There are many different situations which can lead to a business bankruptcy filing including a reduction in revenues, loss of customer base, increased competition and increased business costs.  Small business owners know all too well that a slight disruption in revenues can have major ramifications if not managed carefully.  Of course in some cases, a business owner is left with no choice but to seek the protection of the bankruptcy court by filing a business bankruptcy. Business Bankruptcy Signals The first signs of trouble for a small business typically come in the form of a “bad month” in which business [...]

With foreclosures at all time highs throughout the county, many homeowners are asking how to stop foreclosure and save their home. There is so much questionable information circulating today about how to stop foreclosure and save homes, we thought it would be a good idea to put together a list of your most likely options to not only stop foreclosure, but also to save your home in the process.  Keep in mind, none of these options are guaranteed, but rather a list of possible options that may accomplish your goal to stop foreclosure and save your home. Loan Modification to [...]

According to a recent report from CoreLogic, a company that tracks Real Estate conditions nationwide, California is one of the most at-risk states when it comes to Foreclosure. If you are a resident of California and are struggling with the burden of a high mortgage payment, here are some of the steps that you should consider to increase your chances of avoiding foreclosure and keeping your property. Confront The Situation – Never avoid any letters from your lender. Many struggling homeowners bury their head in the sand and simply ignore correspondence from their lender, this will not lead to a [...]

With so many homeowners behind on mortgage payments and struggling to save their homes, many people are asking, will loan modification stop foreclosure? The short answer is yes! Loan Modification will stop foreclosure…if the lender agrees to it. Loan Modification Will Stop Foreclosure Generally, a loan modification to stop foreclosure is a voluntary arrangement between borrower and lender, both must agree. Most of the time the borrower is the one pushing for a loan modification to stop foreclosure because they don’t want to lose their home and have to move. This is a possibility when the borrower can show they [...]

A short sale and a deed in lieu are two common alternatives to foreclosure.  Depending on a person’s circumstances and objectives, one option may be better than the other.  Below is a description of both options and a comparison of the pros and cons of  both short sale and deed in lieu of foreclosure. Short Sale | Real Estate Short Sale A short sale is a term used to describe the sale of a property for less than the amount that is owed on that property due to market conditions.  The idea is for the lender to forgive the “deficiency” [...]

A consumer filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy is entitled to certain “exemptions” in order to allow them to retain assets required for a fresh start after bankruptcy.  The idea is, a consumer would not be able to live their normal life and rehabilitate their financial situation without certain items, such as a car (to get to work), household items, clothing, tools of the trade, etc.  It is not the objective of the bankruptcy court, or the bankruptcy system in general, to completely decimate a consumer filing bankruptcy, but rather to assist them in starting over without the burden of creditors aggressively [...]

As an Orange County and Los Angeles bankruptcy attorney, many people ask me, “Will bankruptcy stop foreclosure?” or “Does bankruptcy stop foreclosure?” The good news is, bankruptcy will stop foreclosure. There are two common ways a homeowner can file bankruptcy, chapter 7 and chapter 13. Foreclosure is affected differently by each, but will stop once the bankruptcy is filed. Will Bankruptcy Stop Foreclosure? Chapter 7 Chapter 7 bankruptcy will stop foreclosure once it’s filed. It is somewhat common for a homeowner to file chapter 7 right before their scheduled foreclosure sale date (within a few days), in order to stop [...]

As a loan modification lawyer, many people ask me, what are the secrets to getting home loan modification or qualifying for a government loan modification program? To most people, a loan modification may seem like a mysterious process, but it can be fairly straightforward. “Secrets” or suggestions we would recommend include: good organizational skills, keep detailed notes, and be patient and persistent. Secrets to Getting Home Loan Modification 1: Good Organizational Skills As most people realize quickly, a government loan modification requires a substantial amount of documents and information to be provided to the lender. This includes forms the lender [...]

There has been continuous discussion in the media and among homeowners about the available Obama loan modification programs guidelines and criteria available to struggling borrowers. The most common questions surround the qualifications and criteria for Obama loan modification programs. The Obama loan modification program is also commonly referred to as HAMP. Obama Loan Modification Program Criteria Qualifications and Eligibility To understand Obama loan modification program criteria and guidelines, here are some of the qualifications: 1.       The home must be your primary residence; 2.       The first mortgage loan amount must be less than $729,750; 3.       The first mortgage must have been [...]

- Are you upside down in your mortgage? – Did your mortgage payment increase and now you’re realizing that you can’t afford your home? – Have you lost your job or had to take a cut in pay? A mortgage loan modification may provide some much needed relief and help you avoid foreclosure of your home. However, there are a number of things to consider when you want to apply for loan modification. Don’t wait to seek help! If you know that you cannot make your monthly mortgage payments, seek help now! Do not wait for the foreclosure process to begin. [...]