A new client goes to seek legal advise. He asks an attorney "How much do you charge?"
The lawyer replies "I charge $200 to answer 3 questions."
"Wow that's pretty steep, isn't it?" said the sticker shocked man.
"Yes it is," answered the lawyer, "now what is your third question?"
What is the difference between a good lawyer and a great one?
A good lawyer knows the law.
A great lawyer knows the judge.
What is wrong with lawyer jokes?
Lawyers don't think they are funny.
Everyone else doesn't think they are jokes.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Warning: Do Not File Bankruptcy Until...
With the economy still in the toilet, bankruptcy rates continue to stay high. With the recent news that credit card companies like Capital One are starting to file civil suites against debtors, going as far as to seek jail time, more and more people are turning to bankruptcy as a means of wiping the slate clean and getting a fresh start.
Sometimes identity theft will further deteriorate an already bleak situation. Credit card companies are becoming more aggressive with collections. False charges are becoming more difficult to contest. 29% interest rates are unfair to consumers and make minimum payments unpayable, forcing deals to be struck or constant harassment to be suffered.
Bankruptcy in an escape from the dirty tactics of credit card companies who prey on your inability to pay on your debts, racking up charges and skyrocketing interest rates. As an honest consumer, most people wish to honor their debt. It is the moral thing to do. However, should you allow these large companies to bully you and take advantage of your good intentions? When they will no longer be reasonable, drastic action must be taken.
Be careful when selecting your representation as well. The last thing you need during this vulnerable time is someone else trying to take you to the cleaners.
Finding an honest lawyer with your best interest in mind is no easy task. Luckily for those in the northern Atlanta area there is Mae Hartman. After several years as an award winning bartender in Cobb and Cherokee counties, she now provides a level of service unparalleled in the legal community. All she does is Bankruptcy, so she knows her stuff. She will be by your side throughout the filing process and is known for returning phone calls and emails within the hour. Call her today at (770)726-4600 or email at zmhlaw@gmail.com for your FREE Bankruptcy assessment to see if filing chapter 7 or 13 is right for you.
Sometimes identity theft will further deteriorate an already bleak situation. Credit card companies are becoming more aggressive with collections. False charges are becoming more difficult to contest. 29% interest rates are unfair to consumers and make minimum payments unpayable, forcing deals to be struck or constant harassment to be suffered.
Bankruptcy in an escape from the dirty tactics of credit card companies who prey on your inability to pay on your debts, racking up charges and skyrocketing interest rates. As an honest consumer, most people wish to honor their debt. It is the moral thing to do. However, should you allow these large companies to bully you and take advantage of your good intentions? When they will no longer be reasonable, drastic action must be taken.
Be careful when selecting your representation as well. The last thing you need during this vulnerable time is someone else trying to take you to the cleaners.
Finding an honest lawyer with your best interest in mind is no easy task. Luckily for those in the northern Atlanta area there is Mae Hartman. After several years as an award winning bartender in Cobb and Cherokee counties, she now provides a level of service unparalleled in the legal community. All she does is Bankruptcy, so she knows her stuff. She will be by your side throughout the filing process and is known for returning phone calls and emails within the hour. Call her today at (770)726-4600 or email at zmhlaw@gmail.com for your FREE Bankruptcy assessment to see if filing chapter 7 or 13 is right for you.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
On Her Own
Congratulation to Z. Mae Hartman on her new practice, one which will continue to provide excellent service at a reasonable rate. Stay tuned for more information as this exciting transformation of BankruptcyInCherokee.com becomes a leader in Bankruptcy representation in the Northern Atlanta Area.
Friday, March 11, 2011
What to Expect When Filing For Bankruptcy
by Z. Mae Hartman
The primary goal of bankruptcy is to obtain relief from burdensome debt and provide a fresh start to honest people. This legal proceeding is designed to eliminate personal debt and stop harassment from creditors.
Perhaps you have lost your job and you can no longer afford your car and mortgage payments. Credit card companies are threatening you with lawsuits. Debt collectors are pursuing you endlessly, and your finances are a disaster. If you are facing any of these situations, you may want to consider filing for bankruptcy.
Consumer bankruptcies are mainly covered under two parts of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 (Liquidation) enables you to eliminate most of your debts but may require you to forfeit some of your assets for distribution to creditors if they do not fall under an exemption. Chapter 13 (Reorganization) enables you to pay off all or a portion of your debts during a three to five year time frame.
To begin the process of filing for bankruptcy, you should first contact a reputable bankruptcy attorney. Once you have found an attorney, you will need to start collecting all of your financial paperwork. This should include credit card statements, collection notices, car and mortgage loans, bank statements, tax returns and your pay stubs from the last six months.
