Blog Posts - Uncategorized
Whiplash from a car wreck can be worse than people expect
In the hierarchy of potential car crash injuries, soft tissue injuries are relatively low on the scale. Unlike broken bones and other serious injuries, whiplash is often a health issue that resolves on its own with minimal medical intervention. Some people don’t even bother seeing a doctor at all when...
Why choosing the right business structure is so important
There are many different legal business structures available to someone who is looking to start a company. Some people start simple partnerships or sole proprietorships because they want as much direct control over the organization as possible. Others may start limited liability companies (LLCs) or even corporations. People in Pennsylvania...
You should not believe everything you hear about bankruptcy
People who have had no experience with bankruptcy are often poorly informed about what this type of debt relief can and cannot accomplish. If you are pondering whether to file for bankruptcy protection, here are five common myths to help you separate fact from fiction. 1. Bankruptcy immediately makes you...
Will I lose my home if I file bankruptcy?
You may have heard that you cannot protect equity in your home when you file bankruptcy in Pennsylvania. This is not the case. Under federal bankruptcy laws, you can protect up to $23,675 in equity for a primary residence when you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The purpose of filing bankruptcy...
Why you should think twice before using payday loans
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...
Why older couples should review their wills
Most married couples name each other as beneficiaries in their wills. While this approach may make sense when both partners are young and healthy, it may not later in life. Unintended consequences can happen when older couples do not review and make appropriate changes to the estate plans they had...
What you need to know about common bankruptcy myths
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,...
What you need to know about alimony and taxes
Many people in Harrisburg cannot wait for the ink to dry on their divorce papers. They may feel so frustrated with their situation that they rush and agree to things before thinking about how the consequences may affect their tax situations once they are single. It is not uncommon to...
What can you expect at the meeting of creditors?
When individuals file for bankruptcy, they may not necessarily have to meet with a judge. In the state of Pennsylvania, these people will need to go through a 341 meeting, where the debtor appears and answers questions from a group of trustees. A lot of people think they have a...
Waiting too long to file bankruptcy
Some people with serious debt problems try other ways to fix the problem before considering bankruptcy. Unfortunately, some of those fixes can result in the loss of assets that could have been saved by filing bankruptcy sooner. For a person with serious debt problems, it’s good to explore all of...
Understanding Pennsylvania’s inheritance tax
You want to make sure your loved ones are taken care of even after you are gone. A proper estate plan is a great way to ensure the individuals you designate receive set portions of your estate. In the state of Pennsylvania, your survivors will face an inheritance tax. Knowing...
Things to know about bankruptcy during divorce
Some life-altering events can trigger bankruptcy, and a divorce is one of those events. Depending upon certain factors pertaining to the divorce process, the effects of bankruptcy may vary. In order to make the best decision, spouses should seek to understand the various aspects of bankruptcy. There are a few...
Protecting separate property in a second marriage
Many people enter second marriages assuming that the property they bring to the marriage will still be theirs if the marriage ends in divorce. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Things you do during your marriage can cause separate property to become marital property-and subject to division with your spouse...
Myth: Estate planning is only for older people
When you picture a couple going into a lawyer’s office to discuss estate planning, what image springs to mind? Perhaps the couple is silver-haired, retired or close to retirement. That makes sense, as estate planning is extremely important for that demographic. However, estate planning is also important for people at...
Mistakes to avoid when filing for bankruptcy
Filing for bankruptcy can provide you with a way to deal with your debts and begin getting your finances in order. To make sure you reap the full extent of the benefits this process offers, it is important to do it properly. There are some common mistakes people make when...
Managing the potential issues with marriage and bankruptcy
If engaged, you are no doubt looking forward to planning the wedding. However, you may hesitate to set the date because your intended has declared bankruptcy. How will this affect you? Is the proposed marriage in jeopardy? Will bankruptcy be a dealbreaker? Dispelling a myth Remember, your credit score is...
Learn to identify these debt collection harassment techniques
Being in debt is never an easy thing, but one of the most important things to remember about it is that your debt is never an excuse for you to be treated badly. This is true even when you are having trouble making payments on time. Stories about debt collector...
Key considerations for a valid prenuptial agreement
You hope for a lasting marriage, but that may not be an option. When some individuals think of a prenuptial agreement, they think they are planning the end before it begins. However, this is not the case. A well-crafted prenup helps to protect both parties and to encourage an amicable...
Key aspects of spousal support in Pennsylvania
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...
Improving financial habits for a better post-bankruptcy outcome
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...
Ignoring debt does not make it go away
Whether you have a mortgage, credit card balances, student loans, medical bills or another type of debt, you know how crippling it can be. According to credit card company Discover, Americans have an average household debt of more than $130,000. If you feel like you are sinking further into debt,...
How will you handle financial issues for property division?
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...
How to know if you have waited too long to file for bankruptcy
Bankruptcy can impact any entity, including municipalities. A township in Pennsylvania has struggled ever since a judge ordered the community to pay an oil and gas company over $100,000 in legal fees after losing a lawsuit. Local officials have argued such an action could bankruptcy the town. Bankruptcies are tough...
