Fort Worth Texas Bankruptcy Legal Blog

Divorce can take a heavy toll on your finances

On behalf of Lindsay Steele of Steele Law Firm, PLLC on Tuesday, May 12, 2020.

If you recently navigated divorce proceedings in a Texas court, you may have already encountered numerous emotional, physical or financial challenges as you adapt to your new lifestyle. If you're a parent, all three issues might be intensified as you do your best to provide encouragement and support to your children.

Whether you have been at home full-time for a number of years while raising your children or have worked from home or outside the home, it's logical to assume that your personal finances might change when you become the sole provider in a single parent household. In fact, divorce can spark serious financial distress in many cases.

Don't panic about your property when filing for Chapter 7

On behalf of Lindsay Steele of Steele Law Firm, PLLC on Friday, May 8, 2020.

Making the choice to file for bankruptcy protection is not easy. If you find yourself moving forward with this process, you probably have some significant concerns about how this process will impact your future. Like many others who consider bankruptcy, you may wonder if this choice will require you to give up your property.

The intent of bankruptcy is not to leave you destitute and without the things you need for daily life. It is to allow you to discharge certain balances and deal with your debt in a reasonable and organized manner. If you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, there are property exemptions available that will allow you to keep the things you need while still benefiting from the protection this process provides.

Will bankruptcy bring relief after job layoff?

On behalf of Lindsay Steele of Steele Law Firm, PLLC on Tuesday, April 7, 2020.

Nothing is certain, but when the economic climate of the country becomes rocky, it is understandable to feel nervous about the future. For many, this may mean worrying about their vacation plans or their retirement. However, if you are already struggling to pay your debts, you may have more immediate concerns.

A job loss, even a temporary layoff or furlough, can be a devastating blow to a delicate budget. If your Texas company recently reduced its staff, you probably have very real fears for your family's well-being, especially if you are falling behind on debts such as your mortgage, car payment, taxes or credit card bills. Like many these days, you may wonder what you can do to get through the hard times.

One mistake can turn dead debt into zombie debt

On behalf of Lindsay Steele of Steele Law Firm, PLLC on Tuesday, March 10, 2020.

Most debts have an expiration date. If that statement surprises you, you may be among the many in Texas that debt collectors take advantage of by trying to collect a debt that has already reached its time limit. Time-barred debt includes any debt that is too old for a creditor to collect through the courts. In other words, after a certain time passes without receiving a payment from the borrower, the creditor loses the right to sue for payment.

This does not mean a creditor may not pursue you for payment, and make no mistake, many will. However, it does mean they cannot threaten you with a lawsuit. Additionally, some lawmakers want to change the rules to require debt collectors to inform you when they are trying to collect on a time-barred debt.

How to use your tax refund to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy (part 2)

On behalf of Lindsay Steele of Steele Law Firm, PLLC posted in chapter 7 on Thursday, February 27, 2020.

So you're considering bankruptcy, but you also have a tax refund coming. Your refund probably isn't enough to keep you afloat long-term. Still, you don't want to jeopardize it. Chances are, if bankruptcy is on the table, you need every cent you can get.

In part one of this series, we explained the basics of bankruptcy exemptions - that is, property you get to keep in bankruptcy. Unfortunately, tax refunds aren't among them. You might be able to keep your refund if you claim a wildcard exemption at the federal level, which allows you to hold onto any property up to a certain dollar limit. But that would require giving up the generous state-level exemptions, which in Texas are very friendly to debtors.

How to use your tax refund to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy (part 1)

On behalf of Lindsay Steele of Steele Law Firm, PLLC posted in chapter 7 on Thursday, February 20, 2020.

It's tax season, and that means many people are looking forward to receiving a tax refund. You may have already pocketed yours through an advance loan on your refund. When you're struggling to make ends meet, any amount of money can make a big impact.

But what if you're considering bankruptcy? You should be aware of how tax refunds are handled in Chapter 7 bankruptcies (the most common type of consumer bankruptcy) so you don't end up losing your refund. Through careful planning, you can use your refund to the greatest advantage possible rather than surrendering it to bankruptcy.

Are you one of many Texas residents considering bankruptcy?

On behalf of Lindsay Steele of Steele Law Firm, PLLC on Wednesday, January 8, 2020.

There are certain words in the English language that are typically associated with negative stigmas. Bankruptcy is one of those words. How much do you know about it? The first question to ask yourself is whether you really know anything about it, as in actual facts, or you simply have heard some things from others, most of which were negative. Have you heard, for instance, that filing for bankruptcy in Texas means you are entering financial ruin?

Maybe people told you that you'll never be able to restore financial stability or get a loan if you seek this form of debt relief. You might have also heard that filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 becomes part of your credit history and will always be on your financial record. If this is the type of information you have received regarding bankruptcy, then you have been misguided.

Resolving to get debt free in the new year?

On behalf of Lindsay Steele of Steele Law Firm, PLLC on Wednesday, December 11, 2019.

If 2019 presented you with many challenges, you may be happy to see it go. The end of one year often provides promises for better opportunities in the coming year. However, if you are bringing a mountain of debt with you into 2020, you are probably not too optimistic that your situation will improve just because you turn the page on the calendar.

Perhaps you are like many in Texas who make resolutions at the beginning of each new year. Resolutions for getting control of your finances may be on your list again this year. You may already know that it won't be easy, but there are steps you can take to get yourself on the right track.

How to know if your debt is a problem

On behalf of Lindsay Steele of Steele Law Firm, PLLC on Monday, November 11, 2019.

Debt isn't always a bad thing. Not many people can own a home without going into debt. Many entrepreneurs take out lines of credit to start their businesses. Student loans allow people to obtain an education that opens new opportunities for their futures. However, it is very easy to allow debt to become a burden.

You may think your debt is under control because you can make all your payments on time. However, you may have constructed a house of cards that could topple when the first unexpected expense comes along. In other words, you may not realize how dangerously close to financial crisis you are living.

Sudden job loss can come with difficult repercussions

On behalf of Lindsay Steele of Steele Law Firm, PLLC on Thursday, October 10, 2019.

Some events in life can seemingly come out of nowhere. You may have believed that you were on the fast track in your career and anticipated a promotion at any moment. You did everything you could to be a model employee. Unfortunately, when your boss asked to see you, it was to let you go rather than promote you.

You may have felt shocked at first and questioned what you did wrong. In the end, the company may have let you go for one of any number of reasons other than your performance, including simply having to lay off employees due to budgetary issues. Still, whatever the reason, you felt blindsided by your sudden unemployment.