Tag: Chapter 7 Miami bankruptcy attorney

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

Tips to Improve Your Credit Score

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A consumer’s credit score can mean so much when it comes to buying a home or car, but once your credit score takes a serious hit, whether it be due to a default or a bankruptcy, you can start to rebuild your score immediately.  One of the biggest misconceptions about filing for bankruptcy is that it will ruin your credit score and your financial future.  To the contrary, after filing for bankruptcy you can begin restoring your credit right away.

Here are some tips to improve your overall credit score.

  1. Understand How Credit Scores Are Calculated

It helps to first understand how credit scores are calculated. These reports are issued by the three major credit reporting companies, including TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. The scores range between 350 to 800. The higher the score, the better. A credit score is calculated using that person’s payment history, the amounts owed on each account reported, how long that person has had a credit history, and how much credit activity is on their account.

  1. Make a Goal

If you want to improve your credit score, it is important to set goals. Set the number you would like to see your credit score within a certain period of time. For example, you may choose to set a goal of increasing your credit score by 50 points within the next four months. 

  1. Keep an Eye on Your Credit Report

The best way to know where your credit score falls on the spectrum is to keep an eye on your credit report. Free credit reports can be requested annually online or by mailing a request to Annual Credit Report Request Service at P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348. After receiving the report, it is recommended that you carefully review all accounts listed. If you see any accounts that you know you did not open and could have been created due to identity theft, this information should be reported immediately. If an account is listed that should be closed, you can contact the company directly to update that information. The same would go for if any incorrect information is found on the report, such as a late payment incorrectly put on the account. Correcting this information can result in your credit score going up a few points. Keeping a close eye on your credit report can also allow you to track progress if you are working hard to improve the score.

  1. Pay Your Bills on Time

The best way to keep your credit score looking good is to pay your bills on time. Credit builds up over time, and this is done through consistent and positive financial behavior. One way to ensure this happens is to sign up for automatic or online payments so that these expenses are paid automatically and require no action by the account holder. If you are not able to pay a bill on time, it is best to keep late payments to no more than 30 days. The reason for this is most creditors will not report late payments until they are 60 days late.

  1. Focus on the Bad Debt

Paying down your debt is an excellent way to improve your credit score, and it helps to start with what is considered “bad” debt first. If you have multiple credit cards, choose the one with the highest balance and/or the highest interest rate. Focus your efforts on that one card, and once that card is paid, take the card that has the second highest rate. Many times, this “bad” card is the one that is the oldest and has the highest outstanding balance.

Use the debt avalanche method to attack the debt. What this entails is the person chooses the card with the highest interest rate, and he or she uses all extra money that he or she has available at paying off that card. After that card is paid off, the money that was used to pay that card goes to the next one, and so on. The idea is the money that goes towards the card snowballs in size, helping to pay each one down quicker than the person would be able to do with just meeting monthly minimum payments.

  1. Do Not Open New Credit Accounts

While you are paying down debt, it is best to not open any new credit accounts during this time. Opening new accounts will only make the goal of trying to pay off open cards even harder. It can be tempting, especially if you are offered a deal at a department store to save on a purchase, but do not fall to temptation and open that new card.

  1. Keep the Balances Low

Getting debt under control can be very difficult if the balances owed are particularly high. Credit cards that have high balances and high interest rates can be difficult to get under control. The higher the balance, the more interest is paid every month instead of money towards the principal. A good rule of thumb is to keep credit card balances capped at 30 percent of the card’s available credit. Always make sure when making payments that more money is being paid towards the card than the minimum payment. On cards with high balances, this minimum payment is normally only paying interest, which can make the cardholder feel like he or she is never going to pay the card off in full.

  1. Set up an Emergency Fund

Experts recommend that everyone have a “rainy-day” fund of at least six months of that person’s annual income. This money should be set aside in the event of a health crisis or job loss and can help you avoid the need to use credit to keep up with daily expenses.

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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.

