November 2010 Archives

November 9, 2010

Desert Hot Springs in Riverside County filed for Bankruptcy

Desert Hot Springs is only the second city in the United States to seek Bankruptcy protection. They didn't pay on a lawsuit that called for them to pay 3 million dollars and decided to file bankruptcy. They were able to come out their bankruptcy by buying bonds and have restored to great financial shape. In 2001 the city had to file because a major part of the debt , approximately $6 million owed to developers and their attorneys who won a Fair Housing Act suit against the city. The city had 8 million in debts it could not pay.

If you live in desert hot springs the median income is around 25,000 dollars and below the states median income which allows people to qualify for chapter 7 bankruptcy in which you can protect at least 23,000 dollars in assets through the wild card exemption and up to 100,000 if you use the homestead exemption. Bankruptcy is not the end as the city of desert hot springs saw but a new beginning. The city is now within its budget and got a fresh start through the bankruptcy code.

November 9, 2010

Law suits from Zwicker and Associates, Fredrick J. Hanna, Mann Bracken

Mann Bracken LLC , Professional Recovery Services Inc, Receivable Management Inc, Capital Management, Frederick J Hanna and Associates PC, Zwicker and Associates, Hemar and Rousso, are some of the debt collectors that I have had to deal with the most in terms of law suits or law debt collection activities. Zwicker and Fredrick J. Hanna, Mann Bracken are so big that they would rather pursue collection activities and work on settlements, then go to trial quickly. If coming up with a reasonable percentage is something that you can do then settling some of these accounts can be worth your while. If your debts are overwhelming then you really need to look into the bankruptcy laws and realize that most if not all of your assets can be protected.

November 8, 2010

Sued by Brewer and Brewer or Goldsmith and Hulll?

Have you been sued by Brewer and Brewer or Goldsmith and Hulll? Collection attorneys sucha as Brewer and Brewer, Goldsmith and Hull sue on behalf of credit card companies when people are in default.They often times file numerous cases on a monthly basis and typcially firms hope that you will not answer the summons and the case will result in a default judgment. That is the easiest way for a firm to collect money on behalf of their client. By answering the case, it takes an easy case and turns it into a time consuming and potentially expensive case. If 10% of people answered the cases that some of these law firms file, they would not be able to coninue filing the volume of cases that they do as they would be inundated with actual legal work and document production, discovery requests and court dates. This does not necessarily mean by answering a case that you will win it or they will drop it altogether, but it will allow you to reach a better settlement or buy some time to see if bankruptcy might be a better alternative. If you received a complaint or summons in the mail now is the time to talk with a debt attorney who can help you determine you best way to move forward.

November 4, 2010

Letters from Zwicker and Associates for collections?

Zwicker and Associates is a major law firm that collects on credit card debts but I have rarely(if ever) spoke with an attorney there and they must have 500 collectors(non-attorneys). If debt settlement is an option that you are considering and you do no want to file bankruptcy to eliminate the debt, then you should be happy that Zwicker is collecting as they are pretty good about giving reasonable settlements. I frequently get settlements between 30% and 40% and have not seen them actually sue someone in a long time. Have someone negotiate for you who knows how to deal with Zwicker. There are certain times of the month when they are more willing to drop down the % that they get and when there is a bankruptcy attorney on the other end of the phone, they know the alternative to not settling. Zwicker has offices in California but they are a bigger play on the east coast and I have not seen a lot of cases filed by them so there is likely time to work out a settlement if that is an option and you can afford to pay a lump sum within a few months. If not then talking to a bankruptcy attorney is probably your best bet.

November 2, 2010

Sued by Rory Clark

Have you been sued by Law Office of Rory Clark? Now is the time to answer the complaint or think about filing bankruptcy. Rory clark collects for Chase cards and other credit card companies by issuing a summons and hoping that you don't answer. That allows them to get a default judgment and easily collect through a wage garnishment or a lien on real property. Answering the law suit can get you a better settlement and buy you time to make a payment. If that is not possible then you really need to consider the filing of a bankruptcy petition. I have been trying to negotiate with Chase for one of my clients recently as the sued really quickly on a debt. At first Chase legal was handling the account and they served the summons. Once I answered the case it is now being dealt with by Law office of Rory Clark but of course I am not talking with an attorney yet but only a collection agent and she wants to settle the case for essentially the same amount that Chase legal was offering. Getting discovery started will make them realize that it will cost them time and money to aggressively pursue my client and they might not have all the itemized bills and documents to prove the money owed. If they do they will still have to put someone on the stand who is familiar with the case as a witness. All this costs money so hopefully they come to see that accepting a better settlement on behalf of my client is cheaper then the current alternative they are seeking. Bankruptcy is always an option if you have been sued so whether defending a case and answering the complaint is your objective, or seeking bankruptcy relief, call a Riverside bankruptcy attorney today to understand your options.