Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Debt Collections for Furloughed Vets Suspended by VA

The government shutdown has been a nightmare for many federal employees and those who receive direct government benefits. An estimated 800,000 federal government employees have not been paid during the shutdown. The New York Times reports that the typical government worker has gone without $5,000 in pay so far. Just last week, Trump recalled 46,000 furloughed staffers to work without pay.

One group has been hit particularly hard, and that group includes federal employees and their family members who have debts with the Department of Veterans Affairs. As no end seems to be in sight for the government shutdown, the VA has announced that those affected by the shutdown will be eligible for a temporary suspension of collection activity.

Additionally, any veterans who owes money to the VA based on over-payment of a benefit, including compensation or GI benefits, can also request the VA automatically suspend any collection attempts up to 90 days.

These types of stays of collection actions are normally only available during a bankruptcy automatic stay. The VA has said that veterans who are furloughed employees or family members of a furloughed federal employee can request this suspension of collection activity up until April 1, 2019.

If these individuals are interested in receiving a collection activity suspension, they need to prepare and submit a completed VA Form 5655 (Financial Status Report). This form can be submitted by mail, fax or electronically.

When completing the form, it is important that the individual completes all information fully and accurately. In block 36, indicate that you are a furloughed federal employee or a family member of a furloughed federal employee. Additionally, any veterans who has medical debts can also request a suspension of collection actions.

Click here to learn more.

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, Debt Relief, Student Loans

Homeownership Out of Reach for 400,000 Young Families Burdened with Student Loan Debt

Student loan debt presents a major problem for many different reasons, but for 400,000 Americans in their 20s and 30s, student loan debt is now preventing them from purchasing a home. These numbers come from a new report released from the Federal Reserve, which has shown an 8.8 percentage decrease in homeownership for individuals in their 20s and 30s between the years 2005 and 2014.

Between the years 1989 and 2016, the amount of American families that carried student loan balances went from 8.9 percent to 22.4 percent according to information produced by the Fed’s Survey of Consumer Finances. For Floridians, the amount of student loan debt incurred every year has consistently been going up, as well. According to this research, the average family has a student loan debt balance of up to $19,000. The problem is what is going to happen to these young borrowers after they enter the workforce and wish to make a big purchase, such as buying a home? Will these individuals also be able to save up for retirement? According to the research from the Federal Reserve, approximately 3.6 percent of Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 are still paying on their student loan obligations.

While going to college and securing a college degree can benefit the borrower in many ways, such as securing a job in that person’s chosen career field with a better chance of earning a good income, this education almost always comes at a high cost. Students are graduating with loan balances well into five figures with no end in sight. If the student goes on to earn a graduate or professional degree after receiving his or her undergraduate degree, that balance can even reach six figures. Many researchers argue that tuition costs need to be decreased significantly to make college a less costly choice for students graduating high school. However, tuition costs only seem to be rising every year.

The study showed that the borrowers who have higher student loan debt early in life tended to have a lower credit score later. A lower credit score can hurt that person’s chances of getting a home, but also accessing other types of credit for a car purchase or acquiring a personal loan.

Please click here to read more.

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.

Foreclosures, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Call Being Made To Halt Foreclosures During Government Shutdown

Now in its fifth week, an estimated 800,000 government employees have been caught in the political crossfire of the government shutdown. Roughly 380,000 federal workers have been furloughed and 420,000 are working without pay. Many of these individuals, who are now facing an extremely stressful financial situation due to the lack of income, were already in a difficult financial situation prior to the shutdown.

Housing advocates are urging that it is only fair that the foreclosure process is shut down while the federal government remains on a partial shutdown. In fact, 15 organizations across the U.S. are now asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to pause all foreclosure proceedings during the shutdown for its home loans where borrowers are behind.

This request was made this week in a letter submitted to the USDA. The USDA operates a home loan program that focuses on rural home ownership.

The USDA lending program offers options for borrowers who fall behind in their mortgage payments in an effort to avoid foreclosure. However, one of these alternatives is a servicing center that has now stopped operating during the shutdown, thus leaving these homeowners in a major bind. Without the assistance and no end in sight, these homeowners are facing the possibility of foreclosure.

