New Jersey Debt Relief Blog

We can help determine if bankruptcy is best for your business

On behalf of Oliver & Legg posted in business & commercial bankruptcy on Saturday, February 8, 2020.

Maybe you had a dwindling hope that last year's post-holiday sales could push your company from the red to the black. Sadly, as you enter the second month of the first quarter of 2020, you're forced to confront a dismal reality: Your small business is no longer viable.

Acknowledging the failure of a business to thrive in a booming economy is tough. After all, you poured your lifeblood into the company. You worked long hours and tried all that you could to entice customers to your door. Yet somehow your efforts failed. Now you're trying to wrap your head around the fact that you need to shutter your company's doors permanently.

Filing for bankruptcy? Try these options first

On behalf of Oliver & Legg posted in Personal Bankruptcy on Friday, January 24, 2020.

When you have too much month left at the end of your money, it's time to do some serious belt-tightening. No one likes to lead a restricted lifestyle, but if you are unable to pay your bills, it's necessary.

Below are some tips for cutting back on your budget.

Why bankruptcy may be a better choice than debt solutions

On behalf of Oliver & Legg on Wednesday, January 15, 2020.

Debt is a common issue in the United States. The average household may have credit card debt as well as a mortgage and a car loan, to say nothing of the student loans that the parents may carry as well. Given that the average American household does carry some degree of debt, it is no surprise that there are companies looking to turn a profit off of people struggling financially.

You may have seen ads on the television or heard them on the radio discussing debt relief companies that can consolidate your debts or help you negotiate a lower balance for a lump sum payoff amount. These services may sound excellent, but in reality, they are often only a topical bandage on a severe wound.

Discuss a mortgage loan modification with your lender

On behalf of Oliver & Legg on Wednesday, January 15, 2020.

Whether you've fallen behind on your mortgage payments or foresee this happening in the future, it's critical to take immediate action to protect your home and legal rights.

Despite your financial frustrations, there are steps you can take to settle down your situation and save your home from repossession.

Don't let medical debt continue to cripple you in 2020

On behalf of Oliver & Legg posted in Personal Bankruptcy on Friday, January 10, 2020.

If medical debt has accumulated to the point where you can no longer afford to keep up with your monthly payments, you are not alone. In fact, it's estimated that 20% of Americans who are of working age and who have medical insurance still have trouble paying their medical bills.

What can that mean for you? It can not just put a damper on your lifestyle by eliminating funds for vacations and entertainment. For many, it can mean not having the funds to pay rent or mortgages and keep the lights on if they keep up with the payments on these health care bills.

What can I do to stop foreclosure?

On behalf of Oliver & Legg posted in Foreclosure on Friday, December 27, 2019.

People hesitate to bring up the "F" word. No, we're not discussing profanity. We're talking about foreclosure.

Foreclosure is a firghtening prospect, as it means that you and your family could soon find themselves homeless if you don't make or catch up on your mortgage payments.

Learn some basics about filing for personal bankruptcy

On behalf of Oliver & Legg posted in Personal Bankruptcy on Saturday, December 14, 2019.

Are you strung out on your debts and unable to make even the minimum payments? If so, you may be contemplating filing for bankruptcy.

It can be confusing to know which type of bankruptcy is right for you. Below are some basic facts about filing for personal bankruptcy.

Chapter 7 wipes out most of your debts. Those with much debt but little income will qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in most cases because it is means-based.

Alternatively, filing under Chapter 13 is often preferable because there is no means test to pass or asset seizure. Instead, filers draft repayment plans to pay down their debts over three or five years.

A bankruptcy filing can halt your creditors' collection efforts as well as foreclosures. If saving your home is your primary goal, Chapter 13 is the way to go.

New bankruptcy rules affect Chapter 11 filers

On behalf of Oliver & Legg posted in business & commercial bankruptcy on Friday, November 29, 2019.

New bankruptcy laws will be taking effect this coming February that can affect small business owners who may want to take advantage of the bankruptcy protections available to them under Chapter 11.

Earlier this year, the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 was passed and signed into law. A new subchapter of the Bankruptcy Code has been added to Chapter 11 filings.

Which type of bankruptcy should you file?

On behalf of Oliver & Legg posted in Personal Bankruptcy on Friday, November 15, 2019.

It's easy to feel frustrated when you can no longer manage to pay your bills every month. But you should be aware that there is a way out of debt.

Bankruptcy is viewed by some as a negative experience that indicates that you failed. The truth is that bankruptcy is simply a legal method of protecting yourself from overwhelming debt. It's a way to help you overcome your losses and to get a fresh financial start.

Dwindling demand for coal sets foundation for bankruptcy

On behalf of Oliver & Legg posted in business & commercial bankruptcy on Tuesday, October 29, 2019.

While there are several notable financial missteps that companies in New Jersey can make that ultimately require them to file for bankruptcy, there are other reasons why unsettling financial problems may occur that are sometimes out of their control. The ebbs and flows of supply and demand and the health of the economy are two factors that could contribute to a company's financial demise even if they have made valuable efforts to secure their assets.

This is the case for Murray Energy which has long been admired as the largest private coal miner in the nation, but who is now facing bankruptcy with the decreased demand for coal. Though there are negotiations in place to allow the coal giant to receive financial support as it restructures agreements with its lenders, there is evidence of financial problems throughout the company. Lenders have not been paid on time and the company has been unable to pay some of its bills.

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