Forget, at least for the moment, the million man march. What we need is a million men and women who will burn their credit cards. Yes, that is what I advocate!

For to long now the middle class has been at the mercy of the banks and other lenders who issue credit cards. Think for a moment about all the years you have made that damn payment, yet, the balance is never at 0 and you have to make a payment every month. Now is the time, once and for all, to walk away from the plastic. Actually, I would suggest keeping a debit card only. That way it is linked to what you have in your bank account. This would probably make you much more aware of how much you actually spend. If you do your banking on-line, you can check on the balance daily if you wish.

But I digress you need to talk to your friends, neighbors, post a message on craigs list or any other public website. I am serious, get out the barbecue grills and the starter fluid and invite everyone over. Dare one another to burn their cards. I guarantee that after the first one throws their cards into the fire others will follow. In case you are wondering I actually cut my up many months ago!

When the credit card statement comes the following month. Don’t pay it. When the calls come simply telll them you do not have the money. If they try to record you object that it is against Federal law to record someone without their consent. It is probably illegal in your state as well. Just so you understand DO NOT spend the money that you usually paid on the card. Put it in savings. When the next month rolls around, don’t pay. Same story as before. After the third or fourth month of not receiving any money from you make the bank an offer. Tell them you will give them .10 or .20 on the dollar. They will probably counter. Some banks will not even transfer your call to their settlement department as representatives can now extend offers themselves. (more…)

If you have decided to go to a debt settlement attorney, it might be useful for you to know that each state has it own rules and regulations regarding means and ways settlement. You may need to contact your state Attorney General to learn about the debt settlement options in your state. It will also interest you to know that the by going through this process your credit score will be harmed to a great extent as it is quite an aggressive and fast process towards settling your dues with your creditor.

If you have taken a credit and ignored it for 7 years at a stretch and also the creditor seems to have ignored the issue then the debt will be written off from your report and your credit report shall be free of the negative listing of this debt. But if you pay off before the 7 year period then the negative listing remains in your credit score till next 7 years. Make sure of this point and ask your debt settlement attorney to negotiate with the creditor and remove the negative listing from your credit report. Once the creditors have got their money, they might agree to do so. (more…)

When people are getting ready to file for bankruptcy, one of the questions that they are often going to ask is if they need to get an attorney. The truth is that you can file for bankruptcy without an attorney, but chances are that you are going to have better results if you have one.

If money is a problem, then there is a chance for you to get a lawyer who will offer a free or very low cost consultation by getting in contact with a referral service or bar association. If you’re really poor, you may qualify for legal aid.

If you are filing for Chapter 7, chances are that you may not need a lawyer. But it has to be simple, without any large items such as a car or house.

If you are filing for chapter 13, you should not handle it on your own. You should hire an attorney because there is going to be negotiation with the creditors and the office of the trustee for Chapter 13.

if you are someone that owns a house or other kinds of valuable property, you should not represent yourself no matter whether you are filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. You may save money by not getting an attorney, but you may wind up making a mistake that is going to cost you a lot more than a lawyer would have. (more…)

Couple those hits with the dire times that we are currently experiencing in our American economy, and it can be a scary time to try to make ends meet. The important thing to do when you are facing serious financial trauma is to take everything into account before you do anything rash, because in most cases a steady dose of discipline and will power can get you through the storm. But there is a point, however, when bankruptcy becomes the only feasible option, and it is at this point that you want to make sure that you have all your bases covered.

There are several indicators to look out for that may tell you that you’re on the road to bankruptcy. Here are some areas to analyze and compare with your current financial situation. If you find yourself appropriately described by several of these topics, then it may be a good idea to sit down with a bankruptcy or taxation lawyer and figure out what your next steps should be. (more…)

Are you faced with a grave financial crisis? If the answer is yes, you perhaps need to file for bankruptcy. This is when you will require professional assistance. A lawyer whose field of specialization is bankruptcy is someone who can be of great help in such a situation. While choosing the lawyer you must be careful, as you will be commending your problems and anxieties into his/her hands. The primary criterion for making a choice is often the location. For instance, if you live in Tampa, you will prefer to find a bankruptcy attorney in Tampa. Fortunately, it is quite easy to locate a bankruptcy lawyer in Tampa, as the place abounds in such lawyers in plenty.

There are several other criteria that can help you to decide which attorney would be the most efficient one in dealing with your problem. When talking about finding a lawyer in your own locality, what better source than the Yellow Pages? Here, you can find names of lawyers grouped on the basis of their specialty. Hence, finding one to handle your bankruptcy should be a breeze. However, do not use only this guide to finalize your choice. It is a good idea to use this for preliminary findings. (more…)

I can’t tell you how many people tell me that they are not worried about estate planning because they own everything jointly with their spouse, so it doesn’t really matter.

WRONG!

Here are a few reasons why that kind of thinking costs thousands of dollars (at least):

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Q: We are finally ready to address our estate planning needs, such as our wills, trusts and protecting our assets. What are the most important considerations when selecting an estate planning attorney? What are the most common estate planning mistakes?

The Problem – Choosing the Right Estate Planning Attorney to Avoid Common Mistakes. A recent internet based yellow page search for “lawyers” lists over 80 results in Princeton, New Jersey alone. Their services range from Arbitration to Tax Law. With so many firms to choose from, matching your needs to the professional’s expertise can be an arduous task.

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In today’s economy, there are a lot of people getting into financial trouble. Your outlook may even seem grim as the debts keep piling up. However there is a way to get out of the crunch you’ve found yourself in.

Bankruptcy may seem like your only remedy, but you need to know that there are more solutions than just outright bankruptcy. A good attorney will sit down with you and listen to every aspect of your financial situation and give you viable alternatives.

And then if other means aren’t available to you, he should be able to show you how to get the best outcome by filing. In other words they will show you how to keep most of your possessions, stop foreclosures, stop harassment by bill collectors, and give you some peace of mind with a fresh start on life. (more…)

When you are feeling overwhelmed by debt, the first thought you may have is the need to file for bankruptcy. But bankruptcy is not the right answer for everyone when it comes to dealing with your debt.

First of all, bankruptcy is not an easy process, nor is it a free one. The amount of information that is involved can be frustrating and it can be a very expensive time when you already have money problems. You will need an attorney and there is always the possibility that bankruptcy judges will not allow your case to go through, still leaving you to deal with your debts.

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Many people make the mistake of filing for bankruptcy with a bankruptcy attorney representing them. Going without a lawyer will almost always result in the case being denied or in an outcome that you would not be pleased with. It is very important that you understand that this is a specialized field that is best handle by an attorney who is specialized in these cases.

When it comes to bankruptcy you cannot even go with a regular lawyer. You must have a bankruptcy law attorney representing you. This is because the law has changed significantly in the recent years. Knowledge of these laws is crucial to the outcome of your case. So if you go with an attorney who is not so familiar with these laws, it can result in your loss. And loss is the last thing that you would want.

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