debt settlement

Bankruptcy News Briefs- 2/11

All new Bankruptcy News Briefs read…

CFPB and Dept. of Education enter into new MOU on handling complaints; Director Kraninger tells lawmakers negotiations are underway for second MOU on supervision

CFPB Issues Semi-Annual Report to Congress

Trump: Here’s My New Plan For Your Student Loans

Wait, My Student Loan Balance Went Up After 5 Years?

What Happens to Student Loans in Divorce?

Trump’s $4.8 Trillion Budget Would Cut Safety Net Programs and Boost Defense

Trump Budget Proposes Cuts To Education

New York Proposes Licensing Consumer Debt Collectors

Be Careful What You Ask For, As Banks Increase Credit Lines

‘A major, major initiative’: California wants to create its own Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Puerto Rico oversight board eyes bankruptcy exit by year-end

Bankruptcy judge disallows $2.3M in bank claims

UPCOMING LIVE WEBINARS

Circuit Case Law Update
Thursday, March 5, 2020, 4:00 PM EASTERN to 5:00 PM EASTERN
Cost: FREE for NACBA Members / $50 Non Member
Presenters: NACBA Circuit Leaders & James Haller, Esq.
Register HERE

NACBA’s Circuit Leaders will outline the most important cases in your circuits.

Why You Should Attend: Don’t be the last to know what issues are coming next to a court near you. Find out what to expect by learning about the trends and case law are working their through the courts.

How to Train Your Staff & Paralegals to SAVE Time & Money
Thursday, March 19, 2020, 4:00 PM EASTERN to 5:00 PM EASTERN
Cost: $25 Member / $75 Non Member
Presenters: Jenny Doling & James Haller, Esq.
Register HERE

The Panel will discuss how to train your staff and paralegals, and keep them alert to changes, in the most efficient manner.

Why You Should Attend: Your office needs to run as efficiently as possible to best represent your clients and maintain profitability. Learn from our panelists what works, doesn’t work, and how to plan ahead.

Join NACBA in Hollywood!

Bankruptcy News Briefs- 11/07

Read the latest news below…

CFPB Constitutional Challenge Put on Hold at Second Circuit

CFPB Wins $59 Million Judgment Against Mortgage Relief Firms

Second Circuit adjourns oral argument in RD Legal

Travel, furniture, ‘lavish’ meals: Nonprofit head misspent $1.7 million, filing alleges

China Embraces Bankruptcy, U.S.-Style, to Cushion a Slowing Economy

Should You Take Your Employer’s Lump Sum Offer To Protect Against Their Future Bankruptcy?

Argument preview: Justices to consider when creditors in bankruptcy can appeal orders denying relief from the automatic stay

Second Circuit Double-Hitter: Neither “$0.00” Nor “N/A” in Debt Itemization Confuses Consumers about Static Debts

How one student loan strategy drives you deeper in debt

Study: Some Grads Would Spend A Week In Jail To Erase Student Loan Debt

Forget the Gender Wage Gap. Let’s Talk About the Student Debt Gap

The Law Schools With The Highest Student Loan Default Rates

Clay Introduces Student Loan Debt Reform Package to Lower Interest Rates, Protect Borrowers and Reduce Excessive Debt

Sen. Brown’s bill would extend lending protections for service members to veterans, consumers

REGISTER FOR NACBA’S LIVE WEBINARS!

Robin Hood and His Merry Bankruptcy Attorneys: How to Recover Wage Garnishments as Preferential/Fraudulent Transfers for your clients and get paid for doing it.
Date: November 21, 2019
Time: 4:00 PM EST – 5:00 PM EST
Cost: $25 Member / $75 Non Member
Presenters: David Gunn, Esq. & James Haller, Esq.
Register HERE

The panel will discuss the law and practice of recovering wage garnishments as fraudulent transfers and the potential to request additional attorneys fees for a recovery.

Why You Should Attend: You want to make additional income in cases where your clients have been garnished. This session will discuss how and when to recover garnished funds and get paid.

Consumer Bankruptcy Watch: What’s Hot in Consumer Bankruptcy Law Today
Date: December 5, 2019
Time: 4:00 PM EST – 5:00 PM EST
Cost: $25 Member / $75 Non Member
Presenters: Henry Sommer, Esq., Tara Twomey, Esq. & James Haller, Esq.
Register HERE

The panel will cover the latest hot topic in consumer bankruptcy law, including any pending cases before the Supreme Court and important Court of Appeals cases to watch.

