Bankruptcy Law, Foreclosures

Is it better to file bankruptcy BEFORE or AFTER foreclosure?

If you plan to file bankruptcy and are also facing foreclosure, the timing of your bankruptcy can make all the difference- depending on whether you want to keep your home. When you file for bankruptcy, an automatic stay immediately goes into effect. This freezes all collection activities against you, including any collection attempts from your mortgage lender. Once the automatic stay goes into effect, creditors cannot take money from you or pursue any lawsuits against you. Even collection phone calls and letters violate the automatic stay.

If you file for bankruptcy before your home is sold at foreclosure, the automatic stay will prevent the foreclosure from moving forward. This will also allow you to stay in your home longer and add to the time it takes the lender to sell your home.

If you do not want to keep your home and your bankruptcy is complete before the foreclosure, this can give you peace of mind.  You will not need to worry about any lingering deficiency balance once the foreclosure goes through. Bankruptcy will eliminate this. Even if you try and negotiate a loan modification with the bank and do not succeed, you can still walk away without owing anything.

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:
http://www.thebankruptcysite.org/resources/is-it-better-file-bankruptcy-before-or-after-my-home-fore

Bankruptcy Law, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Miami Landlord Ordered to Stop Harassing Family Protected by Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Automatic Stay

MIAMI – A Florida judge recently ordered a landlord to stop harassing a Miami couple with two children who sought Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. The family was struggling to keep up with their bills and was facing eminent eviction when they went to see Miami bankruptcy attorney, Timothy S. Kingcade to file for bankruptcy protection.
“The landlord disregarded the automatic stay put in place that protects from harassing debt collector calls, wage garnishment and repossession of property. This landlord was extremely aggressive and thought the laws of bankruptcy code did not apply to him,” Timothy S. Kingcade said.
Kingcade filed an emergency motion to hold the landlord in contempt of court for violating the automatic stay. The landlord did not appear at the hearing, but harassed Mr. Kingcade and the family with threatening phone calls and text messages. Ultimately, the bankruptcy judge found the landlord in contempt of court and ordered him to stop harassing the family and their attorney.
Mr. Kingcade proceeded to take the family’s case to the state court judge. After reviewing the bankruptcy court’s findings, the judge vacated all pleadings filed in violation of the automatic stay. The family now has time to restructure their finances without risk of eviction and will no longer be harassed by their landlord.
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Miami-based Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. was established by managing partner and bankruptcy attorney, Timothy Kingcade in 1996. The firm represents clients throughout the Southern District of Florida in Chapter 7 bankruptcy and foreclosure defense cases. The firm is committed to providing personalized service to each and every client, clearly explaining the options according to the unique circumstances of his or her life. The office environment and the service provided are centered on a culture of superior client care. More information can be found at www.miamibankruptcy.com or by calling 305-285-9100.