The Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (the “Act”) prohibits unfair collection of consumer debts. The following is a summary of a few prohibited debt collection practices: Calling you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. local time. Contacting you directly after you told the creditor you retained an attorney to represent you. Telling your… Continue Reading
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Same Sex Couples Can File Joint Bankruptcy
As most everyone knows, last year the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act’s prohibition of marriage for same sex couples in United States v. Windsor. That decision brings a host of federal benefits for married same sex couples. One such benefit is a married same sex couple can now file a joint… Continue Reading
Washington Chapter 13 Debtors May Pay More
If you want to file a chapter 13 to address your debts and make more than the average family in Washington State, the length of your plan will probably last a full 5 years. If, however, you make less than the average family you can still file a 3 year repayment plan. In a relatively… Continue Reading
Medical Bills Worse than Death?
Are medical bills worse than death? In a survey done last year, nearly half of workers interviewed, aged 40 to 50, feared paying the debt from a critical illness to be worse than death itself. To deal with the cost of a critical illness suffered, 28% used retirement savings to deal with the cost, 28%… Continue Reading
Inherited IRAs Protected in Bankruptcy?
In an important case for asset protection planners, estate planners and bankruptcy lawyers, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case coming out of the Seventh Circuit to determine whether an inherited Individual Retirement Account is an exempt asset under federal Bankruptcy law. In general, bankruptcy law exempts (or protects) a debtor’s IRA and other… Continue Reading