“Some of the work you do as a lawyer is the same over and over again. However, the best lawyer sees problems coming and helps their clients understand the risks and their choices. Don’t hire someone who is only interested in getting your money.”
DIANE L. DRAIN, lawyer, mentor, and community activist.
W elcome to my blog, your go-to guide to navigating bankruptcy laws. I am a veteran bankruptcy lawyer and consumer advocate in Arizona. I’ve committed my life to teaching and mentoring in order to cut through the legal jargon that intimidates anyone facing financial hardship. This is the same dedication I had as a law professor when teaching bankruptcy.
Everyone has the right to know their own and others’ rights, even creditors. Avoid stressing over creditors. Learn the facts to make smart choices.
Helpful materials, updated legal information, and advice can help you achieve financial security. Bottom line: Everyone deserves a decent night’s sleep and a stress-free future.
RECENT ARTICLES
RECENT ARTICLES
Understanding the Current Financial Landscape: A Comprehensive Guide to Recent Articles and Developments in the World of Bankruptcy
July 21, 2019
More than One in Four Consumers Have a Debt in Collection with a Debt Collector 7/18/19 The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) just released a report that found that more than one in four consumers with a credit report have at least one debt in collection by third-party debt collectors. […]
July 5, 2019
Law suit against Department of Education – loan forgiveness program for millions of public service workers is in such a shambles that it violates federal law and the Constitution. July 11, 2019 – Article by National Public Radio: Debbie Baker (not the lady in the picture) thought she qualified for a federal program that helps [...]
July 5, 2019
CFPB TAKES ACTION AGAINST CREDIT REPAIR COMPANIES FOR CHARGING ILLEGAL FEES AND MISLEADING CONSUMERS Companies and Individuals to Pay More Than $2 Million in Penalties and Relinquished Funds 6/27/17 – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed two complaints and proposed final judgments in federal court against four California-based credit repair companies and three individuals [...]
July 4, 2019
Article By Eric Heisig, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio (6/2018) — The term “loan shark” might bring to mind a scene in a movie where a gangster takes a crowbar to the kneecap of a down-on-his-luck gambler who can’t make good on repayment of a loan. The term “payday lender” might bring to mind an image of [...]
June 23, 2019
Lexington Law and CreditRepair.com 5/2/19 – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) filed a complaint for deceptive and abusive telemarketing acts or practices against PGX Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries Progrexion Marketing Inc., Progrexion Teleservices Inc., eFolks LLC, and CreditRepair.com Inc.; and against John C. Heath, Attorney at Law PLLC, which does business as Lexington Law. [...]
June 22, 2019
June 21, 2019 – At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, a federal court has temporarily halted and frozen the assets of Grand Teton Professionals, an alleged credit repair scheme that charged illegal upfront fees and falsely claimed to repair consumers’ credit. […]
June 17, 2019
Urban African American neighborhoods are hardest hit as nearly 100,000 loans have failed. 6/2019 By Nick Penzenstadler and Jeff Kelly Lowenstein, read extensive report – article from USA TODAY Reverse mortgages – thousands of seniors, who worked their entire life to own a home, are finding their homes foreclosed for several reasons. The problem is [...]
June 10, 2019
6/2019 – Wells Fargo & Co. agreed to pay at least $385 million to customers who say they were signed up for auto insurance without their knowledge or consent when they took out a car loan. […]
June 8, 2019
YOUR MORTGAGE CLOSING CHECKLIST By Melissa Yu – JUN 03, 2019, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Closing is one of the most important stages of buying a house. Learn how to prepare and what to expect so you can close with confidence. Download our Closing Checklist Closing on a new home can be one of your most memorable [...]
June 8, 2019
6/5/19 – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) announced a settlement with Freedom Mortgage Corporation (Freedom), one of the ten largest Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) reporters nationwide. […]
June 1, 2019
Ever wonder how our court system works? It is rather confusing when you talk to me about bankruptcy and how that interacts with your creditor’s lawsuit and potential garnishment of your wages and bank accounts. […]
May 11, 2019
On February 27, 2017, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau “CFPB” issued a civil investigation demand “CID” to Seila Law, LLC seeking information about its business. to determine whether debt relief providers, lead generators, or other unnamed persons are engaging in unlawful acts or practices […]
April 30, 2019
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) 2/5/2019 announced a settlement with Cash Tyme, a payday retail lender with outlets in Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Cash Tyme is the operating name for CMM, LLC, and its wholly owned subsidiaries in those states. […]
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April 28, 2019
There are Rules Governing Debt Collectors Debtor collectors are not allowed to call you before 8 am or after 9 pm (your time zone, not the caller’s). They cannot yell, swear, use crude language or threaten you in any way or do anything else that could be seen as harassment. Nor can they threaten to [...]
April 23, 2019
STRIKER ALERT – HB 2158: TAX SETTLEMENT; NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS (TAX LIEN FORECLOSURES; SUBDIVISIONS; EXEMPTION) Unexpended and unencumbered monies remaining in the Veterans’ Income Tax Settlement Fund (which was established as part of the FY2016-17 budget) revert to the general fund on June 30, 2021, instead of June 30, 2019. The Department of Veterans’ Services [...]
April 18, 2019
Ever wonder why you make really stupid decisions, especially when you are overwhelmed, worried or distracted? Perhaps you are focused on one task, like dealing with a difficult child or employer, and you completely miss a really important appointment or buy something you did not want. […]
April 13, 2019
Reprint from Consumer Affairs Desperate consumers enter into these agreements without fully understanding how they work. Generally, debt relief or debt settlement companies offer a service to debt-burdened consumers to intervene with creditors–in most cases credit card companies–and secure a lower payoff amount. Often, desperate consumers enter into these agreements without fully understanding how they [...]
April 13, 2019
UPDATE: July 9, 2019 Freedom Debt Relief agrees to pay $20 million in restitution and $5 million in civil penalty to settle the claims for deception, abusive actions, misrepresentation, failure to disclose. […]
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