Tag: Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Oregon

Jessica Nomie Law > The Legal Scoop – Oregon > Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Oregon
Improve Your Credit Score!

Improve Your Credit Score!

Posted on by Jessica Nomie

Your Credit Score – The three numbers that can impact your life greatly. 

You need good credit to be approved for a home mortgage, receive low interest rates and be approved for higher credit card and loan limits.  Having a good credit score is critical for financial independence.  

Below are Six Tips for rebuilding your credit score.  Keep in mind, these are not the only steps you should take to improve your credit score.

 

1. Review your credit report for accuracy. 

The first thing you should do is pull your credit report and review it!  Make sure that everything being reported is correct.  What can you look for when doing this?

(1) Make sure the account open date is correct;

(2) Make sure the timeliness of your payments is correct; and

(3) Make sure all accounts being reported are really your accounts.

If something does not look right, then you should dispute it with the credit reporting agency where you found the mistake. Sometimes these mistakes can prevent your score from increasing. The mistakes can even cause your score to decrease over time.  You will need to file a dispute which each of the credit bureaus that list the error.

To file a dispute with Experian: https://www.experian.com/disputes/main.html

To file a despite with Equifax: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/

To file a despite with TransUnion: https://www.transunion.com/credit-disputes/dispute-your-credit

2. Keep your balances low. 

Credit usage makes up for 35% of your credit score.  That means you should keep your balances low.  As a general rule, you should keep your usage on each account below 25% of the total credit limit.

For example, if you were granted a limit of $1,000 on a credit card, try not to let your balance exceed $250. This keeps your usage at 25% or lower.

3. Pay your bills on time!  

Late payments can have a significant impact on your credit and make it harder to improve your credit score.  It is important to pay your bills on time. If possible, pay off the entire account balance each month. This will allow you to avoid paying any interest and you will save you money.  This is easier to do if you keep your usage low.

4. Become an authorized user.

Get added to someone else’s credit card.  If the account holder has positive payment history that gets reported to your credit, then this could be an effective tool to increase your credit score.

Be careful! If the primary account holder has poor payment history, high usage, and/or high balances then this could actually hurt you.  Some credit card issuers report negative account information along with the positive information for authorized users.  In other words, if there are late payments or high balances on the account then those will be reported onto your credit.  In that situation, being an authorized user could end up hurting your credit score instead of helping it.

5. Open a secured credit card.

Lend yourself the money to begin the rebuilding process.  A secured credit card is one in which you pay a deposit which becomes your credit line.  A secured credit card can start for as low as $200/$300 depending on the card issuer.  This is a great way for you to establish positive usage and positive payment history.

Be sure to pay on time and keep your utilization low.  Doing so will maximize the positive impact that this account can have on your credit score. Do your research to find a secured card that works best for you.

6. Minimize credit applications.

Do not overdo it! Do not apply for too many credit accounts. Each time you apply for credit, there is an inquiry into your credit score.  Inquiries can actually cause your score to temporarily decrease.  This is especially troublesome for people with lower scores who are trying to improve, because each point matters in the quest to improve your credit score.

Be selective when applying for credit. While it is good to have open credit lines, do not apply for too many accounts in a short period of time.

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The six tips provided in this article are general information.  If you are looking for advice that is more specific to you, then you should consult with a professional.

At Jessica Nomie Law we work with our clients on credit rebuilding techniques and credit report disputes.  We help people rebuild their credit after a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy filing. Even if you have not filed for bankruptcy, we may be able to help you rebuild your credit.

If you are looking for assistance with Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and/or Credit Repair, we encourage you to contact our office to schedule your free bankruptcy consultation.  We look forward to speaking with you to discuss whether we can help you achieve your financial goals!

The information and materials provided in this article have been prepared for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice and do not constitute an attorney-client relationship between you and this law firm. If you believe you have a legal case or claim, you should contact an attorney promptly; strict time limitations may apply to your case or claim.

We are a debt relief agency.  We help people file for relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

 

Clatsop County Bankruptcy Lawyer

Posted on by Jessica Nomie

Oregon Coast Bankruptcy Lawyer Coming Your Way!

Jessica Nomie Law is expanding its borders to the Oregon Coast. This expansion includes Columbia County, Clatsop County, and Tillamook County.

If you are looking for an Oregon bankruptcy attorney, you don’t have to drive to Portland to meet with an experienced bankruptcy attorney anymore! I now have an office in Seaside, Oregon so that Oregon Coast residents can meet with a local bankruptcy attorney to discuss Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy options.

I’ve lived and worked in the Portland area my entire life; however, in the recent years I have noticed how much I have taken for granted by living in Portland. I have had clients drive from all over the state to meet with me because they do not have access to competent legal counsel in a town that is closer to home. Quite frankly, I don’t think that’s fair. While I can’t be everywhere, I am placing myself in Seaside, Oregon with the hope that this creates easier access to bankruptcy assistance for nearby residents. I am hopeful this Seaside bankruptcy office location will create convenience for Columbia County, Clatsop County and Tillamook County residents.