 

 

Bankruptcy Law, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Bankruptcy Attorney Timothy S. Kingcade Obtains Successful Order Requiring Miami Regional University to Release Client’s Diploma and Transcripts

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MIAMI – (August 27, 2018) Bankruptcy Attorney Timothy S. Kingcade, founding partner of Miami-based Kingcade Garcia McMaken successfully obtained an Order for his client in a Chapter 7 case (In re: Adriana Gonzalez Case No. 18-15980-RAM), requiring Miami Regional University to immediately release client’s education transcripts and diploma, and make no further attempts to collect on the discharged debt, in compliance with the bankruptcy automatic stay.

“Justice was served today for our client, who prior to this Order was being denied the basic protections of the bankruptcy automatic stay.  The creditor in this case (Management Resources Institute, which operates a for-profit school, Miami Regional University) has willfully and intentionally violated the automatic stay by refusing to release our client’s diploma and transcripts. After the bankruptcy case is over, our client will need certified copies of her transcripts, which would have been continually denied by the creditor in this case,” Kingcade said.

Our client filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on May 18, 2018.  The problems as described in the motion started on June 6, 2018 and have continued through the date of the amended motion. The creditor, Management Resources, Inc. d/b/a Management Resources Institute, which operates a for-profit school known as Miami Regional University was listed on the bankruptcy petition. The creditor in this case was verbally advised of our client’s status in bankruptcy and the pending automatic stay.  Our client returned at least twice to the school seeking her transcripts and diploma.

Henry Babani, Vice President of Corporate Finance for the Creditor in the case confirmed to our client that the underlying debt would be discharged in the bankruptcy, but unless she paid what was due, the Creditor would not release her diploma or her transcripts.

The stay violation has continued since our client’s first visit and since the filing of this motion. Even though the Creditor operates a nursing school (Miami Regional University) where this situation is likely to recur, the Creditor’s position is the automatic stay and/or a discharge in bankruptcy is irrelevant to our client’s right to receive a current copy of her transcript, her diploma or future certified copies of her transcripts.

Our client who is currently applying for jobs, which require these documents for employment, is in jeopardy of losing job opportunities because of the Creditor’s willful violation.

Given the continuing nature of the stay violation and Creditor’s untenable position regarding our ability to receive her transcripts and diploma (and the future right to receive certified copies of her transcripts) an award of punitive damages is warranted against Creditor as a coercive sanction to compel Creditor’s future compliance with this court’s automatic stay and/or discharge injunction.

This is not the first time our firm has obtained justice for a client in a similar circumstance, where a school willfully and intentionally violated the automatic stay by refusing to release student transcripts.  On December 21, 2016, a successful Order was obtained requiring Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, a Miami-based Catholic school, to release education transcripts in compliance with the bankruptcy automatic stay and to pay our clients’ legal fees.

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Miami-based Kingcade Garcia McMaken 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 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/.

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Souring Bankruptcy Rates Signal a Calm Before the Storm for the Elderly

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Bankruptcy statistics are showing an alarming trend among senior citizens as more of them are filing for bankruptcy than ever before. In fact, according to the study, these numbers have jumped significantly in the last 25 years.

The numbers come from the Consumer Bankruptcy Project as published by the Social Science Research Network. These figures show that the rate of individuals over the age of 65 who have filed for bankruptcy has grown 204 percent from 1991 to 2016. Further, the percentage that senior citizens who filed compared to all other U.S. bankruptcy filers went up five times over this 25-year period.

It is reported that the rising cost of healthcare, reduced income and decline in pensions are to blame for the increase. All three of these factors have led to the perfect storm, leaving more financially broken retirees than ever before.

Most of these individuals worked their whole lives, thinking Social Security, their pensions and Medicare would carry them through retirement. However, following the 2008 recession, companies began to freeze or completely eliminate pensions. Many also lost their jobs during this time or were forced to retire early and are now delaying collecting Social Security, just barely getting by. All it takes is for one major crisis, whether it be a medical diagnosis or job loss, for their finances to quickly fall apart.

