By Jon Arnold
If you think that you have nothing now, the new bankruptcy laws could even shrink that! The new bankruptcy law overhauls the laws that were modified in 1978. It not only tightens the requirements for those who want to file for bankruptcy but for their attorneys as well.
These are several of the major changes that were initiated under the new bankruptcy law:
“Means Test” – You now have to show that you are not abusing the use of bankruptcy. This test calculates what you make per month minus certain expenses that are allowed. The “median income” will vary from state to state. If you fail the “means test’, then you must file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Expense allowances – Guidelines are put forth by the IRS for allowable expenses, and they are stingy. The food allowance is approximately $200 a month, and the housing allowance is approximate $800 a month.
Residency requirements – There are state and federal bankruptcy laws, and some state laws are more lenient than others. Texas and Florida have very generous “homestead allowances”. The new bankruptcy law discourages you to look around for the best deal. You are not permitted to file for bankruptcy in a more favorable state unless you have resided there for a minimum of two years.
Mandatory credit counseling – Another change that came with the new bankruptcy law is that you have to take a credit counseling course that has been approved within 180 days of filing for bankruptcy. Sorry to say, this is not a free course. The cost of this course is approximately $75.00.
More paperwork – In order to prove that bankruptcy is necessary, the consumer will have to present much more documentation. Such things a debtor must provide are: a list of all unsecured and secured creditors, proof of taking the credit counseling course, a detailed list of one’s expenses and monthly income, liabilities and assets, the most recent tax return, photo ID and pay stubs.
Hefty legal fees – A bankruptcy attorney must now “certify” that their client’s figures are accurate. If they prove not to be, the lawyer as well as the client may face sanctions. This means that your attorney must do more investigating and fact-checking to make sure your information as well as his certification is above-board.
Is it best to have a bankruptcy attorney when and if it comes time to file for bankruptcy? There is certainly no legal requirement stating that you have to retain a lawyer. However, you would be very foolish not to do so. If you choose to file on your own, and forget to file certain documents, your case can be subject to dismissal and you will need to start again from the very beginning. As an example, a couple recently tried to file for bankruptcy online. They were not exactly sure if we should have filed jointly or just the husband. They were doing it on their own and really goofed things up and now they are paying for it! Please do not do this in an attempt to save some money because it will only come back to haunt you in the end. It is in your best interest to have an experienced bankruptcy attorney working for you.
About the author:
For more insights and additional information on Bankruptcy Law and also to get a free bankruptcy evaluation from an accredited bankruptcy lawyer who is local to you, please visit our web site at http://www.bankruptcy-data.com
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Don't Attempt Bankruptcy Without Knowing Bankruptcy Law
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2:08 AM
Art Lawyer : Your guide for genuine art collection
By Damey Flower
Art comes in various forms and each and every form of art has its own appeal to art lovers. However, these days forgery has taken control on all spheres and this means that the domain of arts has also been corrupted by forgery. These days many fake art dealers sell fake art pieces to customers and this is only because that these art pieces look just like the original art pieces. There are very few means of fighting against these odds. However, an art lawyer can definitely help a person who has fallen prey to such fraudulence act. These days it is very easy to sell a fake art piece because they are made just like the original art pieces. Therefore, people find it very difficult to distinguish between the original and the fake piece.
However, taking the help of an art lawyer could prove to be a smart move because he can help you to fight a legal case against the dealer who had sold the fake piece of art to you. All you would need to do is to look out for a lawyer who knows all about art pieces and can help you to fight a case. An art lawyer is definitely a well informed person and he knows everything about art dealings and all. Therefore, if you have been a victim of forgery, then you can easily take the help of this person who can fight a legal case against the person who sold the fake art piece to you. There are many lawyers who operate in the city who can give you a good guidance to fight a legal case. You will just need to look out for a legal person who has a good record of accomplishment and who can assure you of the fact that he will win the case for you.
However, many a times, many customers also forge the dealer by not paying them the money. In such cases also, the art dealer can take the help of an art lawyer to fight a legal case against the customer. Therefore, an art lawyer can help both the parties in case of forgery. Well, you will definitely need to have a thorough research on the person whose help you will be taking. This helps you to understand the way the lawyer handles his cases and what are your chances of winning the case. Well, you can come across a lawyer through your friends and can also find one through the internet.
These days it is easy to find an art lawyer also and all you would need to do is to look out for a person who can provide you with the best legal advice. Once you are done with the searching part, you will need to give all the information to your lawyer, so that he knows exactly what had happened. Then once the legal case is fought, the dealer can return your money and in cases where the dealer is fighting a case against the customer, the customer is bound to pay the money to the dealer.
About the author:
Damyel Flower is an experienced divorce lawyer.He has successfully handled many divorce cases.He gives advice to clients who are looking for Art lawyer,Divorce lawyer NYC,celebrity divorce lawyer.To hire services of a lawyer in New York and any legal advice visit www.mtllp.com.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
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2:07 AM
Solve your marriage woes with a divorce lawyer New York
Damey Flower
We step into the bond of marriage with many hopes and aspirations and have a predetermined notion of how the married life will be with your partner. However, not everything works out according to our wishes and there may come a time when you feel it is better to go your separate ways rather than trying to continue with an unhappy married life. When a divorce is unavoidable, it is better to let go and start life anew rather than sticking on with each other and causing more harm than good. In such situations, an individual or the close family and friends are emotionally shaken and not in the right frame of mind to take correct and beneficial decisions. A divorce lawyer New York is therefore an essential guide and counselor whose advice becomes crucial to your welfare.
A divorce lawyer New York is well versed with the terms and conditions that any divorce entails and has the experience of many previous cases to guide him in his legal tussle between his client and their spouse. Also, the divorce laws differ at times form state to state and if you are residing in New York, it is best to hire the services of a divorce lawyer New York. A New York City based lawyer will be well aware of the specific terms and conditions applicable in the state and hence be able to provide a better deal to his client. A divorce involves many minor and major issues to be sorted out between the couple and at times the case can turn ugly. The divorce lawyer is fully prepared to handle any circumstances and can aptly guide his client in the right direction.
A divorce is a painful incident in the life of any couple and their close family and it is especially bad if there are children involved. Deciding the crucial question of granting the guardianship of a child to either one of the parents is usually a well fought out decision unless already predetermined. A parent is usually too involved emotionally to take the best possible decision in such a situation and a divorce lawyer in New York can win the fight for your child’s custody. The child’s entire future depends on the outcome of the divorce and hence it is best to let a competent professional handle the case for you.
Another crucial aspect wherein you would definitely need the advice and guidance of a good divorce lawyer New York is the financial settlement between the couple. The question of alimony is a major issue in divorce cases and it needs to be handled with care. Also, dividing up the financial assets of the couple can take much time and attention and a competent lawyer is best suited to give you a fair deal, even in a trying time like divorce. So even if life has been unfair to you and you are now face to face with a divorce, get the reference for the most competent lawyer to ensure that you can sort out the deal in the best possible way.
About the author:
Damyel Flower is an experienced divorce lawyer. He has successfully handled many divorce cases. He gives advice to clients who are looking for a art lawyer,Divorce lawyer New York,celebrity divorce lawyer. To hire services of a lawyer in New York and any legal advice visit www.mtllp.com
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
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2:06 AM