How much money does your spouse make? What about your significant other? What about your roommate or kids?
Many clients get confused that bankruptcy is based on their income alone. Unfortunately, when someone files bankruptcy, whether they can file Chapter 7 or 13 is based on the household income whether or not the spouse, significant other, roommate, etc. files bankruptcy. Unfortunately, this can cause issues when the person filing makes no money, but others in the house make a significant amount of money. How do we calculate how many people are in the household? That's the subject of today's Crushing Debt Podcast episode.
I also provide an update on the Paskay Memorial Bankruptcy Seminar, as well as the proposed increase in the automobile exemption in Florida to $5,000.
We have a second sponsor, who has actually been with the show from the very beginning. Mark Purvis, owner of Real Time Productions, Inc. is the audio editor for the show. Mark has also helped with various videos on the Yesner Law website (www.YesnerLaw.com) and our YouTube channel (Yesner Law - YouTube). You can visit Mark's website at www.RealTimeTelevision.com.
We also want to mention our long-time sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance. If you know an attorney starting his or her own law firm, or a brand new title company, that would be a great referral to Sam to write their professional liability coverage (malpractice coverage). You can reach Sam at Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
Should you pay off your car prior to filing a bankruptcy?
Should you pay off your car even if you're not contemplating bankruptcy?
If you're in bankruptcy, and circumstances change, should you dismiss your case, or convert to another chapter in bankruptcy? Can you even do that?
I think I got my sound fixed from last week's episode, proving that even veteran podcasters get mixed up from time to time but, the show must go on!
I've also got an update on the Listener Pay It Forward Program! Do you want to go to Podfest with me, for FREE (small print: you have to pay for the hotel and transportation - but your Podfest Ticket would be no charge) !! www.podfestexpo.com
I also talk about the title of today's episode - a possible increase in the automobile exemption in the state of Florida that, if passed, would raise the exemption from $1,000 to $5,000, allowing many people who file Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Florida to keep their cars!
Also, when you're in bankruptcy and circumstances change, I describe the thought process behind dismissing your case versus converting to another chapter within the bankruptcy code (typically Chapter 7 to Chapter 13, or Chapter 13 to Chapter 7). You can find more information on these and other topics at my website - www.YesnerLaw.com or email me Shawn@YesnerLaw.com.
Finally, please remember to support our long-time friend and sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance. A great referral for Sam would be an attorney or title company that you know that is just starting a new business and needs malpractice insurance, especially if that new title company or law firm is located in Florida or Texas. www.AttorneysFirst.com or Sam@AttorneysFirst.com.
Episode 313 of the Crushing Debt Podcast means Week 1 of Year 7 of content!!
Plus we're back in the office after taking my recording equipment home after COVID shut everything down in March 2020 (although I understand I may need to tweak my sound).
I'm speaking again at Podfest 2022 in Orlando and have the ability to take up to FIVE (5) listeners with me FOR FREE. If you're interested in a free ticket to Podfest 2022, please let me know. You can visit the Podfest website at www.podfestexpo.com.
One of my goals at or before Podfest will be to explore potential co-hosts for the Crushing Debt Podcast. If you're interested, please email me Shawn@YesnerLaw.com.
Finally, if there a bankruptcy tsunami coming? We explore article written by Jeremy L. Retherford, Esq., and Walter E. Jones, Esq., both of Balch & Bingham, LLP, titled "What the Latest COVID-19 Surge Means for Filings in 2022" for the March 22 issue of the American Bankruptcy Institute Journal.
Please also remember to refer an attorney or title company that you know to our sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance. Sam helps attorneys and title companies all over the country, but particularly in Florida and Texas, to get fair and affordable malpractice insurance. Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
You can email me for more information about anything covered on this week's episode or any previous episodes!
Do you want improved quality of life?
Do you want to get a handle on any financial challenge or problem?
Do you want an objective third party to help with financial decisions, or a guide to ease your financial decision-making?
Our guest on the Crushing Debt Podcast this week is Financial Coach, Dan Bobick. Dan is NOT a financial advisor, he is the owner of Money Works Coaching, a company focused on helping its clients to create a clear path of action to organize and streamline their lifestyle to help get or keep their finances under control.
