Anyone a lawyer here?

[virgo]

Is anyone here a lawyer who can answer a question about filing bankruptcy? A friend of mine (who lives in Hattiesburg) is considering filing but had a few questions. I told her I would see if anyone on MH is a lawyer or if anyone here is familiar with bankruptcy.

[mac]

www.daveramsey.com (http://www.daveramsey.com)

[MSQueen]

http://www.totalbankruptcy.com/faq.htm

this site answers general questions regarding bankruptcy. i don't think many lawyers like to give out much free advice. :smt102 also, i don't know that many lawyers would want to "out" themselves here, unless they already have.

if things haven't changed too much, i think many lawyers offer a "free initial consultation". also, if i were your friend, i would get someone who handles bankruptcies quite a bit. BUT.... i would also be leery of those who might advertise really, really cheap prices... (sometimes you get what you pay for)

.02.........

[EricStratton]

I dropped out of law school....but, I'm a really good listener....and I give great advice..

[carsalesguy]

just file 7. not 13. you get re-established much easier after a 7

[SouthChic]

www.daveramsey.com (http://www.daveramsey.com)

That's what I was going to suggest, Mac. :D Most of the time when people call Dave telling him they're about to file bankruptcy, he helps them realize it's often not necessary and tells them how to avoid it.

[Conveyor Belt]

+2 on the Dave ramsey....

[dollfus46]

I dropped out of law school....but, I'm a really good listener....and I give great advice..

I know your type. You become a GYN Doctor the second you walk into a bar too. Oh, wait! That's NoWay. sorry. :)

[dollfus46]

My Dad always said you can get through anything in life with only two things: Good friends and good credit. Bankruptsy destroys the latter. Little question on every financial statement, Have you ever declared bankruptsy.

[Michelle]

My Dad always said you can get through anything in life with only two things: Good friends and good credit. Bankruptsy destroys the latter. Little question on every financial statement, Have you ever declared bankruptsy.

Debts that you cannot pay will destroy credit just as fast as bankruptcy. You can buy a house 2 years after bankruptcy and a car sooner than that. When you try to get a loan for either of these things, they also look at your debt to income ratio.... that hurts you a lot more than bankruptcy.

[virgo]

Debts that you cannot pay will destroy credit just as fast as bankruptcy. You can buy a house 2 years after bankruptcy and a car sooner than that. When you try to get a loan for either of these things, they also look at your debt to income ratio.... that hurts you a lot more than bankruptcy.


Yeah, my friend is kind of in this situation. She is a single parent and was never married, but she should have been. Her ex-fiance used her credit cards to buy everything. After they broke up, she was left paying his bill and pretty much survived a low-paying job by using credit cards for the first few years of her child's life. Now she is making a lot more money, but is struggling to survive because all of the bills from the years she struggled.

She doesn't want to file bankruptcy (who really does?) but has tried for a few years to get back on track, only the bills have not gone down. It's like a vicious cycle. She is a good person, but at this rate, she would not be able to buy a house or a car because of all the debts she has.

[daisy]

Virgo, I had a cousin in a similar situation from her first husband. He even cleaned out her savings and checking account when he left. I am pretty sure he had a substance abuse problem also. He did a number also on her credit cards.

And Virgo, my cousin was very aware of all the theories and all.she had worked in sales and credit departments.

Then when he wanted to see her again, he kidnapped her dog to see her.

Anyway, her dad suggested she do bankruptcy to get out of it. And the dad said he would be there to help her with any financing until she was up again.

I also have heard of a Mr. Bell. I knew someone who worked there.

That cousin is remarried to a rocket scientist ( I am not kidding) and I am sure no one messes with her on her money after that.

And I know someone else in that situation that used Al Shiyou and said he was helpful, efficient and nice.

Good Luck to your friend.

[Engelbert Humperdinck]

Yeah, my friend is kind of in this situation. She is a single parent and was never married, but she should have been. Her ex-fiance used her credit cards to buy everything. After they broke up, she was left paying his bill and pretty much survived a low-paying job by using credit cards for the first few years of her child's life. Now she is making a lot more money, but is struggling to survive because all of the bills from the years she struggled.

She doesn't want to file bankruptcy (who really does?) but has tried for a few years to get back on track, only the bills have not gone down. It's like a vicious cycle. She is a good person, but at this rate, she would not be able to buy a house or a car because of all the debts she has.

Several people have posted about Dave Ramsey, and I agree his financial ideas are sound. I think your friend isn't bankrupt, if she's making a good living now, she can work this out.