Means Test Game Show: Is it income or an expense?
Date: December 19, 2019
Time: 4:00 PM EST – 5:00 PM EST
Cost: $25 Member / $75 Non Member
Presenters: Jenny Doling, Esq., Marybeth Ausbrooks, Esq., Gene Melchionne Esq. & James Haller, Esq.
Register HERE

Join our holiday panel for a game show quiz focusing on allowable or required income and expenses. You can’t lose even if you get the answers wrong..

Why You Should Attend: Ask yourself these questions. Is a withdrawal from a 401k income that should push your client into a five year plan? Is a 401k contribution a permissible expense? Is child support that isn’t received income? Is child support that is not being paid an expense? Your client wants to claim $900.00 in pet expenses for 8 pets. Is that expense ridiculous? Can you justify it? Learn the answers to these questions and more. Come join us!

visit studentdebtbomb.com

Bankruptcy News Briefs- 11/06

New consumer and bankruptcy headlines read…

California utility meets with governor amid bankruptcy case

Forever 21 Cuts Number of Store Closures Planned in Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy filings in Hawaii reach highest level in 5 years

Young Hollywood’s Student Loan Crisis: “There Are People Just Struggling to Survive”

17 Tips for Baby Boomers To Tackle Their Student Debt

CFPB and states file action against student loan debt relief companies and individual owners and managers

What It Means to Be a Debt Collector After ‘Obduskey’ Ruling

The State of Collections: TransUnion and Aite Group Release Report, Outline Challenges and Present Optimistic Future

How I Ditched Debt: From ‘Extravagantly Broke’ to Comfortably Frugal

Americans Have Enough Credit to Buy Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Facebook

CFPB Gets $59M Judgment In Mortgage Relief Services Suit

REGISTER FOR NACBA’S LIVE WEBINARS!

Defense of Section 523 Adversary Proceedings
Date: November 7, 2019
Time: 4:00 PM EST – 5:00 PM EST
Cost: $25 Member / $75 Non Member
Presenters: Tara Salinas, Esq., William Brewer Esq. & James Haller, Esq.
Register HERE

The panel will primarily focus on Sections 523(a)(2), (4) and (6) and Section 1328(a)(4), awards of attorney 7s fees under Section 523(d); defending collateral estoppel effect of pre-bankruptcy default judgments; Rules 12(b)(6) motions to dismiss under Ashcroft v Iqbal.

Why You Should Attend: You need to know how to properly defend a dischargeability proceeding and get paid for your work. Everyone has to defend against dischargeability complaints by creditors. The information in this workshop will be invaluable to prepare your defense.

The panel will discuss the law and practice of recovering wage garnishments as fraudulent transfers and the potential to request additional attorneys fees for a recovery.

Why You Should Attend: You want to make additional income in cases where your clients have been garnished. This session will discuss how and when to recover garnished funds and get paid.

The panel will cover the latest hot topic in consumer bankruptcy law, including any pending cases before the Supreme Court and important Court of Appeals cases to watch.

Join our holiday panel for a game show quiz focusing on allowable or required income and expenses. You can’t lose even if you get the answers wrong..

NACBA’s 28th Annual Convention Planning Committee is looking for your star idea! If you would like to join NACBA at the Hollywood convention as a featured presenter, we are soliciting proposals for general and breakout session topics that focus on the convention theme. Current NACBA members are invited to submit their proposals for speakers/topics no later than November 29, 2019 using the provided link below.

Submit Presentation Info HERE: https://www.nacba.org/call-for-presentations/

Bankruptcy News Briefs- 9/27

NACBA Now is back from a brief break! Read the latest consumer news…

“Case Bites: Interesting Issues and Decisions from This Week’s Cases”

“7th Circuit Explains Bankruptcy Court Jurisdiction to Address Tax Claims”

Flacco-affiliated firm and Sinclair Broadcasting among investors in bankrupt Baltimore meal kit company

The week in bankruptcies: Venture group, construction firm file for protection

PG&E Bondholders Boost Proposed Investment in Bankrupt Utility to $29.2 Billion

Bankruptcy Court Stops Medicare from Recouping Monies Owed by Provider

Student Loan Defaults Are Down, That’s The Good News

Billionaire Robert Smith Pays Student Loans For Morehouse Parents

Surprise twist in CFPB Supreme Court drama: FHFA plaintiffs want starring role

CFPB Settlement Skimped On Restitution, Dem Senator Says

These Three Student Loan Scams Won’t Stop Plaguing Borrowers

Houston couple accuses medical group of unfair debt collection practices

REGISTER FOR NACBA’S LIVE WEBINARS!

