Tag: Miami bankruptcy attorney

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Sycamore Attorney Charged with Bankruptcy Fraud

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Kevin O. Johnson, also known as “K.O. Johnson,” was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of bankruptcy fraud.  He is charged with four counts of bankruptcy fraud and four counts of making a false oath in a bankruptcy case under penalty of perjury, fraudulently withholding information pertinent to the case and concealing assets.

Johnson, whose practice included bankruptcy law, filed a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Petition on Dec. 31, 2011.  The indictment alleges that Johnson fraudulently concealed property from the bankruptcy trustee, creditors, and the United States Trustee, including complete information of about $1,790,000 of account receivables owed to Johnson by his present and former clients.

The indictment also charges Johnson with the following:

  • Failing to comply with a court order requiring him to turn over all proceeds from the collection of account receivables;
  • Having directed clients not to send any payments to the Bankruptcy Trustee and asking clients to sign misleading documents about the nature of payments they made, despite Johnson knowing that all future account receivable payments were required to be made to the Trustee;
  • Making false statements concerning his security interests and liens on the $1,790,000 of account receivables;
  • Removing invoices and fee agreements from client files;
  • Obstructing the Bankruptcy Trustee by omitting a bank account used to deposit a check received in payment of an account receivable owed to Johnson at the time he filed for bankruptcy.

Each charge in this case carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from the offense, whichever is greater.  The Court may also impose a sentence of probation of one to five years, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.

Bankruptcy trustees are experts at finding undisclosed cash, property, vehicles, boats, jewelry, antiques, and collectibles. If you are caught trying to conceal assets, the consequences are big. Your discharge will be denied, and you will be unable to discharge the debts you list in a subsequent bankruptcy filing.  In addition, you can face serious fines, even jail time.

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 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, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Take These Steps to Prepare for Tax Filing Season

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With tax season right around the corner, the IRS recommends taxpayers take the following steps to prepare.

Individual Tax Identification Number: Filers who have expired Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITIN) are likely to experience processing delays. If your ITIN expires on December 31st, 2016, you can renew your ITIN at any time by submitting the accurate documentation such as a W-7 and valid ID. The requirements needed to renew your ITIN are listed at www.IRS.gov/ITIN.

Refunds: According to a new tax law, the IRS cannot issue refunds before February 15th. Taxpayers should be advised not to count on receiving their refunds any earlier. However, you can file your tax return before February 15th. You can also check the progress of your return by visiting the Where’s My Refund page.

Adjusted Gross Income: If you are preparing your own taxes this year and plan to file electronically, you will need to know your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from the previous year or your prior-year Self-Select PIN. You can no longer use an electronic filing PIN when filing electronically. You can find your AGI from your 2015 federal income tax return on line 37 of the form 1040; line 21 of the form 1040-A; or line 4 of the form 1040-EZ.

Protection: The IRS has upgraded its identity verification process in order to protect taxpayers from impersonations and account takeovers. As a result, it is better if you prepare to register early on the Secure Access page in advance.

Click here to read more on the steps to prepare for tax filing season.

If you are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, 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, 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, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

How to Keep Debt Collectors from Ruining Your Holiday

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It is important for consumers to know that if you do not want to deal with a delinquent account over the holidays, you don’t have to. You can request the collection agency stop calling you.  Under The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) a debt collector must cease contact with you if you send a written request to do so.

However, it is important to note that this request does not eliminate your debt.  The outstanding bill can still end up on your credit report and the collector can elect to seek a judgment against you to recoup the debt, which could result in wage garnishment and further damage to your credit report.

That is why it is important to try and negotiate a payment plan with the debt collector. Doing so can prevent them from taking further action against you.  Make sure and have the collector put your agreement in writing and mail it to you.  Another tip: if you have an unpaid bill that has not yet gone to collections, you may want to reach out personally to the creditor.  They may be willing to waive fees, lower the interest rate or settle the debt for less than you owe.  Many creditors wait up to 90 days before turning a debt over to collections.

Finally, if you truly do not owe the debt or you think a debt collector has crossed the line, you can consult a consumer attorney about whether you have a FDCPA claim and what your next steps should be. Remember, when it comes to debt collectors, it helps to know your rights. If you believe a debt collector is violating the law by calling you outside the allowed times or by calling more frequently than they should, after you have asked them to stop calling or have sent a cease and desist letter, you can report them to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and your state Attorney General.

