All About Bankruptcy

The basics of bankruptcy, its history, moral implications of declaring bankruptcy, pros and cons of filing bankruptcy, and what getting a discharge of your debts can mean to your life.

July 16, 2009

Famous People Who Have Filed Bankruptcy

Below is a compilation of  “famous bankruptcies” by attorney Dan Nunley (call him if you are interested in getting a good BK attorney in Oklahoma).

As the economy continues to struggle, more and more people are falling behind on mortgage payments, car payments, and credit payments as well as other types of debt. And many of these same people are becoming stressed out and depressed. How are they ever going to get out from under all of the past-due bills.

Many of these people are wondering about bankruptcy. Would filing bankruptcy help them get the fresh start they need? Or would it ruin them forever?

Bankruptcy is not the kiss of death that many people think. In fact, many famous people have filed for bankruptcy and gone on to be financially successful. Let’s look at a few of them:

Entertainers

Willie NelsonThe list of famous entertainers who have filed for bankruptcy is long and surprising. It includes singers and actors alike. One of the most infamous cases on the list is that of country singer Willie Nelson. Several other country music stars join him there, including Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard, George Jones and Johnny Paycheck.

Elton JohnRock singers are no less vulnerable to financial woes. Famous rockers that have filed for bankruptcy include Tom Petty, David Cross, Toni Braxton, Elton John, Meat Loaf, M C Hammer and Ted Nugent. Other names you can add are Jerry Lee Lewis, Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye and Andy Gibb.

Kim BasingerSeveral well known Hollywood celebrities have also chosen to take advantage of bankruptcy protection including talk show host Larry King. Actors that have needed a fresh financial start include Kim Basinger, Mickey Rooney, Burt Reynolds, Gary Coleman, Lynn Redgrave, Margot Kidman and Lorraine Bracco.

Politicians

Ulysses S. GrantMany American politicians have filed for bankruptcy also including our 18th president, Ulysses S. Grant, and our 25th president, William McKinley.

Former Vice President Levi Morton and presidential nominee George McGovern are other famous politicians who have filed. John Connally, the Texas governor wounded during the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, went bankrupt at one time as well.

When you read the names of presidents and governors who have filed bankruptcy and then become illustrious American leaders, it brings home the fact that bankruptcy is a new beginning in your life, not the end of it.

Athletes

Dorothy HamillSeveral athletes must be included on this list of famous bankruptcy filers. Boxers Mike Tyson, Leon Spinks and Joe Lewis all asked the courts for bankruptcy protection, as did football player Johnny Unitas. Professional tennis player Bjorn Borg and Olympic gold medalist Dorothy Hamill each filed bankruptcy as well.

Authors

Samuel ClemensSamuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, is just one of the famous authors on this list. Others include the creator of the Wizard of Oz, Frank Baum, Oscar Wilde, Susan Powter and Kate O’Brien.

Businessmen

Donald TrumpThis list includes such famous names as Donald Trump, Henry Ford and Walt Disney. Comic book pioneer Stan Lee chose to file bankruptcy as did the founder of Hershey’s Chocolate, Milton Snavely Hershey and the founder of Heinz Ketchup, H.J. Heinz.

Do some of the names you’ve seen here surprise you?

Have you been thinking that if you must file bankruptcy it brands you as a failure and terminates your financial future?

Read the list again and think about it. Obviously, filing bankruptcy is not a permanent dead end on the road to success, just a curve along the way.

If you’re struggling with debt problems and would like to know more about how bankruptcy might be able to help you, contact Dan Nunley today to schedule a FREE initial consultation.

Law Office of Daniel C. Nunley
1216 E. Kenosha, Suite 200
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
918.615.8260
918.615.8261 (fax)
dan@nunleylaw.com (email)

You visited a few times and I would appreciate your thoughts on this post, why not comment?

Filed under All About Bankruptcy by Comment.

March 16, 2009

Filing Personal Bankruptcy – Can I? Should I?

The decision to file bankruptcy is difficult at best.

Bankruptcy Filings...

Image by MyEyeSees via Flickr

Bankruptcy may not be the right solution for you, but you at least owe it to yourself and your family to find out about all of your options so that you can make an informed decision.

Many people are hesitant to even think of filing bankruptcy because they are good, moral, upstanding, hard-working people. They have always paid their bills. And they aren’t the type to look for an easy way out.