Home Owner’s Association Fees and Bankruptcy
Date: October 10, 2019
Time: 4:00 PM EST – 5:00 PM EST
Cost: $25 Member / $75 Non Member
Presenters: Lee Rowland, Esq., Christina Henry Esq. & James Haller, Esq.
Register HERE

The treatment of Homeowner’s Association Fees in bankruptcy is a complex question. Are they dischargeable in chapter 7 and chapter 13? Does Rule 3002.1 apply? Can underwater HOA liens be avoided? This webinar will answer these questions and more as we explore the treatment of HOA fees in bankruptcy.

Why You Should Attend: HOAs can be aggressive in attempting to collect their debt. You won’t want to miss this program which will discuss ways to reduce or eliminate HOA fees and liens through bankruptcy.

Top 20 Cases You Must Know for Your Bankruptcy Practice.
Date: October 17, 2019
Time: 4:00 PM EST – 5:00 PM EST
Cost: $25 Member / $75 Non Member
Presenters: Henry Sommer, Esq., Nathan Juster, Esq. & James Haller, Esq.
Register HERE

From projected disposable income and attorneys’ fees to bankruptcy court jurisdiction, this session will cover fundamental cases that you need to know.

Why You Should Attend: You must know the major guideposts to give your clients accurate advice. Make sure you are following these important cases and using them to your client’s benefit.

Bankruptcy News Briefs- 8/06

Check out new consumer and bankruptcy beliefs below…

Bankruptcy Court Discusses Novel Argument Contesting Cram Down of Totally Unsecured Mortgage

Parties File Another Status Report in Trade Group Lawsuit Challenging CFPB Payday Loan Rule

Kraninger Holding the Line on CFPB Investigative Demands

“Clearly and Prominently:” Consumer Debt Settlement Disclosures in Wake of CFPB v. Freedom Debt Relief

Should Your Student Loans Really Be Cancelled?

Millennials delay buying homes because of student debt

Meet the lawyer who had $38,000 in student debt forgiven — he’s one of just 5% of applicants who did it

More people filed for bankruptcy per capita in these 5 states in July — and there was a 5% increase nationwide

7th Cir. Says ‘Costs’ Includes Collector’s Percentage Fee, Disagrees With 8th and 11th Circuits

Disclosure About Less Favorable Future Terms in Collection Letter Does Not Violate FDCPA, Says Missouri Court

California Appellate Court OKs Prejudgment Interest After Charge-off

Hospital converts unused PTO into student loan benefit for workers

New bill on students pledging future income ‘an open license for discriminatory financing’

Rhode Island ‘Student Loan Bill of Rights’ Becomes Law

6 companies that have filed for bankruptcy but you can still shop or eat at

Bankruptcy filings in Buffalo-Rochester rise 9.8% in July

Coal Workers Waiting On Paychecks After Company Declares Bankruptcy

REGISTER FOR NACBA’S LIVE WEBINARS!

Bankruptcy “Law and Order” Edition: Fifth Amendment and Bankruptcy
Date: August 8, 2019
Time: 4:00 PM EST – 5:00 PM EST
Cost: $25 Member / $75 Non Member
Presenters: Edward Boltz, Esq., Hal Nemeth, Esq. & James Haller, Esq.
Register HERE

To prevent malpractice, you need to know how to protect yourself and your client from potential criminal prosecution. This webinar will review the 5th amendment, its use in bankruptcy proceedings, and best practices.

Why You Should Attend: In the criminal bankruptcy system, people are instigated by separate two equally powerful groups: The UST, who investigates crime, and the U.S. attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories. Learn how and when you and your client are protected by the 5th Amendment in bankruptcy proceedings.