Dave calls it the "debt snowball". Pay the minimum on all the debt, and put everything else on the smallest one, working your way up the list. Anyway, at the very least suggest to her to stop by the library and pick up Dave's book Financial Peace, it's a really good read, and will tell her step by step how she can get out of this mess, and start to build wealth.



Dave Ramsey's website (http://www.daveramsey.com/)

[daisy]

Virgo, I also forgot to mention Consumer Credit Counseling Service that could help her.

Or she could even talk to a banker she trusts and feels comfortable with. And I use Community Bank and USM Credit Union.

I know both of those institutions have wise, caring people. I bet hers would also.

[EricStratton]

I'm gonna look at this Dave Ramsey book myself....I'm a financial moron, but my wife does a pretty good job of keeping us above water.....I've got a crap load of student loan debt, which got even bigger after I went insane and decided to go to law school a few years ago.....Also got some credit card debt from living beyond my means for about six years....I, honestly, don't even know exactly how much I owe all these different institutions.....I've instructed my wife and others not to tell me....Just take what you need from my wallet and bank account, but don't tell me how deep in debt I am.....If I knew the actual amount, I'd probably cry all day, and I don't like to cry....

[Michelle]

Virgo, I also forgot to mention Consumer Credit Counseling Service that could help her.



In my opinion, Consumer Credit Counseling is worse than bankruptcy. They do debt consolidation to pay off everything in 5 years or so. During this time you cannot get anymore loans.... credit card, car, house, etc. After the process is complete, all of your debts are marked as settled and remain on your credit report for 7 more years.

[KingMaker]

Most home lenders consider CCC to be the same as a Ch. 13.

[amanda]

Yeah, my friend is kind of in this situation. She is a single parent and was never married, but she should have been. Her ex-fiance used her credit cards to buy everything. After they broke up, she was left paying his bill and pretty much survived a low-paying job by using credit cards for the first few years of her child's life. Now she is making a lot more money, but is struggling to survive because all of the bills from the years she struggled.

She doesn't want to file bankruptcy (who really does?) but has tried for a few years to get back on track, only the bills have not gone down. It's like a vicious cycle. She is a good person, but at this rate, she would not be able to buy a house or a car because of all the debts she has.


Virgo, your friend should try, if at all possible, to go to her bank and see if she can get a consolidation loan to pay off all her high-interest cards before attempting bankruptcy.

Secondly, since 2006 bankruptcy laws have greatly changed making filing for bankruptcy very hard to do.

Good luck to your friend.

[Guru]

Ok, I am reading this as NO to Virgo's original question, there are no lawyers on MH but like the rocks situation ... everybody has an idea about it.
:-)

[MSQueen]

Is anyone here a lawyer who can answer a question about filing bankruptcy? A friend of mine (who lives in Hattiesburg) is considering filing but had a few questions. I told her I would see if anyone on MH is a lawyer or if anyone here is familiar with bankruptcy.

http://www.totalbankruptcy.com/faq.htm

this site answers general questions regarding bankruptcy. i don't think many lawyers like to give out much free advice. :smt102 also, i don't know that many lawyers would want to "out" themselves here, unless they already have.

if things haven't changed too much, i think many lawyers offer a "free initial consultation". also, if i were your friend, i would get someone who handles bankruptcies quite a bit. BUT.... i would also be leery of those who might advertise really, really cheap prices... (sometimes you get what you pay for)

.02.........

Ok, I am reading this as NO to Virgo's original question, there are no lawyers on MH but like the rocks situation ... everybody has an idea about it.
:-)

guru, i think she also asked if anyone was familiar with bankruptcy. :)

i do believe there are several lawyers who are members on MH and who may post from time to time, but as i stated in my previous post, most lawyers don't like to give out "free" advice. that's how they make their living. just as having a doctor come on MH and giving a diagnosis about someone without knowing the facts, it isn't ethical for lawyers to do so if they aren't "representing" the person. :-D

[virgo]

Ok, I am reading this as NO to Virgo's original question, there are no lawyers on MH but like the rocks situation ... everybody has an idea about it.
:-)

guru, i think she also asked if anyone was familiar with bankruptcy. :)

i do believe there are several lawyers who are members on MH and who may post from time to time, but as i stated in my previous post, most lawyers don't like to give out "free" advice. that's how they make their living. just as having a doctor come on MH and giving a diagnosis about someone without knowing the facts, it isn't ethical for lawyers to do so if they aren't "representing" the person. :-D

Actually, a few people have PM'd me. Two of whom are lawyers, so thank you very much for everyone's help. Lawyers actually do free consultations for these things, so I doubt they would lose money (especially if I send my friend to see one of them, lol) I am going to have my friend read this thread tomorrow :)