Diane talks about bankruptcy, Arizona laws, and more…

New Rule to Protect Borrowers from Repeated Overdraft Bank Fees and Payday Loans On March 30, 2025, a new rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) started. It helps people who take out payday loans, repeat overdraft fees and other expensive loans. Here’s what the rule does: Stops repeated payment attempts: If a lender [...]

For many, this sudden shift threatens to push them into default, leading to wage garnishments, seized tax refunds, and damaged credit scores.

Reverse mortgages can bring both benefits and drawbacks.

Many people, including inexperienced attorneys, think that bankruptcy is simple. To quote a first-year law student on their first day in bankruptcy class, "It is just filling out several forms." On the last day of class, the same student was asked the same question, but their answer was dramatically different: "I did not realize how [...]

The Department of Education has stopped millions of borrowers from applying for lower student loan payments and loan forgiveness. This follows a court ruling that blocked the SAVE plan, a program designed to reduce monthly payments and limit interest growth. In response, the department removed online applications for income-driven repayment (IDR) plans and loan consolidations. [...]

The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) is warning that the Trump Administration's actions to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will devastate working families, honest businesses, and the economy. "Millionaires and billionaires are celebrating the attack on the CFPB because fewer consumer protections mean more profits for them. The wealthy and big corporations [...]

U.S. credit card debt reached a record $1.17 trillion In the third quarter of 2024, U.S. credit card debt reached a record $1.17 trillion, a significant increase from $770 billion in early 2021. This surge has led to more Americans making only minimum payments, with the average household carrying over $21,000 in credit card debt. [...]

Reprint from the IRS website: Presidents Day weekend is peak time for IRS phone traffic. Skip the wait by visiting IRS.gov. IR-2025-22, Feb. 12, 2025 WASHINGTON — With the 2025 filing season underway and the anticipated high demand for IRS phone lines around the Presidents Day holiday, the Internal Revenue Service today encouraged taxpayers to [...]

Some time ago I published an article about the Arizona Supreme Court's terrible decision that those who live in RVs, motor homes, trailers, or houseboats—basically anything that is not a traditional stick or manufactured home—can lose their home to credit card companies or if they file for bankruptcy protection. Well, now a few good attorneys [...]

Ruling voiding retention agreements and financing agreements, order disgorgement of fees, and imposing sanctions against MyAZLawyers, PLLC, Candace Kallen, EZLegalFees, LLC and Katherine Kiesel Arizona Bankruptcy Court Order - issued February 3, 2025 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that any and all retention, fee, and financing agreements, including all Promises to Pay, between Ms. Kallen, My [...]

Your life has become one of hard choices. Do you pay credit cards or your mortgage (hint- always pay your mortgage if you can afford to keep your home)? Do you pay taxes or buy food? Do you borrow more money to pay existing debts, only later to find you are even further in debt? [...]

Update: 12/11/24 see article below from National Consumer Law Center, Inc. "NCLC": 15 Ways to Fight Foreclosure of Zombie Second Mortgages Introduction: Zombie mortgages, particularly "zombie second mortgages," are a troubling phenomenon where old, seemingly resolved mortgage debts resurface, catching homeowners off guard. These debts, thought to be forgiven or satisfied, are often sold to [...]

What are the Basic Bankruptcy Principles? Bankruptcy is a legal process that helps people and businesses overwhelmed by debt get a financial ‘start fresh’. The principles of discharge, disclosure, and due process are key to understanding how bankruptcy works. Key Concepts of Bankruptcy Law Definition Understanding the foundational concepts of Bankruptcy Law can help you [...]

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released a report delving into the hidden costs consumers are forced to pay for health savings accounts. May 1, 2024 The following is a reprint from CFPB's website (provided for educational purposes only) The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today released a report detailing the complex costs and fees that [...]

From the National Consumer Law Center "NCLC" a toolkit to deal with your student loans, 5/2024 Whether you are just starting your student loan journey or have been dealing with student loan debt for decades, you can use NCLC’s newly created Student Loan Toolkit to help you take charge of your student loan situation and [...]

Into the Shadows: Unraveling the Dark World of Fraud, Schemes, and Scams The Sneaky World of Fraud and Scams: How They Work and Why You Should Be Careful Fraud and scams are like tricky puzzles designed to trick people out of their money or personal information. They come in many [...]

After 100 Years of Protecting Homeowners, Arizona's Law Changes to Give Creditors New Rights to Take Your Home Depending on the value of your home, creditors can now take it if they get a judgment. Introduction: Arizona homeowners, there's a new law in town, and it's got some folks worried. [...]

Bankruptcy is a complex process that can have significant implications for your business and personal finances. Before considering business bankruptcy as an option for your struggling business, it's crucial to understand the potential pitfalls in detail. Here's a breakdown of some of the key factors to consider: Types of Small Businesses Bankruptcies: Small businesses [...]