In response, the advocates who have reached out to the USDA believe that a stay on foreclosure is completely justified. However, until now, the USDA has not made any public statements regarding foreclosures during the shutdown, so it is hard to say how they will respond to this most recent request.

It is estimated that there are approximately one million individuals participating in the USDA direct home loan program, as well as another million enrolled in its insured loan program. These individuals are being hit hard during the shutdown, especially those employed by the federal government. If they were in the process of a foreclosure and working with one of these now closed servicing centers, these individuals are left without any other resources.

According to CoreLogic, approximately 4.1 percent of all mortgages are considered at least 30 days past due on their payments or are in foreclosure. However, foreclosures are said to be down at this point, although they still present a problem for many Floridians as delinquent payments on mortgages are on the rise.

Click here to read more on this 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 Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief

Credit Card Debt Repayment Tips

If you are facing credit card debt, you are not alone.  Given the 126.2 million American households, the average household has around $8,161 in revolving debt, approximately $6,577 of which is credit card debt. With nearly 248 million Americans over the age of 18, that comes out to a total of $3,353 in credit card balances per US adult, according to cardrates.com. There are ways to get out of credit card debt.  Here are some quick tips and repayment methods.

Repayment Methods

Several different repayment methods are commonly used and are successful in paying down credit card debt quickly. The first of these is the debt avalanche method, whereby the cardholder focuses on paying off the credit card with the highest interest rate first, then focusing on the card with the next highest rate after that one is paid and so on. The next method is the debt snowball method where the cardholder pays off the smallest debt first. It is hoped that this first debt paid off will motivate the person to continue making payments as he or she continues to pay off debt. If it is at all possible to adjust your budget so that you can focus your efforts on paying down debt through one of these methods, this situation is ideal.

Balance Transfers, Personal Loans or Consolidation

However, sometimes the finances are simply not there to attack credit card debt in one of these repayment manners. Sometimes you need that extra assistance to help pay off these debts. If that is the case, a couple other options exist for the American consumer. The first of these is use of a balance transfer to a zero rate or low interest rate credit card. This option can be helpful if the individual is able to pay off the card during the introductory rate period. These cards and balance transfers often do have a rate increase after a period of time has passed. Therefore, it is important that you keep up with payments after the balance is transferred and make the effort needed to pay off the card during the zero-interest rate period before the interest rates go up.

Another method is use of a personal loan. Banks offer these unsecured loans to consumers who have decent credit scores and can qualify for a lump sum loan to pay off their credit cards after receiving the loan funds. However, one thing to keep in mind is that these loans do need to be paid back, and many of them come with higher interest rates since they are unsecured obligations. While the credit card bills will stop after the balances are paid, the consumer will still need to pay the monthly payments on the loan. Despite this fact, a personal loan can be a quick way to pay off major credit card debt into one monthly loan payment. Consolidating the payments alone can be one major benefit for using this method in attacking your credit card debt.

As bankruptcy attorneys, we see credit card debt as one of the most common problems facing those with serious financial challenges.  It is not surprising with the high interest rates, unreasonable fees, harassing debt collection calls, penalties and never ending minimum payments that do not even make a dent in your actual debt. We offer additional tips for eliminating credit card debt on our blog.

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 Card Debt, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Can you spot a debt relief scam?

When it comes to getting out of debt, if something sounds too good to be true, it likely is. When someone is facing a difficult financial situation and are unable to make ends meet, they may feel like there is nowhere else to turn. It is for this reason that it is important to be cautious when approached regarding debt relief.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Florida Attorney General are actively monitoring these types of scams in hopes of stopping them before more people become victims. Countless debt relief scams exist out, with individuals behind them looking for a way to make money with no intention of helping the person paying them. In fact, one of the strongest determinations of whether you are being targeted by a scam is when the company demands payment upfront. Odds are, once they take your money, they have no intention of doing anything at all.

