Timothy Kingcade Posts Archives - Page 3 of 155

99 Percent of Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Applicants Rejected

Posted on May 7, 2019by Admin

According to recent U.S. Department of Education statistics, more than 99 percent of people who have applied for available public service student loan forgiveness have been rejected. As of December 31, 2018, it was reported that 65,500 total applications for the public service student loan forgiveness program had been submitted. However, of this total, 58,000 applications had been processed with the majority of them resulting in denials. An additional 7,200 applications were marked as pending.

The program’s requirements are complicated, and not well-explained to qualifying borrowers. Approval requires more than simply working in public service. The Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program is offered through the federal government and requires the borrower work full-time, meaning more than 30 hours per week, in an eligible federal, state or local public service job. The borrower can also work for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so long as the position is a full-time, eligible one. The borrower must make 120 eligible on-time payments to qualify.

Several different reasons were given for these denials. Seventy-three percent of these rejected applications were denied due to the applicant not meeting the “program’s requirements.” These requirements could mean either the borrower did not have student loans that were eligible for forgiveness, did not have qualifying employment, or did not make the 120 consecutive required qualifying student loan payments. Another 25 percent of these student loan forgiveness applications were denied because the applications were incomplete or had missing information on the employment certification form.

The report indicated that only 610 applications for student loan forgiveness had been approved and that 338 borrowers had received a collective amount of $21.1 million in public service student loan forgiveness. Less than 0.5 percent of the applications submitted were successful.

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. There are ways to file for bankruptcy with student loan 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 McMaken 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 McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Tips for Buying a Home Post Bankruptcy

Posted on May 6, 2019by Admin

Many people assume that filing for bankruptcy means that they will never be able to qualify for a home loan or take out credit again. This is one of the many bankruptcy myths out there. The following steps can help you achieve the goal of purchasing a home post-bankruptcy.

Review Your Financial Situation

After receiving your fresh start from bankruptcy, you should review your financial situation. Ensure that all of the debts that would have qualified for discharge in a bankruptcy case have, in fact, been discharged. It also helps to get a clear picture of where you are financially by reviewing your credit report. Most financial experts recommend you review your credit report every year to ensure that no mistakes exist on the report and to ensure that progress is being made in rebuilding your credit.

Establish a Budget

Not only is it helpful to get a good idea of your financial situation by reviewing your credit report and keeping tabs on your progress in rebuilding your credit, it is also important to establish and stick to a budget. Review your monthly household expenses, as well as your monthly income. Lay out any upcoming annual expenses, including taxes or vehicle registration, and make sure enough money is available to pay for all of these necessary expenses. If any additional funds are available after all needed expenses are met, use this money to help build up a savings for a down payment, as well as unexpected emergency expenses. Stick to this budget throughout the year, as much as possible to help build up savings for a down payment on a home.

One practical way to grow your savings is to follow the adage of paying yourself first. When creating a budget, make sure that putting money into savings is a priority by doing it before you use any extra money on unnecessary expenses. While the more you are able to put away into savings is better, also be realistic in how much you set aside for savings. Do not stretch yourself too thin to the point where you have nothing left for any other costs and expenditures.

Rebuild Your Credit

Building up savings is important, but it is equally important to rebuild your credit after bankruptcy. One important tool used by bankruptcy filers to rebuild credit is a secured credit card. These types of cards carry lower spending limits and higher interest rates but using a secured credit card for a short period of time can help rebuild credit. After a set period of time, you can begin using a conventional credit card, so long as the balance is kept low and paid in full every month. It also helps to continue paying all bills on time and not missing payments, which will improve your credit score over time.

Formulate a Plan

You should go into the home purchasing process with a plan in mind. Calculate what type of down payment you can afford, but also keep in mind what type of monthly mortgage payment your budget can handle. Financial experts recommend that you not spend more than 28 percent of your income on housing costs. Also ensure that your budget allows for additional expenses, such as regular maintenance and costs that come along with home ownership. If you have a house you are interested in, make sure you schedule a thorough inspection to ensure that no additional, unidentified problems come along with the purchase.

