Bankruptcy Law, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Bankruptcy Costs Attacked

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A recent article in the Wall Street Journal reports that Federal watchdogs are preparing to exert more control over costs in big bankruptcy cases. The new guidelines are expected to be unveiled July 1st and aim to cap fee and expense applications submitted by attorneys for corporate debtors and sometimes creditors. The concern with these new guidelines is that unjustified costs can give the impression that professionals are ‘feasting off a corporate carcass that rightly belongs to the people and businesses they are serving.’

In large Chapter 11 cases, the corporate debtor typically foots the bill for its own lawyers and advisers and professionals retained by some creditors. Judges ultimately decide whether to approve expense and fee requests. U.S. trustees, who are Justice Department employees, watch over the conduct of parties in large corporate bankruptcy cases, including examining fees and expenses. The proposed guidelines, which are expected to apply to attorneys in bankruptcy cases with $50 million or more in assets or liabilities, have gone through two drafts so far.
Some in the field say time and money spent scrutinizing small costs itself adds up and can distract from the bigger task of repayment and reorganization. The push on costs comes as expenses from flights and hotels to photocopies and minibar candy billed by bankruptcy professionals are under greater scrutiny, according to dozens of lawyers and other advisers.

Click here to read more on bankruptcy costs being attacked http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324031404578479250357752788.html

If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing 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, Timothy Kingcade Posts

5 Ways to Save for Your Summer Vacation

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1. Start a Separate Savings Account: Those who have the most success in saving for a summer vacation are those who start a separate savings account. From now until vacation time, save all the extra money you can and you can also accrue some interest, as well. One of the best ways to not be tempted to spend it is to set it up so that some of your paycheck automatically goes into this account.
2. Book Ahead: If you are planning to fly, start looking at all of your flight options early. As the summer months approach, flight prices will skyrocket. It is best to book as early as you can for your summer vacation. This is also true of hotel rooms.
3. Live Frugally: It may be that you have to miss a concert or weekend get-a-way with your family or friends; however, it will pay off when it is time for your vacation. Plan your vacation for later in the summer in order to save up some money beforehand. One simple way to live more frugally is to reduce your grocery bill by cutting back on some of your more expensive snack items.
4. Use your Travel Reward Points: Many credit card holders miss out on a ton of savings by ignoring their reward points! If you have a credit card or multiple cards that rack up on travel points, now is a great time to cash them in.
5. Go All-inclusive: Some all-inclusive deals are the best ways to save money on vacations. Look for these types of deals for cruises or at resorts and it can save you a bundle, especially if you are traveling with children.

Click here to read more on the five best ways to save for your summer vacation.

If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing 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.

Foreclosures, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Extension of HARP Means More Time to Refinance!

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A two-year extension has been allotted for the government-sponsored Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). This is great news for underwater homeowners! HARP was set to expire at the end of 2013; however, according to the Housing Finance Agency, it will now extend through 2015 giving underwater homeowners more time to refinance.

By qualifying for HARP, underwater homeowners can expect to see their mortgage rates drop to as low as 4 percent. During the fourth quarter of 2012, 39.6 percent of mortgages in South Florida were worth less than what was owed. Although this number was down from 47 percent a year ago, this is still much higher than the national average. Not only are underwater homeowners at risk of foreclosure, they also cannot sell their property without bringing thousands of dollars to the closing table. According to the FHFA Acting Director, more than two million homeowners have refinanced through HARP. This program not only benefits homeowners, it benefits taxpayers and mortgage companies such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

According to the FHFA, in January 56 percent of Florida’s refinances were through HARP. The agency is planning a national campaign to educate homeowners on the program and how they can take advantage of it before it ends in 2015. In order to qualify, a homeowner’s mortgage must have been sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac before May 31, 2009 and the loan-to-value ratios must be greater than 80 percent.

Click here to read more about the extension of HARP.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-harp-extension-20130427,0,1882210.story

Choosing the right attorney can make the difference between whether or not you can keep your home. A well-qualified Miami foreclosure defense attorney will not only help you keep your home, but they will be able to negotiate a loan that has payments you can afford. Miami foreclosure defense attorney Timothy Kingcade has helped many facing foreclosure alleviate their stress by letting them stay in their homes for at least another year, allowing them to re-organize their lives. If you have any questions on the topic of foreclosure please feel free to contact me at (305) 285-9100. You can also find useful consumer information on the website, Kingcade & Garcia, P.A.

