Bankruptcy News Briefs 5/1

Thank You #NACBACHI

Thank You NACBA Members, Speakers, Sponsors, Exhibitors & Staff for making the 23rd Annual Convention a huge success. See you all again in San Francisco 2016! ‪#‎NACBACHI‬

Bankruptcy News Briefs 4/30

National Association of Consumer Advocates and the National Consumer Law Center Support the Court Legal Access & Student Support (CLASS) Act

Child Support Exclusion Not Reduced By Expense Deduction

Global Debt Registry Strikes Partnership with TransUnion

State Bill in North Carolina Would Lift Collection Restrictions for Debt Buyers

Supreme Court to Hear Case on Statutory Damages Without Actual Harm; Could Impact FDCPA Cases

CFPB’s Report to Congress Highlights Enforcement, Rules

Court Disapproves Modification to Pay Outside Plan

Ed Dept. official: Corinthian students affected by closures can automatically get loans erased

Indiana and Pennsylvania District Courts Hold That Filing Proofs of Claim on Time-Barred Debt Does Not Violate FDCPA

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Bankruptcy News Briefs 4/29

ACA International Research Shows Phantom Debt Tops Consumer Complaints

State Senate Committee Votes to Ease Collection Rules

CFPB Fines Bank $7.5M for Allegedly Illegal Overdraft Fees

City of Yonkers, New York Imposes New Debt Collection Requirements

Too Poor to File (for Bankruptcy)

Jeb Bush Says Puerto Rico Agencies Should Have Access to Bankruptcy

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Bankruptcy News Briefs 4/28

Harvey Miller, Bankruptcy Trailblazer, Dies at 82

Corinthian Collapse Renews Calls for Loan Forgiveness

Medical Debt Relief Bill Passes State’s Senate

College Loan Refinancing Legislation Returns to Congress

Big Jump in Debt Collection Complaints in March Drives Record First Quarter in CFPB Data

Federal Judge Sides with Collection Agency and Debt Buyer in Letter Class Action

Court Stops Debt Relief Operation

First Quarter Bankruptcy Filings Decline 15 Percent from 2014

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NACBA Introduces 2015 Platinum Convention Sponsor

Introducing StratusBK, the breakthrough practice management solution that streamlines and improves every aspect of your bankruptcy practice. If you’re ready to take your practice to the next level, StratusBK has the power to get you there!

Say goodbye to legacy systems that don’t integrate and require duplicating data entry. Realize improved productivity and higher profits from the first case you file.

StratusBK’s powerful central engine gives you streamlined processes and data transparency firm-wide. Saving you real money and attorney time on every case! And it also gives you the focused reporting you need to dramatically grow your firm.

With StratusBK, you can:

Automate your calendars, keeping them in sync with the courts
Get up-to-the-minute information on case statuses and revenue, attorney productivity, marketing ROI
Learn about your competition and the cases they are filing.
Gain market insight to fine tune your messaging, and much more!

StratusBK is nothing less than practice management software redefined. One breakthrough tool that does it all! Giving you the best and latest information about your firm through every step of the bankruptcy process.

StratusBK is a world class, innovative solution that gives your firm a competitive edge. The tools you need to practice smarter today. The intelligence you need to practice bigger tomorrow.

Headed to the 2015 NACBA Convention?

Visit us at booth #68-73 to see a demo of the powerful capabilities in StratusBK that can help you better drive, accelerate, and govern your firm. And don’t forget to check out our putting green, where you can enjoy a cold drink and compete to win an Odyssey putter or other great prizes.

Contact us today for a demo of our best-in-class bankruptcy law practice management software at 844-220-4656 or info@stratuspro.com.

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NEW MORTGAGE RULES WILL HAVE SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON PRACTICE & CLIENTS

Following on both previous comments submitted to the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) and active participation in round table meetings with representatives from the financial services industry, NACBA has continued to be engaged and vigilant regarding the proposed amendments by the CFPB to the 2013 Mortgage Rules under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (Regulation X) and the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z).

Working with our allies, particularly the National Consumer Law Center, NACBA has submitted the additional comments (linked below) to the proposed rules. We are hopeful that the amendments, which are already favorable to our clients and our practices, will be adopted with many of the further improvements we have suggested.