Get Organized

Before applying for a mortgage, it is recommended that you get yourself organized and prepared with all of the financial information that will be required for a mortgage application. If you have just completed a bankruptcy case, odds are you are familiar with compiling important financial documentation, including paystubs, tax returns, list of assets and other financial documentation. Common documentation that is required includes bank, credit card and other loan statements, tax records, insurance documents, employment records, paystubs, and investment records. If you have recently gone through a bankruptcy, you may also need to provide legal documentation, such as your bankruptcy petition.

Research Your Mortgage Options

It pays to do the research to determine the best available lending options. Conventional mortgages are available through private lenders, mortgage companies, commercial banks and credit unions. These types of mortgages tend to be more rigid in their criteria. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) also offers loans that are backed by the government. These loans are a little more flexible in their criteria but come with other restrictions on the person’s ability to flip the property or rent it out later. FHA loans, however, are beneficial for first-time or lower-income homeowners. Be sure to research the different interest rate options available before signing on the dotted line. Financing can be done through a fixed-rate mortgage, which locks the purchaser into an interest rate at the time he or she signs loan documents, or an adjustable rate mortgage, which can mean rates can fluctuate with the market.

How smoothly purchasing a home after bankruptcy goes can depend heavily on the type of consumer bankruptcy that was filed, whether it be Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and the type of loan being sought. Mortgage lenders have different “seasoning periods” that determine when someone is ready to receive a mortgage following a bankruptcy or foreclosure. For a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the period usually is four-years after discharge for a conventional mortgage or two years for a VA or FHA loan. However, for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, a borrower may be able to get a conventional mortgage just two years after receiving a discharge or even less than two years if the borrower is seeking a VA or FHA mortgage.

If you have 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 McMaken 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 McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Related Resources:

https://blog.credit.com/2017/11/5-steps-to-buying-a-home-after-bankruptcy-115998/

https://blog.credit.com/2014/10/how-soon-can-i-buy-a-house-after-bankruptcy-or-foreclosure-98939/

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

One in Four Millennials Depleting Their 401(k)s to Pay Down Debt

Posted on May 3, 2019by Admin

According to a new report released by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave, one in four consumers under the age of 34 have made the decision to take money out of their retirement accounts to try and get out of debt. Of the reasons reported for why these individuals took money out of their retirement accounts was to pay down student loan debt or credit card debt.

This is a critical mistake and one that comes with a 10 percent tax penalty, not to mention more long-term consequences. Since any money that goes into a 401(k) account is from pre-tax dollars, the IRS taxes money taken from a 401(k) at a higher rate than normal income.

Not only will a person be paying a higher amount in taxes on money taken from a 401(k), but they will also be jeopardizing their retirement and borrowing against their future wealth. The goal of retiring can seem far off for millennials, but the earlier you plan and save for retirement the better.

The fact that younger consumers feel they have no choice but to reach into their retirement savings comes as no surprise, especially considering the fact that many of these individuals carry a significant amount of credit card and student loan debt. This is before some of them even apply for their first job.

It is estimated that Americans hold a total of $1.6 trillion in student loan debt. The average undergraduate student graduates with approximately $37,000 in student loan debt, according to the Merrill Lynch study. On top of that, these individuals also are carrying an average of $3,700 credit card debt. However, despite this fact, financial experts do not advise using retirement savings to pay off debt.

It is important that consumers be aware of the fact that money in 401(k) accounts is protected in bankruptcy. In fact, social security, 401(k)’s and pensions worth up to $1.245 million are all exempt from creditors during bankruptcy. This means that retirement income and savings are out of reach and protected under federal law. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows you to hold onto all of your retirement savings and keep every penny of your 401(k).

