Lawyers Blog Blog,Legal Where to Turn During Rough Financial Times

Where to Turn During Rough Financial Times

Like it or not, the world revolves around money. True, money isn’t everything- and your personal world doesn’t need to revolve around money when it comes to your priorities, but even then you still have to admit that money is a driving force in society. For most people, having money problems of any kind (not making enough, not having savings, being in debt, etc.) either has happened to them, is happening to them, or will happen to them in the future. Sometimes these money troubles are our own fault and can be caused by greed, by poor budgeting, or by making unwise investments. But sometimes they’re a result of things out of our control, like extreme emergencies that were impossible to prepare for, being robbed, or simply not having the opportunity to make as much money as you need to in order to get ahead, or even keep above water. So whether you’re currently experiencing a rough financial time, or whether you have yet to experience one, here are two options of where to turn for help, depending on how serious your money troubles are.

Financial counseling. This is a suggestion for people who are struggling with their money choices, who want to understand more about how to make wise investment decisions, and those who need suggestions on how to budget appropriately. Really, this could apply to even those who aren’t currently experiencing rough financial times, but who are interested in avoiding them in the future. So even if you’re great at budgeting and have a fair amount of money tucked away for emergencies, financial counseling is a great way to expand your knowledge of what you can do to better your financial situation.

Bankruptcy attorneys. This suggestion is clearly not for everyone. Making the decision to file for bankruptcy is a difficult one, and although it’s by no means the first place to look when you begin experiencing problems with paying bills, it’s definitely a viable option for those who are way in over their heads. There are a lot of options out there for filing for bankruptcy and going with an attorney (like Metairie bankruptcy attorney, for example) is a great way to go in order to make the process less stressful and more beneficial for you in the long run. Making the decision is definitely difficult, and going to a bankruptcy attorney will help you to make a clear and informed choice.

Clearly, there are several more options out there for anyone experiencing problems with money, but these are two that are important to think about, depending of course on your current situation. However, regardless of where you are financially, learning more about finances and how to best handle your money is important. It doesn’t have to be (and really shouldn’t be) the most important thing, but being in control of your finances allows you to focus your energy and attention on the more important things in life.

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Chapter 7 or Chapter 13?Chapter 7 or Chapter 13?

Realizing that you are in a position that might require filing for bankruptcy is a hard pill to swallow for anybody. It takes a lot of humility to understand that you have screwed up. Filing for bankruptcy usually has a negative connotation associated with it. It is a very long thought-out and difficult decision people make. However, it is important to know what happens when you file for bankruptcy. First when considering whether or not you should file for bankruptcy you will be required to attend approximately six months of credit counseling and at the end you will take a test to see whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 is more suited to your needs.

Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the two most common types of bankruptcy individuals end up filing with the Court. With Chapter 13 you will set up a specific payment plan including payment and time period to pay back the loan to pay back your creditors on payments that are overdue. The time period used is typically about five years. The Court needs to approve your payment plan and this happens once they have sufficient evidence that you have the financial means to pay the debts back as you have outlined. Often this is the more desirable option as you get to keep your property and work over time to pay things off. On the other hand, with Chapter 7 you have to fill out a bunch of paperwork detailing all of the property you own and assign a value to each item. It tends to be known as liquidation bankruptcy. You then typically have a hearing where your creditors get to determine whether each item should be part of the bankruptcy. A trustee will then take these items and work on converting them into cash to pay back your creditors. Hence the liquidation aspect. It is important to understand that once a bankruptcy claim is filed, an automatic stay is put in place which prevents creditors from furthering harassing you for payment during the proceedings.

A lot of people enjoy this aspect because it can get overwhelming having creditors down your back every day. A month or so after you file your claim, your trustee with meet with creditors to discus your bankruptcy. The trustee acts as the intermediary between you and the creditors so that you don’t keep receiving harassment from creditors. The trustee will go over the paperwork with you and make sure there aren’t any discrepancies with values you have assigned different items of property you listed. Based on your goals, assets, debts, income and expenses filing for bankruptcy can help wipe out most types of debt including credit cards and medical bills, reduce monthly payments, stop creditor harassment, stop repossession of your vehicle, stop the foreclosure of your residence, stop wage garnishments, and even stop the stress caused by debt collectors. Either option you choose, Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, it is important to have an attorney look over things. Kirkpatrick & Associates is a great firm to call. They will assist you in getting back on the right track. Bankruptcy may not be the best option for everyone so it is important to have an attorney go over things with you and help you come to the best option for your situation.

