2021 BANKRUPTCY PREDICTIONS – HISTORICALLY LOW BANKRUPTCY FILING EXPLAINED BY DROPPING CONSUMER DEBT LEVELS

As any Bankruptcy attorney can tell you, the number of people seeking and filing for bankruptcy relief has dramatically declined during the recent pandemic and recovery. In fact, filings are at a 35 year low and dropped nearly 30% from 2019 to 2020 based on overall filings. Enhanced unemployment compensation, mortgage relief and other government programs were all cited as reasons for the historically low filing numbers in the middle of a recession.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-economy-bankruptcy/u-s-bankruptcy-filings-hit-35-year-low-thanks-to-government-pandemic-aid-idUSKBN29A264

One interesting study was recently published that may help explain the numbers a little further. In April of 2021, credit reporting agency Experian published the following look at consumer debt levels:

https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/research/consumer-debt-study/

The take away from the article is that consumer debt levels dropped dramatically during 2020. Bankruptcy filings and consumer debt levels have always shared a symbiotic relationship, with each rising and falling in tandem with each other.

Some interesting facts do emerge from the study above. First, not all debt levels decreased equally. First mortgage, car loans and student loan balances all increased. Personal loan levels also increased, but the overall balances’ typical annual growth was cut in half. Credit card debt, second mortgages and other secondary type of loans all declined at approximately 10% from 2019 to 2020. Further examination of the data showed that the lower credit score consumer actually shed the most debt during the 2019-2020 period.

With the above data, it becomes clear that the low bankruptcy filing numbers are a reflection of the ability of consumers to decrease their debt levels in the type of debt that is normally dischargeable in bankruptcy. While mortgage, student loan and vehicle debt increased, those types of debts are typically reaffirmed or maintained through a bankruptcy liquidation. In contrast, retail cards, credit cards, personal loans and even secondary mortgages can all be liquidated in a bankruptcy filing. However, the average consumer was able to reduce the levels on all of the dischargeable type of debt during the 2019 – 2020 time period and was not forced to seek the protection offered by a bankruptcy filing.

For 2021, consumers can expect to see rising mortgage, vehicle and student loan expenses. It remains to be seen if inflation will cause credit card, second mortgage and personal loan balances to increase and cause a bump up in the bankruptcy filing levels later in 2021.

Be sure to obtain the proper legal advice for your financial situation prior to any decision to file bankruptcy. At Mickler & Mickler we fight every day to protect your family from poor financial planning. Our office has the experience and the dedication that you deserve when your family is looking for financial help. Please contact us at 904-725-0822 or bkmickler@planlaw.com for any additional questions.

WHY CAN’T PEOPLE AFFORD SUMMER VACATIONS

WHY CAN’T PEOPLE AFFORD SUMMER VACATIONS?

It is almost Summer vacation time for most people. However, it seems that the traditional Summer vacation is becoming increasingly rare. The below article found that 39 million people in the United States won’t be able to afford a Summer vacation in 2019.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/04/30/millions-of-americans-wont-take-a-summer-vacation/39400659/

According the article, the reason behind this shocking figure is financial. “This year, however, 39 million U.S. adults won’t be taking summer trips because money is just too tight. That figure is based on the results of a recent survey from Bankrate.com in which 60% of respondents who said they aren’t planning summer vacations said the reason is that they can’t afford one.”

“Day to Day bills” and “paying down debt” were both cited as the main reasons why a Summer vacation was unaffordable for most people. These reasons mirror the growing problem that our office sees in consultations with potential bankruptcy filers – they have a job and income, but debt and normal living expenses keep them in a cycle of living paycheck to paycheck. When those considerations are taken into account, the average Summer vacation cost of $2000 becomes unaffordable.

There are numerous strategies to try to reduce both day to day bills and overall debt that could benefit may people caught in a debt cycle of living paycheck to paycheck. Reducing debt (together with increasing income) are the only two ways to break the cycle. If you do not have the ability to increase income through a job change or second job, then reduction of debt is the only alternative.

