Reaffirmation Agreements in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy “To Reaffirm or Not to Reaffirm, That is the Question!” What is a Reaffirmation Agreement? A reaffirmation agreement in a Bankruptcy is a legally enforceable agreement to repay all or a portion of a debt. In order for the agreement to be valid the creditor must sign the agreement as […]
Will I Lose My Jewelry in Bankruptcy?
Jewelry in a Bankruptcy Will I Lose My Jewelry In Bankruptcy? Answer: Probably not. Schedule B in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy list all the assets you own. It’s important to keep in mind that the debtor is responsible for listing all assets. Often, and understandably, debtors believe they are only to list the assets […]
Represent Yourself in Bankruptcy
Represent Yourself In Bankruptcy? Molars, Brakes and Haircuts, Just to Name a Few I don’t try to fix the brakes on my car. The reasoning behind this policy is simple, I don’t really know anything about fixing brakes, cars, or really anything automotive. Oh sure, I’m a fairly smart fellow, and I could go buy […]
Represent Yourself, Don’t Get a Lawyer Involved
Needing a Root Canal, But Not Wanting A Dentist. So one of the things I follow, or track as the case may be, are comments from potential clients about needing help, but not wanting to get a lawyer involved. There’s are even websites telling these folks to “represent yourself, don’t get a lawyer involved”. For years, […]
Law Has No Place in A Perfect World?
Jury Verdicts, Apologies, Kangaroos, and Perfection Law Has No Place In A Perfect World? (Random Intraspection From A Criminal Defense Attorney) Along with my Bankruptcy practice here in St. Louis, Missouri, I am a Trial Attorney. In most cases, I represent people who have been accused by the government (Either the State of Missouri […]
My First Trial: Murder 1
Trial Notes: The Apex Of Criminal Defense: Murder 1 Starting from the Top: By Accident Dateline: 1999. Many many trials ago, fresh into practice, the ink on my bar card was still damp. The wise “old guy” in my office, Efrem Agranoff (dec.), who later became a mentor and dear dear friend, told me to […]
Lawyer Language
Lawyer Lingo Guide to Navigating The Ridiculous Nonsense That Lawyers Speak. “W” is for “What?” Be it in Bankruptcy, Criminal Law, Personal Injury or Divorce, lawyers do love to use “lawyer lingo”. We use words like “Re-Rec” and “nolle prosequi”, and speak in terms of Form 14’s, pre-auths, SIS’ and SES’, rather than just saying […]
Credit Card Debt and Bankruptcy
What Will Bankruptcy Do To My Credit Card Debt? Make no Mistake About it, Even in this Economy, Credit Card Companies are Still MAKING PROFITS! Is it a Wonder? A Few Pointers On Credit Card Debt. Credit Card debt is unsecured debt, meaning that it is a debt that a creditor has not secured by […]
Paying Back Friends or Relatives
Paying Back Friends or Relatives Before Filing I can payback Granny before I file, can’t I? No, and Don’t Borrow Money From Relatives. Remember, you’re likely not going to be able “borrow” your way out of debt at this point. If you’re reading this, and considering borrowing money from relatives, it’s probably for the purpose […]
Senior Citizens Filing Bankruptcy
Financial Crisis – Senior Citizens: Retirement and Bankruptcy “They’ll Take My House, and I Wanted The Kids To Get It Someday” Retirement Wasn’t Suppose to be Like This: It’s the side of bankruptcy you usually don’t see or think about, the side that is little discussed; senior citizens filing bankruptcy. It’s also the fastest growing […]