Legal Awards

Miami Bankruptcy Attorney Timothy S. Kingcade Receives the Prestigious AVVO Clients’ Choice Award 2024 for the 11th Consecutive Year

MIAMI – (January 29, 2024) Managing Shareholder, Timothy S. Kingcade of the Miami-based bankruptcy law firm of Kingcade Garcia McMaken has received the 2024 AVVO Clients’ Choice Award. To obtain this award, an attorney must receive five or more exceptional client reviews in the same year. Kingcade has been awarded the Clients’ Choice Award 11 years in a row. In addition to the Clients’ Choice Award, he has earned 1,500 contributor points this year, and was presented with the Top Contributor Award on the site.

One of attorney Kingcade’s clients had this to say on AVVO:

Made the process very easy.

Declaring bankruptcy was a straightforward yet daunting experience for me. The team at Mr. Kingcade’s office, including Mr. Kingcade himself, ensured a swift and seamless process. They dedicated time to thoroughly explain each step and addressed all my queries. My deepest gratitude goes to them for their significant support for my boys and me, especially for their enduring patience. I often called and delayed submitting the necessary documents, yet they were understanding. I wholeheartedly rate them with the highest accolades and strongly recommend their services. My sincere thanks once again.

-Bianca C.

Click here to read all of Miami Bankruptcy Attorney Timothy Kingcade’s client reviews on AVVO. Timothy has also earned a “Superb” 10.0 AVVO rating in the area of bankruptcy law, the highest rating an attorney can receive.  The rating is calculated using a mathematical model, which takes into consideration the years an attorney has practiced law, their professional achievements, discipline history and industry recognitions.  The rating is completely objective and unbiased.  Attorneys cannot pay or petition the site to have their rating changed, which makes AVVO one of the most respected lawyer rating services in the country and an invaluable legal resource for consumers.

Attorney Timothy S. Kingcade founded Kingcade Garcia McMaken, a prominent law firm that handles a substantial number of bankruptcy filings each year. Timothy, along with his dedicated team, provide comprehensive legal representation to clients throughout South Florida. Kingcade Garcia McMaken is committed to helping clients navigate the complexities of bankruptcy law. Their experienced attorneys guide individuals in understanding recent changes in bankruptcy regulations and the critical distinctions between filing under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. The firm also handles foreclosure cases alongside bankruptcy matters. Throughout South Florida, Kingcade Garcia McMaken has earned a solid reputation as a dependable and effective advocate for clients from diverse backgrounds. The firm’s commitment to providing personalized service is evident, with their attorneys taking the time to clearly explain the available options based on each client’s unique circumstances. The personalized approach ensures that clients receive the individual attention and care they deserve during the legal process.

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Miami-based Kingcade Garcia McMaken, P.A. was established by managing partner and bankruptcy attorney, Timothy S. Kingcade in 1996. The firm represents clients throughout the State 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 for the financially disenfranchised. All partners and associates at Kingcade Garcia McMaken P.A. specialize in consumer bankruptcy and foreclosure and have dedicated their practices to this area of the law. Additionally, all attorneys and staff members at the firm are bilingual speaking Spanish. For more information, visit https://www.miamibankruptcy.com/ or call (305) 285-9100.

Bankruptcy Law

Applying for a Mortgage After Bankruptcy

One of the biggest worries that filers have when proceeding with a bankruptcy case is how the matter will affect their ability to obtain financing in the future, including a mortgage for a new home. While a bankruptcy case does impact a person’s credit score, all hope is not lost for eventually being able to purchase a home and obtain a mortgage. It depends a great deal on the success of the bankruptcy case and the consumer’s financial habits after the case is closed.

A Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy case is a much faster bankruptcy route that takes several months to finalize, while a Chapter 13 reorganization bankruptcy case can take between three to five years to finalize. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy case can stay on a person’s credit report for up to ten years from the date of filing, while a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case can stay on a person’s credit report for seven years from the date of filing or ten years if the bankruptcy is not completed or discharged.

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Collection, Debt Relief

Student Loan Tax Refund Garnishment and What Borrowers Need to Know

Many student loan borrowers struggle to keep up with their federal student loan payments upon graduation, but defaulting on student loans can end up resulting in the loan servicer garnishing the borrower’s state and federal tax refunds. Here’s what borrower’s need to know about tax refund garnishment.

The Treasury Offset Program, established in 1986, overseen by the Bureau of Fiscal Service, gives departments within the federal government the ability to ask the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to garnish tax refunds to collect on defaulted debt owed toward either state or federal government entities. This action is known as a tax offset. A tax offset does not mean that the borrower will lose all his or her refund. The government can choose to seize the entire refund or a portion of the refund, depending on how much debt is owed. If part of the refund pays off the debt owed, including fees and interest charges, whatever is left of the refund will then be forwarded to the borrower.