Dan thinks about finances like three legs of a stool - each one is necessary to have a solid foundation - Mindset, Mechanics and Accountability. You likely didn't accrue a ton of debt overnight, so you're not going to solve or pay off your debt overnight. Dan can help you create a plan to become debt free, and then hold you accountable to working that plan!
You can find Dan at his website: www.MoneyWorksCoaching.com or email him at Dan@MoneyWorksCoaching.com.
A great way to support the Crushing Debt Podcast is to refer an attorney or title company that you know to our sponsor, Sam Cohen. Sam helps attorneys and title companies with their malpractice insurance. Sam can work with attorneys or title companies all over the United States, but has a particular focus right now on Florida and Texas.
Would you hire a financial coach? Would you work with someone to hold you accountable to your financial goals? Let me know at Shawn@YesnerLaw.com or www.YesnerLaw.com.
Work Smarter, Plan Better, Play Louder is the mantra of this week's guest on the Crushing Debt Podcast - Jo DiSanto.
Joe went from $70,000 in debt at age 25, to buying his first home at 30, and is now debt free. How did he do it? Was it luck?
Luck is preparation meeting opportunity!
About Joe
Check out some of Play Louder’s most popular content…
Would you be embarassed to get a second job, a part time job, or a side-hustle to create the additional income necessary to eliminate your debt? If you're able to provide for your family, does it really matter that your second job is driving for Uber? Working at a minimum wage job (or another minimum wage job)? What is the positive mindset of someone who owns their own business, but also must work a second job to provide for their family?
Today's Crushing Debt Podcast Episode is about how to persist when facing debt, and how to do what you have to in order to get out of debt.
Eric Bunch is a friend of the show, and a referral partner of the law firm here in Tampa Bay. Eric owns NTP2 Photography and Video and specializes in helping his clients brand themselves using custom photography and video production. Eric spends his free time with his three boys and wife camping, hiking and doing Scouts with his boys.
Eric tells his story of how he got into debt, and then what he did to get out of debt, all while owning his own business and providing for a family of five!
To reach Eric and follow his projects you can visit him on Facebook or Instagram @ntp2photography.
Eric is also a speaker at Podfest Multimedia Expo 2022, May 26 - 29, 2022, at the Hilton Orlando. You can find more details at www.podfestexpo.com, and if you attend Podfest, please come say hello to me and Eric (we'll also be rooming together at the event).
Please also support our sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance, by referring an attorney starting his own firm, or a new title company opening for business. You can connect them to Sam at Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
What other things have you done to help pay off your debt? Please email me your stories at Shawn@YesnerLaw.com, and I may ask to feature you on a future episode of the podcast!
Do you worry about financial factors that are outside of your control? Do you feel anxious about your finances?
"You do not have to choose between a tremendous financial outcome and living a happy meaningful life." -- Jonathan DeYoe.
My guest this week is the author of the best-selling book "Mindful Money." Jonathan DeYoe is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) and Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), and passionately educates businesses, individuals and parents to manage the anxiety of the unknown and focus on financial factors that they can control.
Jonathan and I talk about:
Jonathan is offering our listeners his Value Purpose Goals Course for free at this link: https://courses.mindful.money/values-purpose-goals
You can contact Jonathan:
Please also support our sponsor, Sam Cohen, at Attorneys First Insurance by introducing Sam to an attorney or title company that is just starting their company, or who needs to renew their malpractice insurance. You can reach Sam at Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
For more information you can visit my website at www.YesnerLaw.com or email me: Shawn@Yesnerlaw.com
Who is "Judgment Proof" or "Uncollectible"?
In July 2018, I posted a blog titled "Bluffing Your Creditors? Debt Settlement Ain't Poker." You can find that post here: Bluffing Your Creditors? Debt Settlement Ain't Poker | Florida Bankruptcy Lawyer (yesnerlaw.com)
In the blog post, I advocate that if you have facts or circumstances that show the creditor that you are "uncollectible" then you should be 100% open and honest with the creditor - there's no need to bluff when you have nothing the creditor can collect; there's no need to bluff in debt settlement when you have the winning hand!
What are some of those factors:
When is bankruptcy a good option versus doing nothing at all?
When is settlement of the debt a good option and under what terms - lump sum or over time?