Below is a list of cities we hope to serve:

  • St. Helens
  • Scappoose
  • Astoria
  • Warrenton
  • Gearhart
  • Seaside
  • Rockaway Beach
  • Cannon Beach
  • Tillamook

Please keep in mind this is not an exhaustive list. If you are looking for an Oregon Bankruptcy lawyer, but do not live in these cities, I would be happy to meet with you to discuss whether I can help you file for bankruptcy protection.

Our new office location is: 1580 N. Roosevelt Drive Seaside, OR 97138.

The information and materials provided in this article have been prepared for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice and do not constitute an attorney-client relationship between you and this law firm. If you believe you have a legal case or claim, you should contact an attorney promptly; strict time limitations may apply to your case or claim.

We are a debt relief agency.  We help people file for relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

 

What Can Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Help With?

What Can Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Help With?

Posted on by Jessica Nomie

Filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy can actually pave the way for a brighter future.

If anything in our society has a bad reputation, it’s “Bankruptcy”. The “B” word is not something many people throw around lightly. When they need to file for bankruptcy, they keep it to themselves. They often hesitate to pursue this solution to their financial problems. Often, they heavily resist going down this path to the extent that they struggle for years before they finally pursue this option. But why?

It’s true, bankruptcy is not an ideal financial situation for anyone.  It’s also true that it will be reported on your credit and may cause your credit to take an initial hit.  However, bankruptcy is meant to help people. You may have heard of a financial “fresh start”. This is a term that is often associated with bankruptcy. It may be cliché, but it is very true.

Bankruptcy is meant to be a tool to help you get a clean slate and rebuild your credit for a brighter and healthier financial future. After filing for bankruptcy, your credit score will begin to increase and you will eventually have the financial options that are not available to you right now.  As you rebuild your credit, you may qualify for better interest rates on cars and loans, and even have the opportunity to purchase a home.

Bankruptcy is meant to help, so you don’t have to struggle forever. Bankruptcy is not a bad thing. It doesn’t make you a bad person. Life “happens” to good and responsible people. When life “happens”, you deserve a second chance.

What can bankruptcy help with?

The list below is not exhaustive and it does not address the specific rules regarding each particular debt and how it is treated in bankruptcy. Depending on what kind of debt you are facing, this may impact whether you will need to file for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. You will need to speak to an experienced bankruptcy attorney about the specifics of your case.

A Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy can help with:

  • Wage and Bank Garnishments
  • Creditor Lawsuits
  • Harassing Phone Calls from Creditors
  • Identity Theft
  • Car Repossession
  • Home Foreclosure
  • Tax Debt
  • Unmanageable Credit Card and Medical Debt
  • Auto Loan, Lease and Other Loan Defaults
  • License Reinstatement
  • Other Government Related Debts
  • Credit Repair and Rebuilding

Contact Jessica Nomie Law today for your free and confidential bankruptcy consultation.

We are a debt relief agency.  We help people file for relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

The information and materials provided in this article have been prepared for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice and do not constitute an attorney-client relationship between you and this law firm. If you believe you have a legal case or claim, you should contact an attorney promptly; strict time limitations may apply to your case or claim.

Common Bankruptcy Questions & Myths

Common Bankruptcy Questions & Myths

Posted on by Jessica Nomie

Part 4.  I hired a bankruptcy attorney, so I filed for bankruptcy. 

Short Answer: No. This is NOT true.

You have not filed your bankruptcy until your petition, schedules and other required documents have been filed with the bankruptcy court.  Simply hiring a bankruptcy attorney or declaring that you “are filing for bankruptcy” does not mean that you have filed for bankruptcy protection.  

How do you know if you filed for bankruptcy protection?  If you have met with your attorney to sign your bankruptcy petition and schedules, then this is a good indicator that your case has been filed or is about to be filed.  If you are unsure, you should ask your attorney when your case will be filed.  Sometimes, your attorney will have you come in to sign your petition and schedules; however, will tell you that your case won’t actually be filed until a later date.  You might know your case has been filed because you have a case number.  Again, you can ask your attorney for your case number if you think your case has been filed. If you are confused or unsure whether your bankruptcy has been filed, then you should immediately consult your attorney for clarification.  There is a critical distinction between having hired an attorney and actually filing your bankruptcy case.  This distinction includes different legal protections that are offered to someone when they have hired an attorney, and when they have actually filed for bankruptcy.

You do not have the protections of bankruptcy such as the imposition of the automatic stay, unless and until you have an active bankruptcy filing.  In other words, you are not protected by bankruptcy law until you file your bankruptcy case.  The automatic stay of bankruptcy, which prohibits creditors from collecting from you during your bankruptcy case, does not become effective simply because you have hired an attorney and/or declared your intent to file for bankruptcy protection.  The reality is that you must actually file your case with the Court before you are entitled to the protections of bankruptcy, and before you are “in” bankruptcy.  Once you have filed your bankruptcy case with the court, the automatic stay that is described above will take effect and act as a prohibition on all pre-petition creditors from attempting to collect from you.

