Catherine Christiansen is a noted bankruptcy attorney, with her practice, the Christiansen Law Office in Long Beach, California. She graduated from of Western State University, and currently serves as a member of the Central District Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys Association (CDCBAA) and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA). In these articles, she helps consumers understand how they can get themselves out of debt and take back their lives.
How to Choose a Bankruptcy Lawyer
When choosing the right lawyer to work with, it is important to find someone who is knowledge about the law, and who you also feel comfortable and compatible with.
Preparing to Meet Your Bankruptcy Lawyer
Before meeting your bankruptcy lawyer for the first time, it is important to gather as many financial documents as possible.
How Long Does Filing for Bankruptcy Take?
The length of time it takes to file for bankruptcy depends largely on the client and how proactive he chooses to be.
Filing for Bankruptcy in California
California has generous exemption laws, which puts anyone filing for bankruptcy in the state at a real advantage.
Disadvantages of Filing for Bankruptcy
The main disadvantage of filing for bankruptcy is a drop in your credit score, although that can be repaired over time with diligent bill paying and smart financial choices.
Is There Anyone Who Can’t File for Bankruptcy?
Certain eligibility requirements may be required to file for specific bankruptcy types.. However, we can usually find a way to help people regardless of how much debt they have accrued.
How a Lawyer Can Help Analyze Your Debt
Bankruptcy lawyers can help clients get their finances in order by going through their bills and bank statements and determining whether they qualify for any special exemptions.
What is Credit Counseling?
All debtors filing for bankruptcy now are required to complete a credit counseling course in order to learn more about their finances.
Will Any Debts Go Away If You File For Bankruptcy?
Certain debts will not go away, even if a person files for bankruptcy. Those include things like student loans and spousal support payments, for example.
Will My Student Loans Disappear If I File for Bankruptcy?
As a general rule, student loan debts will not go away if you file for bankruptcy. We can, however, find ways to make paying back the loans easier for our clients.
Can Filing for Bankruptcy Prevent Foreclosure?
Filing for bankruptcy is certainly a way to put a temporary hold on any foreclosure proceedings. It also gives people a chance to get their house back in order, so to speak, before moving forward with payments.
How to Determine Your Property Exemptions
Property exemptions apply for people who have equity in their homes, and they can oftentimes help a client keep his home while going through bankruptcy.
Will I Have to Give Up My Car to File for Bankruptcy?
Debtors are allowed to keep their vehicles while going through bankruptcy. But, if you are struggling to pay your payments each month, then this might be a good time to get rid of it.
Filing for Bankruptcy While Going Through a Divorce
Divorce proceedings can certainly make filing for bankruptcy more complicated since each party will need to retain his or her own separate bankruptcy attorney.
Can a Small Business File for Bankruptcy?
Small businesses can file for bankruptcy, although the process is oftentimes more complicated than for an individual filing on his own.
Will I Quality for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
Not everyone qualifies for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy based on income and debt levels. However, other filing types exist for those who may not fit the strict Chapter 7 requirements.
The Economy and Debtors
The economic recession has changed the faces of people filing for bankruptcy, and more people with high incomes are now running into trouble.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