One way to support the Crushing Debt Podcast is to support our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance. You can support Sam by referring a new attorney or title company that you know, that needs professional liability insurance to Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
Please also visit our website to read the blog that inspired this post, and for further information at www.YesnerLaw.com.
Do you come back from vacation amazed at how much you spent while you were away? Do you feel like you have to get back to work just to pay for the great time you just had?
If you're listening to this episode of The Crushing Debt Podcast on its day of release, I'll be getting ready to leave for a few days with my family at Disney World in Orlando, FL (about 1.5 hours from where I live in Tampa). That made me think of over twenty different ways to eliminate debt while on vacation, so that you come back truly refreshed and recharged.
You have to listen to the episode to hear all 21 ideas, but some include:
After listening to the episode, do you think I missed anything? Please let me know at Shawn@YesnerLaw.com.
Please also support our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance by referring him an attorney or title company you know that needs to buy or renew its malpractice insurance. Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
I have podcast episodes and blogs about how to come off of Freddie Mac's Exclusionary List, but today's Crushing Debt Podcast episode discusses what to do if you get a letter that Freddie Mac intends to put you on the List. Is it possible to stay off the List if Freddie believes you should be on the Exclusionary List?
For other episodes describing what the List is? The significance of being on the List? How someone can come off of the List? An analysis of the different techniques that have and have not worked to get someone off the Exclusionary List. And other topics, you may want to check out the following previous episodes:
If you have questions about the Freddie Mac List, please contact me at Shawn@YesnerLaw.com.
Please also support our sponsor, Sam Cohen, by introducing him to an attorney or title company looking to renew their malpractice coverage at Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
Do you continue to learn? What do you do to feed your body, your mind, and your spirit?
Long time listeners know that I read, at least 30 - 45 minutes per day in the morning when I first wake up as part of my daily routine to get ready for my day. The house is quiet and my wife and kids are still asleep (most mornings).
Each year, I like to do an episode on some of more impactful books I've read the previous year, which is the topic of today's Crushing Debt Podcast episode.
While I don't talk about every book (there were 26 of them this year), I do give you brief summaries and take-aways from the following books. My hope is that you find some books in the below list that interest you, that you can read over the coming years:
I had the privilege to interview some of these authors about their books on my show during the year.
I would also like to know what books you've read that are not on this list, that I can read this year or next. What books have had the greatest impact on you, or you have enjoyed reading? Please email me at Shawn@YesnerLaw.com.
Please also support our friend and sponsor, Sam Cohen at Attorneys First Insurance by introducing him to an attorney or title company that would like a quote on malpractice insurance. You can connect an attorney or title company to Sam at Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
How young did you begin to learn money management skills? How early are you teaching your kids these skills?
When did you buy your first home? Do you wish you did sooner?
How do you teach your kids how to achieve financial independence at a young age?
This week's guest on the Crushing Debt Podcast is Dan Sheeks, the newest Bigger Pockets published author, with his book First to a Million: A Teenager's Guide to Achieving Early Financial Freedom.
Dan is a 19-year high school business and marketing teacher, real estate investor, and personal finance advocate in Denver, CO. In late 2019, Dan launched SheeksFreaks, an online community dedicated to helping young people learn money management skills, start investing in real estate, and pursue early financial independence.
Dan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
Dan's email: dan@sheeksfreaks.com
Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance supports the show in multiple ways (including offsetting many of the costs of production). Introducing him to attorneys and title companies is a great way to show your support for the show. Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.attorneysfirst.com.
Finally, get ahold of me and let me know what you think of this week's episode- Shawn@Yesnerlaw.com or www.YesnerLaw.com.
Small claims court is designed to allow people to settle their disputes, in court, without using attorneys.
The proceedings are a little less formal, there are opportunities to settle the dispute through mediation right at the beginning of the process, hearings are streamlined, and the process is for disputes of $8,000 or less (in Florida).
What should you know about small claims court, and why do few attorneys like to practice in small claims court?
At the very beginning of the show (Episode 7) I also discussed small claims court. You can hear that show at: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/yesnerlawpodcast/236985793-yesner_law_podcast-episode-7-small-claims-court.mp3
Please also support our sponsor Sam Cohen at Attorneys First Insurance by introducing him to an attorney or title company that is in need of malpractice insurance, or who has a malpractice insurance renewal approaching. Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
If you think it would be helpful for me to develop a course of some materials to help people navigate small claims court with the knowledge of attorney, but without the price tag of one, please let me know - Shawn@YesnerLaw.com or www.YesnerLaw.com.
