- Divorce
- Child SupportPeople who are drowning in debt rarely have just one loan or just one source of that debt. You may have been making your student loan and mortgage payments when you became injured and incurred medical debt. To stay afloat, you charged necessities on a credit card. On top of that, you may be struggling with child support payments or owe back taxes.
- Spousal SupportAny contact after they’ve received notice you are filing for bankruptcy is illegal. Should a creditor contact you after filing bankruptcy, then they could face penalties and outstanding court fines. Some collection actions, however, cannot be stopped with an automatic stay. These actions include audits by the IRS, collection of alimony from a former spouse, any kind of criminal proceeding, or the withholding of money to repay loans from pensions.
- Legal Separation
- DUI/DWI
- Wrongful Death
- Traffic Violations
- FraudIn severe cases, you could even be charged with bankruptcy fraud, which is a criminal offense. The penalties for bankruptcy fraud will depend on the facts of the case, but a conviction could result in outstanding court fines and even imprisonment. That is why it’s extremely important you seek an experienced bankruptcy attorney if you’ve had a sudden increase in income. They can review the details of your bankruptcy plans and determine if disclosure is required.
- Theft
- Embezzlement
- Identity TheftFinancial problems can come from many causes. A divorce, health issues, a work injury, loss of employment and even the theft of your critical, private information which gives access to your credit profile by strangers with criminal intentions. Identity theft is a huge problem in America today. According to the Department of Justice almost 7% of American adults were the victims of identity theft in 2012. The percentage grows each year. There are a myriad of laws to help a consumer protect themselves from this phenomena. There are many ways to try to make corrections to erroneous consumer credit reports which result from the theft of critical information.
- Limited Liability CompaniesChapter 13 – This type of bankruptcy protection allows the business to keep its assets while reorganizing and paying off its debts. Chapter 13 is sometimes best for those operating a sole proprietorship or general partnership but is not available for corporations or limited liability companies (LLC). Since a sole proprietorship is not considered separate legal entity distinct from its owner, filing for Chapter 13 will provide the same benefit to the business.
- Workers Compensation
- Property Damage
- Citizenship and Naturalization
- Personal InjuryYou can have default judgments against you for any matter for which you can be sued — meaning you could have a default judgment from creditors, or for a personal injury matter, or a contract dispute.
- Auto Accidents
- Social Security DisabilityLockhart v. United States, 546 U.S. 142 (2005) — James Lockhart failed to repay federally reinsured student loans he incurred under the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, and the loans were eventually reassigned to the Department of Education, which certified the debt to the Department of the Treasury through the Treasury Offset Program before the government began withholding a portion of Lockhart's Social Security payments to offset his debt.Lockhart sued in Federal District Court, alleging that the offset was time barred under the Debt Collection Act's 10-year statute of limitations, but the Supreme Court of United States unanimously held that the Debt Collection Improvement Act made Social Security benefits subject to offset and that the Higher Education Technical Amendments removed the 10-year limit that would otherwise bar the offset. In other words, the federal government has the power to collect defaulted student loans by offsetting Social Security disability and retirement benefits without a statute of limitations.
- BankruptcyIf you have decided to file for bankruptcy, or have questions about filing for bankruptcy, in Ohio or Kentucky, it is important to consult with an experienced bankruptcy attorney who is knowledgeable in all areas of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This will ensure that you receive the best possible advice and representation to overcome your unique debt situation.
- ForeclosureOne very effective way of avoiding foreclosure that does not involve a homeowner having to file bankruptcy is a modification of the homeowner's existing mortgage. Loan modification programs allow certain people who are struggling to lower their monthly mortgage payments and keep their homes.
- Debt CollectionFortunately, there exists several state and federal laws that restrict the tactics and behaviors of debt collectors. Borrowers can also file complaints against debt collectors who cross the line into unacceptable behavior. To learn more about how you can stop creditor harassment, we suggest you get in contact with a knowledgeable and skilled Ohio debt collection lawyer as soon as possible. The creditors will be obligated to speak to your lawyer only, so you won’t receive any more barraging phone calls or letters. An attorney can also file a complaint for you and even help you receive damages if there’s strong evidence these creditors violated state or federal laws