Crossing Paths: The Intersection of Reverse Mortgages and Bankruptcy
Date: August 15, 2019
Time: 4:00 PM EST – 5:00 PM EST
Cost: $25 Member / $75 Non Member
Presenters: Tara Twomey, Esq. & James Haller, Esq.
Register HERE

The senior population of the United States is expected to grow rapidly over the next twenty years. Rather than enjoying their golden years, increasingly older Americans are struggling with less income, greater debt and insufficient retirement savings. The average amount of debt held by seniors has soared over the last decade. Many now rely on credit cards to cover their basic living expenses. Rising mortgage debt has compromised the use of home equity as a retirement nest egg. There are few easy solutions. Two tools available to seniors to combat financial distress are reverse mortgages and bankruptcy. Reverse mortgages allow seniors to tap their home equity to pay off outstanding debts or supplement monthly income. Bankruptcy provides an opportunity to obtain a fresh start by discharging certain debts or adjusting one’s financial affairs. The two options—reverse mortgages and bankruptcy—are not mutually exclusive.

Why You Should Attend: Learn how to best help your older clients by understanding the intersection between reverse mortgages and bankruptcy and when they can work together to prevent foreclosure or put a senior on more solid financial footing.

Criminal Justice Debts and Civil Fines in Bankruptcy
Date: September 19, 2019
Time: 4:00 PM EST – 5:00 PM EST
Cost: $25 Member / $75 Non Member
Presenters: Tara Twomey, Esq. & James Haller, Esq.
Register HERE

For criminal justice debtors and those with civil fines, bankruptcy can be a powerful tool. It may eliminate the obligation to repay these debts or provide an orderly mechanism for repaying certain debts that cannot be discharged. Bankruptcy can also open the door to relief, such as expungement, record sealing, or restoration of a driver’s license, that may otherwise be unavailable due to outstanding debt. This webinar will provide an overview of the application of bankruptcy law to criminal justice debt and civil fines.

Why You Should Attend: Not all criminal justice debt and civil fines are created equally. Learn about the different kinds of criminal justice debt and civil fines, including which are dischargeable in bankruptcy and which are not.

Bankruptcy News Briefs- 1/31

It’s the final day of January 2019! Read the end of the month’s briefs below…

Fight back against tax identity theft

Virginia selects state’s 1st student loan debt advocate

Americans in these cities having hardest time repaying student loan debt

Beer company will shell out $1 million to help pay off student loan debts

Fall behind on your student loans? You could lose your license to work. Texas lawmakers want to change that.

What utility’s bankruptcy could mean for climate, victims

Former Employees In Debt After Company Bankruptcy Leaves Medical Bills Unpaid

Changes to Senior Leadership at CFPB Announced

Retailer enters US$11 million settlement with CFPB and New York Attorney General for store credit card practices

CFPB Announces $1 Settlement With Military Pension-Advance Broker

DON’T MISS NACBA’S UPCOMING LIVE WEBINAR!

Real Life and Real Mods After HAMP
Date: February 7, 2019
Time: 4:00 PM EST – 5:00 PM EST
Cost: $25 Member / $75 Non Member
Presenters: O. Max Gardner III Esq., James Haller, Esq. & Bobby Riveria.
Register HERE

This webinar will cover:

The role of the following parties in the 2019 Mod World:
The GSE (Fannie, Freddie and Ginnie)
The Private Label Deals
Trustee
Master Servicer
Primary Servicer
Default Servicer
Non-Performing Loans and Hedge Funds
Review of Real SPS Deal
Targets
Waterfalls
Forbearance
Forgiveness
Balloons
Junk Fees
Loan Term
APR

Why You Should Attend: You need to know what options your clients have to modify their mortgages under existing law.

TOMORROW IS THE FINAL DAY TO REGISTER FOR NACBA’S HILL DAY 2019!

*DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS FEBRUARY 1, 2019*

Please note: Participants in NACBA’s Hill Day will receive a $100 discount off NACBA’s 27th Annual Convention registration taking place May 16-19, 2019 in Cleveland, OH.

Register now!

Bankruptcy News Briefs- 1/18

Before you settle into your weekend plans, read the following articles…

Title Loans Aren’t Valid Deductions on Means Test Says Utah Bankruptcy Court

Elizabeth Warren Wants Wells Fargo to be Expelled From College Campuses

CFPB Defends Its Constitutionality to Ninth Circuit Panel: Will Kraninger Have a Change of Heart?