What is your system for setting and tracking your goals?
What did you accomplish in 2021? What are you proud of? What could you have done better?
What will 2022 bring? Will there be a spike in foreclosures? A spike in bankruptcies? A real estate bubble? Inflation?
In this week's episode of The Crushing Debt podcast, I talk about my successes in 2021 and how those can help you, plus my predictions for what 2022 will bring.
Hopefully, 2022 means increased support of our sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance. If you know an attorney or title company that needs to shop its malpractice coverage, please let Sam know - Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
Do you want to know more about how I set and track my annual goals? Do you agree with my 2022 predictions? Let me know at Shawn@YesnerLaw.com or www.YesnerLaw.com.
Did you know that a HELOC is a second mortgage - it's a home equity line of credit?
Did you know that sometimes a second mortgage can be eliminated in a bankruptcy, but sometimes not?
What happens when, years later, the second mortgage tries to collect after being included in a bankruptcy?
We cover all of these topics and more in this week's episode of The Crushing Debt Podcast.
What is a reaffirmation agreement (listen to Episode 188 for more information) and how does it factor into the analysis here?
Unfortunately, I've seen an increase in cases where someone filed bankruptcy and didn't know they had a second mortgage, didn't realize they had a second mortgage, or didn't properly address their second mortgage within the bankruptcy case. What can I do about it years after the fact? Likely not much, but, as always, I have a few options.
If you have questions about your second mortgage and bankruptcy, please contact us or a local attorney. You can reach me at Shawn@YesnerLaw.com or www.YesnerLaw.com.
Please also support our friend and sponsor Sam Cohen by introducing him to an attorney or title company you know that wants to competitively shop their malpractice insurance renewal. Sam can work with an attorney or title company anywhere in the country, but prefers working with attorneys and title companies in Florida or Texas. You can reach him at Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
What could you do with an extra $300 or more in your budget each month? Could you pay off debt faster? Save more money for retirement? Invest? Take a vacation?
In honor of our three hundredth episode of The Crushing Debt Podcast, I brainstormed nearly twenty ways to give you back $300 into your monthly budget - whether by cutting expenses or increasing revenue.
Some of these techniques are discussed in my second book, Become Debt Free in Less Than One Hour, and some of them are new!
Are there any that I forgot?
As I consider hitting the three hundred episode mark, I'd like to thank: all of you listeners for supporting the show, our current sponsor and all of our previous sponsors, all of our guests, and any one else who directly or indirectly has given me advice, feedback or simply a shoulder to lean on from time to time.
Speaking of - please support our sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance by referring a title company or attorney to him for a malpractice coverage quote. Sam can be reached at Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
If you have any comments or feedback for me, please contact me at Shawn@YesnerLaw.com or www.YesnerLaw.com.
What four (or five) creditors can foreclose and take away your primary residence?
What legal authority in Florida allows a creditor to take your home?
How does the Florida Homestead Laws play into this analysis?
What can I do if my credit card company records a judgment against my homestead property?
In this week's episode, I describe the four (maybe five) creditors that can take your primary residence through foreclosure: (1) Property Tax Collector, (2) Mortgage Company, (3) Contractor who does work on the home, (4) the IRS, and (5) your homeowner or condo association.
The authority for them to do this, or more accurately, the inability of other creditors from doing this - like credit cards, hospital bills, student loans, etc., is found in the Florida Constitution, Article X, Section 4, and Florida Statutes Chapter 222.
I've been able to use a "Notice of Homestead" to eliminate unsecured liens against homes, but it is not a quick process. Therefore, you want to ensure that you file and record the Notice of Homestead far enough in advance of closing for it to eliminate the lien.
Some of the links mentioned in today's episode:
The Notice of Homestead procedure is found in Section 222.01 and is fairly straight forward, but if you need help, please contact our office.
Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen for an "apples to apples" comparison of malpractice insurance if you are or if you know an attorney or title company in Florida or Texas. Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
If you have any further questions for me, please reach out at Shawn@YesnerLaw.com or www.YesnerLaw.com.
