Happy Weekend From Geraci Law!

Want to discuss debt? Need some help with a budget? You can call us at 800 CALL PFG – we’re ready to help you even on Saturdays! Lots of helpful resources at http://www.infotapes.com.

Want to discuss debt? Need some help with a budget? You can call us at 800 CALL PFG – we’re ready to help you even on Saturdays! Lots of helpful resources at http://www.infotapes.com.

Dial 1-800-CALL-PFG for a free phone mini-consultation, or make an appointment online 24/7 at www.infotapes.com.  Bankruptcy laws are in place to help you.  Who knows bankruptcy like Geraci Law?  Geraci Law has 30,000 5-star reviews 5starsince November 2016!

Read ALL ABOUT DEBT RELIEF at www.bankruptcybookbypeterfrancisgeraci.com.

Chapter 10-What is the Real Price Difference Between Bankruptcy Lawyers?

An excerpt from Attorney Peter Francis Geraci’s “The Complete Book on Bankruptcy.” Learn more about misconceptions about bankruptcy!

You may be thinking about bankruptcy. You may have called a couple of law firms. Geraci Law can help you. Below is an excerpt from Attorney Peter Francis Geraci’s Complete Book on Bankruptcy about the REAL price difference between bankruptcy attorneys.

From Chapter 10 – What is the Real Price Difference Between Bankruptcy Lawyers?

I have found that there is very little difference in attorney’s fees. You can’t save more than a couple hundred dollars between lawyers’ fees for the same type of case. Some people like cheap doctors, and some people like cheap food. Some people pick attorneys by a $100 difference in price, not realizing that one deal your attorney makes can save or cost you thousands.

So, the cheapest lawyer in town is not necessarily the best. In other words, go for experience, not price, because there is not much difference in fees for consumer bankruptcies, but there is a big difference in the quality of the advice and service.

For instance, let’s say that 5 years later, a bill collector calls and says you left him off your petition, and he wants to be paid. Will you be able to call your attorney who did the Chapter 7, for advice, or will the telephone be disconnected? If it is Geraci Law, yes you can. 7 am to 7 pm and Saturdays until 1 PM. All your records are electronic. No voice mail either.

Usually, Chapter 7 fees can be paid in installments of as low as $100 a month. Chapter 13 Plans including attorney fees are as low as $95 biweekly. If you can’t afford $100 or $200 a month, you may have to ask friends or family to help you out.

In my opinion, anyone “shopping for fees” for a bankruptcy attorney, is not thinking clearly. If you can clear $10,000 in debt, tax free for $1500, it is a bargain. 10 payments of $150 or even $200 is a bargain.

Chapter 13 cases are even more of a bargain. In almost every state, the attorney fee is exactly the same. Most Chapter 13 cases get filed “no money down”, because it’s a repayment plan. Your attorney gets paid from your Chapter 13 payment, which takes care of attorney fees and all debt. Your Chapter 13 payment could be as low as $95 bi-weekly, or more depending on what debt you are paying back.

Geraci Law represents people on Social Security with low income, and people making over $100,000 a year. Anyone quoting the same fee for any case, on the phone, may be engaging in “bait and switch” tactics. But, if you are really were just looking for the cheapest lawyer in town, sadly for you, there are some poor lawyers at the bottom of their career that will work for free. You kind of get what you pay for.

Geraci Law is the largest filer of bankruptcies in Illinois Indiana and Wisconsin, and you will generally find that the largest law firms probably have the happiest clients, and about the same fees, when you get done, as the all-by-myself attorneys.

Lawyers that claim to be “cheap” can often end up costing you more! Beware of “cheap fee quotes on the phone”

In most Chapter 13 cases, you are saving a lot of money on interest, so the cost is less than paying the creditors at their contract rate of interest. However, Chapter 7 cases are usually cheaper than Chapter 13 cases in terms of total cost. Many “cheap” lawyers don’t know the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, so if you go there, you won’t know either.

Dial 1-800-CALL-PFG for a free phone mini-consultation, or make an appointment online 24/7 at www.infotapes.com.  Bankruptcy laws are in place to help you.  Who knows bankruptcy like Geraci Law?  Geraci Law has 30,000 5-star reviews 5starsince November 2016!

Read ALL ABOUT DEBT RELIEF at www.bankruptcybookbypeterfrancisgeraci.com.

Have a Great Weekend!

Enjoy your weekend. If you want to talk about debt – we’re here for you.

Have a Great Weekend!

If you are thinking about finances this weekend, check out the budget we use. It’s a great idea to know where your money is going. Questions? Need help? We’re here at 800 CALL PFG.

Fill out your budget here

Dial 1-800-CALL-PFG for a free phone mini-consultation, or make an appointment online 24/7 at www.infotapes.com.  Bankruptcy laws are in place to help you.  Who knows bankruptcy like Geraci Law?  Geraci Law has 25,000 5-star reviews 5starsince November 2016!

