Topics: Creditor/Debtor - 55 results

Debtors going through bankruptcy can boost their chances of a successful outcome with one simple step, according to a new study: apologize. Judges are more likely to look favorably on a repayment plan and accept discretionary spending budgets if the person filing for bankruptcy says they’re sorry, University of Illinois law professors Jennifer K. Robbennolt and Robert M. Lawless found in their research. Apologies have been shown to improve outcomes in criminal and civil disputes, but there had been little …

Mary J. Blige’s financial woes deepened in mid-February when the state of New Jersey reportedly filed a $900,000 lien against her New Jersey home. While most people don’t own homes worth that much, Blige’s case is a reminder of what can happen when income taxes go unpaid.   Mansion Targeted The singer has been in hot financial water for some time, with two banks having already sued her for defaulting on loans worth about $511,000 and $2.2 million, and a …

  Banks are foreclosing on the homes of widows. Financial institutions are refusing to modify mortgages when husbands have died without listing their surviving wives on the notes. Lawyers.com journalist Ed Alpern shows you how banks have gotten away with these practices and how you can fight losing your home to foreclosure. Director of Foreclosure Prevention Litigation at Legal Services NYC Jacob Inwald emphasizes banks are under a legal obligation to attempt to avoid foreclosures and to promote loan modifications. …

Think your salary is a closely kept secret between you, your boss and your tax attorney? Think again. Equifax, one of the three major credit reporting companies, has created a massive database that contains workers’ salaries and employment information — some of which is sold to debt collectors, according to an NBC News report. The personal disclosures come through the Work Number, an Equifax company that solicits employers for human resources information like employment history, compensation and other data. The …

How to Make a Property Insurance Claim After Disaster Strikes Hurricanes, blizzards, fires and tornadoes can spell doom for homeowners. If your home has been damaged or destroyed in the wake of a disaster, your property insurance may be the key to rebuilding your life. But there are some important things to know before you file a claim. Find Out More…   LGBT Couples May Be Able to Apply for Retroactive Tax Refunds With the looming possibility that the U.S. …