John Rao, to whom tremendous amounts of thanks are owed by all of us, has dissected and examined these proposed amendments in detail and will be speaking on this topic and how these rules will apply in bankruptcy, on Sunday, April 26, 2015, 10:30 AM at the 23rd Annual NACBA Convention in Chicago. Joining him will be Will Corbett, Senior Counsel at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

This is a panel not to miss as these new rules will have a significant effect on your clients and also your practice, including new ways to both pursue mortgage servicers for their bad acts and get damages and attorneys’ fees.

Since many people, including those from other organizations, may be learning of this late and may be primarily interested in the mortgage servicing issues, we are offering a $100 discount from the regular $795 cost if you register by March 31st and include the code “CFPB695” in your registration. Email the attached registration to admin@nacba.org or fax to (866) 408-9515. (Avoid registering online as it will force the higher rate.)

I hope that you will agree that this is yet another example of the positive impact that NACBA is having on our practices, especially in our expanded role in the courts, Congress, and administrative agencies. Please also join me in again thanking John Rao and NCLC for their work on these rules.

* CFPB695 code cannot be combined with other codes.

COMMENTS: Amendments to the 2013 Mortgage Rules under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and the Truth in Lending Act

COMMENTS: Amendments to the 2013 Mortgage Rules under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (Regulation X) and the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z)

Why ‪#‎NACBACHI‬? FREE: 2015 COLLIER PORTABLE eBOOK ($245 value)

Why ‪#‎NACBACHI‬? FREE FOR NACBA MEMBERS: 2015 COLLIER PORTABLE eBOOK ($245 value)

Courtesy of NACBA & LexisNexis®, all attendees at the upcoming 23rd Annual Convention, April 23-26, 2015 in Chicago IL will receive the 2015 Collier Portable eBook. This edition gives you mobile access to the full text of the Code and Rules in one handy source. Convention attendees need to simply stop by the LexisNexis Booth to receive a redeemable coupon voucher for the complimentary eBook. This ebook is traditionally sold for $245, however, will be FREE for #NACBACHI attendees!

Still not convinced you should attend this year’s NACBA Convention, allow us to present the evidence:

– FREE 2015 Collier Portable eBook ($245 value)

– FREE Taxes in Bankruptcy webinar & materials ($249 member value)

– FREE copies of Bankruptcies and Money Disasters of the Rich and Famous (formerly “They Went Broke”) for not only attorneys but also clients. (Up to 12 copies per attendee. $12.95 per book value = $155.40)

– FREE Convention Audio & Presentation Materials to ALL Registrants. In the past, attendees would have to reach deeper into their pockets and purchase audio-only files for hundreds of dollars if they wanted to revisit any convention session. Not for this convention! ALL registered attendees will receive online access for three (3) months to review all AudioPoint™ recorded presentation files at no additional charge or registration price increase. (2014 NACBANYC = cost $447 for complete set of CD audio files).

– President’s Discount of $100. Missed the early bird discount? No problem. Per recent message from NACBA President Ed Boltz regarding recent developments in Student Loans and Chapter 13, he has personally offered a $100 discount off the current registration price of $795. You must email or fax your registration to NACBA and use code IDR695. This discount expires March 31, 2015.

– Included with your registration, CLE Credits. Up to 15 credits may be offered (depending on your state) including the often sought after Ethics credit.

$245 Collier eBook
$249 Taxes in Bankruptcy
$447 AV Convention Materials
$155 Bankruptcies Rich & Famous (12 copies)
Total Value: $1096

Current Registration Rate: $795
Apply President’s Discount IDR695 via email or fax of $100
Register Now: $695
@ NACBA2015.org
#NACBACHI

Atlanta Attorney Honored For Outstanding Legal Aid Contributions

National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys Awards Henry J. Sommer Scholarship to Victoria Cox of Atlanta Legal Aid Society.

Each year, one bankruptcy attorney who demonstrates outstanding contributions in his or her community is granted a scholarship from National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) to attend its national convention at no cost. This year, NACBA’s coveted Henry J. Sommer Legal Aid Scholarship goes to Victoria Cox, counsel, for the Law Office of Douglas T. Kidd, P.C., and staff attorney, Home Defense Program at Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc.

The Henry J. Sommer scholarship was created in recognition of the extraordinary contributions to NACBA by President Emeritus Henry J. Sommer, who served on NACBA’s Board from 1992 to 2011 and as President from 2005 to 2008. In addition to the educational opportunity, the scholarship allows the deserving recipient an opportunity to interact with others in the close-knit community of 3,5000 bankrupcty attorneys in the U.S.