At the law firm of Kingcade & Garcia we want you to have a safe and Happy Holiday this year!   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, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Related Resources:

http://blog.credit.com/2016/12/can-a-debt-collector-call-me-during-the-holidays-163536/

 

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Broward County Man Sues Debt Collector for Unauthorized Contact with Third Party

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A Broward County resident is suing NPAS Solutions, LLC for unauthorized contact with a third party regarding his debt.  The complaint was filed last month in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against NPAS Solutions, LLC alleging that the debt collector contacted a third party regarding the plaintiff’s debt, which is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that he suffered damages. The plaintiff holds NPAS Solutions, LLC responsible because the defendant allegedly contacted and left several voice mail messages regarding plaintiff’s debt at the residence of his mother.

He seeks a trial by jury, payment of all legal fees and any other relief the court determines to be fair.

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, 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, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Can a Debt Collector Contact You During the Holidays?

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Getting a call from a debt collector can be a frustrating and stressful experience, and the last thing you want to deal with during what is supposed to be the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”  Even though it is legal for debt collectors to try and recoup a debt you owe, there are restrictions.

For example, debt collectors cannot contact you at times they know are inconvenient (i.e. – before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.)  They cannot contact you at your job if you ask them to stop, they cannot repeatedly contact you throughout the day, they cannot threaten you or lie to you about the debt, and they cannot discuss your debt with any third party.

All of these are in violation of The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA).

But what about during holidays?  Although the FDCPA does not specifically state which days of the week debt collectors can and cannot call you and does not designate a holiday exemption, it does state that collectors cannot communicate with you during times which are known to be inconvenient.

So you could essentially argue that a call on Christmas Eve is, in fact, a violation of the FDCPA.  This would likely fall under, “calling at times known to be inconvenient.”

If you believe a debt collector is violating the law by calling you outside the allowed times or by calling more frequently than they should, after you have asked them to stop calling or have sent a cease and desist letter, you can report them to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and your state Attorney General.

At the law firm of Kingcade & Garcia we want you to have a safe and Happy Holiday this year!   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, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Related Resources:

http://blog.credit.com/2016/12/can-a-debt-collector-call-me-during-the-holidays-163536/

https://www.thebalance.com/when-can-debt-collectors-call-960573

 

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Creditor Protections for IRA’s & Beneficiaries

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Whether you have a Traditional or Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA), the tax benefits allow your savings to grow and compound more quickly than in a taxable account.  Another benefit is creditor protection in the event of a bankruptcy.  But what about when you pass away, are your beneficiaries protected?

The Supreme Court has helped clear up this issue in recent years. Just like protection offered to pensions, 401(k)s and Social Security, IRAs are protected from creditors in bankruptcy proceedings. This means that if you declare bankruptcy, your IRA assets are usually safeguarded and cannot be seized.

Another benefit to IRAs is the simplicity in selecting a beneficiary (or beneficiaries) who will receive the money once you pass.  However, beneficiaries are not always afforded the same creditor protection as the original account owner, and this is something to consider when determining who your IRA beneficiary should be.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that an inherited IRA for a non-spouse beneficiary no longer is protected from creditor’s claims when the beneficiary files for bankruptcy. The rationale is that once the owner dies and the non-spouse beneficiary takes ownership of the account, the assets are no longer considered retirement funds, and can thus be seized in bankruptcy.

The reason this only applies to non-spouse beneficiaries is because a spouse is able to roll over inherited IRA assets into their own account.  When this type of transfer occurs, the assets are once again protected.  However, a non-spouse cannot combine inherited IRA assets with their own retirement assets.

Many parents list their children as beneficiaries of their IRA accounts, but this can present a problem if the children have financial issues or file for bankruptcy.  One of the best ways to get around this is to establish a trust, such as a conduit trust, and list the trust as beneficiary of the IRA instead of the child.  As the assets are not legally owned by the beneficiary, but instead owned by the trust, the assets are protected from creditors in many cases. However, keep in mind once the income is paid out to the beneficiary (i.e. – leaves the trust), that income is no longer protected.

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, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Related Resources: http://www.forbes.com/sites/advisor/2016/12/09/estate-planning-tip-creditor-protection-for-iras-beneficiaries/#3e1252736635

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Wells Fargo, Ocwen and other Creditors Sued for Violating Chapter 7 Discharge

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Secured creditors Wells Fargo, Ocwen, RAS Boriskin and Duane Morris must pay a debtor who filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy $7,000 in emotional distress damages and $39,142 in punitive damages for willfully violating the discharge order.

Judge Cecelia G. Morris of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York concluded that the creditors harassed the debtors for years by filing an illegal foreclosure action against the debtors’ property and sending numerous collection letters after their debt had been discharged in bankruptcy.

