How to Deal with Debts During the Corona-virus Outbreak

Dealing with debt during the Corona virus outbreak

Corona virus (COVID-19) has affected the lives of millions of people around the globe. Not only has this pandemic resulted in a massive loss of lives, but it also left millions of people jobless. Even those who are still employed have been asked to work on reduced pay, which has further aggravated the situation. Worst is if you are already dealing with debt amidst this crisis. Every other individual has to keep up with their personal loan, credit card debt, and mortgage payments.
With the financial pressure mounting, what should you do to deal with debts during the Corona virus outbreak? Though the government has taken measures to offer some kind of relief to the borrowers, in what ways is it going to benefit you? How many waivers can you expect? All these questions are haunting many like you. We are here to shed some light to help you out in dealing with debts during this pandemic.

Mortgage Payment Help

There are a few steps that the government has taken and one such is the CARES Act. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act – in short CARES Act, is a law aimed at addressing the economic fallout in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. So the first thing to check should be your eligibility for forbearance or short term relief like a waiver of late fees and other charges. As per the act, a 60-day moratorium may also be offered. It has been further extended till the end of June (You should keep an eye on it and stay informed).

Credit Cards, Personal Loans And Small Business Loans

Many credit card providers, such as Capital One, Citi, Chase, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, and few others, have released various statements and media briefings on their websites, announcing assistance for the consumers during the COVID-19 outbreak. Some of the help offered includes credit line increases, collection and recovery forbearance, and even payment breaks. It may be wise to get as much relief as possible from these options, or if nothing works, then seeking help from a debt settlement attorney may be an alternative. Lenders might offer repayment plans or arrangements as per their policies. Banks and financial institutions have also been asked not to report the delinquencies during the Corona outbreak as per the instructions laid out by the government.

Explore all the options

While it’s great to be familiar with options available, there are a few people who may still not be sure of what to do next. At a difficult time, particularly like this, when you don’t know where life is heading, or where your next income comes from, you should explore every possible option. Both individuals and businesses are filing for bankruptcy when there is no alternative. You should, first of all, explore the benefits offered, as they may add some respite to your financial well-being. You can get in touch with your lender too to check what help or relief they are willing to offer. In many cases, borrowers have opted for moratorium and payment breaks. When all the options have been explored, and you haven’t been able to find out anything positive, you not just meet the obligations but also sustain it for the period after that. But despite everything, if there is no relief in sight, then speaking to a trusted and professional bankruptcy attorney may be a good idea.

Final Words
Like the other difficult times, this too shall pass. Having said that, if there are no solutions in sight, then speaking to someone, who can offer you unbiased consultation and share detailed insights like a trusted bankruptcy attorney, maybe a good thing to do. At Nader & Berneman, we know what it takes to get you out of financial troubles. You may speak to us to know more.

Dischargeable vs. Non-Dischargeable Debt

Difference between dischargeable and non-dischargeable debts

Terms involved with the bankruptcy proceeding may be a bit confusing for everyone and those such as dischargeable and non-dischargeable debt may add more ambiguity to your understanding unless you are an expert. But, understanding these terms help you sail through the bankruptcy process with ease. The more awareness you have, the better decisions you are able to make. It is important you know the difference between the two. In this detailed article here, we will explain what dischargeable and non-dischargeable debts are. Let’s have a look!

What is Dischargeable Debt?

A dischargeable debt is the one that you are no longer responsible to pay after filing for bankruptcy. This refers to all the borrowings which can be eliminated by the bankruptcy discharge order. As part of your discharge, you get immense relief and hence creditors cannot force you to pay. Some of the examples that can be classified as dischargeable debts:

Payments on motor vehicles
Past-due utility bills
Credit card debts
Personal loans and more

What Is Non-Dischargeable Debt?