So they struggle month in and month out to pay their bills. And all the while their creditors are turning up the heat. Before too long, with all of the late fees, penalties and interest, they realize that they are barely keeping their head above water. And without a miracle or a winning lottery ticket, they know in their hearts that there is simply no way they are ever going to be able to get caught up. More on Filing Personal Bankruptcy – Can I? Should I?

You visited a few times and I would appreciate your thoughts on this post, why not comment?

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Filed under All About Bankruptcy by Comment.

March 13, 2009

Online Means Test Calculator

Nolo.com has an excellent web resource to calculate your eligibility for filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

What is the means test?

You may have read that the new bankruptcy law imposes a “means test” on who can file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

You might think this new test will prevent you from filing. But, chances are, you’re wrong. Most people considering bankruptcy have no trouble passing the means test. Indeed, some lawyers think more people will qualify for Chapter 7 under this test than under the old law, where judges had no fixed formula.

Use this calculator find out where you stand.

The Formula

The law now uses a standard mathematical formula to determine whether you can file for Chapter 7 — or, to put it in legal terms, whether filing for Chapter 7 would be an ‘abuse’ of the bankruptcy system. (Those who fail the means test, are left with a Chapter 13 repayment plan as their only bankruptcy option.)

The means test is actually a two-part test and you only need to pass one of them to qualify for Chapter 7.

Test 1. “Median Income”
This is a very simple test that compares your average household income for the past six calendar months to the median income for your state, If your income is below the median, you qualify for Chapter 7. If it is above the median, you must pass Test 2.

Test 2. “Disposable Income”
This test deducts expenses from your income to determine how much you can pay your unsecured creditors over the next five years:

  • If you can pay at least $10,950 ($182.50 per month), you can’t file for Chapter 7.
  • If you can pay at least $6,575 ( about $110 per month) and that is at least 25% of what you currently owe your unsecured creditors, you can’t file for Chapter 7.
  • If your disposable income is less than $110 per month, you can file for Chapter 7.

Certain deductions are standard allowances based on the number of vehicles you operate, the number of people in your household, and the cost of living in your county.

In addition, to these standard deductions, you can also deduct the full amount of certain actual expenses such as mortgage and vehicle loan payments.

Do I need to complete the means test?

If you are filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you do not need to complete the means test. However, you do need to complete a form almost identical to it — and that will determine how much you must pay in a Chapter 13 plan.

If you want to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you must at least complete the first part of the form to figure your “current monthly income” (CMI), which is based on your average income over the past six calendar months. That number will determine whether you must complete the rest of the form.

If your CMI is below the median income for your state for a household your size, then you do not need to complete the means test.

If your CMI is higher than the median for your state for a household your size, you must complete the means test to compute your monthly “disposable” income (that is, income minus expenses). The result of that computation will determine whether you are eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

How long does this take?

Using this calculator takes about 20 minutes. For some, the answer may be obvious after only a few questions.

Is it private?

This calculator is completely anonymous. We do not ask — and no not want — any personally identifying information linking you to these numbers, other than a zip code. We do keep statistical data on amounts that user have entered, so that the site may monitor the needs of its users and adjust services accordingly. However, To us, this is data for statistical analysis only.

Garbage in, garbage out

If you don’t put in the correct numbers in the correct blanks, this calculator won’t give you an accurate result. It only does the math. It is your responsibility to put the right numbers in the right blanks. Helpful resources are available throughout the test to help you figure out what the form is asking for and what to put where.

Be sure to account for all the different kinds of income you receive. If you’re not sure what to put in an ‘expense’ blank, skip it. You may find that it doesn’t’ matter — that is, you may qualify regardless of what number you put in that blank.

If you need assistance, this website has listing of books and local lawyers that offer bankruptcy help.

Where to find the Official Means Test form

If you end up actually filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy you need to fill out official form (22A). which you can find here. This calculator is based on that form.

Browse by City or State

Alabama Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Anniston | Birmingham | Dothan | Mobile | Montgomery | Opelika | Tuscaloosa |

Alaska Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Anchorage | Fairbanks | Juneau | Ketchikan | Nome |

Arizona Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Phoenix | Prescott Valley | Tucson | Yuma |

Arkansas Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Batesville | El Dorado | Fayetteville | Fort Smith | Harrison | Helena | Hot Springs | Jonesboro | Little Rock | Pine Bluff | Texarkana |

California Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Eureka | Fresno | Los Angeles | Modesto | Oakland | Riverside | Sacramento | Salinas | San Diego | San Francisco | San Jose | Santa Ana | Santa Barbara | Santa Rosa | Woodland Hills |