Your bankruptcy paperwork is also known as a petition. You must list everything you own and everything you owe. It is a federal crime to lie on your petition, so be forthright when listing your assets and debts.
You will need to decide what you intend to do regarding your secured debts such as your home and car. If you cannot afford to make the payments on your secured debts you may choose to surrender them in your petition.
Not all your debts will be discharged, such as certain taxes, alimony, student loans, child support and personal injury judgments. You are responsible for all new debts incurred after filing just as normal.
Your income over the last six months will be averaged, and the amount of your income will determine which chapter you will be eligible to file under. This includes all bonuses and commissions.
Also, the type and amount of your debts will determine if you should file under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. If you are behind on your secured debts, like your mortgage, you may choose to file under Chapter 13 because this chapter is designed to help you catch up on those arrearages.
After your paperwork is completed, you will review and sign the petition with your attorney verifying that everything in it is true and correct.The last step prior to filing your petition is the credit counseling class. The class can be taken either online or on the telephone. The class takes about an hour, and once you receive your certificate of completion, your petition will be filed and your creditors will be notified of your bankruptcy.
The "automatic stay" takes effect immediately upon the filing of your petition. Basically the "automatic stay" forces all creditors to stop any collection efforts when they receive notice of the filing. This means all those harassing phone calls will stop.About 30 days after your petition is filed, you and your attorney will attend a Meeting of the Creditors.
A Trustee was assigned to your case when your petition was filed. The Trustee will review your petition and conduct the meeting. He or she will ask several questions to determine if you were candid in listing your debts and assets.
Prior to receiving your discharge, you will have to take a financial management course. Again this course can be taken either online or by telephone. You will receive another certificate of completion which must be filed with the Bankruptcy Court.
If you have filed a Chapter 7, and the Trustee determines that you have no assets to distribute to your creditors, you will receive a discharge from the bankruptcy judge in about 60 days. In a Chapter 13 case, you will receive your discharge once you have completed your repayment plan (3-5 years).
It takes time to rebuild credit, but bankruptcy can help you start the financial healing process. You can now regain control of your finances. You should continue to pay on any debts not discharged in your bankruptcy like a mortgage, car loans, or student loans.
Another good way to rebuild credit is to apply for a secured credit card. Your credit score will improve as you prove you are capable of paying on time. Bankruptcy filings are public just like all court records and will remain on your credit report for ten years.
Bankruptcy should not be seen as a personal failure but an avenue you can use to rebuild your credit rather quickly after your discharge. Mae Hartman is an attorney in Canton, where her practice area is consumer bankruptcy. She is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The primary goal of bankruptcy is to obtain relief from burdensome debt and provide a fresh start to honest people. This legal proceeding is designed to eliminate personal debt and stop harassment from creditors.
Perhaps you have lost your job and you can no longer afford your car and mortgage payments. Credit card companies are threatening you with lawsuits. Debt collectors are pursuing you endlessly, and your finances are a disaster. If you are facing any of these situations, you may want to consider filing for bankruptcy.
Consumer bankruptcies are mainly covered under two parts of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 (Liquidation) enables you to eliminate most of your debts but may require you to forfeit some of your assets for distribution to creditors if they do not fall under an exemption. Chapter 13 (Reorganization) enables you to pay off all or a portion of your debts during a three to five year time frame.
To begin the process of filing for bankruptcy, you should first contact a reputable bankruptcy attorney. Once you have found an attorney, you will need to start collecting all of your financial paperwork. This should include credit card statements, collection notices, car and mortgage loans, bank statements, tax returns and your pay stubs from the last six months.
Your bankruptcy paperwork is also known as a petition. You must list everything you own and everything you owe. It is a federal crime to lie on your petition, so be forthright when listing your assets and debts.
You will need to decide what you intend to do regarding your secured debts such as your home and car. If you cannot afford to make the payments on your secured debts you may choose to surrender them in your petition.
Not all your debts will be discharged, such as certain taxes, alimony, student loans, child support and personal injury judgments. You are responsible for all new debts incurred after filing just as normal.
Your income over the last six months will be averaged, and the amount of your income will determine which chapter you will be eligible to file under. This includes all bonuses and commissions.
Also, the type and amount of your debts will determine if you should file under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. If you are behind on your secured debts, like your mortgage, you may choose to file under Chapter 13 because this chapter is designed to help you catch up on those arrearages.
After your paperwork is completed, you will review and sign the petition with your attorney verifying that everything in it is true and correct.The last step prior to filing your petition is the credit counseling class. The class can be taken either online or on the telephone. The class takes about an hour, and once you receive your certificate of completion, your petition will be filed and your creditors will be notified of your bankruptcy.