Read ALL ABOUT DEBT RELIEF at www.bankruptcybookbypeterfrancisgeraci.com.

Geraci Law Attorneys Attend Reception for New Judge!

190802 Investiture

Geraci Law Wisconsin Attorneys (from the left) Andrew Golanowski,  Lisa Ellmauer, Brent Berning, Robert Crawley, Kathryn McKenzie, Felicia Petroff and Ann Kramer attended the Investiture Ceremony and Reception for the Honorable Katherine Maloney Perhach at the US Courthouse for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Geraci Law Attorneys at NACTT

Geraci Law attorneys attended the National Association of Chapter 13 Trustee’s convention in Indianapolis on July 18-July 20.

Group 1

From left to right (front row) are Attorneys Nathan Curtis, Bridget Spears, Evan Garrapy, Peter Francis Geraci, Thomas Barbour, Patrick McMulty. From left to right (back row) Attorneys Frank Hernandez, Chad Garrapy, Anthony Shull, John Sadler, Erik Dickinson.

TUC

Geraci Law attorney Bridget Spears poses with the bronze statue of Themis, Greek goddess of justice, at the Capital Grille in downtown Indianapolis. Geraci Law headquarters in downtown Chicago has a similar statute.

Dog

Well doggone it! Geraci Law Indianapolis South did a Pro “Bone” O case for this friendly walk-in. We had to help him with the paperwork though.

NAT

Geraci Law Attorneys Nathan Curtis and Peter Francis Geraci visited the Indiana Supreme Court. It is housed in the Indiana State building. Built in 1883, of Indiana limestone from Bedford County. Building is unusual in that it still houses all 3 branches of government, the governor’s office, the Supreme Court, in the state legislature. The Indiana Supreme Court, unlike many other states, travels to various counties to hear cases.

supreme-court.jpg

Indiana Supreme Court has 5 justices. This is the original 1883 courtroom which is still in use, and all its furnishings are original. The room is as long as it is high as it is wide. It is a cube. The idea of the architect was that “all sides are equal”

pfg-supreme-court.jpg

This is where the Indiana Senate meets! The carpeting on the floor  represents the 18 states in the union when Indiana was admitted. Surrounding the big star, number 19, represents Indiana.

Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln lived in Indiana after moving from Kentucky as a boy.  He often returned after moving to Illinois when he was about 20 years old. There are many references to Lincoln at this Indiana State Capital .

artium

This is the inner atrium of the Indiana State Capital.  The capitals of the columns on the 1st floor are Doric, on the 2nd floor they are Ionic, and on the 3rd floor they are Corinthian.

ROB

Geraci Law Attorneys Robert Brynjelsen and John Sadler enjoy a toast to Indianapolis!

Geraci Law Advice!

A woman came to Geraci Law with a financial problem. She listened to Geraci Law and here is what she said,

“I went to these attorneys after being Debt With student loans hospital bills they were there right there side. Several times at the bankruptcy lawyer petition me they inform me a what was needed an on the spot at all times I am so pleased with these people I must say thank you thank you and thank you.”

Read more of what Geraci Law clients say at https://www.infotapes.com/GeraciReviews.

Geraci Law Ashland & Jackson

Geraci Law opened a new location at 234 S Ashland.  Our clients say:

Im so glad a new office has opened so conveniently on the near west side.  My attorney Ryan was very pleasant, honest and thorough with handling the conversion of my case.  I highly recommend PFG for any financial debt needs.” – TL 

Rick and Ryan was very helpful. So grateful I came in! Thanks so much to you both for the time, patience, explanation of each page. You both made sure I understood exactly what to expect and I’m leaving assured that this was the best decision for my situation. Appreciated!” – LaShondra

Very informative Ricardo is great and made me feel very comfortable and walked me through everything step by step. And Sharon who was at the court building made me feel very comfortable as well and explained all the next things that was going to happen.” – Priscella 

“I was dearly help with my problems, Ryan and Mario really help me with my situation. Great persons who really explain the processes and how it all comes about. Thank you Geraci Team. ” – Noe

I walked in Peter Francis Geraci on Ashland feeling like I had no way out and walked out feeling like a new person. Not only did they show compassion, they really helped with my debts. I am truly grateful for what Rick Gomez did for me. He is the best! Thanks so much.” – Annette

When I first thought about filing bankruptcy I didn’t know anything about chapter 13 or 7 I was nervous I was a bit stressed out trying to figure out how I was going to pay back debts when I was short on cash but rick made me understand it a whole lot better than I did.. I left him without one unanswered question I’m happy to know that I’m not alone thanks rick.” – Dominque 

FICO Creates New UltraFICO Scoring System

FICO has announced that as of 2019 it will be rolling out a new scoring system after focusing almost exclusively on a consumer’s payment history.  FICO’s new scoring system will consider money management in ranking a borrower’s credit score.

