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I thought my mortgage and car payment was not part of the bankruptcy?!

May 20th, 2013 by Robert Brandt  |  No Comments  |  Filed under Bankruptcy in Northern Virginia

I THOUGHT MY MORTGAGE AND CAR PAYMENT WAS NOT PART OF THE BANKRUPTCY?! One of the most difficult and annoying things for people to understand when they file a chapter 7 bankruptcy case is that while they may be filing bankruptcy on the credit card debt, medical debt or some other personal loan, and not the mortgage or car loan, the bankruptcy law does not make that … Read More →

How to Deal with Bill Collectors?

May 10th, 2013 by Robert Brandt  |  No Comments  |  Filed under Bill Collectors

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I STOP PAYING ON MY CREDIT CARD OR OTHER ACCOUNT? Let’s start with the basics. Typically, particularly with credit card accounts, the answer is calls, calls and more calls. Then what? Well, normally, most creditors after about 90 days will place the account in the hands of a collection agency. At this point it will no longer be Chase or Bank of America calling … Read More →

WILL I LOSE MY TAX REFUND IF I FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY?

January 25th, 2013 by Robert Brandt  |  No Comments  |  Filed under Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

WILL I LOSE MY TAX REFUND IF I FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY? The chances are highly unlikely that you will have to forfeit your tax refund if you file for chapter 7 bankruptcy, unless that is….So, what are some of those “unless” scenarios? Bear in mind that the following discussion is limited to Northern Virginia. As in those bankruptcy cases filed in Alexandria, Virginia. Every state does things … Read More →

SHORT SALE INSTEAD OF BANKRUPTCY?

November 16th, 2012 by Robert Brandt  |  No Comments  |  Filed under Short Sale

By now the word short sale is as a common of a phrase in the English lexicon as the word “google it.” Almost all homeowners know that if they need to sell their home, and their house is unfortunately “underwater,” then they can seek approval from the bank to allow them to sell their home for less than what they owe on their mortgage. That is what … Read More →

3 Ways to stop a garnishment WITHOUT having to file for bankruptcy (Part III)

July 11th, 2012 by Robert Brandt  |  1 Comment  |  Filed under Garnishments

As previously discussed, one way to deal with a garnishment is by using a Homestead Deed. Another possible method, if the facts are on your side, is to challenge the underlying judgment that preceded the garnishment. If the foregoing options are not available to you, and if bankruptcy, for one reason or another, is simply not an option, you may be able to persuade the creditor to … Read More →

How much does Bankruptcy Cost

June 26th, 2012 by Robert Brandt  |  2 Comments  |  Filed under How Much Does Bankruptcy Cost?

At least once per month I get a phone call that goes something like this: I filed a chapter 13 bankruptcy case with “XYZ attorney” last year and now I need to file a Motion to Incur Debt (for example) since I need to get a new car loan, but the problem is that I just cannot get a hold of anyone at his office. I have … Read More →

Are you being sued by a Debt Buyer?

June 13th, 2012 by Robert Brandt  |  1 Comment  |  Filed under Debt Buyers

If you are reading this article then you probably live in Virginia and you probably just received a Warrant in Debt. The Warrant in Debt was either just mailed to you or you found it on your door. Upon taking a closer look at the Warrant you notice that the Plaintiff, the company that is taking you to court, is named Portfolio Recovery, LVNV Funding, Midland or … Read More →

Foreclosure Defense or Foreclosure Delay?|Foreclosure Defense in Virginia

June 12th, 2012 by Robert Brandt  |  1 Comment  |  Filed under Foreclosure Defense

Wondering what the state of “foreclosure defense” in Virginia is these days? Wondering what your chances of success are of stopping a foreclosure here in Virginia without filing for bankruptcy? Can you possibly keep the house without paying the mortgage in Virginia? Well, a recent ruling by the federal court here in Alexandria, Virginia certainly seems to shed some light. Here is what the United States District … Read More →

3 Ways to Stop a Garnishment in Virginia WITHOUT filing bankruptcy (Part II)

June 2nd, 2012 by Robert Brandt  |  1 Comment  |  Filed under Garnishments

Were you just informed by your employer that you are facing a garnishment of your wages? Has your bank just put you on notice that your bank account is frozen due to a garnishment summon that they have just received? Have you reviewed the garnishment summons and concluded that you have never heard of the creditor that is requesting the garnishment? Or, if you have heard of … Read More →

3 Ways to Stop a Garnishment in Virginia WITHOUT Filing for Bankruptcy!

March 26th, 2012 by Robert Brandt  |  1 Comment  |  Filed under Garnishments

Did you just receive a garnishment summons? Wondering how you might be able to deal with a bank or wage garnishment without having to resort to filing for bankruptcy? Surprised that a bankruptcy lawyer is offering you advice about dealing with garnishments without filing for bankruptcy? Don’t be. I like my clients to be as informed as possible and to have all options on the table. Besides, … Read More →