Elder abuse is a growing problem. While we don’t know all of the details about why abuse occurs or how to stop its spread, we do know that help is available for victims. Concerned people, like you, can spot the warning signs of a possible problem, and make a call for help if an elder is in need of assistance.
The National Center on Elder Abuse website is a resource to answer your questions and provide ...
Continue → ShareDecorating for the holidays is fun for the entire family. However, there are many items in homes during the holiday season that can be dangerous, such as burning candles and glass ornaments that require extra supervision – especially in homes with young children.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 600 fires in the U.S. are caused from Christmas tree lights and decorations each year. Additionally, 7,500 injuries occur from Christmas trees and decorations ...
Continue → ShareIf a borrower defaults on a mortgage, the lender may seek foreclosure on the property. In Texas foreclosures may be ordered by a court or without court involvement. Typically, a non-judicial foreclosure is conducted by auction “on the courthouse steps.” Defaults that lead to foreclosure may be monetary or technical, and specified notice and other requirements must be followed if the foreclosure is to be valid.
Non-judicial foreclosure auctions are conducted on the first Tuesday of each month between the hours ...
Continue → ShareIf there are grounds for alleging that loan documents, notices, or some impropriety in the sale, the borrower may file a “wrongful foreclosure” lawsuit.
If you are facing a potential foreclosure or have received an “Notice of Default and Intent to Accelerate,” you should act quickly. It is much easier to stop a foreclosure before it occurs than to get a remedy after the foreclosure is complete. If the property is sold to a third party there is little chance that ...
Continue → ShareA 73-year-old Filipino woman made history when she became the first person in California to win her house back from her lender even after it was foreclosed in San Jose, California.
Corazon Palma got her 4-bedroom house back after staging a battle against Washington Mutual through a wrongful foreclosure lawsuit. She claimed her lender promised to send her a loan modification packet. Instead, a Coldwell Banker real estate broker came to her house to notify her that her house had been ...
Continue → ShareIt’s wise to do some research when choosing a credit counseling organization. If you are in search of credit counseling to fulfill the bankruptcy law requirements, make sure you receive services only from approved providers for your judicial district. Check the list at www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/ccde/cc_approved.htm or at the bankruptcy clerk’s office for the district where you will file. Once you have the list of approved organizations in your judicial district, call several to gather information before you make your choice. Some ...
Continue → ShareA pre-bankruptcy counseling session with an approved credit counseling organization should include an evaluation of your personal financial situation, a discussion of alternatives to bankruptcy, and a personal budget plan. A typical counseling session should last about 60 to 90 minutes, and can take place in person, on the phone, or online. The counseling organization is required to provide the counseling free of charge for those consumers who cannot afford to pay. If you cannot afford to pay a fee ...
Continue → ShareThe U.S. Trustee Program promotes strength in the nation’s bankruptcy system by enforcing bankruptcy laws, providing oversight of private trustees, and maintaining operational excellence. The Program has 21 regions and 95 field offices, and oversees the administration of bankruptcy in all states except Alabama and North Carolina. For more information – www.usdoj.gov/ust.
If you have concerns about approved credit counseling agencies or debtor education courses, such as the failure to provide good service, please contact the U.S. Trustee Program by ...
A debtor education course by an approved provider should include information on developing a budget, managing money, using credit wisely, and other resources. Like pre-filing counseling, debtor education may be provided in person, on the phone, or online. The debtor education session might last longer than the pre-filing counseling – about two hours – and the typical fee is between $50 and $100. As with pre-filing counseling, if you are unable to pay the session fee, you should seek a ...
Continue → ShareAs a rule, pre-bankruptcy credit counseling and pre-discharge debtor education may not be provided at the same time. Credit counseling must take place before you file for bankruptcy; debtor education must take place after you file.
In general, you must file a certificate of credit counseling completion when you file for bankruptcy, and evidence of completion of debtor education after you file for bankruptcy – but before your debts are discharged. Only credit counseling organizations and debtor education course providers ...
The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 launched a new era: With limited exceptions, people who plan to file for bankruptcy protection must get credit counseling from a government-approved organization 180 days before they file. They also must complete a debtor education course to have their debts discharged.
The Department of Justice’s U.S. Trustee Program approves organizations to provide the mandatory credit counseling and debtor education. Only the counselors and educators that appear on the U.S. Trustee ...
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We are providing a great deal of bankruptcy information for those considering, or just researching, bankruptcy. This growing collection of information includes the complete bankruptcy code, and future sections will cover debt and all consumer options surrounding bankruptcy.
Federal Bankruptcy law benefits both debtors and creditors by seeing that debtors get debt relief and creditors collect some of the debts owed. The types of bankruptcy filings are referred to ...
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