Medical costs seem to be the biggest trigger for financial issues, according to the study. For one, Medicare does not cover all medical expenses that may be needed, including the costs of long-term care, dental treatments or hearing aids. Medicare requires co-pays most of the time, as well as deductibles, and even meeting these costs can be difficult for many. If someone needs major surgery, those costs can be astronomical, even just meeting the deductible.

According to figures from the Kaiser Family foundation, out-of-pocket health expenses for individuals on Medicare took over 40 percent of the average reported Social Security income during 2013. It is anticipated that costs are going to increase to 50 percent of what the average Social Security income is by the year 2030.

The financial institution, Fidelity, reported earlier this year that the average retiree couple, age 65, will need approximately $280,000 alone to cover health care and other medical costs throughout retirement. That figure does not even begin to cover the cost of living. This number is up 75 percent from what Fidelity recommended in 2002, when the company recommended that a retired couple at the age of 65 save up $160,000 for healthcare costs.

One major concern brought up from these statistics is the fact that even though older individuals are struggling, society as a whole does not seem to be all that concerned with their struggles. When the average person is in this type of financial situation, bankruptcy offers him or her a fresh start.

Individuals in this generation can sometimes view bankruptcy as a way of giving up or have trouble asking for help. It is important, however, that if family and friends see their older loved ones struggling financially, that they reach out to them and encourage them to seek help as soon as possible. For many seniors, bankruptcy can provide the relief they so desperately need and help them enter retirement with a fresh financial start.

Click here to read more on this story.

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.

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

Floridians Hold Some of the Highest Amounts of Credit Card Debt in the Nation

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Credit card debt is a problem for many Americans, but according to a recent study, it seems to be a more significant problem in Florida.  In fact, the Sunshine State has been ranked among the top three states where residents hold the highest amount of credit card debt.

Florida residents carry a total balance of $59.2 billion in credit card debt, as of the end of 2017. The State of California tops the list with its residents holding $106.8 billion in credit card debt, followed by Texas at $67.3 billion.

Interestingly enough, California has traditionally been known to be a state where individuals need to earn the most income to be considered “wealthy” by most standards. Considering the high level of credit card debt residents in California carry, this leads one to conclude that this “income” involves resorting to the use of credit cards, instead of solely relying on earnings.

According to the report, the states with the highest amounts of credit card debt in 2017 were:

  1. California $106.8 billion
  2. Texas $67.3 billion
  3. Florida 59.2 billion
  4. New York $58.1 billion
  5. Pennsylvania $33.2 billion
  6. Illinois $32.2 billion
  7. New Jersey $29.6 billion
  8. Ohio $26.7 billion
  9. Virginia $26.5 billion
  10. Georgia $26.3 billion

Florida residents were also in the top ten for credit card delinquency rates, meaning balances were left unpaid for 90 or more days. Nationally, approximately 7.5 percent of credit card debt was delinquent by these standards. Florida was above this average figure and ranked third in terms of delinquency reported.

The report stated that credit card balances on a national level declined between the years 2008 and 2013 but began to rise again in 2014. As of 2017, more than 470 million credit card accounts were open, totaling $3.5 trillion. The total debt figures were compiled by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.  The full report can be viewed here.

If you are struggling with credit card debt 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://patch.com/florida/southtampa/florida-among-states-highest-credit-card-debt

 

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

Student Loans and Bankruptcy: Fixing a Broken System

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Student loan borrowers have continuously run into roadblocks when it comes to their student loan debt being discharged in bankruptcy cases. Many students graduate with well over six figures in student loan debt, causing them financial hardship for years.

The Department of Education recently solicited comments and input on what loan holders should consider when making a determination on whether to discharge student loans in bankruptcy. As a result, the Department ended up receiving over 400 comments in response to this request.