If the amount of debt you are struggling to pay is so unmanageable that you are considering filing for bankruptcy, it is important to remember that retirement savings are protected under Florida’s bankruptcy exemptions. It is important to speak with an attorney, especially if you have recently lost your job and have considered pulling from your retirement savings to help pay for day-to-day living expenses.

Related Resource:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/one-in-four-millennials-with-401ks-are-raiding-retirement-savings-early-to-pay-down-debt/

Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

U.S. Supreme Court To Decide on Debt Collection Violations Case

Posted on May 2, 2019by Admin

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently deciding a case that could change how harshly debt collectors will be penalized after they pursue a debt that a person is no longer is legally obligated to pay. More specifically, the court will be deciding whether debt collectors should be given some leniency in fighting fines imposed on them from pursuing collections after a consumer has received a bankruptcy discharge on a debt.

Consumer advocates worry that the case could weaken protections for Americans that file for bankruptcy protection. Debt collectors are arguing that it is not that easy to see that a debt has been discharged, especially in cases where the law does not allow for a debt to be discharged.

For the most part, bankruptcy rules are fairly strict on creditors pursuing collection on a debt that has been discharged in a bankruptcy. If a creditor has received notification of a bankruptcy discharge but still tries to collect on that discharged debt, the creditor can be held in contempt and face serious fines.

Oral arguments were heard before the U.S. Supreme Court justices on Wednesday from both sides. It is estimated that approximately 750,000 consumers were successfully able to receive a bankruptcy discharge in the twelve months immediately preceding September 30, 2018. However, after these individuals received their discharge, no one tracks just how many debt collectors continue to pursue any debt that was discharged for these individuals in bankruptcy.

One of the major concerns brought up by Chief Justice John Roberts had to do with who would be the responsible party for showing that a debt collector knew about a bankruptcy filing, as well as who would be paying for legal disputes over alleged violations. The Chief Justice made a statement to the effect that it should be on the creditor to bear the risk of making the decision on whether to proceed on a debt, including the cost of legal fees.

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 McMaken 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 McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Credit, Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Predatory Payday Loans Still Exploiting American Consumers

Posted on April 29, 2019by Admin

The payday loan cycle is a well-known one for many. A person needs money for an unexpected expense, an extra couple hundred dollars to cover them until their next paycheck. With a payday loan, they get their money on the spot. The trouble comes later when payment is due on the loan. If a borrower defaults on the loan, the loan is rolled over and the fees start to rack up.

Approximately 25% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, according to a survey by Bankrate. About 19 million American households (nearly one out of every six in the country) have taken out a payday loan at some point.

You see the signs everywhere with storefronts offering ‘FAST CASH,’ even online lenders offering access to cash next day, with only a signature as a promise to pay. A payday loan is also referred to as a paycheck advance or cash advance. These loans are short-term ones that are to be repaid by the time someone receives their next paycheck. In exchange for the loan, the payday lender will charge a fee on top of any interest on the amount borrowed. Normally, payday lenders do not run a full credit check on the borrower, and due to the riskier nature of the loan, they tend to come with significantly high interest rates.

Because of the risk involved and the disadvantage to the borrowers taking on these loans, many states do not allow payday loans at all, while others will limit how high the annual percentage rate (APR) can be. Others prefer to not restrict lenders, which means the APRs can be anywhere from 300 percent to 900 percent!

If you are not able to pay your loan off at the end of your loan period, it will often roll over to the following payday, which means your debt will just continue to grow until it is an amount you can no longer handle.

The problem with payday lenders is they tend to target lower-income borrowers. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has fought hard in the past to protect borrowers from the predatory lending tactics of payday lenders, but this fact has changed since the start of the Trump administration. In fact, after Mick Mulvaney took over for the CFPB after the 2016 election, the restrictions on payday lenders have decreased significantly.

