Tag: Miami bankruptcy attorney

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

How to Recover After Bankruptcy

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Even the most financially responsible people can fall on hard sometimes, whether it be a sudden illness, job loss or divorce.  As many as 78 percent of full-time workers said they live paycheck-to-paycheck and 71 percent are already in debt, according to a recent study by CareerBuilder.  With statistics like this it is not surprising how quickly finances can spiral out of control.

Having to file for bankruptcy can take an emotional and financial toll, but sometimes it is the only option. In 2017 alone, there were 765,863 non-business bankruptcy filings, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

While you cannot offset the impact of bankruptcy to your credit, there are things you can do to improve it over time.

While each case is different, bankruptcy can completely wipe out credit card debt, medical bills, personal loans, past-due utility bills and even rent.  Rebuilding your credit after bankruptcy can start by sticking to a budget and paying all of your bills on time.

A powerful tool to help improve your credit score is a secured credit card. These cards require a deposit, which can be equal to your spending limit. Applying for new credit too soon or having multiple denials can hurt your credit even more.

One of the biggest myths about filing for bankruptcy is that it will ruin your credit score and your financial future forever.  To the contrary, after filing for bankruptcy you can begin restoring your credit immediately.

Still not convinced?  A testimonial from one of our clients in regards to their credit score after filing for bankruptcy.

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.

Click here to read more on this story.

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 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

Disabled Veterans Could See Their Student Loan Debt Cancelled

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The Department of Education announced this week that it will work together with the Department of Veteran Affairs to identify disabled student loan borrowers who are eligible for debt forgiveness. Borrowers will be notified of their potential eligibility in the mail and will also receive a Total and Permanent Disability Discharge application.

Many veterans are unaware that they may be eligible for student loan debt forgiveness.  There have also been recent changes in tax law that benefit those whose loans are discharged. A provision in the new tax code waives federal income taxes on forgiven education debt for permanently disabled people.

Previously, the IRS considered the cancelled debt as taxable income.  For example, in a 2017 case a veteran who had his $223,000 in student loan debt forgiven, received a tax bill of $62,000.

Click here to read more on this story.

There are ways to file for bankruptcy with student loan debt.  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, 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).

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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.

Debt Relief, Student Loans, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Judge Finalizes $25 Million Settlement for Students Who Claim Fraud by Trump University

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A $25 million dollar settlement in the class action lawsuit against Trump University has been finalized by a judge, providing relief for thousands of former students who attended the now defunct real estate seminar.  Despite its name, ‘Trump University,’ which shut down in 2010, was not a licensed university.  It promised to teach students the “secrets of success” in the real estate industry.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco finalized the settlement after it was first approved by a judge last March following an appeal by Sherri Simpson, a Florida woman who said she spent approximately $19,000 on Trump University workshops. Simpson had wanted to opt out of a class action suit in order to pursue a separate suit against Trump, but the court rejected that.

Just days after the election, Trump agreed to settle three lawsuits filed against his real estate school that argued the program used false advertising and high-pressure sales techniques.  Students were allegedly lured into free investor workshops where they would be sold expensive seminars and told they would be mentored by real estate experts, leading to the loss of thousands of dollars in tuition.

Trump has always denied the fraud claims and said that he could have won at trial, but has said that as President he did not have time because he wanted to focus on the country.

“This settlement marked a stunning reversal by President Trump, who for years refused to compensate the victims of his sham university,” said New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, whose office filed one of the three lawsuits.

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

Class Action Lawsuit Brings Hope to Student Loan Borrowers in Bankruptcy

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A Texas bankruptcy judge has denied a request by student loan giant, Navient, to dismiss a class-action lawsuit accusing the firm of illegally collecting on loans that were discharged in bankruptcy. The decision means the case can move forward and allow the opportunity for an appellate court to consider whether loans historically viewed as exempt from bankruptcy can be discharged.