Credit, Timothy Kingcade Posts

6 FREE Shopping Apps to Help You Save Money

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Below are six FREE apps that will allow you to shop and save, while using your Smartphone:

1. RedLaser: This app is one of the best apps for comparing prices. It is available for Androids, iPhones and the Windows Phone 7. When you are in need of an appliance, pair of shoes or a cosmetics product, simply scan the product’s bar code with the RedLaser app and it will tell you the best available prices and the closest place near your location to find it! You can even choose the “BUY NOW” button and the app will take you directly to the website where you can purchase the item.

2. Slice: This app is great for tracking your online purchases. It is available for Androids and iPhones. The way this app works best is if you sync it with your Gmail or Yahoo account. The app will search through your inbox for online orders and track your purchases. The best feature on this app is that it will detect price drops and alert you on your recent purchases that have experienced a price drop. Some merchants will offer you adjustments, such as Kohl’s and Walmart.

3. AMEX Sync Your Card: This app is available for Androids and iPhones. It allows you to sync your card to your social media accounts where you can qualify for exclusive deals, credited to your statement. In most cases, you will need to post a tweet or check in on FourSquare to get these deals.

4. Decide.com: This is a great app to help you save when you are buying electronics. It is available for Androids, iPhones and iPads. This app will let you know whether you should buy now or wait for a price drop or model upgrade, based on historical data.

5. Coupon Sherpa: This is a coupon app for Androids or iPhones. This app allows you to choose from hundreds of coupons from major retailers and grocery stores from your phone. In most cases, you can show the coupon to your checkout person for the deal.

6. Key Ring: This app allows you to use your consumer loyalty to get deals. It is available for Androids, iPhones, iPads and Blackberrys. The Key Ring app allows you to flash your phone for your loyalty card, rather than carrying your plastic loyalty card on your keychain.

Click here to read more on how you can shop and SAVE!

If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing 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, Timothy Kingcade Posts

South Florida Families Struggle with High Cost of Living

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According to a recent report by the Center for Housing Policy, approximately 41 percent of the low to moderate-income households across the three South Florida counties are spending more than half of their incomes on housing. Financial experts recommend families devote no more than 30 percent of their paycheck to housing costs. Although the economy in South Florida has shown signs of recovery in unemployment rates and lower home prices, the rental market and lack of salary growth are keeping housing costs high across Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward counties.

According to the 2011 U.S. Census data, some of the factors contributing to high housing costs include:

• Property owners taking control of the rental market.
• Former homeowners not qualifying for mortgages because of poor credit.
• Some would-be buyers either not having enough money for a down payment or facing a shortage of properties for sale.

Click here to read more about South Florida families struggling with the high cost of housing.

Choosing the right attorney can make the difference between whether or not you can keep your home. A well-qualified Miami foreclosure defense attorney will not only help you keep your home, but they will be able to negotiate a loan that has payments you can afford. Miami foreclosure defense attorney Timothy Kingcade has helped many facing foreclosure alleviate their stress by letting them stay in their homes for at least another year, allowing them to re-organize their lives. If you have any questions on the topic of foreclosure please feel free to contact me at (305) 285-9100. You can also find useful consumer information on the website, Kingcade & Garcia, P.A.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Credit Reports More Accurately Reporting Debts Discharged in Bankruptcy

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As a result of a class-action lawsuit settlement, the three major credit-reporting bureaus have made efforts to properly update credit reports after consumers have filed for bankruptcy. When you file for personal bankruptcy protection and you have debts that are discharged as a result, your credit report is supposed to be updated to show that you no longer have those debts to pay. Although the bureaus are working to ensure consumers’ credit reports are more accurate, consumers should be aware that their discharged debts will not immediately disappear from their credit reports. Prior to the class-action lawsuit, the bureaus were frequently failing to update consumers’ reports, making it hard for them to be approved for credit after filing for bankruptcy. An incorrect credit report not only incorrectly reflects their debt-to-income ratio, but it also makes it hard for consumers to improve their credit score.

The class-action lawsuit started as multiple lawsuits in 2005 and 2006. The case said that the three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, were issuing credit reports stating that consumers were delinquent on loans and other forms of debt that had been eliminated through bankruptcy. Some plaintiffs in the case claimed that the three credit bureaus did not look into the errors, even after they had filed a complaint. Although the lawsuit was thrown out in the appeals court, improvements to the bureaus’ bankruptcy reporting procedures were already underway. A $45 million financial settlement in the suit was approved by the trial court, but later thrown out by the appeals court because the court claimed some plaintiffs in the case stood to benefit more than others.

