teamwork defined

7 Deadly Bankruptcy Sins

Written by Charleston Bankruptcy Lawyer, Russell A. DeMott You may think the bankruptcy process consists of dumping information into your bankruptcy lawyer’s lap and having all your problems quickly solved. Not so. A successful bankruptcy is a team effort between you, your bankruptcy lawyer, and the lawyer’s staff I tell clients they should expect to…

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My Bankruptcy Friends (and Acquaintances)

Written by Charleston Bankruptcy Lawyer, Russell A. DeMott As a bankruptcy lawyer, I–surprise, surprise–meet other bankruptcy lawyers.  In fact, I meet other lawyers from all over the country.  I’ve also come across other lawyer’s websites and blogs, and thought it might be helpful to my readers to pass along these resources. Lex Rogerson is a…

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bankruptcy in newspaper

Will My Bankruptcy be in the Newspaper?

Written Charleston Bankruptcy Lawyer, Russell A. DeMott Your bankruptcy filing will not appear in your local newspaper. About once a month I get asked about this.  Clients believe that the local newspaper reports bankruptcy filings for individuals.  It doesn’t. It’s understandable that clients are worried about this bankruptcy myth.  Bankruptcy is viewed as financial failure…

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bankruptcy and your credit score--confusion

Bankruptcy is GOOD for Your Credit Score!

Written by Charleston Bankruptcy Lawyer, Russell A. DeMott Bankruptcy is GOOD for your credit score! “Wait a second!” you say, “bankruptcy ruins your credit for 10 years.  Everyone knows that!”  False. People come to me with preconceived ideas about bankruptcy.  Some even show up and proclaim, “I’m not here to discuss bankruptcy.” If you ask…

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mystery man--debt buyers

Debt Buyers Must Prove They Own the Debt

Written by Charleston Bankruptcy Lawyer, Russell A. DeMott Debt buyers claim they have the right to collect for the original creditor.  But do they? You couldn’t pay that credit card debt a few years ago, and so you stopped paying it.  MasterCard called for a while, but the calls eventually stopped.  Now, Shark Collections called…

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person helping aother on cliff

Bankruptcy Experiences of Clients #5

Written by Charleston Bankruptcy Lawyer, Russell A. DeMott I met these clients after they moved to the Charleston area from up north.  Prior to moving to South Carolina for employment opportunities, they spent considerable time trying to sell their home.  Working through the HAMP (Home Affordable Modification Program) proved futile, and they simply ran out…

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woman looking up relieved

What’s the Discharge Injunction in Bankruptcy?

Written by Charleston Bankruptcy Lawyer, Russell A. DeMott The holy grail of the bankruptcy process is the bankruptcy discharge. If you call your doctor and tell her you have a discharge, I don’t care where it’s coming from, it will be a bad thing. Not so in bankruptcy.  The discharge is a good thing. And…

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student loan probelms in bankruptcy

The Craziness of Student Loan (Non) Dischargeability

Written by Charleston Bankruptcy Lawyer, Russell A. DeMott Student loans are, practically speaking, almost non-dischargeable in bankruptcy.  The Bankruptcy Code and the law interpreting it says, in essence, that the debtor must be disabled and that he must prove he is–and will be–unable to repay the student loans. The fact that you paid a fortune…

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South Carolina Mortgage Help

South Carolina Foreclosure Help

Written by Charleston Bankruptcy Lawyer, Russell A. DeMott Many South Carolina homeowners need help avoiding foreclosure.  Fortunately, there’s a new program called the “South Carolina Homeownership and Employment Lending Program.”  That’s a mouthful, so just remember this web address: scmortgagehelp.com.  The program works through local agencies, and here in Charleston, that’s Family Services of Charleston,…

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chapter 13 bankruptcy options

Life After Bankruptcy: The Mary Norton Story

Written by Charleston Bankruptcy Lawyer, Russell A. DeMott Bankruptcy is about new beginnings.  It’s about fixing problems plaguing your financial life. But what happens next?  How can you make sure your life improves and stays that way? Reinvent yourself Success depends largely on attitude.  The attitude needed really depends on what caused your bankruptcy.  Sometimes…

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