Efforts were made recently in the U.S. House of Representatives to protect borrowers from this type of predatory lending when the “For the People Act” was passed. However, Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, has refused to allow this measure to be brought up in the Senate.

One of the last regulations published under President Obama’s director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Richard Cordray, was a 2017 rule that would have curbed the most-predatory forms of payday lending. The Trump administration has proposed to revise that rule—aiming to eliminate a powerful provision designed to protect borrowers.

The State of Florida does allow payday loans, but certain restrictions are enforced, including the following:

The borrower can only take out up to $500 per loan and can only have one outstanding loan at a time;
The maximum fee that a lender can charge is 10 percent of the total amount borrowed, as well as a $5.00 verification fee;
The loan contract cannot be for more than 31 days and cannot be for less than seven days;
Contract terms that would limit your rights as a borrower are not allowed;
The borrower must pay a previous loan off in full and wait a full 24 hours before being granted another loan; and
If the borrower cannot pay the loan in full at the end of the term, the lender must give the borrower a 60-day grace period without additional charge.

Please click here to read more.

Related Resource:

https://prospect.org/article/thanks-trump-payday-lenders-will-keep-on-merrily-bilking-poor

Bankruptcy Law, Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Debt Collectors May Soon Be Able to Text and Email Consumers

Posted on April 25, 2019by Admin

Debt collectors may soon have even more ways to reach consumers who are past-due on their debts. A new proposed rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) may make it possible for debt collectors to contact consumers via email or text communications as they attempt to receive payment on overdue debts.

This news does not come as a pleasant surprise for many. After all, debt collectors do not have a good reputation for this very reason. They can be persistent, if not relentless, when it comes to debt collection.

It is reported that the CFPB received a record 84,500 complaints from consumers about debt collectors in 2017. The industry earns $10.9 billion annually and does whatever it takes to receive payment on a debt. The industry does not seem to be slowing down either. Since the end of the recession, American consumers have taken on more debt, including car loans, mortgages and credit card debt.

This news follows recent revelations that are now coming out about the direction the CFPB has taken since the start of the Trump administration. Many critics argue that this move is further evidence that the agency is no longer going after corporations for financial abuses as hard as they have in the past. After all, this latest move does not seem to protect consumers as much as it protects the companies seeking to reach these consumers.

Arguably, the number of communications from collectors will increase, if and when this rule takes effect. However, the law does limit the frequency and content of communication being received. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) provides rules that collectors must follow. However, this law was originally written in 1977, which means it has not been updated to include email and texting technology. It is unclear at this point whether the law will be modified to reflect the updates in technology.

Without having any strict regulations to guide debt collectors on how often they can communicate with a person via text or email, collectors are essentially free to do what they want when contacting someone. The number one piece of advice we give to people dealing with creditors is to be honest. If you are unable to make a payment, do not make a promise to do so and never hide from creditors.

If you are ready to put an end to creditor harassment and make a fresh start, consult an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney at Kingcade Garcia McMaken. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken 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 McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/text-me-debt-collectors-may-soon-be-able-to-text-and-email-consumers/

Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Mulvaney’s Role in Dismantling Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Highlighted in New York Times Magazine

Posted on April 23, 2019by Admin

After Mick Mulvaney was appointed as the acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), following the start of President Trump’s term, many consumer advocates feared that he would bring sweeping changes that would undo any of the progress that the CFPB had made in protecting consumers. A recent opinion piece published by New York Times Magazine highlighted many of the events following Mulvaney’s appointment that showed that many of those fears were, in fact, quite valid.

The CFPB was originally created with the assistance of Senator Elizabeth Warren, following the 2008 financial crisis. The agency was meant to be an economic watchdog for American consumers and protect them from predatory lenders. However, after its creation, opponents of the agency in the Republican party disputed efforts made by the CFPB. It was not surprising that President Trump would appoint someone who did not fully support the agency’s mission to run the CFPB soon after being elected.

