Posts Tagged ‘bankruptcy’

Interest rates continue to rise, and individuals and businesses grappling with substantial credit card and unsecured debt find themselves navigating treacherous financial waters. Traditionally, debt consolidation programs have offered an alternative to bankruptcy by combining multiple debts into a single, manageable payment. However, as interest rates reach unprecedented highs, the once-reliable lifeboat of debt consolidation is increasingly becoming a sinking ship. As an experienced bankruptcy attorney, I’m now witnessing a shift in the financial dynamics that make bankruptcy a more viable option for those drowning in debt. Here are a few reasons why bankruptcy continues to gain prominence over debt… read more »

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) not only jeopardizes your life and the lives and safety of others – it’s also a financial nightmare with ruinous consequences. Court fees, costs and restitution are higher than you might think – not to mention potentially enormous damages demanded by victims for property damage and personal injury.  When you factor in the potential loss of your driver’s license or employment, the picture of financial devastation becomes very clear. As part of my bankruptcy practice, I help people get a fresh start from debt. Most of the time, these debts involve situations outside of my… read more »

Bankruptcy is often surrounded by myths and misconceptions that cloud people’s understanding of this legal process. It is essential to separate fact from fiction to make informed decisions about financial matters. In this article, we aim to debunk the top five most common bankruptcy myths and provide accurate information to help individuals better understand the process. Fact: Bankruptcy laws include exemptions that protect certain assets from liquidation. These exemptions vary by jurisdiction but typically cover essential items such as your home, vehicle, clothing, and necessary household goods. Most individuals who file for bankruptcy can retain their essential assets while finding… read more »

Divorce is often accompanied by emotional and financial turmoil, with disputes over debt being a common source of contention between spouses. However, in certain situations, filing for bankruptcy can alleviate the burden of debt-related conflicts and make the divorce process less contested and easier. This article explores how bankruptcy can simplify divorce cases by removing the need to fight over debt. 1. Debt Discharge: Filing for bankruptcy allows individuals to discharge or eliminate certain types of debt, depending on the bankruptcy chapter chosen (such as Chapter 7 or Chapter 13). Discharging debts can significantly impact a divorce case by eliminating… read more »

By Attorney Brent C. Diefenderfer Seeking help from a bankruptcy attorney early in your financial struggles can significantly impact the outcome of your bankruptcy case. An early consultation allows for a more strategic approach to your bankruptcy filing by providing ample time to plan and prepare. Here are a few examples highlighting the benefits of early assistance: 1. Preserving Assets and Maximizing Exemptions: When you consult a bankruptcy attorney in advance, they can guide you on protecting your assets within the confines of bankruptcy laws. By strategically planning asset transfers and utilizing exemptions, you can safeguard your property while obtaining… read more »

Attorney Larry Young, Shareholder, and Chair of CGA Law Firm’s Bankruptcy Practice Group, has been honored by Best Lawyers® with the 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” award for his work in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law in the Harrisburg area. Larry will be featured in the 30th edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for this prestigious achievement. As one of the country’s oldest and most respected peer-review attorney guides, The Best Lawyers in America® complies its list by conducting peer-review interviews. Lawyers must earn inclusion each year. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and community is honored with the annual… read more »

Much about bankruptcy law is counterintuitive and often misinterpreted. For example, the benefits of a bankruptcy filing, such as the improvement of credit scores, protection of assets, tax-free debt forgiveness, and the broad ability to qualify for Bankruptcy are often surprising to our clients. When a property is purchased through a Bankruptcy proceeding, it comes with a Federal Court Order declaring the property is free and clear of any liens, encumbrances, or other interests. It provides an added layer of title protection. The order ensures that no potential debts or interests existing before settlement could ever be enforced against the… read more »

Bankruptcy filings in Central Pennsylvania are down, as they are nationwide. Due to the relatively healthy economy, this fact should not surprise anyone. The mix of cases that are being filed is more notable. At the close of February in Central Pennsylvania, personal Chapter 13 filings outnumbered personal Chapter 7 filings. A Chapter 7 is filed when people are prepared to simply walk away from their debt. A Chapter 13 is filed when people want to reorganize their debt. In the economic downturn of 2008, the overwhelming majority of filings were in Chapter 7. At one point, nationwide Chapter 7… read more »

Attorney Larry Young has been invited to speak at the 40th NABT (National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees) Annual Conference in Vancouver, Canada from June 8th-11th. His panel includes the Hon. Elizabeth L. Gunn (U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Columbia), and Kara K. Gendron (Mott & Gendron Law, Harrisburg, PA). Their discussion will take place on June 8th and is titled “Alphabet Soup for Trustees: Stirring up Assets for the Estate”. At a time when bankruptcy filings are at a historical low, this panel will discuss how Trustees may be able to find hidden assets or assets that may be overlooked…. read more »

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 »