If you are considering filing for bankruptcy in Michigan you may be wondering how to find the best bankruptcy attorney to help you through the process.  What questions should you ask and how should you evaluate the firm's professionalism.  It may feel like a daunting process. Here are the top 5 questions we feel are important to ask and why.  Of course we are giving you our responses too! If you…

Yes, secondary lien holders have the same legal right to foreclosure on your home as the primary mortgage company.  The Michigan foreclosure process is the same for the first mortgage holder as it is for the second mortgage lender. The main reason that it is not as common for the secondary lender to foreclose is because that lender would have to satisfy (pay off or negotiate a settlement) on the…

A Chapter 7 Bankruptcy allows you to exempt (protect) equity in real and personal property, such as your:

• Home (Real Property)
• Vehicle
• Personal belongings & misc. household goods and furniture
• General exemptions, such as bank accounts, income tax refunds, qualified retirement accounts, etc.

However you can only protect…

When people think of Donald Trump they think of one of the worlds wealthiest individuals.  They do not think of someone who filed for bankruptcy (4 times), yet that is exactly what Donald Trump did.  Donald Trump created one of the most iconic casinos in Atlantic City, The Trump Taj Mahal.  When his casino went into hard times (because of the market and over-leveraging for other ventures) Mr. Trump…

Trying to determine the best debt resolution can be daunting.  You may hear about others peoples' experiences (positive or negative) and wonder -  what is right for me?  You may be considering credit counseling debt management plans versus debt consolidation through a Chapter 13 and still be left with questions. We are here for you.  We offer free consultations to help you determine the best plan…

If you owe a debt to someone and that party forgives or cancels the debt, that canceled amount of debt may be taxable.  As a part of the Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007, homeowners were able to exclude from income debt that was reduced on their principal residence.  This included:

• Short sales;
• Mortgage restructuring, such as a loan modification;
• Foreclosure,…

January 1^st signals a fresh start to a new year and ambitions for how you can do things better in the next year - a new years resolution!  In a 2012 survey, 45% of Americans reported that they usually make a new year's resolution.  Among the top resolutions are "better money management and debt reduction."  Unfortunately, a dismal 8% of the survey respondents reported success at meeting…

The holidays often become stressful - especially when you consider the impact on your wallet.  Below are some tips for taking the strain out of holiday gift-giving with general budget concepts that you can use year-round.  If you need help getting your finances under control, our firm exclusively helps clients find lasting debt resolution.  Call us today at 866-261-8282…

Beginning in January 2014, both Michigan and Federal foreclosures laws will change to add stronger protections for consumers facing foreclosure with aims to bring stronger lines of communication between borrowers and mortgage servicers.  We recently posted a page outlining the details of the new federal law (Dodd-Frank Act effective January 2014).  Changes will take place with Michigan Foreclosure…

One of the main talking points of health care reform and the Affordable Care Act, often referred to as "Obamacare," was that increasing healthcare coverage would prevent people from falling into bankruptcy due to medical bills they could not afford to pay.  Studies suggest that medical bills are the number one reason for filing bankruptcy, outpacing other common factors such as credit card bills…