Not all debts are covered once you get a bankruptcy discharge, and may still need to be repaid. All those debts are called non dischargeable debts. These debts cannot be eliminated through a bankruptcy proceeding and you might have to pay the creditor as per the agreed payment arrangement.
The following are some examples of non-dischargeable debts however this may not be the final list because the cases are individually assessed and are specific to your fact situation:

Cash advances over $750 made within 70 days of filing the bankruptcy (filing date);
Debts taken because of death, injury or crime committed while the debtor was intoxicated;
Student loans;
Debts taken to pay taxes to federal, state, and local authorities;
Debts taken to pay fines & penalties;
Child support payment or spousal support (including alimony);
Pension or profit sharing debts.

What will happen to your debts once you file for bankruptcy?

This is another very important question that comes to everyone’s mind so let’s get the answer here. Basically bankruptcy gives you a new beginning by wiping out and arranging the debts that exist before you file for it. Once you receive your discharge, your dischargeable debt: such as your credit card bills, your personal loans, and the medical bills usually go away. But you are still left with the “non-dischargeable” debts, as well as any new debt you incur after the filing of bankruptcy. It doesn’t eliminate bills you accumulate forward from the filing date (in most cases – your bankruptcy attorney would explain that to you). Any other bills that add up while waiting for the discharge (also known as bankruptcy approval) are also to be paid by you.

Note – How much you will have to repay your creditors depends largely on the type of bankruptcy you are filing for, i.e. Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. The implications of both are slightly different and a good attorney would be able to help you understand that based on your finances, but you must gain the knowledge at your level.

Dischargeable Debts under Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 bankruptcies are filed by a consumer when there is nothing left to sell to repay the creditors and therefore you get an exception as part of the bankruptcy discharge. All the dischargeable debts are eliminated. Further, if there is anything that can be liquidated, then the unsecured loans/debts including debts on credit cards are the last one to get paid after all priority debts such as alimony, child care support, and mandatory government and state taxes.
Important – Bankruptcy discharge received doesn’t not apply to debts related to your property (such as a mortgage repayments or car debt), and hence if you discontinue these, the lender has the right to still foreclose or repossess the property.

Dischargeable Debts under Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

As far as chapter 13 bankruptcy is concerned, dischargeable debts are often considered non-priority and you might get some breathing space if you don’t have anything left. Borrowers usually get nothing or significantly less through this type of bankruptcy. But, if a dischargeable debt happens to be a secured debt (such as car loan), then you are often left with two choices. First, if you wish to keep your car, you will have to keep making payments during the Chapter 13 bankruptcy procedure or alternatively, you may let go of the car, and discharge the liability for the car loan.

Secured vs. Unsecured Debts

There are different types of financing methods, but basically, there are two types of loans that a consumer can take. One is the secured debt, and the second is the unsecured debts. It is vital to understand the difference between the two while borrowing the money and to plan the repayment. So here in this article, you will get to know what these two are and also about the benefits of hiring debt settlement attorneys.

Secured debts
Secured debts are those in which the borrowers keep their assets as security. While placing your assets as security, you give the rights to the lender to seize your assets, when failed to repay the debt amount. Further, the assets can be sealed and sold by auction process to generate the amount of money that you owe to the lender. And, by chance, if the asset is not sold at the debt amount i.e. sold at a lower price, then the balance is levied on the borrower. A debt settlement attorney can be of great help to let you know all the formalities and rules governing the same.

Unsecured debts
In unsecured debts, you do not have to keep your assets as security, and lenders do not have a right to ask for any collateral. Even if you fail to make the debt repayments, they cannot put a claim on your assets and property. Though there are other actions that they can take to get their money back, they cannot come and simply seize your property. They may hire people to pressurize you to pay your debts or may take you to court for your inability to pay the debts by seeking assistance from a foreclosure attorney in Los Angeles or any other place for that matter. Also, they let your payment status known to credit bureaus which will further spoil your credit score.

