans.

Click here to read more on this story.

For borrowers who are struggling with student loan debt, relief options are available. Many student loan borrowers are unaware that they have rights and repayment options available to them, such as postponement of loan payments, reduction of payments or even a complete discharge of the debt. It is important you contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Florida Debt Counselor Filing Bankruptcy, Owes More Than $100 Million

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A Florida businessman who made his fortune as a debt counselor during the Great Recession has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.   Timothy McCallan, of Melbourne, is listing more than $100 million in liabilities.  He was hit with a judgment for $107 million in an Alabama bankruptcy for Allegra Law, a large debt settlement law firm that was shut down for massive fraud.

Court investigators in the Allegro case have been pursuing McCallan, because his companies, Americorp and Seton Inc., provided record-keeping and data services to Allegro.

Now the businessman is telling a Florida court he needs protection from that claim among others in his bankruptcy filing.  An Alabama bankruptcy judge had McCallan arrested and jailed for a time, and declared that McCallan had committed a fraud on the court.

“Thousands of customers signed up for debt settlement services offered by McCallan and paid him more than $100,000,000. Almost none of the money was paid to creditors of the customers as promised by McCallan,” U.S. Bankruptcy Judge William R. Sawyer wrote in an opinion entered in February.

McCallan, who owns a $1.5 million home on the Florida coast, has been ordered to turn over records related to the Allegro Firm. Most recently, McCallan told the court he had been delayed because of damage to his home during Hurricane Matthew, which side-swiped the Florida coastline in early October. But investigators in the Allegro case  later learned McCallan’s home suffered no damage.

Click here to read more on this story.

If you are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Related Resources:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/brinkmann-on-business/os-timothy-mccallan-bankruptcy-20161121-story.html

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

8 Mistakes to Avoid on Black Friday

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Millions of Americans wait all year for Black Friday to come around. According to the International Council of Shopping Centers, seven out of ten people stock up on holiday gifts during Thanksgiving weekend. With the right planning and research, you can save a ton of money this holiday season.

Here are some mistakes to avoid during the busiest shopping day of the year.

  1. Failing to make a list. Start by making a list of the items you wish to buy. Then research the places with the best prices for these items. If you are unsure of the items you need, determine who you are shopping for and then do some research online.
  2. Paying full price for add-ons. One of the most common mistakes Black Friday shoppers make is paying full price for add-ons when shopping for electronics. These include batteries, cables and chargers. It is important to keep in mind that you do not need to get add-ons the same day or at the same place. Strategize where you can buy each commodity for electronics at the best price. Saving these items for Cyber Monday is a good choice!
  3. Buying toys. The sales on toys typically extend into the first two weeks of December. According to DealNews.com toys are generally cheaper in the first two weeks of December.
  4. Choosing the wrong time to go. Many of the stores who participate in Black Friday deals have started their sales on Thanksgiving in recent years. According to retale.com, 54 percent of shoppers said they would prefer to stay home on Thanksgiving. This gives shoppers a chance to beat the Black Friday crowds.
  5. Opening store credit cards. It is tempting to open a store credit card to save an additional 10 to 15 percent off your purchase. However, going into debt over the holidays is not worth the savings.
  6. Not using a price-comparison app. If you are planning on shopping on Black Friday, using apps like RedLaser, ShopSavvy and BuyVia will help you find the best prices.
  7. Falling for “fear of missing out.” Oftentimes shoppers fall for the belief that sales are short-lived or that items are in limited supply. This is not necessarily true. Retailers have been preparing for this day weeks in advance and have ample supplies of what they expect to be top sellers. Keep in mind that many of the door-buster deals that are in limited supply are cheap quality, as well as cheaply priced.
  8. Forgetting about Cyber Monday. If you do not find what you need on Black Friday, don’t forget about the Cyber Monday deals. Shopping online makes it easier to compare prices and stock up your cart with items you might not have been able to find in stores.

Click here to read more on this story.

If you have any questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Bankruptcy History Suggests Intent to Hinder and Delay Creditors

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The Tenth Circuit Court recently heard the Rupp v. Pearson case where the debtor’s historical use of bankruptcy filings suggested improper purpose to hinder and delay creditors.

Mrs. Pearson had filed nine, mostly unsuccessful, bankruptcies since 1993. In 1997, she filed two unsuccessful chapter 13 cases before filing a chapter 7 petition and receiving a discharge. She later filed two more unsuccessful chapter 13 cases and had one pending chapter 13 case. She then filed another chapter 7 case seeking another discharge of her debts. The second chapter 7 case was filed two weeks after the dismissal of her chapter 13, and immediately upon the passage of the eight-year period.

The bankruptcy court inferred that Ms. Pearson was a “system-gamer.” This means that she routinely filed chapter 13 cases simply to stall collection efforts and with no actual intention of complying with the terms of her own plans. She then filed for chapter 7 relief as soon as the law allowed.

During one of Ms. Pearson’s filings, she agreed to contribute her expected tax return to the extent it exceeded $2,000. However, she kept the entire $4,829 refund and spent it on non-exempt personal items. This resulted in the bankruptcy court dismissing one of her chapter 13 cases. When she filed a chapter 7 case two weeks later, the trustee filed an adversary complaint seeking to have Ms. Pearson’s discharge denied due to her misappropriation of the tax refund with intent to defraud creditors, in violation of section 727(a)(2)(A). “In our view, the (trustee’s) complaint states a plausible claim that Ms. Pearson’s failure to turn over to the Chapter 13 bankruptcy estate the required portion of the tax refund was part of a scheme to hinder and delay creditors.”

