Blog


9 Ways to Improve Your Credit Score in a Month
September 2, 2021

You may have something on the horizon where you need a good credit score. Perhaps you intend to buy a house in the near future and don’t want to pay high interest rates due to shaky credit. We always tell people to track your credit score regularly and we’ve spoken before about how to improve your credit score. Building a good credit score is something you do over a course of years for really good credit that lasts. But can you do anything to impact your credit score in a month or two? You betcha. The trick is to do… Read More

No Need to Panic: What to Do When Debt Collectors Call
August 17, 2021

It’s enough to increase your heart rate and make you break out in a sweat. The debt collector is calling! Debt collectors have tricks up their sleeves, so you are right to be concerned when debt collectors call. If you owe a lot of money, it very well may be worth your while to hire a debt collection defense attorney who knows the ins and outs. But if you are planning to speak with a debt collector yourself, you need to be prepared. Consider the following advice. Keep calm Debt collectors like to keep you off balance, and often they… Read More

Medical Debt in America: It’s Worse than We Thought
August 2, 2021

We all know that medical debt drives many people into bankruptcy. It’s the largest category of debt in the United States. Even if patients recover, the weight of medical bills can ruin their lives. Well, it’s even worse than we or the government or anybody else thought. A study from JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) just published in July tells us that collection agencies held $140 billion in unpaid medical bills in 2020. (The study covers January 2009 to June 2020.) A previous study done in 2016 indicated the amount was almost half that — $81 billion. It gets… Read More

How To Beat a Debt Collector in Court – Here Are 11 Ways
July 13, 2021

A debt collector has served you with a complaint for non-payment of debt. Before you were served, you tried to negotiate, but to no avail. What should you do now? Depending on the situation, here are some possibilities to defend against a debt collection lawsuit in Florida. 1. Consider Hiring a Florida Debt Collection Defense Attorney If the debt is substantial, you should at least consult with a debt collection attorney. There may be defenses of which you may be unaware or need help arguing. See our blog post, Do I Need a Florida Debt Collection Defense Attorney? Many attorneys, including… Read More

Eviction and Foreclosure Moratorium: Final Extension to July 31
July 1, 2021

On Thursday, June 24, the Biden Administration announced that it is extending the tenant eviction and federal mortgage foreclosure moratorium until July 31. The order was signed by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. The moratorium was in place to help those suffering economic problems due to the coronavirus pandemic. This moratorium is particularly important in states like Florida which have no state eviction moratorium. According to the CDC, “The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a historic threat to the nation’s public health. Keeping people in their homes and out of crowded or congregate settings — like homeless shelters — by preventing evictions… Read More

How Can I Stop Wage Garnishment in Florida?
June 14, 2021

In our recent blog post, What to Expect if You Face Wage Garnishment in Florida, we discussed the basics of wage garnishment in Florida. It included a discussion of how much of your wages can be withheld and sent to your creditors. You have a lot more options to deal with your creditors before they start garnishing your wages than if you wait. However, if that’s water under the bridge, and you are at the point where your wages are being garnished, you still have some limited options. Let’s explore the possibilities to fight wage garnishment as well as some… Read More

What to Expect if You Face Wage Garnishment in Florida
May 30, 2021

If you are having trouble making ends meet, the last thing you want is for your creditor to garnish your wages. A wage garnishment, also known as a wage attachment, is an order the court sends to your employer telling them to withhold money from your paycheck and sent it to the creditor. As you can imagine, this will not endear you to your employer. However, they can’t fire you for it unless you have more than one garnishment. However, under Florida law, your employer can deduct the amount from your paycheck that it cost them to obey a wage… Read More

My Creditor Has a Default Judgment Against Me! What Now?
May 17, 2021

How a Creditor Gets a Default Judgment Against You If a creditor is unable to collect a debt from you, eventually they will file a complaint against you in court. The court issues a summons notifying you of the suit. The plaintiff must then properly serve you with the summons and complaint within the procedures set out by Florida law. In Florida, once you have been served, you have 20 days to file a response with the court if you want to avoid a default judgment. Should you miss that deadline, the plaintiff will then request the court to order… Read More

Do I Need a Florida Debt Collection Defense Attorney?
May 3, 2021

If you’re accused of murder, you know you need to hire an attorney. But what if you just owe debts you can’t pay? When should you handle it yourself, and when do you need a Florida debt collection defense attorney? When you are already overwhelmed with debt, you may hesitate to get legal help, because you are afraid of just adding to your debt. But in many situations, a lawyer can save you money and give you a lifeline to getting your life back on track. That doesn’t mean you always need the help of a lawyer. Let’s look at… Read More

Where Should I File My Bankruptcy Petition?
April 19, 2021

There are many financial requirements you must meet to be discharged in bankruptcy in Florida.  But there are also requirements that govern where to file for bankruptcy. Keep in mind that bankruptcy actions are established under federal law. You will not file bankruptcy in state court, but rather in federal bankruptcy court. The federal district where you file determines where your case will be heard. What is the Basis for Where to File for Bankruptcy? When filing a bankruptcy petition, these three factors may govern where you file. For a consumer bankruptcy, normally you will file in the same district… Read More