Every contrivance of man, every tool, every instrument, every utensil, every article designed for use, of each and every kind, evolved from a very simple beginning. – Robert Collier We have all evolved from a simple beginning – our law degrees. Those simple pieces of parchment enable us to sit for the bar, gain admission […]
Self Education: Risky Stuff for Rookie Bankruptcy Lawyer
The usual road to a good education is to seek out the best teacher or the school with the deepest resources; you want people who know the field thoroughly to pass that knowledge on to you. So, why is it that the field of bankruptcy law these days is overrun with lawyers trying to pick […]
Warning Signs Of A Complex Bankruptcy Case Exposed In The Consultation
Is an initial consultation an opportunity to prevent problems later on in the case? Should you be doing more? I’ve taken my swipes at my clients’ previous lawyer in a prior post for either missing or ignoring issues that needed to be picked up and addressed in the schedules and the Chapter 13 plan. Some […]
Learning Bankruptcy On The Job Victimizes Clients
I admit, up front , that I’m steamed. The clients in my office have a pending Chapter 13 case. People know the difference between a lawyer fighting a marijuana possession charge and bankruptcy case. They made an appointment with me because their bankruptcy attorney missed a hearing and doesn’t return their phone calls or respond […]
Learn Bankruptcy Shorthand: Till
Part of the lingo of bankruptcy practitioners are the names of notable bankruptcy cases that establish basic principles of bankruptcy law. Ever heard a Chapter 13 trustee or opposing counsel talk about the Till rate? Did you scour the Wall Street Journal looking for the published Till rate? Scour, instead, your favorite listing of hit […]
Don’t Fall for Excluding the Business Credit Card
Business owners facing bankruptcy are often firmly convinced that only their business is liable for the “business” credit card in their wallet. It sometimes takes more energy to persuade them that they are individually liable for that card than it does to convince them that life continues after bankruptcy. In fact, even when the business […]
Bankruptcy Debtors: Beware the Bank
Do you ask your prospective bankruptcy clients where they bank? It matters, you know, if they owe that bank money. The common law right of set off can make your client’s revered bank branch as big an enemy as the debt collectors. My clients are often worried about the collectors who call on the phone […]
