Equifax Changes its Bankruptcy Policy

Finally, Equifax is going to do something to change its unfair policy that has been making it more difficult for Chapter 13 filers to remove the red flag of bankruptcy from their records. For a long time, Equifax has been keeping bankruptcies on credit reports for 10 years, while the other two major credit rating agencies, Experion and TransUnion, removed them after 7 years. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act allows a bankruptcy to remain on credit reports for up to 10 years, but the credit... CONTINUE READING

It’s no surprise people are filing for bankruptcy; they can’t even afford an apartment!

You work hard at your full-time job, so you figure you should be able to pay your rent and put food on your table.  Guess again.  Some people making minimum wage in Ohio, are not going to be able to rent a median two-bedroom apartment without heading toward bankruptcy. According to new research by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, you would have to make more than t... CONTINUE READING

Which is More Dangerous — Credit Card Debt or Mortgage Debt?

Getting credit is easy in the United States, so it’s tempting to use credit cards and loans to make purchases you otherwise couldn’t afford.  When you use debt wisely, it can be a positive way to build wealth.  But too many people are sucked into taking on the wrong kind of debt, the dangerous kind that starts to lead to financial problems and having their credit ruined. The skilled and seasoned Ohio bankruptcy attorneys at Fesenmyer Cousino Weinzimmer understand that e... CONTINUE READING

How Estate Planning Can Help Prevent Bankruptcy

When you’ve worked hard to accumulate assets, the last thing you want is for your beneficiaries to lose it all if they find themselves having to file for bankruptcy.  This can happen if your heirs wind up in financial trouble and have to face bankruptcy when their inheritance arrives. While assets from an estate can be just what people need to prevent bankruptcy, they can be lost if planned incorrectly.  Money or retirement funds that come to your heirs directly... CONTINUE READING

Debt Relief or Bankruptcy?

If your bills and debts are becoming overwhelming, you may be tempted by advertisements that offer the promise of debt relief.  Before you plunge into solutions that may actually worsen your debt situation, you should be aware of the advantages, disadvantages, and the long-term effects of each. The skilled and seasoned Ohio debt-relief attorneys at Fesenmyer Cousino Weinzimmer understand that financial problems can happen to even the mo... CONTINUE READING

Inheritance During Your Bankruptcy Case

It is wonderful to receive an inheritance, but you may not be able to keep it if you have recently filed for bankruptcy.  It all depends on factors such as timing, the way the inheritance was created, the exemptions you can claim, and what type of bankruptcy you have filed. The bankruptcy process is complex, so to increase the chances of keeping assets such as an inheritance, it pays to have the guidance of an experie... CONTINUE READING

The Difference Between a Bankruptcy “Dismissal” and “Discharge”

If you file for bankruptcy in Ohio, there is a big difference whether your case ends with a discharge or ends with a dismissal.  Bankruptcy terms and concepts can be confusing, but the goal of bankruptcy is always the same – getting a discharge that will give you a fresh financial start by eliminating debts that have become overwhelming. Unfortunately, if you make mistakes that lead to a dismissal, your case will be dismissed by the court and ended without a... CONTINUE READING

What is the Role of Bankruptcy Judges?

What Bankruptcy Judges Do Article I, Section 8, of the United States Constitution authorizes Congress to enact "uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies." In 1978, with this authority, Congress enacted the "Bankruptcy Code," the uniform federal law that governs all bankruptcy cases. This law has been amended several times. There is a bankruptcy court for each of the 90 judicial districts in the country. Each state has one or more districts, and the bankruptcy courts genera... CONTINUE READING

The IRS is Hiring Private Telephone Collection Agencies to Collect Owed Taxes

There is bad news for those who are behind in paying tax debts -- the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is taking a hard line against taxpayers who have certain overdue tax debts by hiring private debt collectors to do their collecting.  These private collectors are allowed to use tactics and methods that government agents are normally forbidden to use. The reason most people owe back taxes is that they do not have the money to pay them.  However, even if you find yourself drowning in... CONTINUE READING

Things You Shouldn’t Do Before (or During) a Bankruptcy

It’s natural to try to hold on to your assets, so when faced with the prospect of filing for bankruptcy, people often look for ways to keep as much as possible after the bankruptcy is over.  Bankruptcy is a way out, usually as a last resort, for people whose debts have become overwhelming, and there are legitimate methods to retain some or most of your property once the bankruptcy is discharged.  However, bankruptcy filing is complex, and there are mistakes you can... CONTINUE READING

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    How to File for Bankruptcy in Ohio

    If you are struggling financially and are overwhelmed with debts that have become unpayable, you may need a “fresh start.” Filing for bankruptcy with an Ohio bankruptcy attorney can provide just that. The bankruptcy process can put you on the road to financial recovery. Below is a...