What Is a Civil Judgement?

Civil lawsuits are used in a civil court to resolve a dispute regarding a private matter, typically seeking compensation for damages or a court order to rectify a situation, rather than criminal punishment. A civil judgement (or “judgment” in American courts) is the...

Late Payments on Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Now What?

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a reorganization of debts, allowing you to repay all or some of your debts over time through a repayment plan. It is often considered preferable to the alternative, chapter 7 bankruptcy, as it allows you to keep all of your assets and avoid...

Form 1099-C for Cancellation of Debt

When debt is cancelled, such as by a credit card company or bank, that is not the end of the story. A canceled debt is actually considered income and, under the treasury regulations, must be claimed as taxable income. This is where form 1099-C comes into play.   What...

Cross-collateralization: Overview, Benefits & Risks

In today’s world, your average person is likely to take out multiple loans in order to live a comfortable life. Cars, houses, and other big-ticket items are just too expensive for most people to pay for out of pocket. Oftentimes, when a loan is taken out, collateral...

PA Bankruptcy Means Test: What It Is & How It Works

Bankruptcy can seem very complicated to your average person. There are a lot of factors which determine not only if you are eligible for bankruptcy, but which specific chapter of bankruptcy. For the majority of individuals, the options are usually chapter 7 or chapter...

Does Filing Bankruptcy Affect Financial Aid?

For many, a college degree is a requirement for the career path they would like to pursue. Unfortunately, with the price of tuition, housing, and other fees, a college education is an expense that the vast majority of people cannot afford to pay for out of pocket. In...

A Guide to Debt Collection Laws in Pennsylvania

Historically, debt collection has been an industry rife with corruption, harassment, and other unscrupulous practices. In order to protect residents in debt, Pennsylvania has created a number of regulations and laws designed to govern exactly how debts can be...

How Long Do Late Payments Stay on a Credit Report?

When applying for car loans, mortgages, personal loans, and more, lenders use your credit score to determine not only interest rates, but if the lender will even grant you a loan in the first place. For this reason, a poor credit score can have a seriously detrimental...

Chapter 13 Hardship Discharge

Filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy requires committing to a repayment plan over the course of several years. However, life can be unpredictable, and some debtors may face circumstances that prevent them from completing or continuing with their repayment plan on time. In...

Can I File for Bankruptcy and Keep My House?

Financial situations can often lead to concerns about the protection of property. When you are struggling with debt, there are options to protect both your assets and your home. The strategy you choose to help relieve the burden of debt will depend on your financial...