The FTC and Florida Attorney general recently stopped this exact type of debt relief scam where the company told potential clients that they would pay, settle and completely get rid of their debt. However, once they took the person’s money to engage their services, they did absolutely nothing. In the meantime, the individuals who paid the company to settle their debts took the advice of the company’s representatives and stopped payment on their overdue accounts. Soon, these accounts fell into default, damaging the credit scores of the affected individuals.  Many of these victims were also faced with lawsuits from creditors.

This situation is unfortunately all-too-common. If someone offers to resolve your debt situation but insists that you pay them a large sum upfront, it is likely that this person is offering you a scam. A legitimate company will not force you to make a payment up front.

Another sign of a debt relief scam is the company will guarantee that all debts will be forgiven by creditors. No one can guarantee this fact, and if someone is making the effort to tell you that they can, odds are, they are part of a scam. Creditors are under no obligation to forgive debts.  Some will reduce the payment in a settlement amount, because they would rather at least receive some form of payment in lieu of having to pursue a collection action, but they are not obligated to do so.

When in doubt, do your research when choosing the right debt relief option. You may be able to find information about the scam before you become their victim, and if you do find yourself contacted by a debt relief scam, it is always recommended that the scam be reported to the Florida Attorney General’s Office and FTC.

Click here to read more.

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 Card Debt, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

When to File for Bankruptcy

Coming to the decision to file for bankruptcy is not an easy choice to make. Many individuals consider bankruptcy to be an admission of failure, but it can oftentimes be the only way for them to truly obtain a fresh financial start. Certain decisions and factors must be considered when coming to the decision to file for bankruptcy.

One consideration that often holds people back from making the decision to file is the effect the filing will have on their credit. The effects of bankruptcy on a person’s credit score depends on the score the filer had before filing for bankruptcy. If you have a higher credit score, the effect the bankruptcy will have will be more noticeable. However, if you have a lower credit score to begin with, the change may not be as much after filing for bankruptcy.

It helps to sort through the myths and facts before making that final decision, and if you do choose to file for bankruptcy, this does not mean all hope is loss. There are proven ways to rebuild your credit score after bankruptcy, and our clients are proof!

My credit score said on all three reports 775, I couldn’t believe that I had such a great score before 10 years. Tim for me was the best move I have made for my situation. I have no regrets, I am glad the past is the past. – Bill T.

Hi Tim- I just wanted to send a quick note and thank you and your team for handling my bankruptcy case.  It is only a month or two after discharge, and my credit scores are already in the upper 600’s. – C.S.

Traditionally, two of the biggest reasons people file for bankruptcy are the result of a serious medical crisis or a divorce. Both can cause a person’s financial situation to change overnight. Even if someone has medical insurance, a major medical crisis can still put them in a tough financial spot, especially if that person must pay a high deductible for his or her medical costs. The same goes for a divorce and losing the financial support of another person in a relationship.

Several factors need to be considered when deciding which form of bankruptcy to choose. Chapter 7 bankruptcy takes approximately three to six months to have the debt discharged, which includes most of the filer’s unsecured debt, including medical bills, credit card debt and personal loans. Other types of debt are excluded for the most part, including student loan debt, child support, spousal support and tax obligations. The bankruptcy trustee may choose to sell of non-exempt property to pay off the debt, although most property falls under an exemption- which means you can keep it. Property that is secured and is associated with a piece of property, like a home, can be kept so long as the debtor is able to keep up on payments and maintain the property. Therefore, if most of your debt involves credit card debt or medical debt, Chapter 7 may be the best option for you to eliminate this burden.

If you are behind on your mortgage payments but want to keep your home, many times, the Chapter 13 filing is a more logical choice. In a Chapter 13 case, you can lump past due mortgage payments into the repayment plan and pay them over time while keeping current on payments.

The bankruptcy means test determines whether or not you are eligible to file for debt forgiveness through Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The test uses factors such as: income, expenses and family size to determine who can afford to repay their debts through reorganization and who cannot.

It is always recommended that you speak with an experienced bankruptcy attorney before making any decision to file or not file. If you are expecting a large lump sum payment, such as an inheritance or tax refund, the attorney may advise you to wait on filing and utilize that money on needed expenses first before filing to avoid losing it in a bankruptcy. Be honest with your attorney during this meeting and fully disclose all your financial circumstances so that the best decision can be made.

