If you are struggling with overwhelming debt, you are certainly not alone. Millions of Americans feel buried beneath a pile of medical expenses, credit card debt, mortgages and loans they cannot afford to pay. Chapter 7 bankruptcy offers a way out of that situation....
Are you suffering from debt collector harassment?
New York residents like you may have fallen into debt for various reasons. As you struggle to get back out of debt, the last thing you need on your plate is a debt collector knocking down your door. While most debt collectors obey the anti-harassment laws, this is not...
The means test for bankruptcy
If you are one of the many consumers in New York struggling to get ahead of your piling debt, you may start to consider filing for bankruptcy as a way of getting the fresh start you seek. One step in the process of receiving help from a consumer bankruptcy is to...
Bankruptcy and student loans
Paying back student loans is problematic for a decent number of graduates. With high loan amounts and high interest rates, the monthly payment amount is often too high for many to pay along with rent, food and other necessities. There is a general understanding that...
Job seeking after filing bankruptcy
Conducting a background check prior to confirming a new hire has become standard procedure for many companies today. Job applicants with even the most minor indiscretions on their record may wonder what impact different experiences may have on their ability to get...
What are the advantages of Chapter 13?
When you seek to file for bankruptcy protection, you have options in the different types of bankruptcy to file. One of those options is Chapter 13, which is known as the wage earners plan because instead of having the court remove all your debt, you create a repayment...
4 tips on dealing with the stress of debt
In the United States, many adults are significantly stressed by their financial situations. If you also find yourself struggling with your finances and debt, you likely feel overwhelmed about your future. Taking steps to minimize stress surrounding debt will help make...
What is an “automatic stay” in bankruptcy?
When your finances start to become too much to manage, you may explore your options and consider filing for personal bankruptcy. Doing so may help you get the fresh start you need to get your finances back in order, and it may also give you temporary protection in...
Exempt property in New York chapter 7 cases
The thought of filing for bankruptcy might cause you frustration and anxiety, but it can be the best way to eliminate crushing debt levels due to circumstances beyond your control. For many New York residents, filing Chapter 7 is an appropriate step with long-term...
What do monthly nursing home fees cover?
If you have an elderly parent who requires in-depth care or supervision, placing your mother or father in a nursing home may be advisable. After all, you may lack the skills, time and money to do the task without professional assistance. The average daily rate for a...
4 potential benefits of a revocable trust
A revocable trust is a legal instrument that can dictate how a person’s property is managed and distributed during their lifetime or after they have passed away. As with the majority of legal tools, there are both positive and negative aspects to a revocable living...
What do you know about discussing your end-of-life desires?
While you understand the importance of planning your estate and drafting all the documents, you may struggle to discuss your end-of-life desires openly. How do you bring up the matter with your family and friends? AARP offers tips for sharing your estate plans with...
Don’t overdo the “dead-hand controls” on your trust
Trusts have become an increasingly useful financial tool for people who want to safely pass their wealth onto the next generation. So-called “conditional” trusts, which impose certain obligations on would-be beneficiaries to receive their funds, are particularly...
A spendthrift trust may provide needed asset protection
A spendthrift trust includes specific provisions regarding how a trustee may use its funds on behalf of the named beneficiaries. As noted by SmartAsset, the trustee may exercise broad discretion to spend money on an heir's expenses so that he or she can maintain a...
Here’s why a DIY-estate plan is a bad idea
Creating an estate plan is one of the most important things you can do to safeguard your future, your assets and your loved ones. A well-written estate plan gives you peace of mind knowing that your wishes will be honored when you pass on, or if you become...
Is this a sign of nursing home neglect?
Hearing the many news stories focused on abuse or neglect at nursing facilities likely leaves you feeling concerned for your own loved one. Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine where or when neglect may occur. Noticing red flags can help you react quickly if...
What’s the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
The “Baby Boomer” generation is getting older and starting to investigate their healthcare options. If you're among that group, you may be wondering exactly how Medicaid plays into your future plans -- and how its relationship with Medicare works. Since 1964, the...
Think of succession planning when starting your business
In the excitement of getting your new business up and running, it is difficult to think of everything you need to do. Succession planning may not be part of your checklist at this point. However, if you have partners, shareholders and employees, there is no time like...
Involve a professional during Medicaid planning
Most people overlook the need for planning for long-term care. Unfortunately, the problem with this kind of thinking is your health can change, especially as you advance in age. No one can project how their health will be in the future. That said, nearly two-thirds of...