How attorneys can help you in such a condition?
Debt attorneys can be of great help when you are facing such an issue with debt repayments. Hiring them can assure you of having someone besides you who can take care of your debt settlement issues and play your part in handling your creditors. Here are a few advantages of hiring them:

You don’t have to explain yourself to your creditors. It’s not that they forget your debts but because the attorney will handle all the calls from lenders with their expertise and knowledge.
You stop getting phone calls from your creditors. You get some mental peace when you have someone besides to guide you and help you cope with such a state of turmoil.
The attorneys can also earn you some negotiation with your creditors due to their contacts and expertise in this field.
When your creditor takes you to court to sue you, then a debt settlement lawyer can be of great help and may guide you during the legal proceedings.
They can help you deal with the situation. If you are not in a condition to make the repayments, then they can also help you in filing for bankruptcy. You would be surprised how a bankruptcy lawyer handles bankruptcy and improves his client’s financial situation with his skills and expertise.

So now you must have clearly understood the difference between the two kinds of debts. Which type of debt to take solely relies on you, but if you happen to get stuck in making the repayments, then walking to a bankruptcy law firm can be your best bet. Find the best foreclosure and debt lawyer near you who can guide you in all aspects to let you have a new start.

You Can Easily Avoid Common Bankruptcy Mistakes This Way

Are you facing problems with your money debts and returns? So, you are in a complicated situation: you have a huge outstanding debt. You have maxed out your credit cards. Your new job does not fetch you the kind of salary which can rescue you from the fetters of debt.

Suddenly your apprehension changes into anxiety as you cry for help. You would do anything to stop fishing in troubled waters. Is there a way to prevent the loss of your home, vehicle or anything which is valuable to you? Fortunately, there is one. You can file bankruptcy and prevent the loss of your assets.

You would need to deal with both your lender and the collection department which works under it in these situations. So, merely filing for bankruptcy will not do. In addition, you will also need to also look for a qualified attorney at your place, such as Bankruptcy lawyer San Fernando Valley, to prevent things from going haywire. Hiring Los Angeles foreclosure lawyer is the only solution that you can consider to avoid common mistakes that you may commit if you do not seek a lawyers help. Not sure about what to look for or how to choose a bankruptcy lawyer? This guide will help you through.

Choose your bankruptcy lawyer wisely
Deciding on a Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney Los Angeles is easier said than done. If you get it right, you can heave a sigh of relief, whereas choosing the wrong one can get you into neck-deep trouble. It is a two-step process which involves two stages: vetting and interviewing the shortlisted lawyers to choose your pick.

Vetting an Attorney
The internet is replete with references and recommendations of lawyers. Looking for your attorney will help you find out the names and details of attorneys to whom you can reach out. For instance, you can run a search with Bankruptcy lawyer Woodland Hills if you are residing in this area.

Also, the word of mouth from friends and acquaintances can come in handy in this situation. Do not hesitate to explain to them the difficult situation you are in case it becomes necessary.

Go through the profile of an attorney to know more about their services. This will be your best bet to get the services of one of the best in the business. Whether you are looking for Bankruptcy attorney in Woodland Hills CA or at any other place, this is the right approach to find out the right professional for your job at hand.

Interviewing Your Attorney
You need to be extremely careful while going through this process. At the time of running your search with queries like “Bankruptcy lawyers near me, make a point of choosing only those attorneys who have a good rating. A hexagonal mark in the profile of a lawyer is the sure-fire way to establish.

Once you identify a few profiles after vetting, the next thing to do is fix an appointment with them so you are able to meet them and are able to speak to them face to face.
In order to avoid the eleventh-hour hassle, keep a checklist of questions handy that you would like to ask them while interviewing. Do not hesitate from asking as many questions as you can with regard to your situation. Find out what they can do to help you with it.

In the pursuit of looking for the best attorney services out there, you may also want to consider the cost factor. While cost can be a major factor in deciding on hiring legal expert such as Los Angeles foreclosure attorney, it is a secondary issue if you think for the long run. You should consider hiring the best professional for your case. This way, you will get more bang for your buck and you can save yourselves from making common bankruptcy mistakes.

