Bankruptcy and Evictions

Prior to the enactment of the 2005 Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act, the filing of a bankruptcy generally operating as a stay of eviction proceedings. In bankruptcy, this is referred to as the automatic stay. Today, the bankruptcy filing: Does not stay or stop an eviction order or a judgment for possession; If there is no judgment for possession or eviction the bankruptcy filing generally means the eviction is at least temporarily stopped or stayed; The bankruptcy filing does not stay eviction proceedings if Read More +

Determining Applicable Exemptions in Bankruptcy

STEPS 1. Bankruptcy Code Section 522 states that in determining what Exemptions the Debtor shall apply, whether Federal or State Exemptions, one must refer to Bankruptcy Code Section 522(b)(3)(A). The applicable Bankruptcy Section states that the Domicile of the Debtor for the 730 days preceding the filing of the Bankruptcy Petition determines the applicable Exemption. Domicile is generally defined as the place where the Debtor intends to make his or her permanent home. 2. If the Debtor’s Domicile was not in a single State for Read More +

Tampa Businesses and Coronavirus – Closed, Closing and Not Coming Back?

Due to the reaction, both public and private, to what is described as the coronavirus pandemic, many businesses in the Tampa and greater Hillsborough County region, are closed. Many of the small businesses, particularly the small, family owned restaurants, are perhaps, permanently closed. Most small businesses generally operate on very thin margins. The taxes, regulations, and accelerating costs of operation have made the creation and continuation of many small businesses, largely untenable. The response to what is described as the coronavirus pandemic, whether through the Read More +

Florida Fraudulent Transfers

Florida has a statutory provision, formally referred to as the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act. (726.101) Florida Statute 726.105 governs when transfers are considered fraudulent as to present and future creditors. These ELEMENTS must be present for a transfer to be considered fraudulent: TRANSFER made or OBLIGATION incurred by a DEBTOR CREDITORS claim can arise BEFORE or AFTER the obligation was incurred DEBTOR made TRANSFER with: ACTUAL INTENT to hinder, delay, or defraud any creditor of the debtor OR (CONSTRUCTIVE INTENT) DEBTOR did not receive REASONABLY Read More +

Summer Activities and Coronavirus

If you live in Tampa, FL, or plan on traveling there this summer, you’re probably concerned about participating in all the fun things the state has to offer. While summer is typically a prime time for vacations and amusement, coronavirus has turned all that upside down. You’re probably wondering just like everyone else in the world right now, what is safe and what is not. While social distancing and wearing a mask are key components to protect yourself and others and are the best defense Read More +

Bankruptcy Proof of Claims for Dummies

Bankruptcy Rule 3002 governs primarily the deadlines surrounding when a Creditor must file a proof of claim under various Chapters of Bankruptcy. A Creditor that does not file a proof of claim, files such claim late, or has its claim disallowed, may find that it will be excluded from any distribution or dividend available through the liquidation of assets in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, or the payment to Creditors of monies in a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. DAYS 70  Proof of claim is timely filed within Read More +

Bankruptcy Treatment of Private School Expenses

INTRODUCTION Parents may seek to matriculate their minor children in private schools for various reasons, including religious purposes, lack of confidence in the available public schools, and alternatively, the belief that the available private school offers a better education than the pertinent public school. The question in arises, in Bankruptcy, as to whether the debtor may deduct his or her expenses related to the debtor’s child or children’s private school enrollment. The ability to deduct such expenses may determine whether the debtor is able to Read More +

Credit Card Payments During Coronavirus Pandemic

For several people, a credit card is a significant resource when things are not going well financially. If you have lost a lot of income recently due to the coronavirus pandemic the credit card will be a significant lifeline for meeting your business requirements. However, if you fail to make the payments on time the credit card debt can add up quickly and it can become a long-term financial challenge. But most of the credit card companies are willing to work with their clients affected Read More +

Planning Bankruptcy Filing During Coronavirus Pandemic

There is no denying the fact that coronavirus pandemic has rocked the U.S. economy badly and this has had a terrible effect on the bankruptcy filings. With an upsurge in unemployment and several businesses coming under financial pressure due to the spreading of the pandemic, it is only a matter of time before many businesses declare bankruptcy for handling their debts and make a new beginning as observed by many experts. More than 30 million people across America have become jobless and filed the jobless Read More +

Coronavirus and Small Business Bankruptcy

You can expect the coronavirus pandemic to shut down millions of small businesses in the upcoming months. A range of small business bankruptcies can be expected as more than 40% of the country’s small businesses are expected to shut down permanently in the next 6 months due to the coronavirus pandemic. This was indicated in a poll conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Commercial bankruptcies began to show a rise in the first quarter of 2020. Many of the small business owners are waiting Read More +