Colorado Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Denver | Grand Junction | Pueblo |

Connecticut Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Bridgeport | Hartford | New Haven |

Delaware Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Wilmington |

District of Columbia Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Washington |

Florida Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Fort Lauderdale | Fort Myers | Gainesville | Jacksonville | Miami | Orlando | Panama City | Pensacola | Tallahassee | Tampa | Viera | West Palm Beach |

Georgia Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Atlanta | Augusta | Brunswick | Columbus | Dublin | Gainesville | Macon | Newnan | Rome | Savannah | Statesboro | Waycross |

Hawaii Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Honolulu |

Idaho Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Boise | Coeur d Alene | Moscow | Pocatello |

Illinois Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Benton | Chicago | Danville | East Saint Louis | Peoria | Rockford | Springfield |

Indiana Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Evansville | Fort Wayne | Hammond | Indianapolis | Lafayette | New Albany | South Bend | Terre Haute |

Iowa Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Cedar Rapids | Des Moines | Dubuque | Fort Dodge | Independence | Mason City | Sioux City |

Kansas Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Kansas City | Topeka | Wichita |

Kentucky Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Ashland | Bowling Green | Covington | Frankfort | Lexington | London | Louisville | Owensboro | Paducah | Pikeville |

Louisiana Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Alexandria | Baton Rouge | Lafayette | New Orleans | Shreveport |

Maine Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Bangor | Portland |

Maryland Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Baltimore | Greenbelt | Salisbury |

Massachusetts Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Boston | Hyannis | Springfield | Worcester |

Michigan Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Bay City | Detroit | Flint | Grand Rapids | Kalamazoo | Lansing | Marquette | Traverse City |

Minnesota Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Duluth | Fergus Falls | Minneapolis | Saint Paul |

Mississippi Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Aberdeen | Greenville | Gulfport | Hattiesburg | Jackson | Oxford |

Missouri Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Cape Girardeau | Hannibal | Kansas City | Saint Louis |

Montana Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Billings | Butte | Great Falls | Kalispell | Missoula |

Nebraska Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Lincoln | Omaha |

Nevada Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Las Vegas | Reno |

New Hampshire Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Manchester |

New Jersey Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Camden | Newark | Trenton |

New Mexico Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Albuquerque | Las Cruces | Roswell |

New York Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Albany | Brooklyn | Buffalo | Islip | New York | Poughkeepsie | Rochester | Syracuse | Utica | White Plains |

North Carolina Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Asheville | Charlotte | Greensboro | Raleigh | Wilson | Winston Salem |

North Dakota Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Bismarck | Fargo | Grand Forks | Minot |

Ohio Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Akron | Canton | Cincinnati | Cleveland | Columbus | Dayton | Toledo | Youngstown |

Oklahoma Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Oklahoma City | Okmulgee | Tulsa |

Oregon Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Eugene | Portland |

Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Erie | Harrisburg | Johnstown | Philadelphia | Pittsburgh | Reading | Wilkes Barre |

Rhode Island Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Providence |

South Carolina Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Charleston | Columbia | Spartanburg |

South Dakota Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Aberdeen | Pierre | Rapid City | Sioux Falls |

Tennessee Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Chattanooga | Greeneville | Jackson | Knoxville | Memphis | Nashville | Winchester |

Texas Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Albilene | Amarillo | Austin | Beaumont | Corpus Christi | Dallas | El Paso | Fort Worth | Galveston | Houston | Laredo | Lubbock | Midland | Plano | San Angelo | San Antonio | Tyler | Waco | Wichita Falls |

Utah Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Ogden | Saint George | Salt Lake City |

Vermont Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Rutland |

Virginia Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Alexandria | Newport News | Norfolk | Richmond | Roanoke |

Washington Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Seattle | Spokane | Tacoma | Yakima |

West Virginia Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Beckley | Bluefield | Charleston | Clarksburg | Huntington | Parkersburg | Wheeling |

Wisconsin Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Eau Claire | Madison | Milwaukee |

Wyoming Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

Casper | Cheyenne |

You visited a few times and I would appreciate your thoughts on this post, why not comment?

Technorati Tags: , , ,

Filed under All About Bankruptcy by Comment.

November 24, 2008

Making a Decision to File Personal Bankruptcy

By DJ Raymond

As economic conditions continue to worsen so will the number of personal bankruptcy filings. The decision to file personal bankruptcy should not be taken lightly. There are consequences to filing bankruptcy and those should be considered. Many people are faced with a moral dilemma when filing bankruptcy. It is woven into the personal character of many people to pay what you owe. There is a certain stigma that is attached by society that follows those who file bankruptcy. For many this is embarrassing. A personal bankruptcy will stay on your credit report for 10 years. While that does not mean you will not be able to obtain credit, for that time period, you will be faced with more difficulty in obtaining lines of credit.