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Relief, Foreclosures, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Unauthorized Practice of Law by National Bankruptcy Law Firm

A woman filed a Chapter 13 petition signed by attorney Joseph Kosko, a former partner in the law firm of Volks Anwalt, who solicited her via direct mail. After the law firm missed numerous deadlines, the bankruptcy court held a contempt hearing regarding the representation by Kosko, Volks Anwalt, and its sole owner and managing partner, Jessica McClean.

The court issued a Notice of Deficient Filing on November 9, 2015 because the Debtor’s petition was a “bare bones” filing and did not contain all of the required schedules, statements, summaries, declarations, and local forms.  Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure (“Bankruptcy Rule” or “Rule”) 1007(c) requires any missing documents to be filed within 14 days of the filing of the petition or, in this case, by Friday, November 20, 2015.

The bankruptcy court found that Volks Anwalt’s business plan developed by McClean included a marketing strategy that used direct mailings targeting individuals subject to foreclosure. In the specific case, Kosko and Volks Anwalt not only failed to file the bankruptcy in time to save the woman’s home, but also failed to include her Social Security number in pleadings, did not provide her with the proper disclosures required by 11 U.S.C. §§ 342 and 527, nor intended to appear at her §341 Meeting of Creditors.

Volks Anwalt operates in 43 states.  As of February 2016, the firm had handled approximately 400 bankruptcy cases since it opened in May 2015. The bankruptcy court found that Kosko violated the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct in terms of competence, diligence and failure to communicate with the client. In addition, Kosko, McClean and Volks Anwalt had engaged in the unauthorized practice of law, as McClean is only licensed in Florida and New York.

In the end, the court disbarred Kosko from practicing in bankruptcy court for one year, McClean for five years, and ordered all fees be emitted. Kosko and Volks Anwalt must pay the client $5,000.00.

To read the opinion in its entirety, click here.

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://ncbankruptcyexpert.com/2016/08/17/bankr-w-d-n-c-in-re-banner-unauthorized-practice-of-law-by-national-bankruptcy-law-firm/

 

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Auto Lenders Pursue a Surprising New Type of Consumer

A recent report in the Wall Street Journal has shown that auto lenders are pursuing an unlikely growth market: people who have fallen behind on their mortgages and those with less than sterling credit. In the first three quarters of 2011, auto lenders issued roughly 205,000 loans to borrowers whose credit records showed they had been at least 60 days past due on their mortgage or experienced a foreclosure, up from roughly 80,000 during the same period in 2006.
The trend seems surprising, but there are reasons the auto industry is embracing the subprime category (individuals with a credit score below 619). For one the industry is seeing fewer bad auto loans; the amount of repossessions has actually fallen in recent years. Also, the recession has lead to more people choosing to keep to date on their credit card payments and car loans as opposed to making their mortgage payments on time. The auto industry also realizes this move opens the market to significantly more prospects. Today, more than half of all consumers fall into non-prime, subprime and deep subprime categories. These individuals carry a credit score below 679.
To read more on this story visit:
http://money.msn.com/credit-rating/article.aspx?post=425479b1-46f0-4d17-85c0-8792d13ff4b3
If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing bankruptcy, contact an experienced attorney who can advise you of all of your options. 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, P.A. website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Economic Conditions Push U.S. Poverty Rate to New Heights

It is estimated that 46.2 million people are now considered to be living in poverty, which is 2.6 million more than last year. New census data released for 2010 show that the poverty rate has risen 15.1%. That’s up from 14.3% in 2009. With the current economic conditions and many Americans out of work, these statistics are not surprising.
The U.S. government defines the poverty line as an income of $22,314 a year for a family of 4 or $11,139 for an individual. The poverty rate for adults 18-64 rose to 13.7% and the rate for children under 18 increased to 22% in 2010. This translates to 1 in 5 children in America living in poverty. The rate for women living below the poverty line is 16.2% and for men the rate is 14%. Race was also a factor in the study. The poverty rate was lowest for non-Hispanic whites at 9.9%. Blacks had the highest rate at 27.4%, followed by people of Hispanic origin at 26.6%. Asians had a poverty rate of 12.1%.

The income used to calculate poverty status includes earnings, workman’s compensation, unemployment insurance, Social Security, veteran’s payments, pensions, interest and dividends.

To read more on this topic visit:
http://www.local10.com/money/29167705/detail.html?treets=mia&tid=2653406101813&tml=mia_12pm&tmi=mia_12pm_1_11000509132011&ts=H

If you have any questions on this topic or are in need of a financial fresh start, please contact our experienced team of bankruptcy attorneys at (305) 285-9100. 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. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.