Some Cleveland bankruptcy attorneys advertise a $395 minimum attorney fee in the Sunday newspaper. It is right there on the front page of the classified section in a listing called, “Professional Services.” Four different Cleveland bankruptcy attorneys list a minimum fee of $395. Is this real? Can you believe it? Is it just too good…
Learn to spot problems at the bankruptcy consultation. Here are five more things to watch out for that will make you call another lawyer. It is all about the value you receive. There are spectacular bankruptcy lawyers out here, and others who should not even be allowed into the courthouse. Unfortunately, it is up to…
Here are 5 reasons that will make you want to run from your bankruptcy consultation and find another lawyer. The purpose of consultation is to decide if the attorney is right for you, and you are right for the bankruptcy attorney. This is a list of 5 items you should watch for to decide if…
Being a good lawyer means being able to tell you when not to file bankruptcy. That’s right; Lorain County bankruptcy attorney William Balena is telling you that not everyone in debt should hire him. Take a look at my testimonial page. That was Randy’s experience. He was in debt. Lawsuits had been filed against him…
Do you think you need to pay just one more bill before filing bankruptcy? If you were going to pay just one more bill before seeing your bankruptcy attorney in Lorain county what would it be for? Normally following the 90% rule, (possession is nine tenths of the law) clients will pay money owed to a…
Clients who come into my office often ask, “Do I need to hire a bankruptcy lawyer in Elyria?” The answer to that question is up to you. Bankruptcy lawyers, especially the ones who know what they are doing, are expensive. Overall the total cost to file, even if you hire the most expensive bankruptcy lawyer,…
If you received a 1099-C from a creditor, you have had cancellation of debt in the past year. Any unexpected tax form, especially one that adds income like a 1099, is cause for concern. What is a 1099? Basic tax policy is that anytime someone can deduct some amount, for someone else, somewhere it is…
What does it mean when I tell you Balena Law Firm is paperless and location independent? When you come in for your bankruptcy consultation I instruct you to bring in an armload of documents. The new law requires verification of everything. Even who you are! Many times you express concern over leaving these things with…
Ever wonder what happened to preapproved credit card offers? They’re back. And just in time for the holidays. The same people who brought you never ending collection calls from the last round of easy credit have decided that you can ramp bank profits back up. Prior to the financial meltdown banks relied heavily on credit…
Why are seniors and Baby Boomers filing bankruptcy in record numbers? The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported that the two largest increases in bankruptcy filings are seniors and Baby Boomers: 1. From 1991 to 2007 bankruptcy filings for people over 65 increased 150% 2. During the same period bankruptcy filings for people 75 to 84 years…