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.

Related Resources:

https://www.magnifymoney.com/blog/pay-down-my-debt/debt-guide-file-bankruptcy/

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

Florida Healthcare Workers Lose License to Practice Medicine Due to Unpaid Student Loans

Student loan debt has become a crisis in America, but for many Florida borrowers, this crisis has hit close to home. Over 100 Florida healthcare workers have now lost their license to practice medicine due to their inability to repay their student loans. A recent crackdown by the state board of health was initiated in an effort to get student loan borrowers to pay back their loans.

For years, federal student loan companies have pushed states to enact laws that were tougher on borrowers who defaulted on their student loan obligations. One of the suggested penalties has been taking away professional licenses from defaulting borrowers. Florida is the only state that has begun enforcing these types of laws.

The Florida State Board of Health reported that approximately 900 healthcare workers were at risk of losing their license over the past two years. The board worked out repayment plans with the great majority of those workers, leaving 90 to 120 license suspensions since November 2016. These licenses include professional certifications for registered nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants, opticians and pharmacists.

However, now that these workers have lost their ability to earn an income, the question remains: how will they be able to pay their loan obligations? That argument is being made by area student loan attorneys. The decision to take away professional licenses for nonpayment of students is being questioned as putting a strain on employers and patients in an already short-staffed industry. Healthcare workers are already in short supply but taking away additional workers who have struggled paying their loan obligations will make the field even scarcer. Additionally, now that these workers have lost their ability to earn an income, it is more likely than not that they will end up depending on welfare benefits to survive.

Under the Florida law, the state has the power to garnish up to 100 percent of the healthcare worker’s wages before his or her license can be reinstated. Also, once the worker’s license is suspended, the only way he or she can get back the license is to pay a fine that is equal to 10 percent of the balanced owed. Critics of this law argue that it is entirely too unreasonable and makes it essentially impossible for the worker to get back on his or her feet.

It is estimated that over 10 percent of all student loan borrowers are now in default on their loan obligations. Approximately $1.2 trillion is owed nationally in student debt. Tuition costs seem to be rising every year, and the average student graduates with a large amount of debt, well up to $30,000 or higher. If the student continues on to graduate school, law school or medical school, the loan obligation can get as high as six figures. It comes as no surprise that these students, after graduation, struggle with meeting their monthly debt obligations, especially if they struggle finding employment after graduation.

The Florida law does require a 45-day written notice be issued to the borrower before his or her license is suspended. If you receive one of these notices, it is recommended you not ignore the notification but immediately contact your lender to discuss a possible repayment plan.

Click here to read more.

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.

Related Resources:

https://marketsanity.com/florida-board-of-health-has-suspended-thousands-of-healthcare-licenses-over-defaults-on-student-loans/

 

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Generation X Carries Most Debt Out of All Generations

Debt presents a problem for many Americans today, but one generation clearly stands out among the rest in terms of holding the most consumer debt. In fact, according to a recent study published by LightStream Survey conducted by the Harris Poll, nearly 80 percent of all members in the Generation X, ranging from ages 36 to 51, have some level of debt. The report showed that eight in ten members in this age category carry debt.

Coming in just below this were members of the Millennial generation, consumers between the ages of 20 and 35. Approximately 75 percent of all members in this age group carried debt. The next group was the Baby Boomer generation, which includes individuals between the ages of 52 and 70, with 69 percent of them carrying some type of debt.

While all three of these generations carry debt, it is the mindset of those in the Gen X category that presents the most cause for concern. Those surveyed in Gen X reported that they felt it was impossible to pay off a significant debt once it was incurred. Additionally, 25 percent of those in this demographic reported that they were not confident in how they were handling their finances. However, in the survey data, these individuals did state that they would be willing to give up hobbies or extracurricular activities to get rid of their debt payments, which does show some promise.

On average, individuals in Generation X carry $30,334 in “non-mortgage debt.” In comparison, Baby Boomers hold $27,513 and Millennials hold $22,784 in non-mortgage debt.