The ruling is an important one, as the Department of Education is currently reviewing the high standard student loan borrowers must meet to have their student loan debt discharged in bankruptcy.  The case in question focuses on a specific type of private loan debt (i.e. – money loaned to borrowers to pay for unaccredited programs, such as bar exam study courses and K-12 educational expenses).  However, if the appellate court rules in favor of the plaintiffs, it could mean that borrowers with similar student loans from other companies could qualify for the same relief.

Before this ruling, bankruptcy courts have determined that the types of loans in question in this case cannot be discharged because they were received as an “educational benefit.”  Recently however, lawyers and judges have started to challenge whether loans to help borrowers study for the bar exam and other similar debts truly fit into the category.

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

New Poll Reveals the Majority of Millennials are in debt, Postponing Major Life Events

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Nearly three out of four millennials in the U.S. are in debt and according to a new poll credit card debt is the most prevalent type of debt among the group- not student loan debt.

A quarter of millennials — those 18 to 34 years old — are more than $30,000 in debt, including 11 percent who are over $100,000 in debt.

Debt has resulted in savings taking a backseat for many millennials and has caused a third, or 34 percent, to hold off on buying a home.  Debt has also affected the millennial generation family structure.  Fourteen percent of millenials have delayed marriage due to their debt and 16 percent have postponed having children.

Here are some additional findings from the NBC News/GenForward survey:

  • Sixty-two percent of millennials owe more in debt, than they have in a personal savings account
  • Three in 10 millennials have less than $1,000 in their personal savings, and only 1 percent have over $100,000 saved.
  • A quarter, 24 percent of millennials, have no personal savings.
  • Two-thirds of millennials, or 67 percent, said they would have difficulty paying an unexpected bill of $1,000 right away.
  • Credit card debt is the most prevalent type of debt among the group, while just two in 10 millennials say they have a mortgage or home loan.
  • Only 22 percent of millennials are debt free.
  • Fourteen percent of millennials have delayed getting married due to debt, and 16 percent have delayed having children.
  • Debt has caused a third of all millennials, or 34 percent, to hold off on buying a home and 31 percent to delay saving for retirement.

Click here to read more on this story.

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 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.

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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, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Florida Ranks in the Top 5 States for Invalid and Illegal Debt Collection

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Invalid and illegal debt collection practices are at an all-time high across the country, and Florida is no exception.  Data was analyzed from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) to identify the states that engaged in these deceptive and illegal practices.  ‘Zombie’ debt collections are rampant in South Florida and involve attempts to collect debts not owed, those that were already paid or discharged in bankruptcy, debts owed by someone else, or are a result of identity theft. Typically, this debt collection practice is done by third-parties, who have collected these debts written off by the original creditor.

The five states in which zombie debt collection is most prevalent are:

  1. Delaware– Delaware leads the nation when it comes to the likelihood of having to deal with a collection agency trying to collect a debt you do not owe.  With a total of 422 complaints in the Consumer Complaint Database, Delaware has a per-capita rate of 44.72 complaints per 100,000 residents.
  2. Florida– Florida comes in at number two with 42.43 complaints per 100,000 residents (a total of 8,314 complaints in all).
  3. Georgia– Georgia trails Florida by two hundredths in its per capita incidence rate of reports of zombie debt collection attempts, with 4,258 complaints registered and a population of almost exactly 10 million residents.
  4. Nevada– Like Florida, Nevada has incidence rates of illegal debt collection attempts well above the national average of 25.84 per 100,000.
  5. Maryland– Maryland has 38.65 complaints per 100,000 residents. The affluent and suburban Prince George’s County has an incidence rate of 66.6 per 100,000 residents.

Knowing which debt collection agencies have a history of practicing zombie debt collection in your state can help you avoid being a victim.  The three debt collection agencies most likely to engage in invalid and illegal debt collection practices in the country are:

  1. Encore Capital Group
  2. Enhanced Recovery Company (ERC)
  3. Portfolio Recovery Associates

Click here to read more on this story.

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 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.

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.