In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, I learned a lot about our relationship with property. More importantly, I witnessed the strength in community. I saw people banding together to help each other in any way they could. I am sure that this collective contribution has done more for the recovery efforts than anything else. In
Patience is a Financial Virtue
There is absolutely nothing new about people losing their patience. Waiting in line, getting stuck in traffic and struggling to get that internet connection back up are some of the major culprits that cause us to lose our cool. Unfortunately, I believe that people today are more impatient than ever before. Digital technology has changed
Culture of Consumption
With Christmas one week away and the holiday season in full swing, most of us are preparing to travel, cook, gather and reflect on the previous year. This is when we spend quality time with family, friends and co-workers and take in copious amounts of food and drink. For some, this is a time of
Let The Foreclosure Sickness Run Its Course
This past week, my son came down with some sniffles and a fever. He is only 14 months old so every little thing that happens can be scary. In my family, we try to put a positive spin on illness. It is the body’s defense mechanism against unwanted visitors. The sickness is part of a
The Dangers of “Pro Se” Bankruptcy
When someone represents himself in a legal proceeding, it is called “pro se” representation. The definition of pro se is: “…advocating on one’s own behalf before a court rather than being represented by a lawyer.” The law, bankruptcy or otherwise, is a complex web of rules, statutes, deadlines, forms and judicial decisions. Lawyers have difficulty
Being an Objective Homeowner
My previous article about my realizations after hurricane Sandy led me to think more on our relationship with our property. Specifically, I started to think on how we view our homes and the concept of homeownership. As Americans, we are conditioned to believe that homeownership is a key cog in achieving the “American Dream.” Homeownership
Profile of a Bankruptcy Filer
Due to the stigma attached, there are so many misconceptions when it comes to bankruptcy. In my opinion, the worst misconceptions are the assumptions made about the type of people that file for bankruptcy. There seems to be this standing notion that bankruptcy is morally and ethically wrong. As a result, those who seek bankruptcy
Lessons from Sandy
It has been one week since Sandy rocked the east coast. Long Island was hit especially hard with unimaginable amounts of suffering, devastation and property damage. As a resident of south Freeport, I was able to witness the destruction first hand. I also experienced the fear and uncertainty that accompanies natural disasters of this magnitude.
Using Chapter 7 Repayment Plans
Sometimes you get stuck in the bankruptcy wasteland and it just seems like bankruptcy is not an option. In these situations, it may be possible to get creative with chapter 7 bankruptcy. I like to think of this hidden bankruptcy chapter as “Chapter 9.5.” You will not find chapter 9.5 in the bankruptcy code, but
Why are Student Loans Exempt From Discharge in Bankruptcy?
Student loan debt is on the rise and has increased exponentially over the past ten years. The total outstanding student loan debt now exceeds $1 trillion and continues to rise. In addition, college tuition continues to increase so the problem will continue to compound. The Federal Government has been relatively stagnant on this issue offering