The jury issued its verdict yesterday in the Virginia defamation lawsuit between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard. After three weeks of trial, the jury concluded that Ms. Heard’s statements were defamatory. Yesterday’s verdict has left many people asking whether damages awarded in a defamation case are dischargeable in bankruptcy. Ordinarily, when a person files bankruptcy and receives a discharge, this means that the bankrupt party’s debts are eliminated and do not need to be repaid. Dischargeability depends upon what else the jury concludes. The Bankruptcy Code says that debts based on liability “for willful and malicious injury by… read more »
What to Know About Bankruptcy
Join York County Economic Alliance and CGA Law Firm for a Leadership Webinar on bankruptcy. CGA Law Firm’s experienced Bankruptcy Attorneys Larry Young and Brent Diefenderfer provide an overview on bankruptcy law and procedures for a business or an individual considering a filing. Please follow the link below to access the webinar on Business Bankruptcy. Please follow the link below to access the webinar on Personal Bankruptcy. To learn more about Bankruptcy and Debt Restructuring, visit our website. AttorneyBrent C. Diefenderfer is a shareholder with CGA Law Firm. Brent is a board certified Consumer Bankruptcy Specialist by the American Board of Certification and is one of only… read more »
COVID-19 Update: Executive Order Extending Eviction and Foreclosure Protections
Yesterday, Governor Wolf signed a new executive order extending eviction and foreclosure protections for homeowners and renters through August 31, 2020. The executive order must be read carefully because it does not provide protection in all cases. The Governor’s executive order precludes the initiation of new mortgage foreclosure action – however, it does not protect homes which had already been scheduled for sheriff sale or if the lender has already commenced the mortgage foreclosure process. Evictions are suspended for non-payment of rent or for “holding over” after the term of the lease has expired – but evictions for violations of other… read more »
York County Judicial Tax Sale
Article by: Brent C. Diefenderfer The York County Tax Claim Bureau has published notice that the Judicial Sale will take place on June 20, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. If your property is on this list, it is important for you to understand that if you do nothing before the sale, that you will likely lose your property. The Judicial sale is distinguishable from the “Tax Upset Sale” that occurs in the fall every year because at the judicial sale, properties are sold “free and clear” of mortgages and other encumbrances. The properties are sold in order that the County’s municipal… read more »
Underwater Homeowners… Get A Life Raft
Article by: Brent C. Diefenderfer The travails of the housing market in recent years are well documented. The prevalent symbols of this downturn are the “underwater” homeowners, who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth. About 4.6 million such homeowners have mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, and fully 80% of those owners haven’t missed any mortgage payments. One way out of the predicament of the underwater owner is the short sale, in which the owner sells the home for less than the balance remaining on the mortgage. It is not a perfect solution that… read more »
