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The Truth About 5 Bankruptcy Myths

Most Americans don’t know much about bankruptcy – they’re limited to the knowledge they get from news stories and online gossip columns. Bankruptcy is much more common that most people realize, with over a million people filing for bankruptcy every year.

Generally, people assume that bankruptcy is meant for someone who can’t control their credit card spending. In reality, bankruptcy provides financial protection for much more than just credit card debt.

To help shed some light on bankruptcy and how it can help honest, hard working families, we’re sharing the truth about the five most common bankruptcy myths. As always, if you have any other questions, please call us for a free debt consultation – we’ll take as much time as you need to fully explain how bankruptcy works. (more…)

By |2019-12-26T10:15:29-06:00December 26th, 2019|Bankruptcy, Bankruptcy Myths|

7 Tips for Saving Money and Avoiding Debt

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As we’ve mentioned in the past, the easiest way to avoid bankruptcy is to avoid accruing debt in the first place. Millions of Americans live with thousands of dollars in debt, and a single bump in the road like a car accident or the loss of a job can send them spiraling towards uncontrollable debt.

The sooner you form responsible spending habits, the sooner you’ll build a solid foundation that will help avoid the possibility of bankruptcy. If you follow these 7 simple tips, you’ll be able to save money and avoid accumulating debts that you struggle to pay off.

1. Plan all of your meals

Eating out is the biggest monthly expense in most households. If you plan all of your meals each week and cook at home, you’ll save money – and you’ll probably eat healthier as well.

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By |2019-09-28T16:37:15-05:00September 28th, 2019|Bankruptcy, Debt, Saving Money|

What can filing bankruptcy do?

Are you a good, honest, hard worker who’s fallen on tough times? It doesn’t take much for most Americans – an unexpected major accident, the sudden loss of a job, a major home repair… Any unexpected major expense can start the downward spiral into uncontrollable debt.

It happens to the best of people all the time – don’t beat yourself up. Out-of-control debt doesn’t mean you’re a bad person.

Bankruptcy was created specifically for situations like yours. When you file for bankruptcy, you get the help you need – and you get it fast. Here are some of the immediate benefits of bankruptcy:

  • Stop those nasty creditor calls.
  • Keep and protect your property.
  • Stop repossessions of vehicles.
  • Stop foreclosure on your home or other property.
  • Stop legal action.
  • Get released from credit cards, medical bills, personal loans and other unsecured debts you can’t afford.
  • Break out of the minimum payments trap.
  • Lower your total monthly payments by hundreds of dollars.
  • Get help catching up on important bills, like your mortgage and car loans.
  • Make catching up affordable, by stretching out the payment of overdue payments (up to 5 years, if need be).
  • Get released from certain old marital debts.
  • Get rid of certain older income taxes.
  • Get rid of mortgage foreclosure deficiencies.
  • Get rid of repossession deficiencies.
  • Start rebuilding your credit.

Bankruptcy offers emotional support as well:

  • Start enjoying life again without the worry of bills.
  • Reduce your stress level.
  • Start putting your family first.
  • Start sleeping at night.
  • Get your life back.
  • Get in a position to quit the second or third job.
  • Start your life moving forward again.
  • Feel like you stood up and took control.
  • Get a second chance for a ‘fresh start’.

Rubin & Associates can help you with all of these and more. Call us today for a FREE consultation at 214-760-7777 – we’ll listen to your story and walk you through all of your options. Let us help you get a fresh start today!

By |2019-06-25T12:19:40-05:00June 25th, 2019|Bankruptcy|

Bankruptcy is debt insurance

Filing bankruptcy doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. Not at all, in fact. Most of the time, it just means you got stuck in a bad debt situation.

Lots of good, honest, hard-working people get stuck in bad debt situations. Most people who file bankruptcy are good people who’ve had a few bad things happen to them. One bad “bump in the road” can set you down the path to bankruptcy – the sudden loss of your job or a car accident is all it takes for most people.

Let’s face it, life can be brutal. That’s why you buy life insurance, and homeowners insurance, and car insurance. And that’s why you have bankruptcy.
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By |2019-05-27T16:57:29-05:00May 27th, 2019|Bankruptcy|

More American seniors are filing bankruptcy

Senior struggling with bills

This year, we’ve seen more older Dallas-area residents filing for bankruptcy, which unfortunately, isn’t surprising. According to national study, more American seniors (over the age of 65) are filing for bankruptcy than ever before.

The cost of living continues to increase for everyone, and for many older Americans, combined with rising healthcare costs and increasing debt, bankruptcy becomes the only option.

According to the study, the average debt for families with a head of household over the age of 75 has increased drastically since 2010, when it was only $30,288. In 2016, the average debt for the same families was $36,757.

Even more shocking, the number of families 75 and older with debt increased a staggering 60% from 2010 to 2016.

The average Social Security check is only $1,404 a month, and according to government data, that check accounts for more than 90% of the monthly income for over 40% of single seniors.

If you’re a DFW area senior and you’re struggling with debt, or your monthly expenses always exceed your monthly income, we can help! Call us today at 214-760-7777 for a free consultation. We’ll walk you through your options, so you’ll feel confident that you’re making the right step to move forward.