Shortly after Mulvaney began working at the CFPB, he ordered a total hiring freeze, put many enforcement cases on hold and also informed the Federal Reserve, the agency that funded the CFPB a zero dollar budget, stating that the CFPB could handle its affairs with money already in their account.

Within weeks, Mulvaney announced that he would reconsider one of the bureau’s major long-term initiatives: rules to restrict payday loans, products that are marketed to the working poor as an emergency lifeline but frequently leave them buried in debt.

“Anybody who thinks that a Trump-administration C.F.P.B. would be the same as an Obama-administration C.F.P.B. is simply being naïve,” Mulvaney told reporters. “Elections have consequences at every agency.”

A payday loan is a short-term loan given in exchange for the borrower’s paycheck, along with a fee paid to the lender. Mulvaney was not supportive of the CFPB’s role in restricting payday lenders. While he agreed that these loans were not always financially sound, it was his stated position that borrowers should be wiser and not take out these loans without understanding the terms.

However, the CFPB and Warren previously viewed payday companies as predatory lenders who took advantage of borrowers who were desperate to get out of a bad financial situation.

‘These are entities that suck up billions of dollars a year from people making $25,000 a year. And it’s going into the pockets of the wealthiest people in the world.’

Borrowers take out these loans in a last-ditch effort to pay for an emergency expense but very rarely are informed of the terms in fine print, or misinformed of the consequences if they fail to pay the loan off timely. If a borrower cannot pay the loan off at the end of the period, the companies often roll the older loans into new ones with even higher fees.

Many states offer protection for borrowers when it comes to predatory lending and payday loans. However, it was Warren’s position and the original mission of the CFPB to provide uniform protections for all borrowers nationwide. Florida offers consumers who take out payday loans from licensed lenders certain protections, including the following:

A borrower may borrow up to $500 per loan;
A borrower can only have one outstanding loan at a time;
The maximum fee that can be charged is 10 percent of the total amount borrowed, plus a $5.00 verification fee;
The loan contract cannot exceed 31 days but can also not be less than seven days;
Contract terms that otherwise limit your rights as a borrower are prohibited;
A borrower must pay a previous loan in full and wait a full 24 hours before entering another loan;
If the borrower is not able to pay the loan in full at the end of the term, the lender must give a 60-day grace period without any additional charge.

The New York Times Magazine piece also highlighted the fact that Mulvaney received campaign donations in the past from many different payday lenders, which leads one to question the motivation behind the CFPB’s sudden change in policy when it comes to payday loans. Mulvaney is now working as the President’s Chief of Staff, but the changes made at the CFPB have had longstanding ramifications when it comes to consumer protection from predatory lending practices.

Click here to read more on this story.

Additional Resources:

https://www.accountsrecovery.net/2019/04/16/nyt-feature-details-how-mick-mulvaney-took-apart-the-cfpb/

https://www.flofr.com/sitePages/PaydayLenders.htm

Bankruptcy Law, Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

The Best Ways to Pay Off Credit Card Debt In Retirement

Posted on April 22, 2019by Admin

When someone is entering retirement, the last thing that person wants to deal with is mounds of credit card debt. For the most part, retirees are living on a fixed or limited income, which means they have very few financial resources to pay off any lingering debt they may be carrying.

A fixed income also means there is little ability to handle any unexpected financial crises, which can include a costly home repair or medical expense. In the event the unexpected happens, some retirees are forced to rely on credit cards or personal loans to cover the costs. The interest on a personal loan or a single missed credit card payment, can cause the debt to spiral out of control quickly.

Here are some debt payoff tips for seniors struggling with credit card debt.

Refinance your debt.

One possible way to pay off a large amount of credit card debt is through refinancing or consolidation of the credit card debt. This payment could be made through a home equity line of credit (HELOC) if you own your home and hold a good amount of equity in it. A HELOC carries a lower interest rate than other methods of consolidating or refinancing debt since it is attached to collateral and is a secured loan.

