Tag: Oregon Bankruptcy Lawyer

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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.

 

Bankruptcy Success Story

Bankruptcy Success Story

Posted on by Jessica Nomie

Caller: “My friend filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and less than one year later his credit score is almost at 700. It made me realize that Chapter 7 bankruptcy might not be such a dreadful thing.”

This is true! Bankruptcy is not the end of the world. People often hear the word “bankruptcy” and they run. Sometimes it is out of fear. Other times it is on account of the many misconceptions and myths surrounding bankruptcy.

In reality, bankruptcy is meant to be a tool to help you through financial hardship. You may have heard the term “fresh start.” This is often used when referring to bankruptcy. That is because bankruptcy is meant to help you when you may be struggling with debt that you can hardly afford to pay, with little hope of getting out of the debt cycle. You may even be behind or delinquent on these debts and as a result your credit score has taken significant hits. If you continue in this cycle, it may take years to pay off your debt, collectors may continue to contact you for years, and you may never achieve the credit score and credit history needed for approval for a home mortgage.

While we certainly do not wish bankruptcy on anyone, for some people this is the right option for breaking the cycle and getting a second chance.

Bankruptcy can help you (1) save money because you are no longer struggling with minimum payments or garnishments; (2) clear negative credit history, rebuild your credit and increase your credit score; and (3) eventually buy a home or finance a new car at lower interest rates.

Contact our office today to schedule your free bankruptcy consultation.  We offer in person and telephone meetings, as well as same-day appointments. We look forward to speaking with you to discuss whether we can help you achieve your financial fresh start!

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.

Oregon Bankruptcy Lawyer

Posted on by Jessica Nomie

We can help all Oregon residents!

Question: Can Jessica Nomie Law help you if you do not live in Clackamas County, Oregon?

Answer: Yes.

As long as you live in Oregon, we can meet with you to discuss whether bankruptcy is the right option for you.

Jessica Nomie is a lawyer who is licensed to practice law in the State of Oregon. This means that she can assist with Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy filings for all qualifying Oregonians.

We offer free bankruptcy consultations. We are available to meet with you in-person or over the phone. In other words, no matter where you live within the state of Oregon, we are available to meet with you to discuss your bankruptcy options.

Please note that absent rare circumstances, you must live in Oregon at the time when you file your bankruptcy case in Oregon.  If you believe residency may pose problems for your case, then it is important to discuss this matter with a bankruptcy lawyer.

Jessica Nomie is a female bankruptcy lawyer in the state of Oregon who strives to offer all Oregon residents compassionate, competent and diligent legal representation.  Our office guides our clients through bankruptcy and credit rebuilding.

We look forward to speaking with you to discuss whether we can help you achieve your financial “fresh start”!

Contact Jessica Nomie Law today for your free consultation.

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.

 

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 2.  I need to file for bankruptcy protection.  Will I lose my car?

Short Answer: No.  It is not true that you must give up your car if you file bankruptcy.  When you file, you have the option to keep your car.

I’ve met with countless people who have stated that they’ve prolonged considering bankruptcy because they cannot “afford” to lose their vehicle.  The truth is, if you file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy then in most situations you have the option to keep your vehicle.

If you own a vehicle and are considering bankruptcy, the first question I would ask you is whether your vehicle is secured by a loan.  In other words; is your car paid off? 

If you still owe money on your vehicle, then you would have the option to retain your vehicle in the bankruptcy and enter into a reaffirmation agreement with the lender.  You can also choose to surrender, or “give up”, your vehicle.  The choice is yours. 

If you choose to keep your vehicle and your vehicle is secured by a loan, then you would elect to retain your vehicle in your Statement of Intention which is part of your bankruptcy filing.  Your creditor would then send you (or your attorney) a reaffirmation agreement for you to sign and to be filed with the Court.  A reaffirmation agreement is essentially a new contract between you and your creditor that will survive the bankruptcy.  Simply put, you get to keep your car.

If your vehicle is secured by a loan and you do not want to retain your vehicle then you would indicate your intent to surrender your vehicle in your Statement of Intention.  In this situation, the creditor can obtain permission from the Court to repossess the vehicle while you are in the bankruptcy, or may choose to wait until your bankruptcy is over before repossessing the vehicle.  In either case, once the vehicle is repossessed and sold, the deficiency, or unpaid amount on your loan would be a discharged debt in your bankruptcy.

In some instances, you might have equity in your vehicle.  If your vehicle is paid off, then you have equity in your vehicle.  Similarly, if your vehicle is worth more than what is owed on it, then you also have equity in your vehicle.  In these situations, we would discuss the value of your vehicle.  In Oregon you are allowed to have $3,000 of equity in your vehicle that can be exempted in your bankruptcy schedules.  Under federal law, the exemption is $3,775.  In other words, your car can be worth up to the amount of the exemption and be protected.  If your equity in your vehicle is more than the allowable exemption, then you may qualify for a “wildcard” exemption to protect the remainder of the equity in your vehicle.  

There are situations when you might run into problems with the allowable exemptions.  For example, if you have a significant amount of equity in your vehicle, or if you own multiple vehicles. 

Even though it is a myth that you cannot keep your car when you file for bankruptcy, the bankruptcy rules are complicated.  If you have one or more vehicles and you are planning to file for bankruptcy, then you should consult with a bankruptcy attorney to determine your options regarding your vehicle and to discuss the best ways to protect your assets when you proceed with bankruptcy.

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.