Our office counsels potential clients regarding ways to reduce day to day bills and overall debt level. A good example is the filing of a Chapter 7 case. In that case, overall debt is reduced with the elimination of unsecured credit card and medical debt. However, the filing of a Chapter 7 may have the potential to reduce day to day bills by allowing the substitution of a cheaper car payment, rent expense or other fixed expenses that would normally not be flexible. We would be happy to discuss some solutions with you if you feel that your Summer vacation will not ever be possible based on your current debt situation.

At Mickler & Mickler, we attend Court and see the bankruptcy trustees and judges in action several times a week. We have the experience to guide you to the right decision about whether to file a case, and if so, what Chapter to file.   When you contact our office, we can help you in your case with sound legal advice.

Please contact Mickler & Mickler at 904.725.0822 or bkmickler@planlaw.com. We will be happy to set you up a free appointment to discuss your situation and potential solutions.

Bryan Mickler

MEDICAL DEBTS AND TAX REFUND SEIZURE

MEDICAL DEBTS AND TAX REFUND SEIZURES

About 4 years ago I wrote a blog about the impending ability of debt collectors to seize federal tax refunds as a form of debt collection. It seems that the State legislatures have been moving rapidly to make that form of debt collection a reality. Here is my article from 2015:

https://planlaw.com/tax-refunds-and-debt-collectors-is-it-about-to-get-easier-to-take-your-money/

Now it seems that South Carolina has become one of the States to allow debt collectors to seize tax refunds in order to pay outstanding medical bills. The summary of the new law can be found here:

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/south-carolina/articles/2019-04-24/s-carolina-law-allows-tax-refund-seizure-over-medical-debt

The medical debt collected from tax refunds totaled more than $92.9 million in more than 172,000 seizures in 2017. Additionally, approximately $50 per seizure was added to each garnishment to pay the State and County responsible for collection. That equates to $540.00 average taken from each refund plus the additional $50 fees for a total of nearly $600 lost per seizure.

Medical bills are one of the leading causes of filing bankruptcy for middle and working class individuals. Between the lack of health insurance or the out of pocket expenses for any medical treatment even with insurance, it becomes impossible to pay off the medical bills if you have a health emergency.

Medical bills are fully dischargeable in any type of bankruptcy filing. However, if the medical bill is paid through the seizure of a tax refund, it is a double penalty to the consumer. First, the consumer is paying a debt that would have been dischargeable in a bankruptcy filing. Second, the consumer loses the ability to put the tax refund to future needs for their family, such as food, clothing, school costs, etc.

If you have medical bills that are outstanding, you should carefully consider whether it may be beneficial to file a bankruptcy to deal with those debts. While the tax seizure issue may only be occurring in South Carolina at this time, it is just a question of when it is going to come to the other States.

At Mickler & Mickler, we attend Court and see the bankruptcy trustees and judges in action several times a week. We have the experience to guide you to the right decision about whether to file a case, and if so, what Chapter to file.   When you contact our office, we can help you in your case with sound legal advice.

Please contact Mickler & Mickler at 904.725.0822 or bkmickler@planlaw.com. We will be happy to set you up a free appointment to discuss your situation and potential solutions.

Bryan Mickler

WHAT CAUSES DIVORCE AND BANKRUPTCY? – PART TWO

DIVORCE AND BANKRUPTCY – PART TWO

I recently wrote a blog examining the impact of divorce on productivity and the tendency of divorced individuals to file for bankruptcy. That blog link is here:
https://planlaw.com/causes-bankruptcy-big-three/

Now it’s time to examine the prior period of time – the time period prior to the divorce and see if the effect of debt in a relationship is the same as that of divorce for productivity. A recent article highlighted the effect of debt on relationships:

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/till-death-us-part-depends-190000898.html

We all know that people fight about money, but the article has some fascinating claims about what causes the conflict. Namely, it appears that differences in credit scores, i.e. responsible spending and bill paying, can be a huge source of conflict.
“Across the board, the better your financial footing and the higher your credit score when a committed relationship starts, the less likely you are to break up after the first few years, according to research by the Federal Reserve Board” is a quote in the article. It also serves as a warning to make sure that when you think about entering into any relationship, make sure that person shares your same views of money and its appropriate use.

Maybe instead of exchanging rings, the parties exchange credit scores to see if they are compatible for the long term? Avoiding divorce and a spouse who may drag you down financially are two keys to not ending up in a bankruptcy situation or for helping you re-build your credit after filing for bankruptcy.