Credit card debt can also be paid by consolidating all cards into one card through a balance transfer. By doing a transfer, the cardholder can attack one, larger debt, rather than pay minimum payments on multiple cards every month. However, these transfers normally come with a promotional period which means the cardholder can only benefit from the zero or low interest rate for a set period. After that time period expires, the cardholder will soon find his or her rates increase significantly.

Examine your budget.

Paying off your credit card debt can be nearly impossible, if you do not establish a set budget. By putting together a list of necessary expenses and reviewing what purchasing habits put you into debt, you cannot cut unnecessary expenses and free up money to go towards your credit card debt. It is also recommended that you avoid using your credit cards during this time period when you are working on paying off outstanding balances.

Target the card with the highest interest rate.

If debt consolidation is not a possibility and you are struggling to pay multiple credit cards, one method that is recommended is to focus on paying one card at a time. This method does take time and patience, but it can be successful. Look at what credit cards you have and list what interest rate is on each card. Take the card that has the highest interest rate and throw whatever extra money you may have towards that card first, while continuing the minimum monthly payments on the other cards. Once that card is paid, then focus on the credit card with the next highest interest rate and so on, until all cards are paid in full.

Work a part-time job.

Retirement does not always mean that you will never hold another job. In fact, many retired individuals choose to take a part-time job not only to earn some extra money, but to socialize and be out with people. Many retirees find a great deal of success in part-time consulting or freelance work after retiring from a long-term professional career.

For seniors struggling with insurmountable debt, help is here. Do spend your golden years being hounded by creditors. Credit card debt is one of the most common problems we see facing those with serious financial issues. The stress can become compounded with collection calls and the threat of lawsuits. Bankruptcy not only gives people a financial fresh start, but it is a powerful tool that can be used to protect valuable assets, including property, vehicles and retirement savings.

Source: https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/5-ways-retirees-can-tackle-their-credit-card-debt

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Protecting Bank Accounts During Bankruptcy with Pre-Bankruptcy Planning

Posted on April 18, 2019by Admin

One of the most important assets someone going through a bankruptcy case wants to protect, aside from retirement accounts or their home, are their bank accounts. After all, no one wants to lose all the cash they have available to pay for daily expenses. How money in a bank account can be protected depends heavily, however, on the type of bankruptcy exemptions used and what planning was done pre-bankruptcy to protect that money.

One of the benefits of filing for bankruptcy involves the automatic stay, a measure that goes into effect as soon as the bankruptcy case is filed. This automatic stay puts a halt to any collection proceedings or efforts, giving the filer reprieve from the continuous calls and communications from creditors seeking to receive payment on their debts.

Are the Funds Exempt?

In any bankruptcy case, certain property is protected from being liquidated and used to pay off qualifying debts. This practice is done through bankruptcy exemptions. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, the bankruptcy trustee cannot take this exempt property to pay off debts. While the bank account itself is not necessarily exempt, the money in that account could be protected if it qualifies under one of Florida’s bankruptcy exemptions. After all, Florida has quite generous bankruptcy exemptions, when compared to other states.

If you own a home, you will likely find Florida’s bankruptcy exemptions quite favorable. You can exempt all the equity in a residential property that meets Florida’s guidelines. In addition, Florida has unlimited exemptions for annuities and the cash surrender value of a life insurance policy.

Money in the account that is from wages from the head of family is exempt up to $750 per week or the greater of 75 percent or 30 times the federal minimum wage. Under Florida Statute §222.11, this money includes paid or unpaid wages during the last six months. Additionally, any money that is income for a person other than the head of family is also protected up to 75 percent or 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is the greatest of the two. Additionally, if you are a federal government employee, pension payments that are needed for support and were received for up to three months before the bankruptcy filing are exempt.

