Castle Law Office Blog | Missouri & Illinois Bankruptcy Legal Blog

3 Warning Signs that Your Mortgage Payment Could Get You in Financial Trouble

Your mortgage payment is probably quite a stress on your family. Will you need protection from foreclosure sooner than you think? Check out these tips on when to know you're paying too much on your mortgage.

Do I Have to Keep My Home if I’ve Already Filed a Missouri or Illinois Chapter 13?

If you've already filed Chapter 13 bankruptcy and gotten protection from foreclosure, you may be wondering if its OK to walk away from your home? With the help of a St. Louis bankruptcy attorney, it could be a smooth process...

Hamilton v. Lanning: What This Case Means for You

The Hamilton V. Lanning case has made an important stride forward for Chapter 13 payments and debtors everywhere. It also proves how flexible Missouri and Illinois bankruptcy really is!

Massachusetts Bankruptcy Court Says ‘No’ to Attorney Fee Only Chapter 13

The Attorney Fee Only Chapter 13 got a big NO in the Massachusetts Bankruptcy Court recently. The court decision made an important statement on choosing which chapter to file, shopping on price, and getting the best St. Louis bankruptcy attorney possible.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy & Wage Garnishments: How Do They Work?

A Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Missouri or Illinois can stop a wage garnishment. Just find out how from your local St. Louis bankruptcy attorney!

Can I Walk Away from My Home in Illinois?

Chapter 13 bankruptcy could save your home from forclosure. How can walking away from your home impact the amount of debt that you owe? If you sell your home for less than the mortgage you will still owe the difference! Learn more about the bankruptcy process and how to find the best St. Louis bankruptcy attorney.

Is Obama’s HAMP Living Up to Expectations?

The Obama adminstration's HAMP program for loan modification is not working as well as it should. However, a St. Louis bankruptcy attorney can help save your home from forclosure with a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Calculating Chapter 13 Repayment in Missouri

Trying to calculate your repayment plan for a Missouri or Illinois Chapter 13 may not be as simple as it seems. In fact, there are four major factors that go into doing so. What does that mean for your Chapter 13 plan payment?

My Wages Are Being Garnished for Child Support. What Can I Do?

A wage garnishment for child support can go above and beyond your typical garnishment, making it more important than ever to get help with your child support debt. So, what is your next move?

What’s Your Breaking Point for Debt?

When do you say enough is enough? When do you know that your debt is too much? There are some important ways to look out for your breaking point when it comes to debt.

Will I go to jail for not reporting increased income in bankruptcy?

There can certainly be consequences for not reporting your change in income while you are in the life of a Chapter 13. But why must you report it? And how serious are the consequences?

What If I Don’t Make My Plan Payments? | Chapter 13 Rules in Missouri and Illinois

Your Missouri or Illinois Chapter 13 payment plan is designed to repay your creditors--and help you get a fresh start. But what is the quickest way to lose your fresh start?

What If I Ignore Objections to My Chapter 13 Plan? | Chapter 13 Rules

Before your Chapter 13 payment plan can be confirmed in Missouri or Illinois, you must first make sure that any objections from the Trustee or your creditors have been taken care of. If you ignore these objections, your Chapter 13 may not be the answer to your prayers.

Chapter 13 Rules: Can You Buy a Car During a Chapter 13 in Missouri or Illinois?

So, you want to buy a car in your life after Missouri or Illinois bankruptcy? As long as you follow these rules, you could be well on your way to having everything you want after bankrutpcy, including a new car.

What Happens If the Trustee Objects to My Chapter 13 Plan? | Chapter 13 Rules in Missouri and Illinois

Will you know what to do if your Missouri or Illinois Chapter 13 payment plan isn't confirmed? Here are a few tips you may want to consider, especially if you are filing bankruptcy by yourself.

What If You Fail to Provide Tax Returns or Proof of Income to the Trustee? | Chapter 13 Rules

If you are filing bankruptcy on your own, you may be wondering what will happen if you file to provide the Trustee with the documents needed before your creditors' meeting. For many, filing alone may be a risk they aren't willing to take.

What Happens if You Fail to File the Required Documents? | Chapter 13 Rules

Filing the required documents is essential in your ability to get protection from foreclosure, credit card debt help, and relief from your creditors. But, what happens if you don't get the right documents filed? Filing without an attorney could be more complicated than you think...

What Happens If You Don’t Do Your Credit Counseling? | Chapter 13 Rules

In order to be eligible to file for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must first complete a credit counseling session. You must also complete a second financial management course, called a “debtor education” course, after your case is filed. While these sessions are not the only requirements for a Chapter 13 in Missouri or Illinois, but they are incredibly important because they benefit you.

If you don’t take the first credit counseling session, your St Louis, Missouri or Fairview Heights, Illinois bankruptcy attorney can’t file your case. That means the protection from foreclosure, credit card debt help, and the relief from your creditors that you and your family had been so eagerly anticipating will be delayed.

If you don’t take your personal financial management course after your case has been filed, it can cause your case to be dismissed without a discharge. The discharge is the release of your personal responsibility for your debts. Can you imagine going all the way through a bankruptcy case and not getting the big benefit at the end?

A qualified and experienced St Louis or Wentzville Missouri bankruptcy attorney understands that credit counseling is an essential part of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and they will help you through the process. After all, a great Missouri or Illinois bankruptcy lawyer wants to make sure he or she is doing everything they can to ensure you get the relief you need from your debt.

Wondering what else to expect from a great bankruptcy attorney? Request a free copy of my Missouri and Illinois bankruptcy book, “Get Out of Debt: Secrets Your Creditors Don’t Want You to Know,” to find out more!

What Are the Debt Requirements for Chapter 13? | Chapter 13 Rules

A chapter 13 bankruptcy,while of great benefit to you and your family, does come with a few rules. The first of which is to determine if your debt meets the requirements for eligibilty to file Chapter 13 with an experienced St Louis Missouri bankruptcy attorney.

How Does an Automatic Stay Give Me Protection from Foreclosure?

What is it about Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Illinois and Missouri that is powerful enough to stop a foreclosure? An automatic stay, which takes effect immediately, seems to do the trick when it comes to getting you and your family protection from foreclosure.

Can I Reopen My Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Illinois?

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Can You Surrender a Home in a Chapter 13 in Missouri or Illinois?

You know that Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Missouri and Illinois can offer you protection from foreclosure but did you know that you can also give up your home if you so choose? Keep in mind, though, there are some things you'll want to know before you surrender your home or any other property.

Are There Different Consequences for Foreclosure in Illinois than in Missouri?

What are the consequences of foreclosure in Illinois? Most people don't know that there is still debt to contend with even after you've given up your home. Don't get caught without knowing the consequences of foreclosure.

The Best Method for Weighing Your Options When Looking for Protection from Foreclosure

Trying to find protection from foreclosure in Missouri and Illiois is often so frantic that we don't have time to find the real truth about our options. When it comes to loan modification vs. Chapter 13 bankruptcy, however, stopping to find out these staggering stats might be the best way to make a decision that truly protects your family.

Paying Your Credit Card Before Your Mortgage? You May Need Missouri or Illinois Bankruptcy Faster Than You Think

If you are paying your credit card bill before your mortgage, it may be a sign that you are in too much debt. So, before you need protection from foreclosure, think about the options you have for relieving your debt. You may never have to choose between your bills again.