Bankruptcy 101: A Simple Guide to Filing

When you can barely rest at home after working all day for bill collectors calling, when every piece of mail is a past-due bill and when you are being threatened with the loss of your home, there are few more effective measures available than the declaration of bankruptcy. While this is not a decision to be made lightly, it will provide you with the means to make a fresh start and get some immediate peace of mind.

If you have been charged with a criminal offense, chances are you will be attending a hearing and a trial set in a courtroom. There is a certain decorum that comes with being in a courtroom, and you should aim to be on your best behavior during the proceedings. Failing to do so could land you in a lot more trouble than what you are currently being accused of. Refraining from certain bad behavior seems obvious, such as arguing with the judge or taunting witnesses.

Many people are interested in the issue of avoiding probate, but in all likelihood that is not possible. Probate allows for all-encompassing coverage of disposing of both property and debts of the deceased, and no real alternative exists for this important legal process. You can, however, use another handy legal instrument to keep some of the estate property out of probate, and doing so holds many advantages. To learn more about using a revocable trust to keep property away from probate, read on.

The United States is based on a working, employed economy. Although there are a few safety nets and exceptions, if you're unable to work because of an injury, disease, other physical conditions, or mental conditions, the smartest thing to do is look for a backup plan. There's no reason to focus every single day on just employment plans when there are options such as social security, personal injury claims, and other more personal financial security programs.

The end of a marriage is not something that any person takes lightly, and there are many ways your life will change afterwards. As a person considering filing for divorce, you must carefully consider the impact this life change is going to have on your finances. Debt can easily spiral out of control if you aren't prepared for the monetary changes in your life. There are two things you can do to make sure debt does not consume you after the divorce is final.

After a denial for Social Security disability benefits, you can request a hearing with an administrative law judge. The hearing is not your last chance to get a denial overturned, but it is one of your best chances of doing so. Therefore, it is important that you avoid many of the mistakes that have commonly led to the judges siding with the Social Security Administration. To help you prepare for the hearing, here are some tips to remember.

Bankruptcy offers a fresh start for people who are drowning in debt—but there are some debts that are treated differently than others. If you owe child support, it's important to understand how bankruptcy affects that specific debt. Does bankruptcy halt your current or past-due support payments? No, the bankruptcy won't stop your ongoing support payments. Once you file your bankruptcy petition, an automatic stay goes into effect that stops creditors from calling you and halts any collection actions or other adverse events based on past-due debts (like having your utilities cut off).

If you like to go out for a drink on occasion, then you may find yourself in the position of being pulled over by the police after a night out on the town. If you admit that you have been drinking, then you may need to take a breathalyzer test to determine the blood alcohol level in your body. You should know that you do have the right to refuse any and all sobriety tests.