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

Where is the Rhode Island Bankruptcy Court?

by Mark Buckley

RI Bankruptcy Court

The Rhode Island Bankruptcy Court  is located at 380 Westminster Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903.  It is on the sixth floor of the Federal Center which is a red brick building.  There is plenty of parking outside the buiding and it should cost about $ 8 for 90 minutes.

Upon entering the Federal Center building, keep to the left.  There is a metal detector and security checkpoint to go through.  After going through security, you can then take the elevator to the sixth floor.  Take a right off the elevator and through a second security checkpoint before gaining entrance to the Rhode Island Bankruptcy Court.

As stated in a prior blog, most clients who file a Chapter 7  Rhode Island bankruptcy don’t have to actually go into the Rhode Island Bankruptcy Courtroom.  They are required, however, to attend a 341 meeting of creditors.   This meeting of creditors is where the debtor is asked a series of questions by the assigned bankruptcy case trustee.  Please note that the 341 meeting of creditors is also held on the sixth floor of the Federal Center, but is not a part of the bankruptcy court offices.  Just be sure to take a left when getting off the elevator.  The hearings are held in Room 620.

Upon entering room 620, there is a waiting room for clients and bankruptcy lawyers as they wait for their case to be heard.  You should plan to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled hearing to get situated and to ask any final questions of your bankruptcy lawyer.  You will be surprised how quickly your case is heard.  Five Rhode Island bankruptcy cases are scheduled during a 30 minute block.

For more particular information, feel free to visit the US Bankruptcy Court website for Rhode Island and directions can be found using Google Maps.

Filed Under: Blog, Rhode Island Bankruptcy Articles, Rhode Island Chapter 7 Tagged With: Bankruptcy, bankruptcy courts, bankruptcy lawyers, business, court, economics, federal center, insolvency law, metal detectors, Rhode Island, Rhode Island bankruptcy, Rhode Island bankruptcy court, Rhode Island Chapter 7, RI bankruptcy, title 11, united states, united states bankruptcy court, united states bankruptcy law, united states code

RI Bankruptcy Law:Preparing to File a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

by Mark Buckley

Bankruptcy is never anyone’s first choice.  But, if you live in Rhode Island and are drowning in debt, there are some simple steps you should take TODAY to prepare for the possibility of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  Here are just a few ways to make life less stressful for both of us.

Stop the insanity.  Do not use your credit cards anymore for anything . . . . including everyday living expenses.

  1. If we work together, I must know about every purchase made in the past 90 days.
  2. You should make no less than 3 payments after a major purchase, cash advance or balance transfer. Depending on your circumstances, I may advise making a few more payments, or waiting a few months before filing your case.
  3. Keep away from your 401k plans and other retirement accounts.  A recent distribution may jeopardize your case.
  4. Don’t get clever with your property.  You cannot take your name off of deeds to real estate, or other valuable property without causing major problems.
  5. Obtain your income tax records for the past two years.
  6. Gather copies of all pay-stubs for the prior 6 month period.  Continue to collect them going forward.
  7. Be private. Do not divulge your plans to any debt collector.  They may decide to go after your bank accounts now if they think you are filing bankruptcy next month.
  8. Keep paying on your house and car if you intend to keep this property.  You should try to get current on these obligations before filing your case.
  9. For homeowners, perform a title examination.  I need to know if there are judgment liens against any real estate.
  10. Don’t play favorites.  You should not pay more than $ 200 back to friends and family members in the past year.
  11. Be prepared to disclose all property that you may have any interest in.  Is your name on a parent’s bank account, or real estate?  Are you owed money by anyone for any reason?
  12. Request your free credit reports at http://www.annualcreditreport.com to identify all creditors.
  13. Start saving money for your Chapter 7 bankruptcy case.  Although I provide a free telephone consultation, I cannot file your case until all fees are paid in full.
  14. Call me TODAY with all of your questions.  I will give you my honest assessment, then you will understand what needs to be done to get out of debt once and for all.

Filed Under: Blog, Rhode Island, Rhode Island Chapter 7 Tagged With: Bankruptcy, bankruptcy abuse prevention and consumer protection act, business, cash advances, credit, credit cards, credit counseling, debt, file bankruptcy, finance, for a, insolvency law, Mark Buckley, Personal Finance, practical advice, prepare, preparing, real estate, reduce stress, reducing stress, Rhode Island, Rhode Island bankruptcy, Rhode Island Chapter 7, RI bankruptcy, title 11, united states code

RI Bankruptcy Means Test

by Mark Buckley

Since 2005, the bankruptcy “Means Test” has been used to determine who qualifies for  Chapter 7 bankruptcy relief here in Rhode Island.  It acts as a “gatekeeper”.  The Means Test attempts to measure the cost of living in Rhode Island and how your gross income compares to that of other families of the same size.

The test is arbitrary and has had some unfair results.

For each state, the census calculates the median (middle) gross income for all family sizes.  A person filing for bankruptcy must then show all the gross income generated in their household for the prior 6 months, double it, then compare that number to the census figure.

If their gross income falls below the census figure, they pass the means test and can move forward.  If their gross income is higher than the census figure, the process gets very complicated and can prevent a debtor from filing a Chapter 7 case.

Failing the Means Test often means having to pursue relief under Chapter 13 of the bankruptcy code which is a 5 year repayment plan.

On November 1, 2009 there will be new income limits for Rhode Islanders who are contemplating a bankruptcy filing.  Only households of 2 or 3 persons will find it easier to file bankruptcy after the change.  Single persons and households larger than 3 will find it more difficult.

Here are the new median income figures for RI households that will be used for Means Testing effective 11/1/09

  • 1 person $ 45,222
  • 2 people $ 62,806
  • 3 people $ 76,846
  • 4 people $ 87,002
  • 5 people $ 93,902
  • 6 people $ 100,802
  • 7 people $ 107,702
  • 8 people $ 114,602
  • each additional person add $ 6,900

But what counts towards gross income?  And how do we calculate family size for income comparison when there are so many living arrangements these days?  These are good questions and cannot be answered in this article because every case is different.

If most/all your income is being used just to pay monthly credit obligations you need advice today.  Call 467-6800 for a free telephone consultation, or leave some contact information and I will be happy to call you.

Filed Under: Means Test, Rhode Island, Rhode Island Bankruptcy Articles, Rhode Island Chapter 7 Tagged With: filing for bankruptcy in RI, Mark Buckley, RI bankruptcy, RI bankruptcy lawyer, RI Chapter 7, RI means test

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2

Free Consultation

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

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

How To File a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Petition…

How to file for bankruptcy

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