As seen in The Arizona Republic
by: John N. Skiba
Your Home and the Law is authored by the attorneys at JacksonWhite Attorneys at Law and addresses legal issues that arise for renters and homeowners. Have a question related to your home? Send your questions to firm@jacksonwhitelaw.com.
Q: My wife and I have a lot of debt and

I have prepared a series of short videos on the bankruptcy process, including discussions on the various chapters (7, 11, 13).  These videos are all currently posted on You Tube.  You can access these videos by clicking on this link http://www.youtube.com/user/JohnSkibaAttorney .  These videos will give you a good start in gaining knowledge about Chapter 7

Recent numbers show that Arizona ranks third nationwide in both mortgage delinquencies as well as credit card delinquencies.  In meeting with bankruptcy clients on a daily basis, I have begun to see more and more people who have either lost their job or have had a reduction in pay that is making it very difficult

A fairly common issue that arises in bankruptcy cases is what happens to those debts that were divided in a divorce proceeding.  The answer to that question largely depends on two things–what type of debt it is, and what chapter of bankruptcy you are filing. 
First, you must determine if the debt that is owed is what

Starting today, Thursday August 20th, banks must start complying with part of the Credit Card Act of 2009.  Some of the initial requirementsare that banks must mail monthly bills at least 21 days before payment is due on the card, and by providing at least 45 days notice before making any significant changes to interest

Foreclosures climbed to a record high for the third time in five months in July.  July’s foreclosure rate was up 32%  when compared to this time last year and up nearly 7% from June 2009.  Arizona is third in the nation behind Nevada and California when it comes to foreclosures.  One in every 135 households

A precept in bankruptcy is generally that unsecured creditors should be treated similarly in your bankruptcy case.  For example, if you have ten credit cards and file for bankruptcy, each of the credit cards will get, if anything, the same amount — regardless of the amount that is owed on each specific card.  Thus we run

When I visit with clients about filing bankruptcy, nearly everyone I meet  is at the end of their financial rope and are resorting to bankruptcy when all hope of recovery is gone.  In much of my reading on bankruptcy there seems to be a new approach to bankruptcy, what it offers, and how the Bankruptcy

That was the title of the hearing held earlier today before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts.  Due to foreclosure rates that continue to climb across the country, Senate Democrats are taking a second look at a failed proposal to allow the modification, or “cram down” on first mortgages in homes

A common question I get from those contemplating bankruptcy is if they can continue to use their credit cards prior to filing bankruptcy or what effect their recent use of their credit cards will have on their bankruptcy case.  In regards to the first question, my recommendation is don’t continue to use your credit cards