By Michael D. Pinsky | Published May 15, 2019 | Posted in The Means Test | Tagged Tags: how does the means test work, means test, means test deductions, performing the means test | Comments Off on How does the second half of the means test work?
If your median household income exceeds the median income for (New York) for your household size, then you haven’t passed the simple, straight-forward first half of the means test. So, its on to the second half. The second and more complicated part of this test deducts certain expenses from your current monthly income. Some of Read More
Read MoreMany couples contemplating divorce or in the process of getting divorced are saddled with debt and want to begin their new lives with a fresh start. Bankruptcy is frequently a part of the ‘starting over’ process. Married partners often carry joint debt, from credit cards to personal loans, car loan and mortgages. Does it make Read More
Read MoreThis question comes up a lot. Direct collection calls; robocalls, all day long starting in the early morning. I owe the money, but I can’t pay the credit cards and also pay my car loan, my mortgage. I don’t know what to tell them . . . First things first. Never pay a past due Read More
Read MoreThe bills come in, and you can’t bear to see them. They end up in the trash. Your overtime was cut a few months ago, and that second job hasn’t materialized yet. But its okay, things will work out. You are sure that the answer is right around the corner. You keep telling yourself that, Read More
Read MoreThe short answer is that I care. You are not a file, you are a human being with hopes and dreams, joys and fears, and this bankruptcy thing scares you just about as much as anything you have ever encountered. I have practiced bankruptcy law for over 30 years, representing banks, Freddie Mac, real estate Read More
Read MoreSo many people feel shame when faced with bills that they cannot pay. That shame is the result of what we were told as children and young adults. Be responsible, live within your means, pull yourself up by your bootstraps. Self-reliance is so important to many of us, and when we can’t get out of Read More
Read MoreI understand. Contemplating bankruptcy is like contemplating a root canal. Who wants to do that? And just as with the root canal, waiting to learn your rights in bankruptcy makes everything more painful. Be smart; deal with the problem sooner rather than later. Procrastinating in the face of overwhelming debt can be really expensive. So Read More
Read MoreOn cable TV, you may have seen a well-dressed actor explain that if you have more than $10,000 in debt, you can settle that debt for a fraction of what you owe. You don’t need to file bankruptcy, he says. What that actor is not telling you is that a large percentage of the people Read More
Read More