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What Is Really Scary About Debt Collectors

By Cathy Moran

Debt collectors as sharks?

When I tell a client to stop paying credit cards, they look at me as though I’d suggested they jump into shark-infested waters. “But they’ll start calling me”, they wail. “I’ll be sent to collection“. In their mind, “collection” is a real place, with manacles dangling, barred windows, and water dripping down moldy dungeon walls. Turns out […]

Filed Under: Consumer Rights, Debt Collection Rights

Bouncing Back From Bankruptcy

By Cathy Moran

recover from bankruptcy

How long  does it take to recover  from bankruptcy? I started to answer the client’s question before I realized that the question was all backward. Recover FROM bankruptcy?  No…. It should be: recover  THROUGH bankruptcy! Bankruptcy is the tool for recovering from impossible financial situations. The ailment is debt: bills in excess of what you […]

Filed Under: Considering Bankruptcy, Featured

What Happens To Your Business in Bankruptcy

By Cathy Moran

business in bankruptcy

Before you file bankruptcy, you need to know what happens to your business in your bankruptcy. And like so many things, there’s no single, simple answer. Two factors drive the fate of the business. One is whether the business is itself a legal entity, like a corporation or LLC. The second is what chapter you […]

Filed Under: Featured, Small business Tagged With: 2025, business, corporation, llc

Do You Qualify for Chapter 13: The Debt Limits

By Cathy Moran

13 debt limits

Chapter 13 debt limits are one of the eligibility requirements to file for this form of bankruptcy reorganization. The test has two prongs: unsecured debt and secured debt. Come in under each prong and you meet the debt limits test. For cases filed on April 1, 2025 and afterwards, the Chapter 13 debt limits are: […]

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: 2025, chapter 13, debt limits

Bankruptcy Alphabet: F is for First

By Cathy Moran

In my Bankruptcy Alphabet, F is for First meeting of creditors. Lots of rumors exist about the that meeting; it produces unwarranted anxiety that is avoidable if you understand what’s up. Let’s check it out. The first meeting of creditors, also called the 341 meeting, is often the only time a debtor has to appear […]

Filed Under: ABC's of bankruptcy, How bankruptcy works Tagged With: 341, first meeting, trustee meeting

Why File Bankruptcy? It’s Your Life Expectancy

By Cathy Moran

paying debts

Increasing life spans and the demise of pension plans is why filing bankruptcy now makes sense. Old debt has a way of sucking the air out of today’s budget. You can’t make repairs to your car or see to needed health care or accumulate an emergency cushion because you’re still paying for stuff you bought […]

Filed Under: Considering Bankruptcy, Consumer Rights Tagged With: 2017, IRA, retirement, savings

What You Think About Chapter 13 Is Dead Wrong

By Cathy Moran

bankruptcy misunderstanding

The difference between bankruptcy’s Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 is often expressed this way:    Chapter 7 is a liquidation proceeding Chapter 13 is a repayment plan And therein lies the biggest misconception about Chapter 13:  13 does not necessarily repay everything you owe. It’s a repayment plan alright, but not necessarily a 100% repayment . […]

Filed Under: Chapter 13, Featured Tagged With: 2018, chapter 13, repayment

7 Principles of California Community Property

By Cathy Moran

community property

Baffled by California community property? Think it makes you personally liable for the debts of your spouse? Lots of people do. But it doesn’t. California has been a community property state since it became a state in 1850. You would think we’d have gotten the hang of it long ago. But the community property system […]

Filed Under: Strictly California

Debt Settlement Is A Dud

By Cathy Moran

debt settlement

Debt settlement is often dangled in front of the financially challenged as an alternative to bankruptcy. Sounds good:  making a deal with your creditors has enormous appeal when you can’t pay everything that you owe. And debt settlement companies count on it. The pitch for “settling your debts” touches a nerve.  Almost everyone WANTS to […]

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: debt management, debt settlement, settle debts

The Tax Deductions That Hide In Chapter 13

By Cathy Moran

tax deductions bankruptcy

It’s tax time: don’t overlook tax deductions in Chapter 13 bankruptcy case. Tax deductions lurk in the most unlikely places. If your Chapter 13 plan is catching up home loan arrears, there’s a deduction hiding in the trustee’s disbursement records. Most likely, the lender’s filed proof of claim in the bankruptcy case is full of […]

Filed Under: Consumer Rights, Taxes

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Bankruptcy Basics

About The Soapbox

You’ve arrived at the Bankruptcy Soapbox, a resource of bankruptcy information and consumer law.

Soapbox is a companion site to Bankruptcy in Brief, where I try to be largely explanatory and even handed (Note I said “try”).

Here, I allow myself to tell stories and express strong opinions. We dig deeper into how to consider bankruptcy and navigate a bankruptcy case.

Moran Law Group
Bankruptcy specialists for individuals and small businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area

How Bankruptcy Works

Bankruptcy Alphabet: F is for First

In my Bankruptcy Alphabet, F is for First meeting of creditors. Lots of rumors exist about the that meeting; it produces unwarranted anxiety that is avoidable if you understand what's up. Let's check it out. The first meeting of creditors, also called the 341 meeting, is often the only time a debtor has to appear … Read more

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