Currently borrowers have to prove that paying the student loan debt would constitute an “undue hardship” to the borrower. Traditionally, this standard has been a very hard one to meet. For student loans issued by the government, borrowers have had to jump a rather high hurdle to show this undue hardship. In addition, no set standard has been issued for determining what an undue hardship is, resulting in different courts applying different standards.

Only Congress can modify how the law handles discharging student loan debt in bankruptcy cases, but the Department of Education does have some say in making a recommendation on how these cases are handled. An official memo from the Department may go a long way in providing guidance for judges when evaluating these cases.

One possible change is clear criteria will be given to help determine what an undue hardship is. One recommendation has been establishing whether a student loan borrower is near the poverty line, has been determined to be unemployable due to a disability or whether the person is a caretaker for someone who is disabled or chronically ill.

Another recommendation was to make the standard more lenient to allow for more borrowers to be able to discharge student loans in bankruptcy. Congress has never given a clear definition for what undue hardship consists of, but many courts have used the “Brunner” test to determine what this means.

The Brunner test requires that the borrower show that he or she has made a good faith effort in repaying the debt, that the financial circumstance is such that the person cannot have a reasonable standard of living if he or she has to repay the debt, and this financial situation is likely to continue in the future. The problem is this standard is not easy to meet with each court viewing it differently. It has been recommended that courts use a more lenient standard called the totality of the circumstances test, which looks broadly at the debtor’s financial situation to determine if paying the loan(s) back constitutes a hardship.

Other comments suggested that the Department and loan issuers also consider whether the borrower finished college and whether he or she was victim of fraudulent conduct before making an ultimate determination on whether the debt should be discharged. This recommendation follows the issues that have followed students who have attended for-profit colleges who have been accused of enticing students to attend their schools with inflated job placement figures and graduation rates.

The strict standards that have been used in not allowing borrowers to have their student loan obligations discharged have kept many from pursuing bankruptcy when they arguably need this relief the most.

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, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Household Debt Continues to Climb- Here’s the Categories that have seen the Biggest Jump

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As a nation, household debt is continuing to increase.  Debt is increasing in all major categories, except for auto loans during the last quarter of 2017.  The two categories with the most significant growth were mortgage debt, which increased by more than $3,000 per household and credit card debt that went up by $250 per household.

The growth in credit card debt can be partially attributed to holiday spending. The last quarter of 2017 credit card debt per household stood at $15,983.  Mortgage debt totaled $178,037 per household.

Credit card debt often comes with high interest rates, which means carrying debt month to month can create significant financial stress.  Carrying this debt for many years can cause thousands of dollars in interest to accrue.  Some quick tips to pay off credit card debt include: Finding out your total balance, doing a balance transfer to stop the accruing interest and powering through the balance (i.e. – take advantage of the interest-free period of your new card).

Click here to read more on this story.

If you are struggling with insurmountable credit card debt 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.

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Divorce & Bankruptcy – How They Are Connected

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Medical bills, job loss and divorce are some of the main reasons people file for bankruptcy today.  Financial problems can sometimes lead to divorce and as a result it is not uncommon for couples to decide to file bankruptcy right after they get divorced.  Here are some things to consider.

Whether or not you decide to file for bankruptcy before or after your divorce depends on the following:

  • Which type of bankruptcy you file– If you file together, both of your incomes are used to qualify you for a Chapter 7, which may make you ineligible for this type of bankruptcy. An experienced bankruptcy attorney will help you determine which type of bankruptcy to file, a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.
  • State exemption laws– All property you own is declared either exempt or non-exempt during a bankruptcy.  Exempt property may be kept after the bankruptcy case has concluded. Florida has one of the most generous homestead exemptions in the country.  Here are some of the most common bankruptcy exemptions in Florida.
  • State laws concerning division of property during a divorce could be at odds with what property is exempt in a bankruptcy.  The items you fought to keep after your marriage comes to an end could be in jeopardy, again in subsequent bankruptcy proceedings.
  • The cost for filing a joint bankruptcy is the same as filing an individual one.  This means you can save hundreds of dollars by filing together.
  • Work together if possible. Filing bankruptcy jointly implies that you can work together, something that may be difficult to do, but worth it in the end.

