Harrisburg Bankruptcy Blog | Cunningham, Chernicoff & Warshawsky, P.C.

3 common yet avoidable estate planning mistakes

On behalf of Cunningham, Chernicoff & Warshawsky, P.C. on Saturday, August 25, 2018.

Estate planning is not a popular subject, and it is easy to understand why. Nobody wants to think about the time when they inevitably pass, but it is important to face the future so that your loved ones are adequately cared for. To this end, there are several common mistakes you should avoid that can jeopardize the effectiveness of your estate plan and ultimately create more problems than solutions.

A recent survey conducted by Caring.com reveals that less than half of Americans have created a will. It is important to ensure that when you draft yours it is clear and specific. Avoid the following three missteps to ensure your plan is as effective as possible:

How will you handle financial issues for property division?

On behalf of Cunningham, Chernicoff & Warshawsky, P.C. on Friday, July 27, 2018.

In many marriages, one party usually manages more of the financial responsibilities than the other. For example, your spouse may pay the household bills and make the investments.

When you decide to end your marriage, you need to get up to speed on financial matters. How should you prepare for the property division phase of your divorce?

Chapter 7 filers should prepare to attend the 341 meeting

On behalf of Cunningham, Chernicoff & Warshawsky, P.C. on Wednesday, June 27, 2018.

Perhaps you have decided that your best course of action for getting out of debt is to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

You have taken the means test to confirm that you qualify, so once you have filed your petition, the next step is to prepare for the upcoming 341 meeting.

Do you need an attorney for an uncontested divorce?

On behalf of Cunningham, Chernicoff & Warshawsky, P.C. on Monday, June 25, 2018.

An increasing number of people have begun representing themselves in court. Many people take this route to save money or because they believe they would not benefit from a lawyer. However, there can be hundreds of tasks you need to perform to prepare for a court date, so even when it comes to divorce, you are always better off having an attorney in your corner.

Many couples have an uncontested divorce. This means they agree on all the major issues and want to separate with as little litigation as possible. While an uncontested divorce will most likely result in faster divorce proceedings, both parties would still be wise to acquire legal representation.

Why you should think twice before using payday loans

On behalf of Cunningham, Chernicoff & Warshawsky, P.C. on Tuesday, May 29, 2018.

If you are thinking about taking out a payday loan because your paycheck was not enough for you to cover your car note, mortgage or electric bill this month you might want to reevaluate your decision. On the surface, payday loans seem like the perfect solution. They make it possible for you to borrow the money you need without having great credit. All you have to do is make sure the money to repay the lender is in your account when it is time for them to receive payment. Simple, right?

No! There is a dark side to payday loans you should know about. If you are not careful, you could end up digging a deep financial hole for yourself. Here are some things for you to consider before you apply for that loan:

Improving financial habits for a better post-bankruptcy outcome

On behalf of Cunningham, Chernicoff & Warshawsky, P.C. posted in blog on Sunday, April 29, 2018.

Bankruptcy has helped and continues to help Harrisburg area residents get out of debt. Whether you are considering it to help you overcome some major and unexpected medical expenses or to regain a solid financial footing after losing a job, it is not the only thing you must do to benefit from it.

By law, you can file for bankruptcy multiple times. However, it is best as a necessary and last tactic resource. Take some time to consider additional steps you can take to improve your credit and keep your finances under control after bankruptcy.

Key aspects of spousal support in Pennsylvania

On behalf of Cunningham, Chernicoff & Warshawsky, P.C. posted in blog on Thursday, March 29, 2018.

During a divorce, the merged lives of two parties must become separate again. As such, there are several different elements to the divorce process.

Spousal support is one of the main elements that many divorcing couples face. In the state of Pennsylvania, there are a few key aspects that divorcing parties should understand.

What you need to know about common bankruptcy myths

On behalf of Cunningham, Chernicoff & Warshawsky, P.C. posted in blog on Wednesday, March 28, 2018.

When you are in the middle of a financial crisis in the Harrisburg area, finding your way out might seem impossible. Creditors are calling your phone nonstop and mailing demand letters to your home. However, you do have options, and one of them may be bankruptcy.

Due to common misconceptions, many people make mistakes during the bankruptcy process. To avoid this, take some time to review the following bankruptcy myths so you make the right decisions.

How to avoid mistakes concerning beneficiary designations

On behalf of Cunningham, Chernicoff & Warshawsky, P.C. posted in blog on Tuesday, February 27, 2018.

One of the objectives in reviewing your estate plan is to make sure the beneficiary designations for all your assets are current and correct.

The way you hold your assets will be important in determining which, if any, will be subject to probate when you pass away.

How bankruptcy can help you deal with delinquent debt

On behalf of Cunningham, Chernicoff & Warshawsky, P.C. posted in blog on Monday, January 29, 2018.

If you have fallen on hard times in Harrisburg and are no longer capable of paying your credit card debts and other financial obligations, there is a good chance you are looking for a way out of your situation. You have tried every possible solution you could think of, including payday loans, cash advances, debt consolidation and borrowing from loved ones. These actions have only increased the amount of financial distress you are in.

Before you dig yourself into a deeper hole, you should take some time to consider how bankruptcy can help you overcome the financial challenges you face.