Congresswoman Maxine Waters Plans to “Undo the Harm Done” to the CFPB

9 Student Loan Tax Tips For 2019

34 Devastating Stories About How People Are Still Crushed By Medical Debt

Waiving or Forfeiting the Right to Arbitrate—Recent Cases Tackle Issue

Lack of Settlement Payment Due Date Raises Issues in E.D. Wisc., “Promptly” is Not Enough

DON’T MISS NACBA’S UPCOMING LIVE WEBINARS!

Our Prayer for the Blessed Resurrected Exemption: Invoking and Asserting Exemptions in Reopened Cases
Date: January 24, 2019
Time: 4:00 PM EST – 5:00 PM EST
Cost: $25 Member / $75 Non Member
Presenters: Debrah DeMack Esq., Billy Brewer ESQ. & James Haller, Esq.
Register HERE

The panel will discuss the law, procedures and give advice on how best to represent a client who has an omitted asset and needs to reopen their case. The panel will discuss the possible challenges to claiming exemptions including excusable neglect and share their documents and experience fighting them.

Why You Should Attend: We all have (or will have) clients that call us after a bankruptcy is closed with an omitted asset. We all need to know what the state of the law is and how to best protect your client and the missing asset.

This webinar will cover:

The role of the following parties in the 2019 Mod World:
The GSE (Fannie, Freddie and Ginnie)
The Private Label Deals
Trustee
Master Servicer
Primary Servicer
Default Servicer
Non-Performing Loans and Hedge Funds
Review of Real SPS Deal
Targets
Waterfalls
Forbearance
Forgiveness
Balloons
Junk Fees
Loan Term
APR

Why You Should Attend: You need to know what options your clients have to modify their mortgages under existing law.

Bankruptcy News Briefs- 1/04

We’re ready for the weekend. But before it begins, read these briefs…

What Happens When You Stop Making Credit Card Payments?

Consumer advocacy groups make recommendations to Kraninger for debt collection rulemaking

Beware: The worldwide debt monster is rearing its ugly head

Local Bankruptcy Rules Cannot Add Additional Chapter 13 Confirmation Requirements

Deal forgives $12 million of debt for 4,800 for-profit college students in Ohio

Settlement means forgiving $556 million in student loan debt

99.5% Of People Are Rejected For Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Student loan debt contest offers $125,000 per winner

Solving the student debt crisis: Increase education supply says Moody’s economist Mark Zandi

Maxine Waters: Much of my work will be undoing Mulvaney’s ‘damage’ to CFPB

USAA Bank must pay $15.5M over banking-rule violations

Indiana gets share of $575 million Wells Fargo settlement

GAO says Consumer Financial Protection Bureau needs process for prioritizing financial risks to consumers

Registration for #NACBATheLand is OPEN!

Bankruptcy News Briefs- 12/31

The final headlines for 2018 are…

City employees have ignored over $650K worth of parking tickets and violations

Elizabeth Warren launches exploratory committee ahead of likely 2020 presidential run

Wells Fargo Says Bitcoin Too Risky for Clients, Pays $575 Million Fine For Scamming Them

Congress: Resolve to help reduce student debt in the new year

The Suffocation of Student Loans

Bankruptcy leaves Detroit police abuse claims unpaid

Sears Survives, For Now, With Last Minute $4.6B Bid

Registration for #NACBATheLand is OPEN!

Don’t forget to save the dates and register today!

Bankruptcy News Briefs- 11/15

Read today’s headlines…

Trade Groups Support Confirmation of Kraninger as CFPB Director

15% of Americans still paying off last year’s holiday debt

The Ultimate Policy Mistake By Bankers When All Is Said And Done

Devos Sued for Denying Automatic Student Debt Relief

For Democrats, the Not-So-Fresh Faces Will Matter Most

What student loan debt does to people (it’s not pretty)

The costly reality of student loan debt

Student Loans Are Hurting Millennials’ Net Worth

REGISTER FOR TODAY’S NACBA MEMBER BENEFIT WEBINAR!

2018 Midterm Election Results Impact on Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
Date: Thursday, November 15, 2018
Time: 3:00pm ET/ 12:00pm PT
Cost: No Cost – Member Benefit Webinar
Presenters: John Colwell, Esq., Ike Shulman, Esq., Ed Boltz, Esq. & John Rao, Esq.

Join NACBA as we discuss how the recent 2018 midterm election results will impact consumer bankruptcy attorneys. This webinar is an opportunity for members to review the results, discuss House committees and new leadership, and learn how you can help NACBA move forward with bringing important issues to the attention of the 2019 Congressional agenda.