Getting out of debt can also be problematic for individuals in this generation, as well. Those who are younger may be able to use their savings or cash in their investments to reduce their debt, but it may be too difficult for Gen X members to dip into their retirement savings to pay off debt.

If you are struggling with insurmountable debt, dipping into retirement savings is never advisable.  These are protected in bankruptcy along with the following bankruptcy exemptions in Florida. Many individuals are already struggling to pay for obligations, including helping aging parents as well as adult children. While they are not quite at the age of retirement, they are approaching that point, making it too close for comfort to use retirement savings.

Continuing to struggle with debt is a slower, less effective way to pay it off.  Many different debt relief options exist, including debt consolidation, debt settlement or negotiation and bankruptcy – but it is important that as a consumer you research your options carefully.

Click here to read more.

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

IRS Will Pay Tax Refunds During Government Shutdown

The government shutdown has taxpayers nervous about what it will mean for their tax refund.  However, a statement made today by the acting director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, Russel Vought, said the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will issue refunds even during the government shutdown.

It had been speculated that the IRS would accept tax returns, but refunds would be delayed until the government was fully functioning again. This situation is exactly what happened during previous shutdown contingency plans. However, the administration assured taxpayers that would not be the case this time around.  It is a decision that may reduce political pressure on Congress and President Trump to reach a deal to reopen the federal government.

Last tax season, the average tax refund was estimated at $2,899.  If you are struggling with debt, a tax refund can be your ticket to a fresh financial start and pay for the costs of bankruptcy.

Data from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts shows that Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings in March were 26 to 34 percent higher during March, and 15 to 25 percent higher during April from 2013 through 2016.

How do you know if bankruptcy is right for you? Consumers should strongly consider Chapter 7 if any of the following are true:

  • Problem debts, such as credit cards, medical bills or other high-interest loans, account for more than 50 percent of your annual income;
  • You are using credit to pay for everyday expenses;
  • Your credit cards are maxed out with no end in sight;
  • Your wages are being garnished;
  • You are being sued by debt collectors;
  • You are in danger of losing your home.

In the 2018 tax filing season, 18.3 million people claimed $12.6 billion in tax refunds within the first week of filing season alone. This “season,” normally begins at the end of January or early February, considering employers are required to mail W-2s by the end of January.

During shutdowns in years past, the IRS had stated that refunds could not be issued during a shutdown due to the agency’s interpretation of the Antideficiency Act. This act governed what type of work was allowable during a shutdown, which normally only included government work that was necessary to protect life and property. Previously, IRS work was not considered one of those categories.

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.

Foreclosures, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Second Wells Fargo Glitch Leads to More Foreclosures

Wells Fargo is in the hot seat once again when it comes to home foreclosures. Recently, Wells Fargo said a computer glitch led to the bank wrongfully denying customers the chance to either request a loan modification or repayment plan on their home mortgage. Now it appears an additional glitch has led to even more foreclosures.

This most recent mistake involves loan modifications submitted to Wells Fargo between March 15, 2010, and April 30, 2018. The computer glitch Wells Fargo claims happened is responsible for hundreds of homes being denied modifications during this time period.

The announcement comes after Wells Fargo admitted in November to a separate error in a filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The company admitted that a computer glitch led to the bank denying mortgage customers the opportunity to request either a repayment plan or loan modification. They reported that these denials happened approximately 870 times. Because of these errors, 545 homes went into foreclosure.

In this SEC filing, Wells Fargo reported that it was a calculation error that occurred when the bank’s program implemented newer controls that resulted in an overestimation of attorney’s fees for the homeowners who were in the middle of foreclosure. Because of this error, the bank rejected these 870 loan modification requests.

This is not the first time that Wells Fargo has made this mistake. Back in August, the company disclosed that yet another calculation error in the underwriting software mistakenly denied 625 borrowers loan modifications under a federal assistance program, resulting in 400 homes being foreclosed.

With delinquent mortgage payments on the rise this past year, the need for loan modifications and flexible repayment plans is more important than ever to homeowners. Mistakes like the one made by Wells Fargo can have disastrous consequences for homeowners already in a tough spot.

Click here to read more on this story.

Choosing the right attorney can make the difference between whether 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 Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.