At Mickler & Mickler, we personally attend court hearings on an almost daily basis. We keep up with the latest developments in bankruptcy law and related areas. We can provide you the type of bankruptcy advice which will allow you to make the best financial decision for your situation. Please feel free to contact our office with any bankruptcy related questions at 904-725-0822 or bkmickler@planlaw.com

Bryan K. Mickler

Good News! Fannie Mae Lowers Waiting Period After Bankruptcy

Good news for people who filed bankruptcy and are back on their feet and hoping to obtain a mortgage. Fannie Mae recently reduced the mandatory waiting period after a bankruptcy from 4 years to 2 years. The FHA mandatory waiting period remains the same at 1 year.

To read more, click on the link below:

http://themortgagereports.com/16750/fannie-mae-waiting-period-bankruptcy-short-sale-foreclosure

Bankruptcy: There’s an App for that!!!!

 

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BANKRUPTCY: THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT!!!!

This past weekend I read an interesting article on healthcare and expectations of people of various ages for delivery of health services:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/02/07/heres-how-millennials-could-change-health-care/79818756/

            The premise of the story was that the younger generation expected rapid delivery of health services, along the lines of shoes, electronics and other consumer goods from Amazon. The promise of the internet and its efficient marketplace was not being reached according to the younger generation, since healthcare required them to wait weeks for an appointment, show up in person and all the other inconveniences of obtaining health services.

            In contrast, the older generation in the story expected personal service from a Doctor or other health care professional. They did not mind the waiting time for an appointment if they felt that it would lead to personal service and results for health issues.

            I don’t claim to have the answers to fix the healthcare system and make it work for two such contrasting expectations. However, the story made me think of the services that I provide for people and the expectations that they have for a bankruptcy filing through our office. Are people looking for an efficient model or do they want a personal touch with filings? How can I continue to deliver quality legal services in bankruptcy law if I don’t know expectations?

            It appears that the Courts are trying to set up the bankruptcy system for the efficient model. In December of 2015, the Official Bankruptcy Forms were changed to provide for new schedules (your financial and asset related information) for each Chapter of bankruptcy forms. The forms were designed with a “check box” approach to facilitate a yes/no type of answer to each question regarding assets and other financial information. I can see a day in the near future where a consumer could log onto a website, check some boxes, swipe a debit card and have bankruptcy filing completed in a short time period. I believe that day is coming sooner than most bankruptcy attorneys want to imagine.

            Here is the problem with the efficient model for bankruptcy: People rarely go to jail, lose assets or lose the ability to discharge debt as a result of mistakes in filling out medical forms. All of those things can and do happen to people who fill out bankruptcy forms incorrectly. Failure to list assets, incorrect valuations, fraudulent transactions prior to filing and other form related issues are all grounds for loss of a bankruptcy discharge, criminal referrals and significant legal consequences.

            With those consequences in mind, our office tries to take a balanced approach to filing each case. We respect your time. You will not be sent to a waiting room and made to wait for hours when you set up an appointment. Our attorneys will see you promptly at your appointment time. If there is a conflict that was unavoidable, then we have three attorneys to make sure that you are taken care of right away.

            We use the latest technology to make your completion of the forms as thorough and quick as possible. We routinely use services to pull all three credit bureaus. We check all the court records for judgments and other liens on property. All of these make your time at our office as efficient as possible, while still safeguarding your ability to properly complete the forms to be filed.

            When you need to file bankruptcy, don’t rely on Amazon to deliver a Chapter 7 in a box. Bankruptcy filings have real consequences and should be treated seriously by each filer. Let us give you the attention that you need to make sure that your bankruptcy is completed properly and you understand the process – no matter your generation or approach to services.

           At Mickler & Mickler, we attend Court on a regular basis. We have the experience and knowledge to ensure that you receive the correct advice when confronted with difficult financial decisions related to filing bankruptcy. Contact us at 904.725.0822 or bkmickler@planlaw.com.