The "automatic stay" takes effect immediately upon the filing of your petition. Basically the "automatic stay" forces all creditors to stop any collection efforts when they receive notice of the filing. This means all those harassing phone calls will stop.About 30 days after your petition is filed, you and your attorney will attend a Meeting of the Creditors.
A Trustee was assigned to your case when your petition was filed. The Trustee will review your petition and conduct the meeting. He or she will ask several questions to determine if you were candid in listing your debts and assets.
Prior to receiving your discharge, you will have to take a financial management course. Again this course can be taken either online or by telephone. You will receive another certificate of completion which must be filed with the Bankruptcy Court.
If you have filed a Chapter 7, and the Trustee determines that you have no assets to distribute to your creditors, you will receive a discharge from the bankruptcy judge in about 60 days. In a Chapter 13 case, you will receive your discharge once you have completed your repayment plan (3-5 years).
It takes time to rebuild credit, but bankruptcy can help you start the financial healing process. You can now regain control of your finances. You should continue to pay on any debts not discharged in your bankruptcy like a mortgage, car loans, or student loans.
Another good way to rebuild credit is to apply for a secured credit card. Your credit score will improve as you prove you are capable of paying on time. Bankruptcy filings are public just like all court records and will remain on your credit report for ten years.
Bankruptcy should not be seen as a personal failure but an avenue you can use to rebuild your credit rather quickly after your discharge. Mae Hartman is an attorney in Canton, where her practice area is consumer bankruptcy. She is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Jokes: Bankruptcies and Bibles
One day, the Pastor sees Mathew slowly walking out of Church, head hanging low. "What troubles you, my son?" asked the concerned priest. "Well, Father," replies Mathew, "I lost my job, I have $75,000 in credit card debt, and I am six months behind on my mortgage. I just don't know what I am going to do."
The faithful priest, trying to inspire hope in the young man, proclaims "Trust in God, my son. Go and find the answers you seek in His holy word, the Bible. There He will lead you to salvation."
Four months later, the Pastor sees Mathew waling out of Church, head held high. "You seem in much better spirits, did you follow my advise?" questioned the priest.
"I did, father" replied the relieved young man, "I went home that night, dusted off my Bible, and the first phrase that I opened it to read... Mathew Chapter 7"
The faithful priest, trying to inspire hope in the young man, proclaims "Trust in God, my son. Go and find the answers you seek in His holy word, the Bible. There He will lead you to salvation."
Four months later, the Pastor sees Mathew waling out of Church, head held high. "You seem in much better spirits, did you follow my advise?" questioned the priest.
"I did, father" replied the relieved young man, "I went home that night, dusted off my Bible, and the first phrase that I opened it to read... Mathew Chapter 7"
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Lawyer Jargon In Plain ol' English A-C
Go NOW to BankruptcyInCherokee.com For Your Chance At A Fresh Start!
Or Go To Bankruptcy-In-Georgia.com To Keep Your Family Safe From Financial Disaster!
Abandonment: If the court decides your stuff is not worth the trouble of taking and selling, it releases the property from its control
Abstention: The court abstains from a case, usually because there is another case in motion already and they don't want to step on any toes
Appeal: Simply a request to review a decision made by another court
Asset: Anything you own of value which can be sold for cash such as automobiles, real estate, equipment, basically anything worth money
Automatic Stay: Once a bankruptcy is filed, this stops most collections and all the harassing calls. If a creditor persists, they violate the stay and can be help liable for any damages
Bankruptcy: The primary goal of bankruptcy is to obtain relief from burdensome debt and provide a fresh start to honest people. This legal proceeding is designed to eliminate personal debt and stop harassment from creditors.
Chapter 7: A bankruptcy procedure designed to instantly erase your debt. It liquidates certain property then provides a discharge of debt which you do not pay. All creditors will cease their harassing phone calls and you can start the rebuilding process.
Chapter 13: A bankruptcy procedure which provides you the opportunity to pay your debt over an extended time period. Not all creditors must be paid in full and all unpaid amounts are discharged. The discharge is considerably broader under chapter 13, which means more debt is eliminated. Some who file chapter 13 are given up to five years to pay off personal debt.
Collateral: Anything of value promised as payment if you can't pay back a loan
Credit Counseling: A certificate from an approved credit counseling agency is required to file individual bankruptcy. They help put your finances in perspective and usually takes less than an hour on the phone.
Current Monthly Income: Your total income averaged over the six-month period. It is used to see whether you qualify for a chapter 7 or 13.
EMAIL zmhLaw@Gmail.com NOW FOR MORE INFO.
