Recent Blog Posts

Many people who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments may ask themselves, “Should I modify my mortgage?” Try considering several factors to decide whether loan modification is right for your situation. First, understand that a loan modification is a new agreement with your mortgage provider that alters the original terms of your mortgage loan….

Lenders across the country continue to foreclose on homeowners who fall behind on their mortgage payments. Each month, hundreds of Georgians lose their homes at foreclosure sales. You can file for bankruptcy under Chapter 13 to stop foreclosure. If you qualify, Chapter 13 not only protects your property, but also forces your creditors to halt…

For most people, having a car is a necessity, not a luxury. We use our cars for work, to transport our children to school and to run other important errands. Without a car our already complicated lives become even less manageable. If you fall behind on your car payments, your lender can repossesses its collateral,…

Illinois law states the repossession of a car or truck is illegal if the consumer is not actually in default on the loan or if the creditor doesn’t have a valid security interest in the vehicle. But a valid repossession can become illegal if the repossessor used tactics that “breach the peace” when seizing the…

A common question for people in debt is when they should file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Often, filing for bankruptcy cannot wait for a specific time of year, as it often comes after a major, surprising life event such as unexpected medical bills. There are, however, a few ways you can time your bankruptcy to…

There’s a new reason to be stressed about phone calls from debt collectors: a growing number of debtors are being scammed into paying off debts they don’t owe by phantom debt collection agencies. Thousands of Americans have reported receiving calls from fake debt collectors, according to the Federal Trade Commission. In response, the FTC has…

No one gets away with lying on a bankruptcy schedule – not even celebrities. The proof: Teresa and Joe Giudice, stars of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, recently confessed in a federal court to committing bankruptcy fraud by neglecting to list income and assets. Sources say the couple lied about Teresa’s income from the…

Having wages garnished can be devastating. In this tough economy, many people are struggling to meet their basic living expenses and simply don’t have enough income left over to pay off their debts. Creditors typically use wage garnishment in Illinois as a final attempt to collect outstanding debts. During this process, you can no longer…

For many debtors, Chapter 13 bankruptcy is truly the most effective way to find lasting debt relief. But in the three to five years it takes to work your way through a Chapter 13 repayment plan, your financial situation may change, whether you get married, switch jobs or – as many folks unfortunately do -…

If you are experiencing financial difficulties, the last thing you need is to be taken in by a scam. Unfortunately, debt elimination scams are an increasingly popular way for fraudsters in Illinois to take advantage of people when they are most desperate. One of the most important things to look out for is the general…