 

Bryan K. Mickler

 

 

STUDENT LOANS, BANKRUPTCY AND THE ELDERLY IN 2016

STUDENT LOANS, BANKRUPTCY AND THE ELDERLY IN 2016

What if you knew that a loan that you were going to make was not likely to be repaid 50% of the time? Would you make the loan? Would you consider it a smart investment?

            Right now, 50% of education loans held by people age 75 and over are in default – meaning no payment for at least 270 days. 27% of education loans held by people age 65-74 were in default, as well. http://www.abi.org/newsroom/bankruptcy-headlines/analysis-student-debt-may-be-the-next-crisis-facing-elderly-americans

            The education loans above include loans for the education of the borrower and Parent Plus loans for the parents of the person attending school. The Parent Plus program allows the borrower/parent to borrow the entire cost of the education with no need to show ability to repay the amount borrowed. However, most programs for income based repayment plans or forgiveness do not apply to Parent Plus loans. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-18/this-parent-trap-involves-71-billion-of-federal-education-debt

            In consulting with people recently, we have seen a dramatic increase in elderly clients having social security and tax refunds garnished for repayment of defaulted federally backed student loan debt. The loss of such income has begun to cause great hardship to elderly clients with the increase in medical costs, living expenses and housing costs.

            I regularly have to explain to the potential client that the Parent Plus student loans are treated just like other student loans. This means that there is almost no possibility of being able to discharge the student loan through any type of bankruptcy filing. Several recent cases have served to re-emphasize the impossibility of student loan discharge. See http://www.ksb.uscourts.gov/images/ksb_opinions/REN_11-05138-40.pdf

(sex offender can’t discharge student loans despite inability to find job due to status).

            The first paragraph above is meant to warn parents that good intentions alone will not provide for repayment of student loans taken out for their own education or their children’s education. Default rates of 50% are a sure indication that most elderly student loan borrowers are not able to maintain even minimum student loan payments based on reduced income, increased medical costs and other factors. The consequences of default are also draconian, with the loss of government benefits and tax refunds and the inability of the borrower to escape the debt through bankruptcy as the most obvious problems. So the borrower should make sure that such an investment is financially “worth it” based on the expected consequences.

            At Mickler & Mickler, we attend Court on a regular basis. We have the experience and knowledge to ensure that you receive the correct advice when confronted with difficult financial decisions related to filing bankruptcy. Contact us at 904.725.0822 orbkmickler@planlaw.com.

 

Bryan K. Mickler

Hidden Second Mortgages

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Hidden Second Mortgages in Jacksonville Bankruptcy

I have previously written about modification of Mortgages through Chapter 13 in Jacksonville, FL bankruptcy:

https://www.planlaw.com/modification-of-mortgages-in-chapter-13-in-jacksonville-fl/

 Since the Supreme Court did away with Chapter 7 second mortgage stripping in early 2015, the ability to strip second mortgages has been limited to Chapter 13 cases. So what does that do with modifying your mortgage? The two have come together recently in a number of my cases recently. In several Chapter 13 cases, I have seen previous modifications that were actually treated as second mortgages – usually without the understanding of the clients.

 The typical scenario is that our office starts working on the modification paperwork required for the current modification and we pull a title report from the local public records. What we see is a large second mortgage from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation or HUD related to a previous modification on the first mortgage. When I contact the clients about this mortgage, they claim there is no second mortgage and don’t know anything about the recorded mortgage on their property.

 This is disturbing on several levels. First, it appears that creditors are not explaining important legal documents to homeowners when completing modification paperwork. All of the previous modifications were done without the benefit of an attorney and were outside of the Chapter 13 process. Second, it means that your Chapter 13 attorney had really be able to understand this issue even if the clients never inform them of the potential existence of the second mortgage.

 Our office will make sure that your public records are thoroughly checked and that all liens are discovered and dealt with in the Chapter 13 case. Judgments should be cleared from the title. Second mortgage should be stripped where appropriate. Finally, HOA liens should be cleared also.

 Don’t risk coming out of Chapter 13 with liens on your property. All of your hard work in completing a Chapter 13 plan could be wasted if the appropriate action was not taken with respect to liens and mortgages on your property.

  If you feel that you may benefit from a loan modification or any type of mortgage relief, contact our office at 904.725.0822 for a free consultation.