What is the difference between a Warranty Deed, Special Warranty Deed and Quit Claim Deed?
What is a Quick Claim Deed (hint: doesn't exist)?
Why is it important to recite marital status on a deed and mortgage?
Can someone qualify for financing immediately after being foreclosed (hint: yes!)
On this week's episode of The Crushing Debt Podcast, I follow up from episode 296 to talk about the different types of deeds in Florida, and then answer a few listener questions.
You would do me a huge favor and show your support for the show by introducing a title company or attorney in Florida or Texas who is due to renew their malpractice insurance to our sponsor, Sam Cohen at Attorneys First Insurance. Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com
If you want me to answer your question on a future episode, you can contact me at Shawn@YesnerLaw.com or www.YesnerLaw.com.
What do you have to be thankful for this Thanksgiving 2021?
The Yesner family has had its share of doctors and hospitals this year and thankfully, everyone is okay!
The goal of my podcast is to help people with the general message that "everything is going to be okay." Today I want to try to help with a message that is more health-related. We're all human and we all have health issues from time to time.
Today's episode of The Crushing Debt Podcast is a slight deviation from my normal topics - it is not necessarily a legal episode. Instead, I decided to chronicle my recent diagnosis and treatment of my Type 2 Diabetes.
A few of the links mentioned in today's episode:
Episode 17 - Running & Networking.: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/yesnerlawpodcast/260241161-yesner_law_podcast-episode-17-running-and-networking.mp3
I hope you take away two things from today's episode: (1) everything (including me) is going to be okay, and (2) we can all help and support each other.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm also thankful for our sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance and would be appreciative if you could introduce him to an attorney or title company you know in Florida or Texas that needs malpractice insurance. Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
You can email me directly at Shawn@Yesnerlaw.com or www.YesnerLaw.com.
One question we received this week from a client: "I'm buying a house from my parents, should I get title insurance?"
The Florida Department of Financial Services licenses and oversees Title Insurance in the State of Florida. They put out a great guide to title insurance that we review in today's episode of The Crushing Debt Podcast.
The link to download the guide is:
The guide is a short read, about eight pages long and covers the basics: the closing, the closing agent, title insurance, how to select a title agent, tips, common terms and definitions and frequently asked questions.
One other link mentioned in the guide and in the episode is a link to verify the licensure of a particular title company or title agent, which you can find at: https://licenseesearch.fldfs.com.
Our sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance provides malpractice coverage to title companies (and attorneys) all over the Country. He would love an introduction to the title company you used for your last closing. You can make that introduction at Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
For more information, previous podcast episodes, blogs, and other useful tips, please visit the Yesner Law website at www.YesnerLaw.com.
We've talked before on the Crushing Debt podcast about student loans and how to eliminate the high cost of paying for an education. One of the best ways is if the student loan qualifies for discharge under the PSLF program (Public Service Loan Forgiveness).
This week's guest on the show is Jason DiLorenzo, founder and CEO of www.PSLFJobs.com. The website helps provide information to student loan borrowers and employers, and helps match employees to employers to help facilitate forgiveness of the student loan under the PSLF program.
Listen to the end of the episode to hear a special offer from Jason and PSLFJobs.com!
PSLFJobs.com also has a salary calculator, PSLF diagnostic, and other information designed to assist both employees and employers under the PSLF program. If you have direct questions, you can email Help@PSLFJobs.com.
Jason and I have a great discussion about:
You can also find more information about student loans at www.studentaid.gov.
We do want to thank our continuing sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance and ask that you refer him an attorney or title company that needs a quote on malpractice coverage at Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
To learn other tips about eliminating student loan debt, or other debt in general, download my book - Become Debt Free in Less Than One Hour - at www.ShawnMYesner.com/BecomeDebtFree.
We are happy to welcome back our friend, former sponsor, and repeat guest Chris Calandra with Elliott Wealth Management Services to talk today about the four drivers of the 2021 real estate market.
You can hear Chris on Episodes 157 (wealth management), 162 (life insurance), 186 (seven wealth building rules) and 210 (pandemic's impact on the economy) and he brings a TON of knowledge and content each time he's on the show.
In today's Crushing Debt Podcast episode, we talk about the four things that primarily impacted the 2021 real estate market, which is still a bit crazy and unique even today, towards the end of the year:
We also discuss whether there's another real estate bubble forming, and the disappearance of short sales.