Bankruptcy laws exist to protect not to punish. Debt ridden citizens will never be productive citizens. Bankruptcy laws offer people a chance a fresh start. Saddled with debt, especially debt you will never be able to repay will prevent you from being productive.

For those with the mindset of repaying your debt a Chapter 13 filing for reorganizing your debt may be helpful. The courts will structure payments more in line with what you can afford over a period of time, usually 5 years. Additionally there is no law that prevents an individual form repaying their debts in full at some point in the future. For those struggling with the moral dilemma this can be helpful. Ultimately this decision rests with you and you alone.

The worst decision individual’s make in filing bankruptcy is to make no decision at all. It is not likely that your debt is going away. The bill collectors do not stop calling. Finding yourself in debt and unable to pay your debts has a paralyzing effect on your decision making processes. A simple consultation with a bankruptcy lawyer can help you in making that decision. Being in debt can be compared to be held in a economic prison. There is nothing quite so liberating as telling a bill collector, you have secured an attorney for the purposes of filing bankruptcy.

It was never your intent to file bankruptcy. It was never your intent to become a deadbeat borrower. Things happen in our lives that we sometimes cannot control . Bankruptcy laws are there to help not hinder.

DJ Raymond is an accomplished website developer and author. To learn more about The Moral Dilemma When Filing Bankruptcy visit Florida Bankruptcy Lawyers for more articles and information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=DJ_Raymond http://EzineArticles.com/?Making-a-Decision-to-File-Personal-Bankruptcy&id=1619650

You visited a few times and I would appreciate your thoughts on this post, why not comment?

Filed under All About Bankruptcy by Comment.

The Fiction and Details Concerning Filing Personal Bankruptcy

By Robin Boddy

Filing for bankruptcy is an especially unwanted state of affairs. Often brought about by unexpected alterations in your financial condition because of medical bills, job loss, extreme debt, also getting divorced, the action of filing for bankruptcy ought to be thought of as a conscientious action on the road to salvaging financial independence. If you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy, here are a few of the fiction and facts on the subject of it.

A common belief is that you can’t file for personal bankruptcy. Converse to this belief, modifications made in 2005 by the US Congress let any debtor file for personal bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is also regulated by state laws. If you file for bankruptcy in New York, New York bankruptcy attorneys can assist you find out if you are eligible for a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Another misconception is that filing for bankruptcy is discomforting. If you don’t file for bankruptcy, it will in reality be even more discomforting to be harrassed by debt collectors. Taking control of your financial position and facing up to your situation is in fact to be admired and ought to be something you are proud of.

Another fiction is that you will permanently have a terrible credit score. As a matter of fact, the conclusion of the personal bankruptcy process will absolve all preceding credit records permitting you to set out with a new and clean slate. Many bankruptcy attorneys can certify this based on their wide-ranging understanding.

One more falsehood is that you may only file for bankruptcy one time in your lifetime. If you file for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you will have to put off a cycle of 8 years previous to you filing for the subsequent Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Otherwise, you may file for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy as frequently as your circumstance demands.

Personal bankruptcy does not mean losing all you possess. Quite the opposite, bankruptcy is planned to guard a debtor from losing all possessions and simultaneously obtain a route for all the debt to be discharged. Bankruptcy attorneys can offer you the correct facts so that you won’t lose any of your assets.

Filing for personal bankruptcy is not difficult and out of the question.

Anybody may file a personal bankruptcy. You will have no trouble whatsoever. If you want, you can hire bankruptcy attorneys to guide you each step of the way.

Personal bankruptcy is a considerable but useful resolution to your financial troubles. Prior to filing for one, be certain that you have researched all existing bankruptcy choices.

For more information about filing personal bankruptcy, try visiting http://www.bankruptcy.get-the-info.net , a popular bankruptcy website that offers tips, advice and resources including information on bankruptcy car loans and bankruptcy home loans. You can also sign up to receive a free ebook about bankruptcy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Boddy http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Fiction-and-Details-Concerning-Filing-Personal-Bankruptcy&id=1514636

You visited a few times and I would appreciate your thoughts on this post, why not comment?

Filed under All About Bankruptcy by Comment.