Should you wait to file? If you are a homeowner filing a personal case, the answer might be yes. Homeowners in Washington have traditionally used the Washington state exemptions since it protected so much more of the equity in a person's house. The problem with the old exemptions was that you could only have $500.00 in a bank account and $3,250.00 in car [...]
Recovering from bankruptcy can be a difficult process to undertake, but it doesn’t have to be a dead end. As a bankruptcy lawyer, I understand the range of emotions people feel after filing for bankruptcy. While the thought of starting over can be daunting, there are a few steps you can take to rebuild your financial future more quickly. Step 1: Establish a Budget The first step to financial recovery [...]
I love Chapter 13 bankruptcy because it really allows the borrower to get the power back in the creditor-borrower relationship. I use them to save people’s houses and to potentially strip second mortgages and judgment liens. You can save a car that is about to be repossessed, discharge some taxes, maybe discharge student loans, get your drivers license back, stop garnishments, sometimes stop evictions, and just generally put your [...]
Adjustment of Status is the process of applying for lawful permanent residency in the United States. The process is commonly known as applying for a green card. Becoming a lawful permanent resident can happen through a number of ways, including family members, a job or job offer, seeking asylum, or other special provisions. Obtaining Permanent Residency Status through Adjustment of Status is for those who are already in the United [...]
Family immigration is the primary basis for legal immigration to the United States. Under current immigration law, U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) can sponsor certain family members for a visa that provides permanent residence, also known as a green card. What Is the Purpose of a US Family Visa? A green card allows you to work and live in the United States as a permanent resident. Adjustment of [...]
Filing for chapter 7 bankruptcy provides relief to the debtor of any amount of debt owed and does not involve filing a repayment plan as in Chapter 13 or Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The debtors' non-exempt assets are liquidated by a trustee and the funds are distributed to pay the creditors. (For many or most debtors all of their property will be protected.) Under the Bankruptcy code, the debtor is able [...]
Are you facing wage garnishment, and don't know what to do? Unfortunately, Washington is one of the states where creditors can take a portion of your wages after they have obtained a judgment. Different types of creditors can take different amounts of money from you. The IRS can take a certain amount up to everything besides what they deem to necessary for you to pay for basic living necessities [...]
How many times were you told when you were growing up that you should do what makes you happy? Dozens? Hundreds? I was told that over and over, and I struggled with it through university. After taking a 4 year break teaching English in Japan, I went to law school. I then graduated at a terrible time for attorneys. Large firms were not hiring, government was not hiring, so [...]
Is your house in foreclosure and you have been working with the mortgage company for months to try and get a loan modification which could solve the issue? Does the mortgage company seem to be dragging their feet, asking you for the same documents over and over and yet you do not seem any closer to actually accomplishing anything? Have you tried refinancing but didn’t qualify because of bad [...]
Tax refund season is typically the busiest time of year for bankruptcies to be filed. The reason is pretty simple, people who have been slogging along trying to pay their bills have not had the extra money to use for a bankruptcy attorney. Their tax refunds change that and finally make it possible for many people to get their cases filed.If you are considering bankruptcy there are some things to [...]