This brings up a point that is commonly misunderstood by consumers who will be filing for bankruptcy.  Declaring your intent to file, such as telling a creditor that you are going to file for bankruptcy, will not stop that creditor from taking collection action against you.  Until you file for bankruptcy protection, a creditor can continue collection activities against you, including sending statements, calling you, and even pursuing legal action against you.  In some situations, your attorney may be able to stop harassing phone calls from creditors even though you have not yet filed your bankruptcy.  Jessica Nomie Law can help with this. 

As always, if you ever have questions or concerns about your case status, then you should consult with your attorney.

We are a debt relief agency.  We help people file for relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

The information and materials provided in this article have been prepared for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice and do not constitute an attorney-client relationship between you and this law firm. If you believe you have a legal case or claim, you should contact an attorney promptly; strict time limitations may apply to your case or claim.

Common Bankruptcy Questions & Myths

Common Bankruptcy Questions & Myths

Posted on by Jessica Nomie

Part 3. If I file for Bankruptcy will I lose my tax refund?

Short Answer: It depends.

If you are filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Protection, then you are likely able to keep your tax refund. Your attorney will list your refund in your bankruptcy schedules and then claim an exemption to protect your refund for you. In other words, you are allowed to have certain values of assets when you file for bankruptcy. Depending on your other assets, such as money in the bank, personal property, and more, you may be entitled to keep some or all of your tax refund. The rules around exemptions can be technical and complicated. It is best to consult with an attorney to ensure that your property is protected to the fullest extent possible. There could be situations when you must pay some or all of your refund towards your debts for the success of your Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing. Usually and in most cases, you will get to keep your full tax refund when you file for bankruptcy.

If you must file a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, then the answer depends on your income and your bankruptcy plan. Generally, you are required to pay the full amount of your refund into your Chapter 13 Bankruptcy case when you are in a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. This is part of your bankruptcy plan and required to be done to ensure the success of your Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. In some cases, you may be able to protect a certain value of your tax refund each year while you are in the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. You can talk to your bankruptcy attorney to determine whether you are eligible for this protection of your tax refund. If you are eligible for this protection, then your attorney will discuss the details and requirements with you, including at what point you might be required to pay some of your refund into your Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.

Since the rules around refunds and exemptions of your property can be complicated, you should consult with an attorney before filing for bankruptcy to determine whether you will be entitled to keep your tax refund.

We are a debt relief agency.  We help people file for relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

The information and materials provided in this article have been prepared for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice and do not constitute an attorney-client relationship between you and this law firm. If you believe you have a legal case or claim, you should contact an attorney promptly; strict time limitations may apply to your case or claim.

Common Bankruptcy Questions & Myths

Common Bankruptcy Questions & Myths

Posted on by Jessica Nomie

Part 1. I stopped paying my bills.  Can my creditor garnish my wages immediately?

Short answer:  No. A creditor must first sue you in court and get a judgment against you before they can issue a garnishment to your bank or your employer.

It’s a common misconception among consumers that I speak to, that as soon as they stop paying a debt, that their paycheck or bank account can automatically be garnished by a creditor.  While a creditor might scare you into believing that you must make a payment or else your next check will be garnished; the truth is that they cannot do this without first getting a judgment against you in Court.

What does this mean? The creditor must first file a lawsuit in court against you, serve you with that lawsuit and then go through the court system to get a judgment against you.  Once they have done all of that, then they need to find out where you bank or where you work.  Assuming they have (1) gotten a judgment in court; and (2)  found out where you bank or work, then they can send a garnishment to your bank or employer.  This process at the absolute quickest speed would take 2-3 months.

The bottom line is that, without a judgment, your creditors cannot issue a garnishment.  It’s as simple as that. 

You might ask, what about when your debt is transferred to a collection agency?  The answer is still no; not until they go through the courts to sue you and get a judgment against you.

Please note that for almost any rule there is always an exception.  It’s important to keep in mind that when you owe money to a government agency, such as the Internal Revenue Service or your state taxing agency, they do not have to sue you first.  They can immediately contact your employer to start garnishing your wages.

If you can’t keep up with your bills, have stopped paying bills, have been served with a lawsuit or even a garnishment, or are not sure what kind of debt that you owe, then you should consult with an attorney about your options.  The sooner that you consult with an attorney, the better positioned you are to protect yourself from the harsh reality of a bank or a wage garnishment.

We are a debt relief agency.  We help people file for relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

The information and materials provided in this article have been prepared for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice and do not constitute an attorney-client relationship between you and this law firm. If you believe you have a legal case or claim, you should contact an attorney promptly; strict time limitations may apply to your case or claim.