Many families in Texas struggle with credit card debt. Across the U.S., Americans owe about $905 billion in credit card debt. That works out to around $15,654 per household. While this seems like a lot, other debts are even worse. The total amounts owed on mortgages,...
Year: 2017
Chapter 13 processes
Many people living in Texas struggle to pay their bills. While some financial difficulties are temporary, other individuals and families find it impossible to catch up. In these cases, bankruptcy may be an appropriate option. There are two primary kinds of consumer...
Woman allegedly lied to bankruptcy court in Chapter 7 case
When Texas residents or others file for bankruptcy, they generally must disclose all of their assets. One woman who failed to disclose that she had $3,500 of cash on hand had her Chapter 7 discharge blocked. The woman said that she didn't disclose the cash as an asset...
Can you use the wildcard exemption when you file Chapter 7?
If you are preparing to file for bankruptcy, you are also probably worrying about which assets you can keep and which you will lose. Exemptions are key, and Texas provides filers with some of the most generous exemptions in the nation. Among these is the so-called...
Buying a home after bankruptcy
Texas residents and others who file for bankruptcy may believe that they have no chance of buying a home. However, this is not necessarily the case. For many, the biggest obstacle standing in their way of home ownership is time. In some cases, a person may need to...
Coping with the financial fallout of a natural disaster
Texas residents who have been impacted by natural disasters may accumulate debt while trying to cope with the aftermath. As simply paying for food and a hotel room after fleeing from home can cost hundreds of dollars a day, the expenses could be tough to manage. Those...
Why bankruptcy filings are up for the elderly
Older Americans in Texas and throughout the country are filing for bankruptcy more often than they have in past years. Individuals between the ages of 65 and 74 comprise 8 percent of all bankruptcy filings. This is an increase of 1 percent since 2008, and many people...
2 common myths about bankruptcy debunked
Many people in Houston are struggling with debts. Some of these individuals may find themselves stressing over how to pay their car notes, mortgages and household expenses each month. As stressful as it is dealing with debt and not knowing where your next dollar may...
Retirement contributions count as expense in bankruptcy
Texas residents who make contributions to a 401(k) plan can generally claim those deductions as expenses when filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. A trustee in one case claimed that a debtor needs to make contributions in the six months proceeding bankruptcy for them to...
Phantom debt and consumer rights
Some consumers in Texas may be contacted by collectors of what is known as "phantom debt." This term is used to describe debt that is either already paid off or never belonged to the person. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, in 2016, more than 40...