consumer bankruptcy Archives - Page 6 of 7

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Changes to Healthcare could lead to More Bankruptcies

Posted on August 1, 2017by Admin

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, personal bankruptcy filings dropped about 50 percent, from 1,536,799 in 2010 to 770,846 in 2016. Studies have shown medical debt as the leading cause of personal bankruptcy filings. As legislators and the executive branch renew their efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, there is concern about what that will do to coverage and premiums.

A study conducted by the American Medical Association in 2007 found that 67% of those who filed for bankruptcy cited medical debt as a major factor. For middle class homeowners, the issue of medical coverage was even more influential, with half of all foreclosures caused in part by medical debt. The uncertainty about the fate of healthcare coverage for many Americans may cause the number of bankruptcies and foreclosures to increase in the coming years.

The current healthcare bill that is being debated may result in 22 million to 32 million Americans losing a portion of their current healthcare benefits.

Click here to read more on this story.

Those who have experienced illness or injury and found themselves overwhelmed with medical debt should contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney. In bankruptcy, medical bills are considered general unsecured debts just like credit cards. This means that medical bills do not receive priority treatment and can easily be discharged in bankruptcy. Bankruptcy laws were created to help people resolve overwhelming debt and gain a fresh financial start. Bankruptcy attorney 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:

https://www.consumerreports.org/personal-bankruptcy/how-the-aca-drove-down-personal-bankruptcy/

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Miami Bankruptcy Attorney Timothy S. Kingcade Selected for Inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers 2017

Posted on June 8, 2017by Admin

Managing Shareholder, Timothy S. Kingcade of the Miami-based bankruptcy and foreclosure defense law firm of Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been selected to the 2017 Florida Super Lawyer list, in the practice area of consumer bankruptcy. This is the fourth consecutive year Mr. Kingcade has been selected to the Florida Super Lawyers list (2014-2017). The prestigious honor is awarded to only five percent of lawyers in the state.

Attorney Kingcade practices exclusively in the field of bankruptcy law, handling Chapter 7 and 13 filings and foreclosure defense cases for the Southern District of Florida. As an experienced CPA and proven bankruptcy attorney, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of their rights under the bankruptcy laws to restart, rebuild and recover.

Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, representing the top 5% of Florida lawyers. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys.

Miami-based Kingcade & Garcia, 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, 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.

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

New Survey Finds Medical Debt is the No. 1 Reason Collection Agencies Contact Consumers

Posted on February 3, 2017by Admin

Medical debt is the most common reason consumers receive calls from debt collectors, according to a first of its kind nationwide survey.

“The study by the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that 59 percent of people who reported they had been contacted by a debt collector said it was for medical services,” NPR reported. “Telecommunications bills were the second most common type of overdue bill for which debt collectors pursued payment, at 37 percent, and utilities were third, reported by 28 percent.”

The study, which examined consumer experiences with debt collectors, included more than 2,000 people and was performed between December 2014 and March 2015. The survey also found that more than one in four consumers felt threatened when a debt collector contacted them.

The study’s authors said medical debt is unique compared to other types of debt collection examined in the survey, as it was widespread across various demographic and credit-score groups.

Related Resources:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/medical-bills-are-the-most-common-reason-for-debt-collector/article_384da034-e33e-11e6-a5e0-17c0fcdce41b.html

http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/medical-debt-is-no-1-reason-collection-agencies-contact-consumers.html

Bankruptcy Law, Foreclosures, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Miami Bankruptcy Attorney Timothy S. Kingcade Named a Florida Super Lawyer of 2014

Posted on June 10, 2014by Admin

MIAMI – Managing Shareholder, Timothy S. Kingcade of the Miami-based bankruptcy and foreclosure defense law firm of Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. (www.miamibankruptcy.com) has been recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer in the area of consumer bankruptcy law. This prestigious honor was awarded to only six attorneys in the entire State of Florida.

“It is a true honor to have received this award,” said Timothy S. Kingcade. “It is a testament to the commitment my firm and I make every day to each and every one our clients.”

Attorney Kingcade practices exclusively in the field of bankruptcy law, handling Chapter 7 filings and foreclosure defense cases for the Southern District of Florida. As an experienced CPA and proven bankruptcy attorney, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover.

Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, representing the top 5% of Florida lawyers. The goal of the Super Lawyers selection process is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of lawyers to be used as a resource to assist lawyers and sophisticated consumers in the search for legal counsel.

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Miami-based Kingcade & Garcia, 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. All partners and associates at Kingcade & Garcia, 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.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Toni Braxton Bounces Back after Bankruptcy

Posted on January 28, 2014by Admin

Just months after resolving her bankruptcy troubles, R&B singer Toni Braxton has purchased a $3 million home, according to TMZ.com. She landed in financial trouble, again in 2010 when she filed for bankruptcy a second time listing debts of between $10 million and $50 million. She settled the case by paying $150,000 last July and now appears to be back on track financially.
Braxton’s recently purchased home has four bedrooms and five bathrooms and is in the same region as pop star Justin Bieber’s home in Calabasas, California.

Click here to read more on this story.

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, Foreclosures

U.S. Consumer Debt on the Rise- Highest Since Early 2008

Posted on November 18, 2013by Admin

According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, U.S. household debt increased in the latest quarter by the most it had in more than five years and student loans in delinquency hit a record high. Total consumer debt rose to $11.28 trillion, which marked the biggest quarterly jump since 2008. The increase in the third quarter suggests that the cycle may be nearing its end.
There is has been an increase of household debt essentially across all spectrums. Americans have recently put more on credit cards, borrowed more money to buy houses and cars and took out more student loan debt.