Click here to read more about credit reports more accurately reporting debts discharged in bankruptcy.

If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing 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, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Don’t Let Your Credit Card Rewards Points go to Waste

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Credit Card Rewards points are a major marketing factor for credit card companies; however, few people are actually cashing in on the points they earn. A recent study conducted by thepointsguy.com showed that nearly 73 percent of credit card holders enrolled in a rewards program or frequent traveler program do not know how many points they have accumulated. Below are some tips on the best ways to accumulate, track and maximize the points you earn.

• Shop Differently: One expert says he never buys anything online without first checking airlines’ shopping malls. You will find that items are the same prices and you can get bonus miles in addition to what you earn on your credit card. After you rack up some points, use them to upgrade your flight from coach to business or first-class.
• Minimize Programs, Maximize Rewards: Mike Sprouse of Sprouse Marketing says the best way to maximize your rewards programs is to keep them to a minimum. This will make it easier to track and accrue points. Sprouse says that most of the companies that offer rewards programs count on you never redeeming them and having points spread out over fewer programs will ensure your redemption opportunities are on your mind.
• No Credit Card? No Problem: Even if you opt out of using credit cards or credit cards that offer rewards programs, you can still cash in on points programs. For example, Southwest’s Rapid Dining Program allows you to earn points by eating somewhere or going to certain clubs. Do your research and find the points programs that work for you.

Click here to read more on tips to use your credit card rewards points.

If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing 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, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Doctors Driven to Bankruptcy

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This reads as an unlikely headline, but recently a number of doctors have been struggling to keep their medical practices financially sound. According to the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Health Care Committee, Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings by physician practices have recently spiked. In recent weeks, there were at least eight filings, which is unusual for the industry.

In many cases it is not major medical malpractice lawsuits leading doctors to file bankruptcy, it is the struggling economy that has been blamed for this growing trend. Patients are cutting back on doctor visits and elective procedures due to their own financial hardships. Doctors attribute their financial struggles to shrinking insurance reimbursements, changing regulations and the rising cots of malpractice insurance, drugs and other business necessities.

Click here to read more on doctors being driven to bankruptcy.

If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing 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, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Casey Anthony’s Bankruptcy Hearing Set for May 8th

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A hearing date has been set in Casey Anthony’s Chapter 7 bankruptcy case for May 8, 2013. Zenaida Gonzalez and Roy Kronk filed defamation lawsuits against the infamous former murder defendant and continue their fight to salvage their lawsuits. Both lawsuits were put in jeopardy after Anthony filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in January. Gonzalez sued Anthony after she claimed that a similarly named nanny kidnapped her daughter. Although the nanny did not exist, Gonzalez was linked to the case in the media and claimed this ruined her reputation. Kronk was the man who found Caylee’s body in the woods near Anthony’s home. He filed a lawsuit against Anthony after he claimed her lawyers made statements wrongly implicating him in Caylee’s death.

Anthony has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection, which would discharge her of all debts and any other claims against her. Kronk and Gonzalez have filed motions with Anthony’s bankruptcy judge requesting their suits be exempt from discharge. Anthony’s bankruptcy lawyers filed paperwork stating that she has completed a “personal financial management course,” required of her bankruptcy. In her filings, Anthony listed more than $792,000 in debt and less than $1,100 in assets. Her largest creditor is to her criminal attorney Jose Baez, whom she owes $500,000.

Click here to read more about Casey Anthony’s Bankruptcy Hearing set for May 8th.

If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing 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, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Credit Card Delinquencies Reach New Lows

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According to Fitch Credit Ratings, preliminary results indicate that credit card ABS data improved across the board through the end of March. The report also indicated that 60+ day delinquencies are expected to hit an all-time low for general-purpose card issuers. Additionally, retail delinquencies are expected to reach 7-year lows. The data supports the ongoing positive performance and stability for U.S. credit card ABS.

Fitch’s Prime 60+ Day Delinquency Index is projected to decline to an all-time low. It fell below 1.60% during the March 2013 reporting period. The report also suggests that monthly payment rates are likely to improve. Chargeoffs are expected to remain flat for the Prime Credit Card Index. Fitch’s Gross Yield Index is expected to rise to over 19% for the first time since October 2011. Retail 60+ Day Delinquency Index is expected to decline to its lowest level since January 2006.

Click here to read more about Fitch’s Credit Card Delinquencies reaching new lows.

If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing 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.