Bryan Mickler

bkmickler@planlaw.com

 

RAISING A CHILD AND THE ROAD TO BANKRUPTCY

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RAISING A CHILD AND THE ROAD TO BANKRUPTCY

            There seems to be a new emphasis on the cost of raising a child in this Country. Rather, how it is becoming impossible to afford to have children. Maybe it’s the Millennials starting to have children and realizing the enormous financial cost or the student loan crisis that is ensnaring many parents who co-signed for their children? Whatever the cause, it is apparent that educating and raising children has become prohibitively expensive. A recent article talked about the average annual cost of raising each child as $13,248.00. Per year!!!

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2015/09/27/credit-dotcom-moms-debt/72629890/

            That was the average cost. In fact, many parents feel the need to go further into debt to send children to private schools, fund extra-curricular activities or create a “perfect childhood”. Such was the pressure to provide everything for their children, that 46% of the parents in the article were actually creating debt, such as credit cards and other loans. The article took no real position on the creation of such debt, other than to say it could have long term credit report implications (the article was sponsored by credit.com where you could check your credit reports to see the debt that you created).

            The creation of such debt in order to provide for children is more than just a credit reporting issue. It is a conscious choice that most parents will make even if faced with the long term consequences of the debt. That is why the percentage of people who responded and said that they were creating debt is so high. It may be an even higher percentage based on how people will usually respond to a question that may embarrass them (such as whether your deeply in debt).

            If you find yourself in long term debt due to the choice of raising your children as you wish versus what you could really afford, contact our office for solutions. We have experience in guiding couples of all ages and economic status out of financial problems. We offer private and supportive consultations to explain all of your options when faced with long term debt. You can even bring your kids to save on expenses.

            At Mickler & Mickler, we attend Court on a regular basis. We have the experience and knowledge to ensure that you receive the correct advice when confronted with difficult financial decisions related to filing bankruptcy. Contact us at 904.725.0822 orbkmickler@planlaw.com.

 

Bryan K. Mickler

Student Loan Discharge for Private Student Loans Maybe?

 

 

 

MAYBE SOME MOVEMENT ON STUDENT LOAN DISCHARGEABILITY?

            Legislation unveiled by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) this month as part of a larger higher education package would allow private student loans to be discharged in bankruptcy. Private student loans are currently nearly impossible to discharge in bankruptcy, due to a bankruptcy reform package pushed through by Republicans in 2005. Essentially, a consumer must be disabled to the point of never being able to rise above the poverty line standard of living in order to attempt to discharge any portion of a student loan debt, whether publicly or privately backed.

            Student loan debt has been growing tremendously over the past few years. The total outstanding student loan balance is $1.08 trillion, and a whopping 11.5% of it is 90+ days delinquent or in default. That’s the highest delinquency rate among all forms of debt and the only one that’s been on the rise consistently since 2003. (see http://www.forbes.com/sites/halahtouryalai/2014/02/21/1-trillion-student-loan-problem-keeps-getting-worse/ for chart and other statistics). The delinquency rate on student loans is higher than credit cards, mortgages and auto loans which have all seen a decline in late payments.

            Putting in some form of ability to discharge private student loans would be a good start to addressing the growing student loan problem that continues to plague today’s struggling consumers. Often, private student loans have been incurred at predatory type of institutions which provide minimal benefit to consumers or which have very low graduation rates compared to the level of lending. More than 70 percent of Americans matriculate at a four-year college — the seventh-highest rate among 23 developed nations. But less than two-thirds end up graduating. Including community colleges, the graduation rate drops to 53 percent. (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/business/economy/dropping-out-of-college-and-paying-the-price.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0). Allowing truly needy consumers the ability to discharge some private loans would allow those consumers the ability to enter the credit markets again in order to purchase homes, cars and other necessary items in order to contribute to the economy, without the burden of crushing student loan debt. The rate of home ownership is 36% less among those currently repaying student debt, according to research from ProgressNow.

At Mickler & Mickler, we attend Court on a regular basis. We have the experience and knowledge to ensure that you receive the correct advice when confronted with difficult financial decisions related to filing bankruptcy. Contact us at 904.725.0822 orbkmickler@planlaw.com.

 

Bryan K. Mickler