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 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, Debt Relief, Student Loans, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Dept. of Education’s Announcement Gives Hope to those struggling with Student Loan Debt

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With student loan debt at nearly $1.5 trillion, 40 percent of borrowers will default on their student loans by 2023, according to a recent study by Brookings Institute.  The staggering numbers have caused the Department of Education to take action and announce that it will review and potentially alter policies that make it exceedingly difficult for student loan debt to be discharged in bankruptcy.

The problem is that ‘undue hardship’ was never defined and the case law has never led to a standardized definition. Courts often use the “Brunner Test,” which requires you must show that you cannot maintain a basic standard of living while paying the student loans and that this difficulty would last throughout the majority of the repayment period.  You also must prove that you made a good showing of trying to repay your student loan debt.

The Department of Education’s latest actions indicate that they will broaden the “undue hardship” current definition – which is good news for student loan borrowers.   This change could also help streamline the bankruptcy process and help borrowers struggling with massive student loan debt rebuild their lives.

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 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, Debt Relief, Student Loans, Timothy Kingcade Posts

The Truth about Student Loan Debt Bankruptcies

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When it comes to bankruptcy and student loan debt, there are some common misconceptions. One being, that student loans are never dischargeable in bankruptcy. In fact, there are ways to file for bankruptcy with student loan debt. Congress has yet to establish what “undue hardship” means with regard to students’ having their loans forgiven in bankruptcy; still, courts have set legal standards for proving it.  In a new paper, Professor Jason Iuliano argues that bankruptcy courts have interpreted the discharge exception ‘too broadly,’ applying it to loans for unaccredited schools, loans for tutoring services, and loans beyond the cost of attendance for college.

The Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas recently adopted the narrow reading of §523(a)(8)(A)(ii) in Crocker v. Navient Solutions, LLC, Adv. 16-3175 (Bankr. S.D. Tx Mar. 26, 2018). The court denied Navient’s motion for summary judgment, finding that the bar exam study loan at issue was not within the discharge exception for qualified student loans or educational benefit repayments.

In another class action complaint filed against Navient and Sallie Mae, plaintiffs claim that servicers are defrauding student loan debtors of their bankruptcy discharge rights. Servicers illegally continued collecting private student loans that were fully discharged in bankruptcies because they were not qualified educational loans, according to the complaint in Homaidan v. Sallie Mae, Inc.  (17-ap-01085 Bankr. EDNY),

There has been talk about potential changes coming to bankrupt borrowers’ ability to discharge student loan debt. Even student loans covered in the bankruptcy discharge exception can still be discharged based on showing “undue hardship” and courts are more likely to approve undue hardship discharges than many debtors and some lawyers realize.

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 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

U.S. Credit Card Debt Exceeds $1 Trillion for the First Time

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Consumer credit card debt in the United States has exceeded $1 trillion for the first time, according to a recent study by WalletHub.  The average U.S. household owes $8,600 on credit cards. Florida is in the top 5 states with the highest credit card debt burden, according to CreditCards.com.

Financial experts attribute this increase to consumer confidence.  In the fourth quarter of 2017 alone, consumers added $67.6 billion while the charge-off rate remained at historic lows.  Charge-off rate refers to the percentage of credit card users whose unpaid balances credit card companies are unable to collect.

Household indebtedness in the fourth-quarter rose to $13.15 trillion from $12.96 trillion in the third quarter, an increase of 1.5 percent. Mortgages accounted for the largest component of household debt, according to a quarterly report published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

In addition, the average credit score for U.S. consumers has declined.  It is now 675, just four points lower than the average in 2007, according to consumer credit reporting agency Experian.

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 McMaken, 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 McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.