The Law Offices of Kevin D. Judd — eNewsletters

The Perils of Filing for Bankruptcy without an Attorney

With all the bankruptcy information and forms available on the Internet, some people have taken to filing for bankruptcy on their own without any help from an experienced bankruptcy attorney. This is a mistake, as even the United States Federal Courts system recommends using an attorney when filing for bankruptcy. If you would like to learn more about the nuances and complexity of filing for bankruptcy, a Washington DC or Maryland bankruptcy lawyer can guide you through the filing process. Why Filing for Bankruptcy with an Attorney is...

Whether Spouses Should File a Joint Bankruptcy

A joint bankruptcy is an important decision that can have a lasting impact on you and your spouse. Even if only one of you is largely responsible for the joint debt, you are both responsible. A joint bankruptcy will show up on each spouse’s credit report and affect each spouse’s credit scores and ability to get low interest loans for years. If you are considering filing for bankruptcy and you would like to learn more about how your spouse may be involved, a Washington DC or Maryland bankruptcy lawyer can guide you through the process. Joint Bankruptcy Considerations The following are some of the factors that couples should take into consideration when deciding whether to file for joint bankruptcy. Type of debt and property. There are certain limits for filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. If you exceed these limits in a joint filing, you will not be able to proceed with a joint bankruptcy under a Chapter 13 reorganization bankruptcy. Under a...

How to Keep Up on Your Credit Reports and Scores

Based on recent data from the credit bureau Experian, the average national credit score is 692. This score, commonly known as the FICO score, ranges from 300 to 850. At a score of 682, Washington D.C. came in below average. Nevada had the lowest with a 668. Maryland residents are above average with a collective credit score of 695. Minnesota had the highest average credit score at 721. Ensuring that your credit reports are accurate and that your score continues to rise is an important step of leading a financially responsible life. The consequences extend beyond financial concerns as companies and employers are increasingly using credit reports for additional purposes. The National Consumer Law Center found that nearly half of employers use credit reports in hiring decisions. Insurance companies have used credit reports to pick customers and exclude those more likely to file a claim. If you would like more information about improving your finances, a Washington DC or...

Keeping Your House and Avoiding Foreclosure

Home foreclosures continue to rise throughout the country, with three million expected this year. Hit particularly hard by foreclosures is the Washington, D.C. urban area. With no rural or suburban areas, D.C. has no areas where foreclosure rates are low. Neighboring state Maryland has one of the country’s worst foreclosure rates. One out of every 407 households in Maryland is in foreclosure. It has gotten so bad that the state’s politicians have recently sought to pass a bill that would require banks and financial institutions to meet with homeowners who are in danger of losing their homes and discuss ways to modify loans so that they can remain in the house. Avoiding Foreclosure A Washington DC or Maryland bankruptcy attorney can help you assess your situation and arrive at the best plan to keep your house. The following are steps you can take to avoid foreclosure: Act as soon as possible - as soon as you suspect you are having problems...