Nader & Berneman, Attorneys at Law
Address: 21800 Oxnard Street, Suite 720 Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Service Areas- Encino, Woodland Hills & San Fernando Valley
Web- https://www.naderlawfirm.com/
Review Us- https://tinyurl.com/y33qh7re
Find Us on Map- https://tinyurl.com/y34r4x8j

Last Minute Strategies to Stop Foreclosure

If you are facing the problem of foreclosure, then the last thing that you can probably do is file for bankruptcy. This will help you to stop the process, and you can also apply for a new loan at a much cheaper rate. Unfortunately, if you have fallen behind your mortgage payments and there are relatively high chances of foreclosure in the coming days, but there is still a way that will help you to stop the foreclosure.

File for bankruptcy to stop foreclosure
If the foreclosure sale is scheduled in the coming days, then you can stop that within no time by filing bankruptcy with the help of Los Angeles bankruptcy law firm. No sooner you file for bankruptcy an automatic stay will come into effect, and it stops the foreclosure in its track. The way in which the stay function is that they will prohibit the lender from trying to collect any debt and will also prohibit the lender from foreclosing your property. Thus, you can say that if you contact any Los Angeles CA bankruptcy attorney, then any foreclosure activity can be stopped during the bankruptcy process.

One thing that I would like to inform you that the lender may file a motion for relief from the stay, asking the court to proceed with the foreclosure but even in this process the foreclosure will be delayed by at least a month or two. This will give you enough time to find some alternative to the foreclosure with the lender. It would be even better if you can hire a Foreclosure attorney Los Angeles, as they will have every minute detail with them. If you want to get your debt settlement done in a proper way, then you can also approach the Debt settlement attorney Los Angeles. The main advantage of hiring an attorney is that they will ensure that the work process is done in a professional manner.

As a part of last minute strategies to stop foreclosure, other than filing bankruptcy, the only thing that you can do is apply for a loan modification. You can easily delay the foreclosure by applying for a loan modification, and the reason behind it is that the lender can easily be restricted from the dual tracking. The main advantage of the loan modification is that your foreclosure will be stopped completely as long as you pay all the installments of the new debts on time.

If it has been noticed that your lender is making use of some non-judicial process for the foreclosure, then you should definitely hire a San Fernando Valley bankruptcy attorney as they can delay or sometimes stop the foreclosure by filing the lawsuit against the lender, this will be just to challenge the foreclosure. But this tactic does not play any role if the foreclosure is completely judicial. The reason behind it is that by the time when the foreclosure sale approach towards you, you will already have enough opportunity to keep your clarification in front of the court. Thus if you want to find an alternative, then you must consult the Encino bankruptcy attorney. If you want to prevail against the lawsuit of your lender, then you need to prove in front of the court that because of the certain reason the foreclosure should not take place. If you are facing any problems which are related to bankruptcy, then it is recommended that you consult an attorney for that.

When Should You File for Bankruptcy? Sooner or Later

Being bankrupt is a scary situation and in itself is an ominous thing that no one should undergo. It is no less than a nightmare that anybody would dread of. But many times people have to face such a situation when they have suffered huge losses and are unable to repay the loan amount. In such a case the question arises should one file for bankruptcy sooner or later? The answer is “sooner.” Your eyes may have gone wide seeing this, but yes filing for bankruptcy at an early stage can help you in a lot many ways. Even in Los Angeles chapter 13 bankruptcy attorneys would suggest you the same to stop foreclosures and to save your property and avail the benefits of exemptions. Here are a few reasons that will make you believe that filing for a bankruptcy at an earlier stage is better than filing it later:

Foreclosure plans
If the bank has decided to foreclose on your house, then you can consider filing for bankruptcy to stop the foreclosure. Filing for bankruptcy helps in prohibiting the lenders from continuing with their collection. Even if you are ready to part with your home for the foreclosure, you should consider filing for bankruptcy. This is advisory because in many states there are rules which waver the difference or your outstanding amount if your sale property is not able to draw a sum equivalent to our mortgage balance. Bankruptcy attorney in Encino can help you also in filing bankruptcy so that if any such case arises, the difference is forgiven.