The debtors received more than 100 calls and notices for collection of the discharged debt in the past five years. This case is particularly noteworthy for the large amount of punitive damages and the emotional distress damages the debtors received, who represented themselves pro se.

The debtors in the case filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and their nonexempt assets were liquidated by a trustee and the proceeds were distributed to their creditors. They received a discharge of all of their debts in 2009.

The debtors alerted the secured creditors to their violations by contacting them after the discharge, but the creditors insisted they were doing nothing wrong. Instead of taking steps to correct the problems, the creditors and their attorneys wrote threatening letters to the debtors. The court found evidence that the creditors and their attorneys received notice of the debtors’ bankruptcy and discharge on at least 15 different occasions, but failed to stop contacting them.

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, 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, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Delinquencies on the Rise for Subprime Auto Loans

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Subprime auto loans are back in a big way, and according to recent data have climbed to the highest level in a decade, with large increases in loans to borrowers with credit scores below 660.  The number of subprime auto loans becoming delinquent has climbed to the highest level since 2010 in the third quarter and is following a pattern similar to the months leading up to the 2007-2009 recession, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

New auto loans to borrowers with credit scores below 660 have nearly tripled since the end of 2009.  In 2016, approximately $50 billion of new auto loans per quarter have gone to those borrowers thus far.  About $30 billion each quarter has gone to borrowers with credit scores below 620.

The increasing delinquency of subprime auto loans is concerning because it comes as the overall economy is on the mend and the employment rate is improving.  The credit quality of other types of loans has improved.

Delinquency rates declined in the quarter for mortgages, student loans and credit cards.  The number of individuals with a new foreclosure notation on their credit reports hit the lowest level in 18 years of data.

The increase in auto loans, particularly the subprime sector, has raised alarms among some regulators in Washington. The rate at which auto loans for borrowers with credit scores below 620 has climbed for 10 consecutive quarters, especially on loans made to those with the lowest or subprime credit scores.

Lenders know that subprime borrowers are more likely to default and become delinquent on their loans and charge them higher interest rates.  The mistake during the financial crisis was that while the lenders expected higher defaults among subprime loans, they failed to anticipate just how high it would rise.

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, 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, Debt Relief, Student Loans, Timothy Kingcade Posts

For-Profit College Debt Strikers Plead with Obama to Discharge their Loans before Trump’s Inauguration

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More than 1,000 students (calling themselves the Debt Collective) from for-profit schools are protesting, claiming their colleges used manipulative financial tactics while providing them with a subpar education.

They released a statement and video on Monday, pleading with President Obama to discharge their student loans before President-elect Trump’s inauguration.  The Debt Collective claims that the Obama Administration has yet to provide the relief it promised.  One former Corinthian student said she had $32,000 of student loan debt and was unemployed, despite having applied to about 300 jobs in the criminal justice field.  She said she had either received no response or had been told she did not qualify.

The Department of Education refunds federal loans to students enrolled in the last 120 days before a college closes in what is called a closed school discharge.  ITT Tech closed its doors in September.  But students who left the school before that 120-day time frame or who graduated but still feel they were defrauded by their college must instead file a “borrower’s defense to repayment” claim.

The Obama Administration had planned to resolve back-logged relief claims from Corinthian and ITT Tech students by the spring of 2017, but will likely now be under additional pressure to speed resolution of the claims.

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, 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, Debt Relief, Student Loans, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Bankrupt Student Can Discharge Debt because it “Technically” Was Not a Loan

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A financial agreement between a student and an educational institution is not considered a student loan and as a result in the bankruptcy case ( D’Youville Coll. v. Tucker (In re Tucker), the borrower was able to discharge her debt.

Judge Michael J. Kaplan of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York concluded that because the debt was not “an education benefit overpayment or a loan,” the exception to discharge under Bankruptcy Code Section 523(a)(8)(A)(ii) does not apply.

The financial agreement entered into between both parties was “no more than an agreement to pay for tuition, fees and other registration costs (whatever they turn out to be), at some unspecified future time, and not for an ‘educational benefit overpayment or loan’ as contemplated in §523(a)(8)(A)(i), the court said.

This case is similar to two other recent cases in the Western District of New York, with the exception that in this one, there was no promissory note signed by the debtor.

Exceptions to discharge under the Bankruptcy Code are construed narrowly and a creditor must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that its claim falls within one of those exceptions.

The court sided with the borrower in this case because it did not find a specific amount due in the financial agreement. The agreement contained a monthly interest provision and indicated that an adjustment would be made for financial aid received at a later time.

The financial agreement between the parties was “nothing more than a running account,” the court said.

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, 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.