Bankruptcy and Finance Information Network Exchange

This holiday season, supply chain problems, shipping delays, and inflation are making it even tougher to create and stick to a budget. However, these uncertainties mean that planning ahead and knowing your spending limits are more important than ever.

How can you build a holiday budget that will cover buying for everyone on your list while keeping you out of debt?

Keith L. Rucinski
Chapter 13 Trustee
Akron, OH

Bankruptcy Legend: I do not need a lawyer to file Bankruptcy, all I have to do is complete some forms.

In the United States people can choose to represent themselves in court, including bankruptcy court.

The term to represent yourself without counsel is “pro se”. A lawyer who represents people in bankruptcy does much more than “complete some forms. Good counsel will help their client: Determine if a bankruptcy is necessary. Sometimes there are alternatives.

NPR.org

In a remarkable reversal that will affect the fortunes of many student loan borrowers, the U.S. Department of Education has quietly changed its guidance around who qualifies for President Biden's sweeping student debt relief plan.

The Balance

Whether you're stuck in a cycle of debt, earning too little to maintain your desired standard of living, or simply wanting to get a jump on saving for a major financial goal, such as buying a home or investing, you may need help to get on track with your objectives. Follow these strategies for taking control of your finances right now.

Island Now

As someone who gets credit report notifications, you should be familiar with changes in your credit score.. It is quite common for your credit score to fluctuate with minor increments.

The Good Men Project

Times are challenging in America with the coronavirus. You may be experiencing the stress that comes with financial hardship and are considering a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. The purpose of this article is to inform you about the most important things about Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Melinda Opperman
President, credit.org

When people are struggling with their debts, they have a lot more options than they might realize. There are professionals, non-profit organizations, and free online resources available to help no matter how one’s personal finances look.

CNBC - July 1, 2022

If medical debt you’ve already paid has been lingering on your credit report, you may want to see if that has changed.

JDSupra - June 10, 2022

While it is becoming increasingly rare for the Supreme Court to speak with a singular voice on virtually anything these days, bankruptcy provides a rare exception.

Post Register - May 29, 2022 

Many people wonder if they file for bankruptcy, what will they get to “keep?” Will they get to keep a house, a car, or an investment property?

Melinda Opperman,
President, credit.org

Anyone hoping to take control of their personal finances must start with budgeting.

Simply put, a budget is a plan. People need to plan for how much they’ll earn, how much they’ll spend, and what their long-term financial goals will be.

The Balance - January 7, 2022 

A statute of limitations is the amount of time a person can take in order to take legal action on a certain event. When it comes to debt, the statute of limitations is the amount of time a creditor can take before asking the court to force you to pay for a debt.

WFSU - May 15, 2022 

Residents across north central Florida are optimistic about the potential impacts of a new law requiring a personal finance class for graduation.

Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed the measure that will require high school students to complete a half credit course on personal finance before graduation.

Boston Globe - May 30, 2022 

It didn’t count, but it should have. Boni, who moved to the United States from Mexico in his late 20s, needed to buy or rent equipment for his growing independent construction business. It was 2016, and he was earning decent money and paying for his housing and other living expenses. But with no credit history, his options for expanding his work opportunities were limited and involved high interest rates that seemed both expensive and risky.

JD Supra - Nov. 18, 2021

The CFPB, federal banking agencies, and state regulators are returning to pre-pandemic norms with respect to enforcement and supervision of the mortgage servicing industry. On November 10, 2021, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency....