Bankruptcy Lawyer Mark BuckleyLogo
Attorney
MARK BUCKLEY
Bankruptcy & Estate Planning Law

401-467-6800
TAP TO CALL
Free
Free Consultation
Make a Payment
  • Home
  • About
  • RI Bankruptcy
    • Forms
  • Estate Planning
    • Forms
  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Locations
    • Warwick
    • Providence
  • Forms
  • Free Consultation
We will refund the attorney fee if your case is dismissed without receiving a discharge. More Info...
Mark Buckley Attorney Banner

How To File a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Petition

by Mark Buckley

For the last 30 years, I’ve been drawing pictures and timelines to explain to my Chapter 7 bankruptcy clients how the process works. I finally decided to make a video and hope you find it helpful.

Filed Under: Blog, Rhode Island Bankruptcy Videos, Rhode Island Chapter 7 Tagged With: Bankruptcy, bankruptcy attorneys, bankruptcy court, bankruptcy courts, bankruptcy drawing, bankruptcy filing, bankruptcy lawyer, bankruptcy lawyers, bankruptcy timeline, Chapter 13, Chapter 7 bankruptcy, credit cards, debt, filing bankruptcy in Rhode Island, Mark Buckley, pri-sidebar, Rhode Island bankruptcy, Rhode Island bankruptcy law, Rhode Island Bankruptcy lawyer, Rhode Island Chapter 7

RI Bankruptcy Advice: Tell the Truth

by Mark Buckley

Your Duties to Disclose During Bankruptcy

A successful Chapter 7 bankruptcy requires honesty in order to work. When filing for bankruptcy in Rhode Island (or any state for that matter), honesty is not just necessary: it is mandatory. Anyone filing for bankruptcy should know that they are expected—required, rather—to act in good faith and be completely transparent with their RI bankruptcy attorney and Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee.

There are three areas in particular where this “duty to disclose” comes into play for those filing for bankruptcy.

(1) Duty to Disclose Pre-Bankruptcy Asset Transfers

Imagine you own a number of expensive assets (real estate, valuable jewelry, multiple cars, perhaps a boat) but have created considerable debt in acquiring them. Scared that you may lose something, you secretly transfer these items to a close relative before filing for bankruptcy, with the intent of taking them back after your debt has been eliminated. This would be considered fraud under bankruptcy law and could be grounds for the denial of your debt discharge. For this reason, you are required to alert your attorney of any and all transfers of interest in the period before you filed for bankruptcy.

(2) Duty to Disclose Payments Made Before Your Bankruptcy

You may or may not have been advised to avoid repaying loans to family and friends prior to filing for bankruptcy. This is partially because of your “duty to disclose” pre-bankruptcy payments, since repaying loans from family and friends in this context can also be considered as fraudulent. In repaying old debts, you have chosen a lesser priority “creditor” over another higher-priority creditor, an action that can have serious repercussions in bankruptcy court. For this reason, any pre-bankruptcy payments beyond what bankruptcy court considers “essential” must be disclosed to one’s bankruptcy attorney.

(3) Duty to Disclose Any Lawsuits

Your “duty to disclose” extends to payments you expect to receive as well. If you are currently involved in a lawsuit from which you expect to receive some form of financial settlement or compensation, you have an obligation to alert your bankruptcy attorney of your situation.

Bankruptcy is a complicated business, so consulting a qualified bankruptcy attorney is an intelligent move for any person struggling with excessive debt. A good bankruptcy attorney can help you make sense of bankruptcy law’s complex procedures and make the most of a difficult financial situation. The Law Offices of Mark Buckley offer free debt consultation and are a good place to start when looking for financial direction.

Filed Under: Blog, Rhode Island, Rhode Island Bankruptcy Articles, Rhode Island Chapter 7 Tagged With: Bankruptcy, bankruptcy court, bankruptcy lawyer, bankruptcy lawyers, Chapter 7 bankruptcy, filing bankruptcy in Rhode Island, Mark Buckley, Rhode Island bankruptcy, Rhode Island Chapter 7, RI bankruptcy lawyer

“How Much Do You Charge To File Bankruptcy”

by Mark Buckley

A percentage of callers always begin with that magic question:  What do you charge for bankruptcy?

Price is always a fair question when it comes to hiring any professional.  If I were paying a plumber to fix a toilet, or a dentist to pull a tooth, I want to know two things:

  1. is he experienced to do the job
  2. is his fee reasonable for my particular job

Sometimes you strike a good deal and sometimes you don’t.  Hiring a bankruptcy lawyer is no different.  Sit in on some Rhode Island bankruptcy court hearings in Providence for a day and you will quickly discover that good bankruptcy lawyers know what they are doing, but many “general practice” lawyers do not.

You will also determine which lawyers are running bankruptcy mills.  I have seen some lawyers file 30 cases at once, miss filing deadlines and receive court sanctions for their poor representation.  Don’t be fooled by the big billboards, the radio advertisements or their claims of filing more cases than any other firm.  You should hire a lawyer who is respected by the court and the bankruptcy trustees; not someone who has a reputation of cutting corners and being unprepared.

So, back to the question of “price”.  What do I charge for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy?  It truly depends on what your case looks like.  Its not like buying a gallon of gas where you just buy it from whoever is the cheapest.  Bankruptcy is anything but a one-size-fits-all situation.  Tell me your story first, we will explore all options, and if we are a good fit, I will quote you a price you can afford.  (And yes, I do realize that if you had a lot of money, you wouldn’t be needing to call me.  I get it.)

Filing for bankruptcy is a very complex process with specialized procedures tailored to your individual situation.  Remember, your legal costs correspond to the complexity of your bankruptcy case.  Fortunately, bankruptcy attorney fees are relatively inexpensive in comparison with the relief of having your debt cleared once and for all.

Another factor that will influence the amount of your bankruptcy attorney fee is the length of time your case will take to run its course. Generally speaking, a more complicated case will take longer for a bankruptcy lawyer to see through, resulting in higher prices than would be charged for a short, simple case.  Easy cases should be done quickly and inexpensively.  That is why I charge the lowest fee to a senior citizen, living on Social Security, with no real estate and only a few credit cards.

The costliness of your legal fees also depends on the size and volume of your assets and debts. In most cases, your legal bills will be lower the fewer assets, properties, cars, investments, and debts you have accrued. The Law Offices of Mark Buckley can provide an initial consultation to determine the value of your assets, and, consequently, determine the cost of your bankruptcy case.

Lastly, the amount of money you pay to file for bankruptcy is directly related to the type of bankruptcy you file under. When a client files bankruptcy under Chapter 13 of the US Bankruptcy Code, for example, his attorney can put the majority of his attorney fee in the Chapter 13 plan, a payment scheme that demands less money up front from the person filing.

As a RI bankruptcy lawyer practicing for 21 years, I have counseled thousands of good people struggling with bad debt problems.  If you are getting collection calls, being sued for wage attachment, or just simply getting close to your breaking point, its time to call a professional.

Filed Under: Blog, Rhode Island Bankruptcy Articles, Rhode Island Chapter 7 Tagged With: Bankruptcy, bankruptcy court, bankruptcy filing, bankruptcy lawyer, bankruptcy lawyers, bankruptcy low fees, Chapter 13, Chapter 7 bankruptcy, cheapest bankruptcy, credit card, debt, filing bankruptcy in Rhode Island, how much to file Chapter 7, Mark Buckley, Rhode Island, Rhode Island Bankruptcy lawyer, Rhode Island Chapter 7, RI Bankruptcy Court, RI Chapter 7, what does bankruptcy cost

Do Chapter 7 Debtors Have to go to RI Bankruptcy Court?

by Mark Buckley

Going to court is rarely fun. Financial and family court matters can be issues of serious stress and discomfort. Court cases are filled with uncertainty and conclude only after lengthy legal battles.

Thankfully, a Rhode Island Chapter 7 bankruptcy case is entirely different. In the vast majority of RI bankruptcy cases, debtors rarely enter a courtroom. Although your RI bankruptcy lawyer files your petition with the US Bankruptcy court in Providence, your case is reviewed by an attorney at the US Trustee’s office, meaning that your bankruptcy case does not need to be heard in a courtroom. No judge, jury, or bailiff will be necessary.