NACBA Executive Director Dan LaBert said: “We are pleased to announce Victoria Cox as the 2015 recipient of the NACBA Henry J. Sommer Legal Aid Scholarship. It’s no small accomplishment to be selected from such a vast field of bankruptcy attorneys. We applaud Ms. Cox for her important legal aid achievements in her local community in Atlanta, and are eager to provide this opportunity so that she may influence bankruptcy issues on the national stage, including policies affecting our colleagues in every state.”

The 2015 Scholarship winner, Victoria Cox is an active member of the Metro Atlanta Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys Group (MACBAG), Georgia Association for Women Lawyers and the Northern Judicial Circuit Bar Association. Her practice areas include bankruptcy, mortgage lending and servicing, and foreclosure defense.

Cox received her law degree from Georgia State University in 2014. During law school, she participated in several student-run clinics where she represented clients with federal tax, health, housing, and consumer bankruptcy issues. Prior to law school, she attended Northern Arizona University and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy in 2010. Cox resides in Atlanta GA.

FREE: Taxes in Bankruptcy & “Bankruptcies and Money Disasters of the Rich and Famous”

NACBA’s 23rd ANNUAL CONVENTION
April 23-26, 2015, Chicago IL
“Bankruptcy in the 21st Century: Solutions to Problem Cases”

REGISTER NOW & RECEIVE TAXES IN BANKRUPTCY FREE!

In October 2014, over 425 attorneys took part in NACBA’s Virtual Workshop: Taxes in Bankruptcy. The treatment of tax debts is one of the more complicated areas of federal bankruptcy law, but the Bankruptcy Code offers substantial tax relief to tax debtors. From understanding tax rules to cancellation of debt income (pros & cons) to IRS penalties, audits, appeals, liens and levies, to client preparation and the fresh start initiative, this 6 hour webinar covered it all!

Register for NACBA’s 23rd Annual Convention by April 15 (Tax Day) and receive access to the Taxes in Bankruptcy 6 hour webinar plus workshop materials with your convention registration! This is a $249 member / $349 non-member value!

Already registered for #NACBACHI? No problem, you get access to Taxes in Bankruptcy too! Just email zach.manifold@nacba.org and request your FREE access to the Taxes in Bankruptcy webinar and material!

Please note, all four panelists from the Taxes in Bankruptcy webinar will be at #NACBACHI to answer any follow-up questions.

Per convention refund policy, any registration cancellation after the webinar has been provided will result in full cost of the Taxes in Bankruptcy webinar subtracted from refund.

OH WAIT, WE ARE NOT DONE YET…..

BANKRUPTCIES & MONEY DISASTERS OF THE RICH & FAMOUS FOR YOU AND YOUR CLIENTS!

In addition to the FREE Audio & Presentation materials AND the FREE Taxes in Bankruptcy workshop, all convention registrants will receive FREE copies of Bankruptcies and Money Disasters of the Rich and Famous (formerly They Went Broke) for not only themselves but also clients. Available at #NACBACHI on a first come, first serve basis and some restrictions will apply (up to 15 copies per registrant).

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Join your colleagues from Maine to California and Puerto Rico to Hawaii, for education designed to help expand your practice!

#NACBACHI addresses Bankruptcy in the 21st Century: Finding Solutions to Problem Cases.

Convention sessions will take a very in-depth look at Student Loans, Tax Booby Traps, Zombie Real Estate Apocalypse, Family Feud: the Intersection of Family Law and Bankruptcy, Creditor Warfare and Courtroom Techniques, Mindfulness and Mediation, How to Make Bank in Bankruptcy Using Social Media and Can You Be Found: Increasing Your Online Presence just to name a few!

Group Events available for purchase with your Convention registration. This year’s lineup includes a Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise & Private Lunch on Thursday, April 23rd and an outing to Cellular Field to catch the Chicago White Sox take on the defending American League Champs, the Kansas City Royals.

Travel discounts including flights, parking and airport transfers have been arranged for NACBA convention attendees.

Don’t wait – register TODAY at www.NACBA2015.org to take advantage of the above #NACBACHI promotions and special Convention rates at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile!

There are four easy ways to register:

Call 800.499.9040 to speak with a member services representative
Visit 24/7 to register online at NACBA2015.org
Download this registration form and send check payment by mail to the address listed on the form.
Use this registration form and fax it back with credit card payment to 866.408.9515