Author Archives: doug

Do underwater mortgage liens survive Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

By doug | Published: November 22, 2011

Here is a good simple explanation from well – known bankruptcy attorney Cathy Moran on the status of underwater liens after a Chapter 7 case is filed: http://www.bankruptcymastery.com/how-long-can-underwater-lien-hold-its-breathe/ As she explains, the lien itself is still on the books after you file a bankruptcy case. Debtors may need to take additional action to deal with […]

Posted in Real estate, Secured loans | Comments closed

Chapter 7 eligibility changes for Massachusetts residents

By doug | Published: November 21, 2011

Starting with cases filed in May 2012, the Chapter 7 “means test” eligibility figures have changed slightly for residents of Massachusetts considering bankruptcy. The new thresholds for annual family income are: Family size = 1, threshold is now $55,185; Family size = 2, threshold is now $66,200; Family size = 3, threshold is now $82,873; […]

Posted in Bankruptcy News, Chapter 7, Means Test | Comments closed

Check out the Festival of Trees!

By doug | Published: November 18, 2011

Anyone looking for some family-friendly Christmas entertainment might want to check out the annual Festival of Trees in Methuen. At $8 per person, it sounds like an inexpensive way to get in the Christmas spirit. Children under 12 are free. The festival runs through December 3rd. Proceeds go to historic preservation projects in the Merrimack […]

Posted in Just for fun | Comments closed

Still no more rulings on whether Zillow is useful in bankruptcy court

By doug | Published: November 16, 2011

Its been almost another year that has gone by, and bankruptcy lawyers still have no better clue as to whether Zillow property estimates can be used in bankruptcy court. Zillow.com is an Internet venture that follows the real estate market nationwide. There are property listings on the site, but there are also property valuation estimates […]

Posted in Real estate | Comments closed

Banned from filing bankruptcy in Massachusetts?

By doug | Published: November 9, 2011

Could you be banned from even filing a bankruptcy case in Massachusetts? Indeed you could be, and a married couple whose Chapter 13 case was before bankruptcy judge Melvin Hoffman recently was. The case is In re Durham. At issue was section 109 (g) (2) of the bankruptcy code, which prohibits a debtor from filing […]

Posted in The Bankruptcy Code | Comments closed

Daddy’s Junky Music now in bankruptcy — what you can do

By doug | Published: November 4, 2011

The Lawrence Eagle Tribune has reported that a bankruptcy filing by the shuttered Daddy’s Junky Music Store chain is imminent. If a bankruptcy case is indeed filed, many of the stores former customers may be in a panic, not knowing how to deal with the filing. Many customers still have unused gift certificates, goods on […]

Posted in Bankruptcy News | Comments closed

Going up, up, up: Fees for filing bankruptcy are rising

By doug | Published: November 2, 2011

It is sort of a kick in the pants to those who are struggling with their bills, but the cost of filing a consumer bankruptcy case just went up by $7.00, effective November 1, 2011. Now it will cost $306 to file a Chapter 7 case, and $281 to file a Chapter 13 case. A […]

Posted in Bankruptcy News | Comments closed

Salem, NH Music stores closes without filing for bankruptcy

By doug | Published: October 28, 2011

The Daddy’s Junkie Music Store in Salem, NH has closed its doors, along with the rest of the chain’s operation. So far, Daddy’s has not filed for bankruptcy. This marks the second time this week that a chain store operation has closed a store in the Merrimack Valley without also filing for bankruptcy. Daddy’s has […]

Posted in Bankruptcy News | Comments closed

Lowe’s closes Haverhill Big-box store without a bankruptcy filing

By doug | Published: October 27, 2011

Today brings the news that the Lowe’s home improvement store chain has closed it’s Haverhill store. What is a little unusual is that Lowe’s has not also filed a bankruptcy petition in association with the closing. In fact, the big-box chain is flush with cash. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be any personal bankruptcies […]

Posted in Bankruptcy News | Comments closed

Directions to bankruptcy hearings for clients from Lawrence, Methuen, Andover and Haverhill

By doug | Published: October 26, 2011

The meeting of creditors for bankruptcy debtors who live in Lawrence, Andover, North Andover, Methuen and Haverhill are held at 446 Main Street in Worcester, Massachusetts. Here are driving directions from the Merrimack Valley area: From the Lawrence area, take I-495 South to I-290; Take I-290 West to Exit 16 (MLK Jr Blvd) in Worcester; […]

Posted in Practical tips | Comments closed
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