Operating a family farm in North Carolina is a challenging way to make a living, with fluctuating commodity prices, disruptions in export markets, higher land prices and unpredictable weather emergencies. When times get tough, the amount of debt that family…
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Consumer Debt Gets Tough to Manage Around the Holidays
The winter holidays are a joyous time, but not if you are struggling with debt. From Black Friday and Cyber Monday to last-minute sales just before Christmas, industry experts expect the average American to spend $920 per person on holiday gifts in 2019. It’s easy…
How Do Chapter 7 and 13 Bankruptcy Affect My Credit?
It’s a question we hear often: How long does a Chapter 7 bankruptcy stay on a credit report? A Chapter 7 bankruptcy will remain on your credit report for 10 years, but the real impact of a bankruptcy on your…
New Bankruptcy Law To Benefit Small Businesses
President Trump has signed the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (SBRA) into law, streamlining Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring for small businesses to make the process faster and less expensive. The new bankruptcy law, which takes effect on February 19,…
Reverse Mortgages and Bankruptcy: What You Need To Know
It’s not unusual for us to meet with individuals whose financial condition is best described as land rich, but cash poor. These are usually people who have lived in their home long enough to have built up significant equity but…
Benefit of Car Liens When Filing Bankruptcy
Filing Bankruptcy with a Car Lien In 2005, the United States Congress made significant changes to the nation’s bankruptcy laws. In the end, secured creditors – car finance companies, mortgage companies and seller-financed furniture dealers – fared best, but one…
Random Audits
It is not likely but always possible that your personal bankruptcy case will undergo an audit directed by the United States Bankruptcy Administrator which monitors and investigates bankruptcy cases to ensure compliance with applicable laws and procedures. If the Bankruptcy Administrator…
Chapter 13 Debt Limits Increasing after April 1, 2019
Individuals who are considering seeking bankruptcy protection may benefit from the recent increase in the amount of debt you can have and qualify to file for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy reorganization. Debtors can only qualify for a Chapter 13 reorganization…
Tracking Your Monthly Expenses to Avoid Financial Problems
Financial trouble can be avoided by making sure you do not spend more money than you take in. It sounds simple, but many people lose the battle of income vs. expenses. The key to coming out ahead is making sure…
Can Bankruptcy Courts Stay Open During a Government Shut Down?
The partial federal government shutdown, which began Dec. 22, is now in its fourth week, the longest shutdown of the modern era, due to a budget impasse between Congress and the President over funding for a border wall. It’s understandable…
