California Consumer & Bankruptcy Lawyer Blog

The inspiration for my blogs come from many sources--reading questions asked on various websites--from callers at the Law Office of Linda C. Garrett, an online virtual law office, providing full-scope and limited-scope legal services in the practice areas of consumer law, mortgages (HAMP), bankruptcy and family-law; and, from other sources. A common question, to which there is a plethora of information, is what are a debtor's options when they have mounting consuming debts? Of course, a debtor has options. The problem, however, is this: what options are right for them! Just as each person is different, so are the options available to them. Let's explore these options.

Continue reading ""What Are All My Options For Dealing With My Overwhelming Debt?" " »

At the Law Office of Linda C. Garrett, a Solano County, California-based Consumer, Bankruptcy and Family-law practice, I receive many calls from distressed individuals regarding creditor lawsuits--pending and completed. The typical caller usually calls me a day or two after having been personally served with a Summons and Complaint from their creditor or after receiving a wage-garnishment order or notice of bank levy. My caller is usually in a panic and fearful that the creditor will garnish his wages and/or levy his bank accounts.

The purpose of this Blog Post is to educate the reader that not only do they have many legal rights, but many options as well!

Continue reading ""What Exactly Is a Creditor Lawsuit and Do I Have Options Besides Bankruptcy?" " »

At the Law Office of Linda C. Garrett, an online virtual consumer, bankruptcy and family practice, I receive numerous questions regarding financial matter to include issues relating to overwhelming credit card debt and payments, student loans, defaulted mortgage loans and many others.

Are budgets important and is there any correlation between budgeting finances and financial problems?

Purpose of this Blog Post

To educate consumers about the relationship between budgeting and financial problems. From my experience, they is a direct link between the two.

Continue reading "Start 2012 Off Right--Take the Financial Budget Test " »

At the Law Office of Linda C. Garrett, a Solano County, California-based, online consumer, bankruptcy and family law practice, I receive approximately three to four calls per week from consumers regarding creditor lawsuits. Every individual is highly stressed and emotionally overwhelmed. The callers' most common fears include wage garnishment and bank levies. There are other fears and concerns, but these are the most common.

Is this you?

Continue reading ""I'm Freaking Out--I've Just been Served with Legal Papers From My Creditor!" " »

Should You File for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy If You Are Judgment Proof?

In my Solano County, California-based, online Consumer, Family and Bankruptcy practice, I come across many individuals who are determined to file bankruptcy. Most times, the strong desire to file bankruptcy is fear-based, not fact-based. I recommend you take my test to determine whether you are judgment-proof?

Continue reading "Are You Judgment-Proof? Take the Test " »

In today's market, anyone contemplating bankruptcy should first determine if bankruptcy is right for them and whether it truly is the solution to their financial woes. While it might seem as though this is a simple answer, it's not! Keep reading if you or someone you know is considering bankruptcy.

The purpose of this blog post is to help the reader take pause before calling a bankruptcy attorney to file their bankruptcy petition. As this blog post explains, there are situations where bankruptcy can cause more harm than good and/or situations where other options are preferred and more practical to filing bankruptcy.

Continue reading ""Is Bankruptcy Right For Me and Will It Solve My Financial Problems?" " »