Getting Help From A Social Security Disability AttorneyGetting Help From A Social Security Disability Attorney

Having the right help or guidance on a legal matter such as Social Security disability can make the difference between success and failure. So deciding on which legal representative to choose for your case is not a small matter. A lawyer familiar with the legal issue you’re facing can help you navigate the complex legal process and protect you from taking the wrong steps that hurt your chances of success.

For example, if you’re disabled and unable to work, it’s critical that you file a Social Security disability claim, based on disability. An experienced Social Security disability attorney will help you avoid difficulties involved in the filing. Many unknowing claimants encounter hardships simply because they do not have thorough knowledge of the filing process. Your Social Security disability attorney will make sure your filing is done early and correctly.

If you meet the requirements, you may be able to receive social security disability benefits. Even if you have a strong case, your social security disability benefits claim may be rejected because you didn’t file properly. Many social security disability claims do not get approved due to errors in filing which is why it’s recommended that you hire a knowledgeable social security disability attorney like www.parmelelawfirm.com.

Look for an attorney who has a good understanding of of the social security disability process. You obviously want an attorney who is well versed in handling disability cases. A social security disability attorney will essentially handle the entire process for you as he or she guides and advises you.

Social Security disability attorneys can be found in several different listing sources. Look in the Yellow Pages for a listing of lawyers in your area, and search the Internet for lawyers and legal aid clinics. Contact your state’s bar association for a listing of qualified disability lawyers. Talk to friends, family and colleagues to find out if they know a reliable disability lawyer. Many people are happy to recommend a lawyer they have hired if they were satisfied with their service.

There are some legal websites that offer a directory of disability attorneys. You will be able to access their comprehensive profile or background information, allowing you to select the right lawyer. The profiles disclose the attorney’s education, disability experience, and fees. Make sure that any lawyer you’re considering has a valid license.

Check with the Better Business Bureau to be sure that the lawyer is in good standing. You may also read online reviews of disability lawyers, to see what other people are posting about local lawyers. Pay close attention to the ratings given to each lawyer by these people. By checking out reviews of disability lawyers like www.parmelelawfirm.com, you will be able to choose a reputable disability lawyer.

Questions To Ask a Personal Injury AttorneyQuestions To Ask a Personal Injury Attorney

So you find yourself in a car accident and have sustained serious injuries that will require extensive medical care. Instead of stressing about how you are going to pay for all of the new expenses, think about hiring a personal injury attorney. If you are around the San Antonio area perhaps considering contacting the Law Offices of Jan Perry Lederer for some great advice. She is experienced in helping individuals suffering from injuries including physical, emotional, or mental and getting you the compensation and relief you are entitled to. When meeting with an attorney there are some key questions you’ll want to ask.

First, it is important to ask about the attorney’s educational background. You’ll want to know whether or not they have a solid education and if they know their stuff or not. Second, along the same lines you should ask if they have taken any continuing education classes recently. Lawyers are required to take a certain number of hours of continuing education in their field each year to stay current. Third, it is important to ask how long they have been in practice. You’ll want someone seasoned to work with because they’ll know the ins and outs very well. Fourth, you can ask how many claims they have settled outside of court. This obviously is the goal, as going to court can take months or even years. You want to know you have a good negotiator on your side.

Fifth, you’ll want to make sure that the attorney you choose to work with typically works with the individual who is injured and not the insurance company. This is important because you want to make sure that your attorney is completely committed to you. Sixth, you’ll want to ask who also works with this attorney. Would it just be them you would be working with, or is there an associate or paralegal also assigned you’d deal with as well. Seventh, you can ask them flat out if they expect your case going to trial given the information and details you provided. Trials can be long and costly, so you typically want to try your best to settle outside of court. Eighth, in the event it goes to trial, what sort of trial experience does this attorney have? Trial is very different than in an office and negotiating. You want someone who is a tiger and comfortable in the courtroom. Ninth, you want to make sure the attorney will honor your wishes so ask them flat out, if at any time during the process you want to settle and the attorney doesn’t agree, if they will support you and finalize things appropriately. Tenth, make sure you know all their fees. If they charge a retainer or work on contingency make sure you completely understand it and both of you are on the same page in regard to fees and costs. You want to know absolutely everything upfront. If you ask these pointed questions you can rest assured that you will make the most out of your initial consultation and be able to retain a great attorney to help you win your case.