If you know an attorney or title company in Florida, Texas, or anywhere in the Country, you would be doing me and show a huge favor by introducing that attorney or title company to our show's sponsor, Sam Cohen at Attorneys First Insurance - Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
To eliminate debt and create the money to invest in real estate, check out my book Become Debt Free in Less Than One Hour at www.ShawnMYesner.com/BecomeDebtFree
What is your vision in terms of money? What are your values surrounding money and debt?
In this week's episode of the Crushing Debt Podcast, we interview our friend and returning guest, Marleta Black about her new book, Say ... Something: The Adventure of Finding the Right Words to Express Your Desires, Reduce Drama and Create Connection.
I read the book and thought it was great - it is broken into bite-size chunks that each have actionable items for you to review, ponder and implement in your relationships, such as:
Say ... Something takes you on a journey, both mentally and metaphorically, and helps you better understand and improve your relationships - with your spouse, your kids, your co-workers, your friends, your peers, and even your money!
You can buy a copy of Marleta's book on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/SAY-Something-Adventure-Finding-Connection-ebook/dp/B09H7Q1GM9/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1B1610UAYSCWC&dchild=1&keywords=marleta+black+say+something&qid=1635413022&sprefix=Marleta+Black%2Caps%2C175&sr=8-3
You can also hear Marleta in Episode 117 of the Crushing Debt Podcast.
Also, please remember to support our sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance by referring him attorneys and title companies that need to purchase or renew their malpractice insurance. You can reach him at Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
Once your finished with Say ... Something, you can get your free copy of Become Debt Free in Less Than One Hour at www.ShawnMYesner.com/BecomeDebtFree.
If you are ever the target of a frivolous lawsuit, is your stuff protected? What if the lawsuit is legitimate, is your stuff protected?
What happens to your stuff when you die?
This week's guest on the Crushing Debt podcast is attorney Michelangelo Mortellaro, who has been practicing since 2007 in the areas of estate planning and elder law.
In 2020, Michelangelo started Fortress Asset Protection with another attorney to help shield your business from lawsuits and creditors.
In today's episode, we discuss the basics of probate and estate planning law, and why its important to have an estate plan, especially if you own your own business. Then we turn to asset protection and the various tools Michelangelo can use, whether you're an individual, business owner, or investor, to protect what you have from frivolous lawsuits.
You can reach Michelangelo by visiting his lawfirm website - www.MortellaroLaw.com, or Fortress's website - www.FortressAssetProtection.com.
Please support our sponsor, Sam Cohen at Attorneys First Insurance. Sam would appreciate introductions to attorneys and title companies all over the country, specifically in Florida and Texas. You can reach him at Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
If you want to reduce your debt to avoid credit card lawsuits, please download my second book - Become Debt Free in Less Than One Hour at www.ShawnMYesner.com/BecomeDebtFree.
How much due diligence goes into filing bankruptcy? What are the document requirements?
While these are not questions I get from clients too often, they are two of the most important questions when considering a bankruptcy filing. Why? Because failing to do any due diligence prior to filing could get both the client and the law firm (and me) in trouble with the bankruptcy court. And when you get into trouble with the bankruptcy court, it is the FBI that comes knocking on the door!
So what are the due diligence requirements? We provide all of our clients with document checklists, information, and support. In today's episode, I discuss most of the different common types of documents and information we need. Of course, every bankruptcy is factually different, so the list provided in today's episode is just the starting point.
If you have questions about bankruptcy, please let us know or post a comment wherever you listen to this podcast!
We're also excited about Podfest Origins at the beginning of November, LIVE in Tampa, Florida. You can get more information at www.Podfestexpo.com.
In the event an attorney does not do his or her due diligence, we have our sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance who handles malpractice coverage for attorneys and title companies throughout the United States but, right now, has a particular focus on Florida and Texas. If you know an attorney or title company in need of professional liability coverage, please refer them to Sam@AttorneysFirst.com or www.AttorneysFirst.com.
More questions about bankruptcy or just want to know how to have more money at the end of the month rather than month at the end of the money? Check out my book, Become Debt Free in Less Than One Hour at www.ShawnMYesner.com/BecomeDebtFree.