The room where I handle my RI bankruptcy creditor meetings is nothing like a courtroom, with only a few scattered tables and chairs. RI Chapter 7 bankruptcy meetings are almost always the same: no excitement, no drama, very predictable and uneventful. You will sit next to me and across from the bankruptcy trustee at a table with a tape recorder and computer. The bankruptcy trustee will typically hear your case within an allotted 5-minute time span. Only improperly-prepared petitions, or extrememly complicated bankruptcy cases, take longer.

One key to a stress-free Chapter 7 bankruptcy case is to find an experienced bankruptcy lawyer with attention to detail and who can do things right the first time. If this kind of lawyer prepares your petition, your hearing should be entirely uneventful.

If you hire a lawyer from a bankruptcy mill, however, be prepared for headaches.

The bankruptcy hearings take place at the Federal Center, 380 Westminster Street, 6th floor, room 620.  You should arrive 30 minutes prior to your hearing and have with you a state issued identification card (driver’s license) and your Social Security card.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Bankruptcy, bankruptcy court, bankruptcy filing, bankruptcy lawyer, bankruptcy lawyers, Chapter 7 bankruptcy, credit card, file bankruptcy, filing bankruptcy in Rhode Island, filing for bankruptcy in RI, Mark Buckley, Rhode Island bankruptcy, Rhode Island Chapter 7, RI Bankruptcy Court, RI bankruptcy lawyer

RI Bankruptcy Law: Giving To Charity While Bankrupt

by Mark Buckley

Charitable giving is a way of life for most Americans. Per capita, we are more generous than any other nation.

But who are the most generous in our country?  Individuals or businesses? I thought for sure it would be large corporations because they have the most money. I was wrong.

Individuals are responsible for over 75% of all charitable giving. More surprising still is that the poor give a higher percentage of their income to charity than the rich.

Most of this charity involves donations, tithes and offerings for spiritual or religous purposes. Churches, synogogues and other houses of worship are the biggest recipients of these charitable gifts.

This leads to a frequently asked question by my clients looking to file bankruptcy in Rhode Island. Will RI bankruptcy law prevent a debtor from making charitable contributions?

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog, Personal Finance Tagged With: Bankruptcy, bankruptcy abuse prevention and consumer protection act, bankruptcy court, bankruptcy expert, Chapter 13, charitable conftributions, Mark Buckley, Rhode Island, Rhode Island bankruptcy, Rhode Island bankruptcy law, Rhode Island Chapter 7, RI bankruptcy, social issues, title 11, united states bankruptcy law

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

Free Consultation

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Debt Collector Calls in Rhode Island…

Collection Agency Calls
30 Bankruptcy Commandments

Bankruptcy Videos

The Bankruptcy Discharge

Bankruptcy Court Hearings

Meeting of Creditors

Filing for Bankruptcy

Limits of Bankruptcy

Types of Bankruptcy

Introduction to Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy Links

Help With Taxes

Help With Judgments

Stop Bad Credit

Stop Tax Garnishments

Stop Foreclosures

Stop Repossession

Stop Lawsuits

Stop Bill Collectors

Latest Bankruptcy Law Blog Posts

Attorney Mark Buckley: Best Bankruptcy Lawyer in Warwick

2022: Top Bankruptcy Lawyers in Providence

Top 3 Bankruptcy Lawyers – Providence, Rhode Island – Attorney Mark Buckley, CFP

PROUD MEMBER OF

Image of the Massachusetts Bar Association logo.
Logo image of the Rhode Island Bar Association
Logo of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA)

Providence Office

1536 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02909

Warwick Office

511 Green Bush Road
Warwick, RI 02818
  • Home
  • RI Bankruptcy
  • About Mark Buckley
  • FAQ
  • Contact Me
  • Blog
  • Forms
  • Disclaimer
  • Sitemap

Copyright © 2023 · RI-bankruptcy.com