When a trial date looms, bankruptcy may look better and better to a defendant. Bankruptcy can be the emergency exit from a bad situation that is about to get worse. That’s because every bankruptcy case comes with an automatic stay . That’s a federal court injunction automatically entered when a bankruptcy case is filed, protecting the […]
The Essential Step To Get Your Day In Court
When you’re sued on an old debt, it’s easy to imagine appearing in court to tell the judge your side of the story. You imagine the judge considering your argument and challenging the other side to prove otherwise. It’s a comforting image, but it will never happen if you haven’t taken the first step in […]
5 Things To Do When You Have Been Sued
The ring on the doorbell was a process server. Bingo! You’ve been sued in a California court. Now what? Breathe deeply and work your way through this five step check list. Then I’ll suggest some options. Scout the territory 1. Look at the caption: It identifies the parties to the suit. It’s right below the […]
Ignoring a Lawsuit Against You Is Seldom Ends Well
How do you ignore a lawsuit and expect a good outcome? Yet twice in the past few months, individuals have come to me with judgments outstanding. That’s not noteworthy; after all, I’m a bankruptcy lawyer. We deal with unpaid judgments. But both of these men explained the situation this way: the claims of the lawsuit […]