Specifically, FICO scores will now look at how consumers manage checking, savings, and money-market accounts — and use that data to make determinations on a borrower’s creditworthiness.  The new score is called the “UltraFICO” score.

Although the UltraFICO will be released at the start of 2019, the score will not be widely available.  After a short pilot of the UltraFICO scoring system, FICO plans to offer the score to all lenders by the summer.

Factors the UltraFICO will take into account include: (1) an analysis of your average account balance; (2) a history of past overdrawn accounts; (3) an analysis of your deposits v. withdrawals; (4) the amount of time you have had an active checking account; and (5) whether you regularly pay your bills from your account.

There has been a long-standing myth that Bankruptcy can ruin your credit score.  Studies, however, indicate Bankruptcy actually helps your credit score.  A 2010 Federal Reserve Bank study showed the average credit score at filing was 538.  By the time the bankruptcy case discharged, the petitioner’s credit score had risen nearly 80 points.  Harvard conducted a study, focused on Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases, that concluded chapter 13 bankruptcy actually increases an individual’s credit score and the probability of becoming a homeowner.

The new scoring system can benefit people in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy.  Since Chapter 7 eliminates your debt, you will be able to start saving and show a positive cash flow on your account.  While chapter 13 can assist consumers by establishing regular bill pay activity from their accounts.

You can learn more about the UltraFICO score at: https://www.fico.com/ultrafico/#why-its-important

Geraci Law Aurora Clients

“Highly recommend this law firm. I was stressing over the whole bankruptcy thing but didn’t have a choice to file or not. My only decision was about which law firm  to use. Really glad I picked Geraci Law. The attorney assigned to my case was Jason Kara. Jason was easy to work with and knew his stuff pertaining to bankruptcy and what was best for me. He made me feel at ease and the filing went smoothly. There were no surprises with them. I feel properly represented and am so relieved this trying ordeal will be over soon. Thanks Jason. And thanks to Geraci Law.
Would recommend them to anyone.” – Martin

Extremely satisfied customer.  Very professional service the entire process. Communication was  great even via email and text. I would refer this law firm for anyone who may be a bit hesitant and unsure of the steps to take control over your future as far as debt is concerned. I was provided the best advise from beginning to the end.  I am glad to have chosen this location.” – Barbara

“Jason is by far fantastic. He was very reassuring and answered all my questions with kindness and honesty. I consulted with 2 other attorneys and left feeling scared and nervous. A friend recommended Geraci Law and I can honestly say I left the appointment feeling like the weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I could finally breathe. I highly recommend  the team at Geraci Law in Aurora, ask for Jason. He will make you feel like family.” – Elizabeth

“I really had a great experience with the staff members at this location everyone was very friendly and welcoming at this location.  I first met with Alex Wilson.  He assisted me in determining  a strategy and determining how I should proceed with my legal matter.  He answered all my questions and explained everything in detail.  He kept me in the loop with all the details and sent timely e-mails and texts.  On my next visit I met with Jason Kara.  The next step was to sign the paper work and to double check if I omitted anything.  Jason was very friendly also.  He made sure I did not leave with any unanswered questions.  This office is very professional, friendly and compassionate.
Thank you again for everything Alex and Jason!” – Ed

My husband and I met and worked with two very knowledgeable and professional young men at this office this week, both by the name of Jason.  They were both very courteous and patient as they listened and answered our many questions.  We truly appreciate the care and attention we received.” – Maria

Jason and christine were totally helpful! They made me feel so much better about my debt problems! These lawyers are fantastic at what they do! Awesome team here thank you two for making me haave a better future all thunbs up!!” – Devon

Geraci Law Berwyn Clients

My husband and I appreciate the hospitality we were shown at the office. We also are very pleased with how Frank handled our case and explained everything to us. He has very good customer service which we really appreciate.” – Shun

My attorney at Geraci Law Andrew has been a life saver and explained my options and made me feel a whole lot better. Before I came in, I felt like I was in a void. But after speaking to Andrew I felt much better. I no longer feel like a bad person. My friends recommended me to Geraci Law and I would recommend Geraci Law to anyone too.” – Coco

“My first time filling for bankruptcy and was scared and worried and didn’t know where to start I called the office to make an appointment and they were nice on the phone and helped me on making a appointment when I can to the office I was assisted by Frank and he was so helpful and so informative and helped me feel better and understand the different type of bankruptcy and options I have and now I am in the process of filing feeling confident and helping me with a new start I highly recommended this office and the great assistant from Frank thanks again to Frank I can have a new start.” – Rose

I spoke with Rick and he laid everything out for me in the simplest terms possible. He even stayed well after their closing time to make sure that I understood all of my options. I highly recommend that anyone considering bankruptcy ask for Ricardo Gomez.” – Antoine