By |2018-10-30T13:51:36-05:00October 30th, 2018|Bankruptcy, Bankruptcy Statistics|

Check out this review from a happy client

Rubin & Associates reviews from happy clients in DallasIt’s always great to hear from happy clients… Bad things can happen to good people, and we love to help hard working Dallas area residents get a fresh start. Here’s an awesome review left recently by Mr. Shaw:


Mr. Rubin was at the 341 meeting with me in Plano. Sitting there nervously waiting, I was relieved to see Mr. Rubin walk in. This process is new to me. I was very apprehensive and a bit depressed in the first meeting with Mr. Rubin. I felt ashamed and feeling I had failed in my responsibilities. I left the meeting feeling a bit better with the confidence and knowledge that Mr. Rubin showed.

The entire staff I have been involved with at your offices have all been very pleasant, helpful and respectful, and left me feeling much more comfortable about this whole process.

After leaving the meeting yesterday with Mr. Rubin in the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Office, I wanted him to know how much I appreciate his efforts and his work. Being represented by someone so comfortable in his abilities and knowledge has put me and my family at ease and confident that we have done the right thing and the future looks much better.

In my work as a Commercial Pilot, I strive to be as knowledgeable, proficient and confident in my flying as I can be, so that my passengers are relaxed and comfortable and safe on their flight. I take that responsibility very seriously. Its a good feeling at the end of a difficult flight to see their appreciation. Not unlike what Mr. Rubin has done for me. I can see that he takes his job and responsibilities very seriously as well.

Please tell him and his staff, thank you, for me and my family. We are very grateful.

By |2017-02-05T13:55:40-06:00February 5th, 2017|Bankruptcy|

What are the Texas bankruptcy exemptions?

bankruptcy exemptions in TexasMany of our clients wonder how a bankruptcy proceeding will affect their property and their family’s future. Contrary to popular myth, bankruptcy will not result in the loss of all of your property.

Each state decides on the available “exemptions”, which are basically lists of things that you can keep and isolate from a bankruptcy proceeding. In other words, the exemptions are removed from the estate – so the trustee and court are not able to touch them.

In Texas, the following exemptions are available:

Homestead exemption

If you live in a city and your home in on 10 acres or less OR if you’re in the country on 100 acres or less, your home is protected. If you sell your home, the proceeds from the sale are exempt for six months after the sale.

Motor vehicle exemption

You can protect the entire value of one vehicle per each member of your household who is licensed to drive.

Personal property exemption

If you’re a single adult, you can exempt up to $50,000 worth of personal property, or up to $100,000 worth if you’re married. Personal property can include home furnishings, clothing, food, jewelry (which can only account for a quarter of the total exemption), sporting equipment, up to two firearms, burial plots, and health savings accounts.

Retirement account or pension exemption

Most tax exempt retirement accounts and pension accounts are exempt in a bankruptcy proceeding.

If you’ve got more questions about exemptions or how your property and possessions can be protected in a bankruptcy case, please call us today at 214-760-7777 for a free consultation. We’re happy to take the time to sit down with you and explain the ins and outs of your potential bankruptcy proceeding.

By |2016-03-12T15:56:00-06:00March 12th, 2016|Bankruptcy|

Wondering how bankruptcy will affect your tax refund?

 

It’s tax season again, and we’re getting a significant number of calls from people wondering what will happen to their tax refund if they file for bankruptcy.

It really depends on two factors – what type of bankruptcy you’re filing and the size of your refund. With a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, most of the time your refund will be protected because it’s considered an asset. If you’re filing for bankruptcy during tax season, make sure you work with your attorney to be sure you’re maximizing your refund. When our clients are filing for bankruptcy around tax season, we typically encourage them to wait and file after they get their refund – then they can use that extra money to help with the cost of the case.

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By |2016-02-29T11:26:37-06:00February 29th, 2016|Bankruptcy, Money Management|

5 Tips to Lower Your Debt

help with avoiding increasing debtSometimes, we talk to potential clients who are surprised when we tell them that bankruptcy might not be their best option. During every free consultation, we map out the financial picture for a potential client, then walk them through every available option.
Many times, people are overwhelmed by their mountain of debt. Someone told us recently that they felt like they were trying to dig a hole using a single chopstick. Even though it feels like a lost cause, many times you can avoid bankruptcy by using one or two of these tips:

1. Talk to your creditors

It never hurts to ask for a little help. Hopefully, you know everyone that you owe, but if you’re not sure, pull your credit report. Make a list of everyone you owe, and how much you owe each institution. Figure out how much you’re able to pay each one. Call each company you owe and tell them that you want to pay off your debt, but you’re only able to afford a certain amount. Sure, debt settlement will go on your record – but it’s better than not paying anything and letting your debt continue to spiral out of control.

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By |2023-12-01T14:58:30-06:00January 31st, 2016|Bankruptcy, Debt|

5 Steps to a Financially Steady 2016

5 financial tips for 2016
Now that 2015 is coming to a close (can you believe it?), it’s time to look forward to 2016. No one plans to let their debt get out of control – most of our clients have been good people who simply had unforseen events occur. By planning ahead and making good financial decisions, you can avoid those credit-busting bumps in the road.

The best way to avoid bankruptcy is to set a solid financial foundation and stick to your game plan. The following tips will help you plan ahead and form the right habits so that 2016 will be the year you can finally feel secure.

1. Talk about money

If you can’t dedicate the time to sit down and talk about your finances, then nothing else matters – the rest of the steps will be pointless. It’s important to talk openly about your money, so you know what’s coming in and what’s being spent. If you wait for a financial crisis, it’s probably already too late. If you sit down with your spouse and set goals together, you’re much more likely to stick to the plan you create.

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By |2015-11-14T13:21:04-06:00November 14th, 2015|Bankruptcy, Personal Finance|
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