However, the Tenth Circuit Court rejected the reasoning of the lower courts in finding that the complaint failed to state a claim for relief due to an absence of “fraud markers” and the fact that the complaint failed to negate the possibility of innocent uses of the tax refund. Rather, the circuit court noted that cases under 727(a)(2)(A) are fact-specific and not subject to rigid formulas.

Click here to read more on this story.

If you have any questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

How Trump’s Presidency Will Affect Consumers

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The battle for consumer rights against powerful corporate and special interests has always been an uphill battle, but the road ahead just got considerably more difficult with this month’s election results.  President-Elect Donald Trump released a statement on his website saying that he plans to “dismantle” the Dodd-Frank Act, which would be detrimental for consumers’ protection rights.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was signed into law by President Obama in 2010 in order to protect consumers from irresponsible lenders who used hidden fees and fine print to take advantage of them. The purpose of the Dodd-Frank Act is to prevent the excessive risk-taking that led to the Great Recession and the housing bubble burst in the mid-2000’s.

One of the greatest threats consumers’ face during Trump’s presidency is the fate of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB was one of the most significant outcomes of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Bureau is a consumer watchdog that protects American families from unfair and abusive financial practices. It sets clear rules and ensures that the highest financial standards are met. The CFPB monitors the actions of mortgage lenders, banks, credit unions and other financial companies.

Unfortunately for consumers, the future of the CFPB during Trump’s administration is unclear. While he spoke out against the Dodd-Frank Act, saying that it “has made it impossible for banks to function,” he has not mentioned his plans for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. However, the Republican Party has called for repeal of the Dodd-Frank Act and abolishment of the CFPB. Opponents of consumer protections clearly feel empowered to push the agenda of predatory lenders, abusive debt collectors and others who target struggling individuals and low-income families.

If you have any questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Related Resources:

https://consumerist.com/2016/11/09/from-healthcare-to-financial-protection-how-will-the-trump-white-house-affect-consumers/

https://www.greatagain.gov/policy/financial-services.html

https://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/middle-class/dodd-frank-wall-street-reform

 

 

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

How does debt affect survivors after a loved one’s death?

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It is a common occurrence that creditors start contacting grieving relatives to nudge them into paying their deceased loved one’s lingering debts. If you ever find yourself in this situation, here is what you need to know.

You do not need to worry about inheriting debt. In most situations, debt does not get passed down to heirs. However, creditors typically won’t tell you that. In fact, they are oftentimes depending on your sense of duty to pay off those debts. They may seem kind and sympathetic, but their ultimate goal is to persuade you into paying.

There are exceptions to the rule. Below are four instances in which you might still be on the hook for a debt after your loved one dies:

  • You co-signed on the debt.
  • You live in a community property state.
  • You are the spouse, and state law requires you to pay certain debts such as medical bills.
  • You were responsible for resolving the estate and did not follow state laws.

 

Estates may be liable. Although you are not personally responsible for your loved one’s debts, the estate may be. The estate is made up of your loved one’s remaining assets and may be required to cover the costs of outstanding debts left by your loved one. Creditors may file a claim in probate court. In which case, the money from the estate is used to pay those claims. What is left is what gets distributed to heirs.

If the estate does not have enough money to pay off creditors, it is considered insolvent. In that case, the unpaid debt should disappear. However, that might not stop some companies from calling you for payment.

Click here to read more on this story.

If you have any questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Credit Card Companies want you to give up Your Right to Sue. Here’s how to protect your Rights

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Before signing up for a new credit card, scan through the fine print and search for the word “arbitration.”  What you will find is that the company requires you to resolve all conflicts through a binding dispute resolutions process, rather than going to court.

These clauses are common among cell phone carriers, financial institutions and online service providers such as Netflix and Amazon.  Some companies provide the option to opt-out of mandatory arbitration, if you act quickly enough.  In fact, more than a quarter of the more than 400 credit card contracts analyzed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau included an opt-out provision.

For Citi Card customers, you may even have gotten a chance for a do-over.  This past year, the issuer revised its customer agreements, giving them a new opportunity to opt-out of the company’s standard arbitration agreement.

As with many opt-out notices, instructions can be vague and time is of the essence.   Here are some guidelines consumers should follow when requesting an opt-out.

  • Follow instructions. Read the opt-out provision carefully and follow the instructions exactly. It is necessary to include enough information to identify the person and convey their intent to opt-out.
  • Identify yourself. If the directions are vague, use a standard business letter format, with the date and address at the top.  Include all pertinent details such as your account number, customer ID and your contact information.
  • Be direct. Be as clear and concise as possible in your writing. If you go to court, the lawyers for the company will try and argue that you were not clear or did not mean what you said.
  • Keep records. If an email option is given, use that.  An email automatically generates a time stamp.  If you do not need to send a physical letter, keep a copy for your records.  Save any responses you receive and send the letter certified mail, so you receive confirmation of its receipt.

Click here to read more on this story.

If you have any questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.