http://www.clevelandbankruptcylawyerblog.com/ Published by Justin M. Smith Co., LPA en-us 2010-08-13T10:33:30-05:00 http://www.clevelandbankruptcylawyerblog.com/2010/08/ohio_median_income_guidelines.html Wondering if you qualify to file Chapter 7 Bankruptcy? The Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act put in place a test based on the median household income for your geographic location and family size. On or after March 15, 2010,... Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Justin M. Smith 2010-08-13T10:33:30-05:00 http://www.clevelandbankruptcylawyerblog.com/2010/03/ohio_bankruptcy_exemptions_wil_1.html Many bankruptcy clients are concerned that they will lose their car if they file for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Protection. However, since transportation is usually necessary to maintain employment, fulfill family obligations and for countless other reasons, Ohio provides a specific... Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Justin M. Smith 2010-03-18T16:56:02-05:00 http://www.clevelandbankruptcylawyerblog.com/2009/10/will_filing_for_bankruptcy_pro.html As bankruptcy filings in Ohio continue to rise, a growing concern among individuals we consult is that they may be fired or face other retaliation by their employer for filing for bankruptcy protection. In the State of Ohio, like most... Justin M. Smith 2009-10-12T23:11:46-05:00 http://www.clevelandbankruptcylawyerblog.com/2009/09/ohio_bankruptcy_filers_get_pow.html The automatic stay is a powerful provision in bankruptcy law that immediately stops nearly all collections and creditor actions against a debtor. The automatic stay is invoked automatically with the filing the case. There is no hearing is necessary, the... Justin M. Smith 2009-09-16T22:04:23-05:00 http://www.clevelandbankruptcylawyerblog.com/2009/06/ohio_businesses_left_out_in_cr.html Ohio businesses will not receive the same benefit as consumers under the new Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act that will take effect in part this August, with the rest of the provisions kicking in next February (see Help... Business Justin M. Smith 2009-06-23T23:57:50-05:00 http://www.clevelandbankruptcylawyerblog.com/2009/03/why_ohio_residents_should_hire_1.html Ohio residents considering filing for bankruptcy should give serious thought to hiring an experienced bankruptcy attorney. Although it is possible to file your own bankruptcy petition, there are many risks to doing so and you will probably find that the... Justin M. Smith 2009-03-07T23:00:00-05:00 http://www.clevelandbankruptcylawyerblog.com/2009/02/how_long_do_i_have_to_wait_to.html Prospective clients often ask how long they have to wait to file for bankruptcy protection under the Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act if they have previously filed. Here is a quick guide to the time periods that apply to... Justin M. Smith 2009-02-16T22:20:20-05:00 http://www.clevelandbankruptcylawyerblog.com/2009/02/a_new_fico_score_debuts_how_wi_1.html Last week Fair Isaac Corporation began offering what they claim is a new and improved FICO credit score dubbed "FICO 08." TransUnion, LLC (one of the three major credit bureaus) also announced it will begin offering the new FICO score... Consumer Credit & Credit Reporting Justin M. Smith 2009-02-03T22:26:47-05:00 http://www.clevelandbankruptcylawyerblog.com/2009/01/get_to_know_your_credit_score_1.html You live in Ohio, perhaps Cleveland or Akron. On a random Tuesday you get a credit card offer in the mail, probably one of dozens you get regularly. The card promises a great rate on balance transfers so you decide... Consumer Credit & Credit Reporting Justin M. Smith 2009-01-28T23:25:31-05:00 http://www.clevelandbankruptcylawyerblog.com/2009/01/ohio_may_see_rise_in_delinquen.html Ohio, like most of the nation, is likely to see an continuing rise in the number of mortgages in default in 2009. The Wall Street Journal reported that nationwide, the number of defaults is expected to rise from 4.67% in... Foreclosure Justin M. Smith 2009-01-17T01:34:21-05:00