To avail the benefits of exemptions
Every state has different policies and rules in case of filing for bankruptcy. There are a few exemptions that the borrower can keep from his property to use it for himself/herself. One can consider seeking advice from Bankruptcy lawyer in Los Angeles CA to have a clear picture in this regard. In case you have moved to a new state and the laws there are not as favorable as the previous city you stayed in, then filing bankruptcy is the only option that you may have. This is advised because you can use the domicile certificate of your old state and still avail the exemptions that were allowed in the previous state.

To get an extension for rent payment
Many times it happens that your landlord may force you for house eviction, but filing for bankruptcy can save you from any such eviction. Ultimately you will have to pay the rent for the time period you have stated in the rented house but filing for bankruptcy can borrow you some extra time for the making the payments. But there are few rules in favor of the landlords such as eviction due to drugs, possession, etc. You can contact a Bankruptcy attorney in San Fernando Valley to know more about the rules and regulations to get an extension for the payment and to stop the eviction.

To pass the means test in case of starting a new job with higher income
If you want to qualify for chapter 7 bankruptcy, then you have to consult a Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney in Los Angeles who can help you out to clear the ‘means test.’ Here your total income also plays a vital role as the average of the previous six months’ income from the date of filing bankruptcy is taken up for the calculation. For this, you need to note that if you are drawing a higher salary then the chances of clearing the mean test decreases. So it is better that you file bankruptcy soon so that the previous average of your low paid job is taken into consideration and not the new one.
So consider seeking help from Bankruptcy Attorney in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles or Encino, who can assist and guide you in taking your decision of filing bankruptcy to win you extensions and exemptions.

How a bankruptcy lawyer handles bankruptcy and improves his client’s financial situation?

In the recent years, Bankruptcy filings have gone up significantly and that’s not a bad thing. Filing for bankruptcy does not necessarily have to be a bad affair. Before diving into the topic, let’s have a brief overview of the bankruptcy filings.

Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the most common type of consumer bankruptcy. Both these types offer protection from the creditors, but the type an individual can file relies upon on the circumstances. The bankruptcy procedure is brimming with several rules and regulations that the creditor and debtor must follow. But chapter 11 isn’t as complicated like a civil case.

Some people prefer filing the bankruptcy case on their own to save the lawyer charge, however that may add a lot of complexities as the individuals are already in financial crisis. So, this isn’t a wise decision because a highly experienced Debt Relief Attorney Los Angeles can help you in avoiding unnecessary tension and most importantly save some money.

Let’s understand what are Chapter 7 and chapter 13 in detail
As mentioned above, the two kinds of bankruptcy accessible to consumers are Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. The way how each bankruptcy handles the financial circumstance and save you from the debt is different. For chapter 7, the case happens with the discharge as there is no repayment plan, so you become debt free. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer in Los Angeles may take care of your debt settlement and help you become debt-free in quick time.

In chapter 13 the debt handling process is entirely different, and it’s an excellent choice for the people with regular income. Chapter 13 is for the individuals who have enough standard pay to pay back something like a part of the debt. Chapter 13 bankruptcy acts more like a debt restructuring and is more convenient as it comes with a more rational payback plan. Due to this flexibility, the payback amount is very less than the initial amount where it began. So ultimately the person will be able to manage the debt much better.

What is expected from the consumer?

Undergo the pre-bankruptcy credit counseling class before the bankruptcy filing
Make sure you fill the bankruptcy forms correctly and pay the filing fees
Appear in front of the bankruptcy trustee meeting with the creditors
Make your payments
Abide the court orders

How can a Debt relief attorney in Los Angeles CA help you?

Handling Credit Cards, Loans and Repossessions
A lawyer will illustrate the ideal approach to manage payday loans or Mastercard debt. The attorney will also explain how these are handled, how these will have an impact on your credit rating and various means to restore your credits as early as possible.

Debt Relief attorney in Woodland Hills CA try by all means to prevent the repossession or foreclosure so you can protect your property or automobiles from legal action.

Handling Debts payment
Debt settlement attorney in Los Angeles will analyze your financial background and determine your type of debt and approaches to deal with the debt. Before filing for bankruptcy, your attorneys will advise you not to pay a huge amount to one creditor than other creditors. In legal terms, it is termed as a preferential transfer. Sometimes to distribute the amount among all creditors equally, the bankruptcy trustee can file a lawsuit to recover the money.