The continued rise in student debt continues to be a cause for concern. Outstanding balances increased $33 billion to $1.03 trillion in the third quarter. A record 11.8 percent of loans were behind by 90 days or more, the New York Fed said, up from 10.9 percent in the second quarter. Student loan debt can unfortunately not be discharged under current bankruptcy law. Economists worry that in the coming years delinquencies could lock people out of economic participation.

Foreclosures which continue to decline, hit their lowest levels since the end of 2005.

Click here to read more on this story.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Parents on the Hook for Child’s Student Loans

Posted on September 25, 2013by Admin

American student loan debt tops $1 trillion, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. But with many recent graduates facing a tough job market and limited employment opportunities, what happens when they cannot afford their monthly student loan payments? If a parent co-signed the loan, the burden shifts to them.

Bankruptcy attorneys are seeing an increasing trend with parents struggling to pay off their child’s student loans. Unfortunately, even bankruptcy cannot wipe the slate clean- unless of course undue hardship can be proven. Al Franken, on the Senate Education Committee, said that he has backed several pieces of legislation he thinks could help. One example is the Fairness for Struggling Students Act, which, if passed, would make it possible to eliminate private student loan debt in bankruptcy. Franken has also backed legislation that aims to help students receive better counseling when taking out a loan.

Experts say parents can and should co-sign their child’s student loans, but must be “informed borrowers,” meaning they need to closely scrutinize the terms of the loan. Many banks are getting out of the student loan business, largely because of the increased scrutiny from lawmakers. JPMorgan Chase announced its departure just a couple of weeks ago. Bank of America, Citigroup, and U.S. Bank have already done the same. So for future borrowers, it means more student loans will come from the federal government.

Click here to read more on the story.

Bankruptcy Law, Foreclosures, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Bankruptcy Filings Dramatically Decline in 2012

Posted on July 13, 2012by Admin

The International News Agency, Reuters, has reported that U.S. bankruptcy filings for both consumers and businesses have dropped 14% during the first half of 2012 and are on track to reach the lowest rate since before the start of the recession in 2008.
According to statistics from Eqic Systems Inc., consumers filing for bankruptcy have fallen 13% from the first half of 2011 and businesses filing for bankruptcy have taken a 22% decline. Samuel Gerdano of the American Bankruptcy Institute attributes the decline of bankruptcy filings to new, lower interest rates. Others have attributed the decline in bankruptcy filings to the high fees charged by the courts and attorneys.
While bankruptcy filings are at a low point, several large companies have made headlines this year by filing for bankruptcy such as, Eastman Kodak Co., textbook publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishers Inc., and Hostess Brands Inc., the maker of Wonder Bread and Twinkies.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-bankruptcy-stats-declinebre8640ub-20120705,0,6184420.story
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. 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, P.A. at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Foreclosures, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Bankruptcy Filings Down in 2011

Posted on January 5, 2012by Admin

According to recent statistics from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, bankruptcy cases filed in federal courts for fiscal year 2011 totaled 1,467,221, down 8 percent from the previous year. This was reflected in the filings of all bankruptcy chapters. Chapter 7 filings in 2011 were down 10 percent from 2010. Chapter 13 filings fell 4 percent. Chapter 11 filings fell 16 percent and Chapter 12 filings were down 4 percent.
Personal bankruptcies in South Florida fell in 2011, for the first time in five years. Attorney Timothy Kingcade attributes this to the backlog of foreclosures and under-employment. Many homeowners facing foreclosure have been able to put off bankruptcy as the lenders dealt with investigations of robo-signing and other issues stalling foreclosures in court. Filing for personal bankruptcy in South Florida can cost $2,000 or more, including lawyer’s fees, court costs, and mandatory credit counseling. With the number of South Floridians being out of work, filing for bankruptcy has become a luxury.
In December, 2,470 residents filed for bankruptcy in the South Florida district, which includes Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, according to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Miami. That was down 9 percent from November. For the year, there were 34,492 filings, down from about 38,000 in 2010.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.uscourts.gov/News/NewsView/11-11-07/Bankruptcy_Filings_Down_in_Fiscal_Year_2011.aspx
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-bankruptcies-2012-20111223,0,5953361.story
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, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Beware of taking Cash Advances before Filing Bankruptcy

Posted on January 5, 2012by Admin

It’s important to remember that not all debt is dischargeable in bankruptcy. Almost all credit card debts are dischargeable, but when it comes to cash advances ‘The Bankruptcy Code’ provides that any cash advance, or combination of cash advances totaling more than $875 obtained within 70 days of the bankruptcy filing date are presumed to be non-dischargeable.
This rule, contained in Bankruptcy Code section 523(a)(2)(C)(i)(II), was imposed by Congress because it felt that consumers who obtained significant cash advances relatively close to their filing date knew, or should have known that they would be seeking bankruptcy relief. It was also designed to prevent consumers from running out and taking cash advances shortly before filing bankruptcy with no intention of paying on the debt.
If you are considering filing for bankruptcy and have recently taken out a large cash advance, it’s important you discuss this with an experienced bankruptcy attorney which can advise you of all your of 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.