Pre-Bankruptcy Planning

If any funds are not otherwise covered by a bankruptcy exemption, they could be protected through pre-bankruptcy planning. However, this planning must be done with caution and properly so a bankruptcy attorney should be consulted before any actions are taken. Bankruptcy laws allow you to take property that would not be exempt and convert it into exempt property, so long as you are acting in “good faith.” The key here is to act in good faith. Bankruptcy filers who conceal or hide their assets in hopes of fooling the bankruptcy court, will result in the case being thrown out due to bankruptcy fraud. It is for this reason that you should proceed with caution when doing any pre-bankruptcy planning.

One possible method of converting nonexempt cash into an exempt asset before filing is to pay your mortgage down, especially considering Florida’s generous homestead exemption. You may also make an annual contribution to your retirement account or other retirement funds with any nonexempt cash to ensure that it goes to an asset that is protected. Money can also be used to pay down debts that would not be discharged in bankruptcy, including child support, spousal support, taxes, and student loan debt. Ensure your balance is low by using your funds to pay necessary bills before you file.

If you use any money that would be nonexempt to buy assets that would be considered luxury items or unnecessary or extravagant expenses, you could face civil and criminal penalties for your actions. The bankruptcy court will look carefully at whether you misrepresented your asset values, whether the investment or property purchased was worth less than the money you used to purchase it, whether the assets were given to a family member or friend with whom you have a close relationship, and whether your lifestyle radically changed as a result of the purchase.

When filing for bankruptcy, you will be required to disclose all asset transfers made outside of the ordinary course of business within 90 days before filing the petition. Any transfers made to a friend or relative within one year of filing must also be disclosed.

Please click here to read more.

Source:

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/florida-bankruptcy-exemptions-property-assets-bankruptcy.html

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Why You Should Never Use Your 401(k) to Pay Down Debt

Posted on April 17, 2019by Admin

When someone is facing a large amount of debt, it can be tempting to want to use all available resources to pay off that debt. Even if it means taking money out of retirement accounts. However, this could end up costing more than anticipated, delay retirement- and oftentimes the inevitable.

If bankruptcy is in your foreseeable future, the last thing you want to do is use assets that would otherwise be protected in bankruptcy to pay off debts that could be discharged in the bankruptcy case. Unsecured debt, such as credit card debt, personal loans and medical bills, end up being discharged at the end of a bankruptcy case, so it would not be worthwhile to use retirement savings to pay off these debts only to file for bankruptcy later.

Funds in your 401(k) are protected by federal bankruptcy law. While many assets can be used to pay off debts, retirement account funds are protected and cannot be touched under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). This law sets minimum protection standards for anyone who voluntarily contributes to a retirement account in the private sector. Florida also allows for exemptions for IRA accounts in bankruptcy.

The problem is many individuals try to avoid bankruptcy at all costs, and they see using assets, such as retirement savings, as an easy way to pay off debt. But this does not come without consequences. Taking money out of retirement accounts too early can have some negative tax implications. If you take money from a retirement account and are under the age of 59 ½, you can incur some tax penalties as a result, including a 10 percent early withdrawal penalty. Money should never be taken prematurely from your retirement accounts without first consulting a financial advisor and accountant.

If you are struggling to pay off debt, including credit cards, medical bills or personal loans, you should consult with an experienced bankruptcy attorney to discuss the real possibility that bankruptcy may be the best option for you. It is recommended that you consult these professionals before taking the money out of retirement accounts. We have filed bankruptcy petitions for clients with more in their retirement accounts than on their credit card statement. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows you to hold onto all of your retirement savings and keep every penny of your 401(k).

However, this is only the case if the money remains in your 401(k) retirement account. Removing funds from the 401(k) or any retirement account before filing for bankruptcy turns the funds from a protected asset to an unprotected asset. It is important to speak with an attorney, especially if you have recently lost your job and have considered pulling from your retirement savings to help pay for day-to-day living expenses.

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