Free Consultations
Before taking up any case, most of the bankruptcy attorney will offer a free consultation to understand your financial background and current debt situation. They are the right ones who can come up with appropriate solutions that will save you from debt and show a better path for a brighter financial circumstance.
Do you wonder what a debt relief attorney can do? Here are some other responsibilities of an attorney:
• Perform Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Determine the type of Bankruptcy
• File a Proof of Claim and Review Proposed to payback Plan
• Save Your Business Upfront
• Conduct Credit Checks

If you are going through any of these financial difficulties and looking for chapter 7 bankruptcy or chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney in Los Angeles, then contact us today!

Nader & Berneman, Attorneys at Law
Address: 21800 Oxnard Street, Suite 720 Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Service Areas- Encino, Woodland Hills & San Fernando Valley
Web- https://www.naderlawfirm.com/
Review Us- https://tinyurl.com/y33qh7re
Find Us on Map- https://tinyurl.com/y34r4x8j

How to Choose a Bankruptcy attorney in California

Bankruptcy is a unique sector of law that can be unmistakably more challenging than it shows up. The issues are not always simple or obvious. Picking the correct bankruptcy legal advisor is more like choosing the correct head mentor for your sports practice. It doesn’t guarantee achievement, yet without the correct guidance, achievement is harder to achieve. In reality, there are several horror stories from people about cases that have been misguided and lawyers who have disported themselves. When they again approach good lawyers in the later stages of the cases, unfortunately, it is difficult to fix the problem by then.

You shouldn’t pick a Bankruptcy attorney in Los Angeles CA on the basis of charges since Bankruptcy has long haul legal and financial consequences. Hence it is essential that it has to be handled efficiently from the beginning.

Read on to know more about choosing the best Bankruptcy attorney.

Finding that lawyer

Inexperienced lawyers can handle a simple bankruptcy, but only a certified specialist with an ample amount of experience can handle a complicated bankruptcy case. When you are not sure about the nature of your case, it is impossible to determine the complexity of the case. To find out this you need to speak with the lawyer. But, how do you find the best lawyer? You can find certified specialist from your phone book or Local bar associations in California has referral panels of a bankruptcy attorney. Before choosing a lawyer, you can interview a few lawyers and ask them about their experience of similar case and number of the case they handle in a year or their experience in handling a bankruptcy case.

Some qualities of good Bankruptcy lawyers–

In addition to a lawyer who is compassionate, experienced and knowledgeable, you should also look for a lawyer who has:

1. Extensive knowledge and know the depths of the bankruptcy laws

2. Possess a clear understanding of the system and its ethics

3. Communicates well

4. Outstanding client feedback

5. Proven track record

6. Better Business Bureau rating 7. A supportive group of associate attorneys.

Can find an ethical way to help you out with the case like a good ethical accountant can fetch more for you from your tax return and an excellent criminal defense attorney can maximize chances for release.

Look for referrals

If you have any personal lawyer or acquainted with a legal professional, then they can help you in finding reputable Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer in Los Angeles. You can check the list of certified bankruptcy specialists in your place and check their experience and reviews before making a choice.

Set up consultations

A good bankruptcy lawyer offers consultations. Your case requires a free legitimate evaluation to figure out what alternatives are accessible and if bankruptcy is the correct choice for you. Meeting with a couple of lawyers in person will enable you to make critical inquiries about their experience, information, and practice. A lawyer who avoids these inquiries or can’t give definite answers isn’t one you need to enlist. You can find several lawyers in California who offer free counseling and will directly answer all your queries.

What to look for in a Bankruptcy attorney in Encino CA and Debt attorney in Los Angeles–

1. Remember to obtain a written retainer agreement with a full explanation of the services to be rendered.

2. The attorney should be a licensed person in your State.

3. Your lawyer should be associated with professional bankruptcy associations that enable them to keep updated them with changes and important nuances.

4. The attorney should be board-certified bankruptcy law specialists in bankruptcy law.