How to handle the emotional impact of bankruptcy
No entity, no matter how big or small, is immune from bankruptcy. Recently, Sears has made headlines for having to file for bankruptcy, which has necessitated the closing of many of its Pennsylvania locations. The stores in Pleasant Hills, Allentown and other cities around the state will have to close...
How to escape payday loans
If you have fallen so far behind in your mortgage and car note payments in Harrisburg that you resort to using payday and cash advance loans, know that you are not alone. Many people just like you use them to help keep them afloat while they are in between paychecks....
How to avoid mistakes concerning beneficiary designations
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. Start with the...
How bankruptcy can help you deal with delinquent debt
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...
Help your executor do a good job managing your final affairs
The individual you choose to manage your final affairs might be your spouse, another relative or even a close friend. Give it some thought. You should prepare a list of requirements for the person you eventually name in your will. Once the perfect candidate is chosen—your nephew Fred, for example—you...
Finding debt relief by filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy
Having a decent income does not guarantee the ability to pay all the monthly bills and expenses. If your earnings each month are not enough to keep you afloat, you may want to consider whether filing bankruptcy is an option for you. If you do not pass the means test,...
Estate planning and second marriages: What you should know
It is not uncommon for some people to get married a second, third or even fourth time in Harrisburg. But when it comes to estate planning and second marriages, it can add another layer of complexity to an already confusing situation. You want to provide for your law members, but...
Do you need to change custody arrangements for your child?
Circumstances change in life, and even if you feel your divorce agreement covered all the bases, you may need to modify it. Child custody is one of the issues that most often comes up. The requested change could be due to a matter that involves either you or your ex,...
Do you need an attorney for an uncontested divorce?
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...
Division of property during divorce in Pennsylvania
A large part of the divorce process is separating assets between the two parties. It may be helpful to become familiar with the property division process. Certain states distribute assets differently than others. In the state of Pennsylvania, a few aspects contribute to the division of property. Equitable distribution state...
Different ways to divorce in Pennsylvania
You know you want a divorce, but do you know how you want to get the divorce? There is more than one way to do it in Pennsylvania, and understanding each type can help you know which approach is best for your situation. Mutual consent Mutual consent means that you...
Common mistakes to avoid when filing for bankruptcy
If you find yourself on the verge of filing for bankruptcy, you are not alone. Many people in Harrisburg turn to bankruptcy every day because they can no longer afford to their pay bills. Whether your situation is because of a recent divorce, serious illness, job loss or some other...
Chapter 7 filers should prepare to attend the 341 meeting
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...
Can you keep your home if you file for bankruptcy?
Bankruptcy is an effective solution to insurmountable debt for many people, but it is a common misconception that filing means you will lose everything you have to your name. On the contrary, filing for bankruptcy can help you retain some assets and get your debt under control. Understandably, you may...
Can you discharge student loan debt in bankruptcy?
The amount of student loan debt in the United States has become a genuine crisis. In 2018, the total amount of student loan debt reached $1.5 trillion. Numerous people in Pennsylvania have to contend with this, and sadly, many are unable to ever completely eliminate the debt. As a result...
Can I keep my home even if I file for bankruptcy?
If you are struggling with overwhelming debt and are unable to pay your mortgage, you may be concerned that you could lose your home. Banks are usually quite swift in foreclosing on homeowners who miss their mortgage payments, and depending on how many payments you have missed, you may be...
Blended families and estate planning
For a blended law, a simple will can be anything but simple. It can lead to unexpected outcomes, such children being disinherited by a stepparent. Blended families need to take steps in their estate plan to protect the financial interests of children from a prior marriage. What can happen if...
Before you start your estate plan: Understanding probate
People refer to probate like it is a bad thing that you should avoid. However, probate is simply a legal process, and it is not inherently good or bad. Whether you should take steps to avoid it and how you may do so depends largely on the estate you will...
An estate plan can cover all the bases in your life
The estate plan you prepare will be unique. If you are giving thought to the process, you may only want a will at this time. On the other hand, you may be ready for a living trust or some other estate planning tool. Estate planning can be as basic as...
6 mistakes to avoid if you are named executor in a will
When named as an estate executor, it is gratifying to know that the deceased considered you trustworthy and capable of carrying out his or her last wishes as instructed in the will. However, the job is exacting. It may demand much of your time, depending on the complexity of the...
5 ways to emotionally deal with divorce
Divorce can be taxing on every area of your life. It can affect your relationship with your children, your productivity at your job and even your ability to get out of bed in the morning. While you may have pictured “until death do you part,” that isn’t always the reality....
3 things to look for when choosing the executor of your estate
Many people do not like to think about when they die. But sometimes it is necessary to do so to ensure that their estate and loved ones remain financially protected. Estate planning is an excellent tool for you to use to plan for your law’s well-being after your death. To...
3 different options of debt relief and which to choose
What can you do when you are over your head in debt? There may seem like no way out. While the journey is by no means simple or easy, you have different avenues to choose from to help you get back on track to financial security. Consider if one of...
3 common yet avoidable estate planning mistakes
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...