Tuesday, December 27, 2011

5 Common Misconceptions about Bankruptcy: #1 I Should be Ashamed


Unlike other legal issues, unmanageable financial debt is a problem that many are too ashamed to discuss with their friends and family. This means that many people piece together their knowledge about bankruptcy from unreliable and confusing sources. The result is that there are a lot of misconceptions about bankruptcy.  In these 5 posts we will write about the most common misconceptions that we hear from clients in our office.

Common Misconception #1: I Should be Ashamed

"The Congress shall have power to…establish…uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States"
 -The Constitution of the United States, Article 1, Section 8, Clause 4

Bankruptcy is one of the oldest laws in the United States, and was included in the original 1787 draft of the U.S. Constitution. In fact, the originating language is older than the Bill of Rights. The Founding Fathers recognized that a system of laws was necessary to protect the “honest but unfortunate debtor”, and such laws were in the general interest of the country and its citizens.

Many people are proud to stand up for, and take advantage of, their constitutional protections – and they should be. From its original incarnation and its amendments over the years, such protections have become the cornerstone of our society, our government and our way of life.

So, should you be ashamed of filing for bankruptcy?

Well, are you are ashamed of your freedom of speech, or freedom from unwarranted searches and seizures, or freedom of self incrimination? Are you ashamed of your right to elect a president or legislative representatives? Why be ashamed of utilizing one constitutional protection, but not others?

Now, I am not suggesting that filing bankruptcy is somehow a patriotic thing to do. Actions have consequences, and the consequences to bankruptcy should certainly be considered whenever you are considering any debt resolution plan. Put another way, just because you can doesn’t always mean you should. But, if you ever find yourself in the position where you should be considering bankruptcy, know that you are in good company. Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin, among others, would have supported your ability to do so.

If you’re not swayed by my flag-waiving, red, white and blue history lesson, ask yourself which is more shameful: Finding yourself and your family in a difficult financial situation and choosing to do nothing about it, or finding yourself in a difficult financial situation and using the law to improve your finances so that you can better provide for you and your family’s needs.

Kelsey & Trask, P.C.’s attorneys are here to help you find financial freedom no matter what mistakes you have made in the past. If you’ve made some questionable financial decisions in the past, admit your mistakes, correct your behaviors, and find a qualified attorney to help fix the problem.

After all, it’s your right to do so.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

5 Common Misconceptions about Bankruptcy: #2 How do I get a Free House?

Unlike other legal issues, unmanageable financial debt is a problem that many are too ashamed to discuss with their friends and family. This means that many people piece together their knowledge about bankruptcy from unreliable and confusing sources. The result is that there are a lot of misconceptions about bankruptcy.  In these 5 posts we will write about the most common misconceptions that we hear from clients in our office.

Common Misconception #2: How do I get a Free House?

In our last post, we discussed the misconception that bankruptcy discharges all debts.  There are some debts that you might still owe even after filing bankruptcy.

In addition, there are some debts which you can choose whether to still owe or not: Secured Debt.  Secured Debt is debt that you have agreed to pledge some collateral for, and in the event you don't pay the debt then the creditor can take the collateral.  Some common examples of secured debt are house mortgages or car loans.

In most cases secured debt can be discharged or kept, depending on whether you want to keep the collateral.  However, you cannot keep the collateral and discharge the debt.  There are no free houses and cars in bankruptcy.  Although you may have exempt equity in a car or house, if you cannot pay the loan you do not get to keep the collateral.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

5 Common Misconceptions about Bankruptcy: #3 Freedom from All Debts


Unlike other legal issues, unmanageable financial debt is a problem that many are too ashamed to discuss with their friends and family. This means that many people piece together their knowledge about bankruptcy from unreliable and confusing sources. The result is that there are a lot of misconceptions about bankruptcy.  In these 5 posts we will write about the most common misconceptions that we hear from clients in our office.

Common Misconception #3: Freedom from All Debts

Another common misconception about bankruptcy, is that once it is over you no long owe any money to anyone.  In some cases this is true, but those cases are very rare.

Most people have some debts which are nondischargeable, which means they will still owe those debts, even after the bankruptcy is complete.  You may still be responsible for most taxes and student loans; debts incurred to pay non-dischargeable taxes; domestic support and property settlement obligations; most fines, penalties, forfeitures and criminal restitution obligations; certain debts which are not properly listed in your bankruptcy papers; and debts for death or personal injury caused by operating a motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft while intoxicated on alcohol or drugs.

Also, if a creditor can prove that a debt arose from fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, or theft, or from a willful and malicious injury, the bankruptcy court may determine that the debt is not discharged.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

5 Common Misconceptions about Bankruptcy: #4 Filing is Free

Unlike other legal issues, unmanageable financial debt is a problem that many are too ashamed to discuss with their friends and family. This means that many people piece together their knowledge about bankruptcy from unreliable and confusing sources. The result is that there are a lot of misconceptions about bankruptcy. In the next 5 posts we will write about the most common misconceptions that we hear from clients in our office.

Common Misconception #4: Filing is Free

Many people believe that filing for bankruptcy means you have reached a point where you have no money left.  If you have no money left, then filing for bankruptcy must be free, right?

Actually, most people who file for bankruptcy have some assets and some income.  They simply don't have enough income or assets to keep up with their debt.

And filing for bankruptcy is not free, but it is a bargain.  The filing fee for filing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is $306 and for a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is $281.  In addition, our attorney's fees range from $999 to $3,500 for a consumer bankruptcy, depending on how complicated the case is.  For clients who are concerned about paying a few thousand dollars to file for bankruptcy, we usually point out that this amount is much much smaller than the amount of debt being discharged in exchange.  If someone told you that they would settle your $50,000 credit debt for $2,000 you would probably take them up on it.

For a more specific calculation of what a bankruptcy would cost in your case, visit our Bankruptcy Cost page.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

5 Common Misconceptions about Bankruptcy: #5 Picking & Choosing

Unlike other legal issues, unmanageable financial debt is a problem that many are too ashamed to discuss with their friends and family. This means that many people piece together their knowledge about bankruptcy from unreliable and confusing sources. The result is that there are a lot of misconceptions about bankruptcy. In the next 5 posts we will write about the most common misconceptions that we hear from clients in our office.

 Common Misconception #5: Picking & Choosing

Many people believe that they get to pick which debts to "bankrupt." Some clients don't want to report a debt owed to a family member, because they don't want that person knowing about their bankruptcy. Other clients only want to "bankrupt" specific debts but not all of their debts. That is not how bankruptcy works. 

Every debt you owe must be completely and accurately disclosed in the documents filed to commence your bankruptcy case. Bankruptcy is not a "pick and choose" proceeding. You cannot not put some debts in and leave other debts out. Intentionally omitting debts from your bankruptcy case may result in the non-dischargability of those debts, the dismissal of your bankruptcy case, fines, or imprisonment for bankruptcy fraud.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Visit the Office of the Future in the World of Tomorrow!


Thanks to FirmFuture presenter Gabriel Cheong for inspiring us to make better use of our iPad in the office.


Now when you schedule an initial consultation we can use our iPad, displayed on the flat screen TV (pictured above), to show you:


And if you want any of the information printed out so you can take it home, our new laser HP printer can print directly from the iPad right in our conference room, using WiFi magic.

These are just some of the ways that we are trying to design our new office, at 160 Speen St, Suite 202, Framingham, MA, to be as friendly, convenient and useful to current or potential clients.  If you are interested in checking it out, give us a call at 508.655.5980 or set up an appointment online here.

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