Or Go To Bankruptcy-In-Georgia.com To Keep Your Family Safe From Financial Disaster!
Abandonment: If the court decides your stuff is not worth the trouble of taking and selling, it releases the property from its control
Abstention: The court abstains from a case, usually because there is another case in motion already and they don't want to step on any toes
Appeal: Simply a request to review a decision made by another court
Asset: Anything you own of value which can be sold for cash such as automobiles, real estate, equipment, basically anything worth money
Automatic Stay: Once a bankruptcy is filed, this stops most collections and all the harassing calls. If a creditor persists, they violate the stay and can be help liable for any damages
Bankruptcy: The primary goal of bankruptcy is to obtain relief from burdensome debt and provide a fresh start to honest people. This legal proceeding is designed to eliminate personal debt and stop harassment from creditors.
Chapter 7: A bankruptcy procedure designed to instantly erase your debt. It liquidates certain property then provides a discharge of debt which you do not pay. All creditors will cease their harassing phone calls and you can start the rebuilding process.
Chapter 13: A bankruptcy procedure which provides you the opportunity to pay your debt over an extended time period. Not all creditors must be paid in full and all unpaid amounts are discharged. The discharge is considerably broader under chapter 13, which means more debt is eliminated. Some who file chapter 13 are given up to five years to pay off personal debt.
Collateral: Anything of value promised as payment if you can't pay back a loan
Credit Counseling: A certificate from an approved credit counseling agency is required to file individual bankruptcy. They help put your finances in perspective and usually takes less than an hour on the phone.
Current Monthly Income: Your total income averaged over the six-month period. It is used to see whether you qualify for a chapter 7 or 13.
EMAIL zmhLaw@Gmail.com NOW FOR MORE INFO.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Big Firms Vs Smaller Firms
When the time comes to file your bankruptcy, choosing an attorney isn't simple. The larger firms are easy to find, and small firms may seem a dime a dozen. But, do you really want to chose the firm with the biggest ad, or do you want what is best for your situation?
The big firms have tons of combined experience. They churn through hundreds of clients at a time. It is easy to fall through the cracks and get lost in the masses. You may only see you attorney once or twice, and your case may be handled by many people, including law clerks and even interns.
It is common for a different attorney to show up for your 341 meeting, someone you have never met or talked to. They have minimal knowledge of your needs and will sit silently as the trustee questions you.
This faceless treatment is compounded by the fact that many lawyers have been practicing for decades. They become jaded and may talk down to you when you ask, what is to them, inane questions. No one deserves to be talked to like a child, especially in their time of need.
Smaller firms can cater much more closely to your individual needs. Their caseloads are smaller. They appreciate each and every client, treating them in a much warmer fashion. You can rest assured that all avenues will be pursued by the very attorney you hired.
This level of trust and hospitality cannot be matched by larger firms. They are just not set up that way. They have quotas, firms goals, and pressure to "churn and burn."
Your attorney at the smaller firms will be quicker to answer your questions, and will remain by your side through the entirety of your filing. This difficult time in your life needs someone who can handle your case individually, and provide a high level of service at the same time.
With a little research, a few interviews, and a knowledge of what to look for, you can succeed in your bankruptcy with as little stress as possible. Get your fresh start today!
GO TO BANKRUPTCYINCHEROKEE.COM NOW!
The big firms have tons of combined experience. They churn through hundreds of clients at a time. It is easy to fall through the cracks and get lost in the masses. You may only see you attorney once or twice, and your case may be handled by many people, including law clerks and even interns.
It is common for a different attorney to show up for your 341 meeting, someone you have never met or talked to. They have minimal knowledge of your needs and will sit silently as the trustee questions you.
This faceless treatment is compounded by the fact that many lawyers have been practicing for decades. They become jaded and may talk down to you when you ask, what is to them, inane questions. No one deserves to be talked to like a child, especially in their time of need.
Smaller firms can cater much more closely to your individual needs. Their caseloads are smaller. They appreciate each and every client, treating them in a much warmer fashion. You can rest assured that all avenues will be pursued by the very attorney you hired.
This level of trust and hospitality cannot be matched by larger firms. They are just not set up that way. They have quotas, firms goals, and pressure to "churn and burn."
Your attorney at the smaller firms will be quicker to answer your questions, and will remain by your side through the entirety of your filing. This difficult time in your life needs someone who can handle your case individually, and provide a high level of service at the same time.
With a little research, a few interviews, and a knowledge of what to look for, you can succeed in your bankruptcy with as little stress as possible. Get your fresh start today!
GO TO BANKRUPTCYINCHEROKEE.COM NOW!
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