Tag: Geraci Law

Huffington Post Writer Explains Chapter 13

Recent post in the Huffington Post discusses writer’s bankruptcy experience at age 26. Geraci Law is here to help you at age 26 to 76!

Huffington Post Writer Explains Chapter 13

In a recent post in the Huffington Post, John-Michael Jalonen writes about his experience filing for bankruptcy at 26 years old. He like many recent college grads, found himself with more debt than his income and student loan obligations could afford.

Filing for bankruptcy changes many people’s lives for the better. It gives the opportunity to reestablish yourself financially. Geraci Law’s motto is “Changing Your Life For the Better.” We stand by that.

Read Jalonen’s article here.  An excerpt from the piece,

“Admitting you’re in debt, much less deep debt, is incredibly embarrassing and makes you feel like a failure. However, it’s something that so many people are faced with, and going through the bankruptcy process can actually be a blessing.”

If you have questions about debt, finances or just want to talk about budgeting – give us a call. Experience counselors are waiting to help you!

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 Virtual Consultations

Geraci Law is offering VIRTUAL appointments with our experienced staff. Same great service from the comfort of your home.

Geraci Law Virtual Consultations

Geraci Law is keeping its clients and staff safe from COVID-19.

During this time, we will remain open for phone and virtual consultations with a Geraci Law attorney. Call us at 800.401.4010, you can also schedule an appointment online.

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Geraci Law is happy to continue offering free lawyer consultations during these difficult times. You get the same GREAT service from the comfort of your home.

You may set your free consultation through your local office, however, all meetings will be over the phone or virtually on a web conference.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day From Geraci Law!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Geraci Law! Do you need a change in luck? Give us a call – we’ll review your situation to see if we can save you some GREEN.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day From Geraci Law!

The luck of the Irish is not a given. BAD LUCK is one of the big motivators for debt and bankruptcy. No one wakes up in the morning and says, “I want to file for bankruptcy today.” Often times it’s months (or longer) of missed payments and occasionally just bad luck.

The good news is filing a bankruptcy could change a string of bad luck. Chapter 7 bankruptcy can eliminate debt and give you a fresh start. You can work to rebuild a credit history, payment history, and maybe with some good luck find the pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow.

Chapter 13 bankruptcies with Geraci Law will consolidate your debt to RESTRUCTURE your finances. You make affordable payments to pay down the balances. At the end of your Chapter 13 repayment plan, you get some good luck when remaining balances/interest are discharged.

Change your financial path by calling Geraci Law. We’re here for you to help if you’ve been unlucky. We’ll try to help you save some green and figure out a solution to your problem.

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

Need a Car? File for Bankruptcy.

Need a car? Consider filing a bankruptcy FIRST with Geraci Law.

Need a Car? File for Bankruptcy.

Do you have bad credit and want a car loan? Good luck. Consider filing bankruptcy with Geraci Law BEFORE applying for a new car loan to deal with your other debt first – maybe including car repossession balances.

Some banks and dealerships prey on people with bad credit. You are pressured to buy something you cannot afford with a promise to “refinance later” or a trade in. If you return the car to the financer, you may find yourself with a lawsuit for the deficiency. If you STILL have the car, you might be paying for something that needs thousands in repair or that you are overpaying for.

So what to do? Bankruptcy with Geraci Law might be your best option. Think about your car loan. Think about your answers to the following questions.

–              Do I have a warranty on the car?

–              Is my interest rate over 20%?

–              Does the car pass emissions?

–              How much maintenance or work needs to be put into the car?

–              Is the car older than my kids?

–              Is my car loan more than 5 years?

You are probably OVERSPENDING on your car or your vehicle is NOT worth keeping when there are alternatives.

Car dealerships will promise you the world. They want to you to buy a car TODAY with the promise of refinancing after timely payments for a few months. Good luck.

That “refinance” the dealership is talking about—is likely NEVER to happen. Cars depreciate the moment you drive them off the lot. Most people do not build equity with timely payments– if your payment is high it’s most likely because your interest rate is high. Most timely payments are simply going to the interest on the loan NOT the principal.

If you turn the car in because you cannot afford it – you may owe a deficiency balance. The financer will sell the car and attempt to collect on the difference. You could be sued, garnished, have assets frozen – STOP these actions with a bankruptcy! Filing a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 with Geraci Law can stop or prevent collections from your creditors.

After eliminating or consolidating your debt, you can apply for a car loan. You will be in a BETTER position to do so because you have NO other debt.

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 Open in Downtown Milwaukee!

Geraci Law is now open in DOWNTOWN Milwaukee – come meet us!

Geraci Law is now open in downtown Milwaukee. We’re in the heart of downtown in the Regis Building. The address is 250 E Wisconsin at the corner of Wisconsin & Broadway.

We’re happy to meet with you on your lunch hour or maybe before or after work. You can call to schedule an appointment at 800.401.4010. Or you can also schedule a meeting online @ https://www.infotapes.com/Bankruptcy/OfficeLocator 

Come Meet Our Experienced Bankruptcy Attorneys!

RLCAttorney Robert Crowley 
Attorney Crowley graduated from Greensboro College in Greensboro, North Carolina in 2004 with a B.A. in History/Political Science.
He graduated from the Marquette University Law School in 2013. Attorney Crowley is admitted to practice in Wisconsin (2013) and in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin.
CHKAttorney Ashley Chike 
Attorney Ashley Chike is a senior court and supervising attorney at Geraci Law.
She earned her JD/MBA from Loyola University Chicago and was inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society by graduating in the top 10% of her class.
She has personally filed over 800 bankruptcy cases and appeared in court for clients over 7,000 times.
JJBAttorney Joseph Blaha 
Attorney Blaha attended college at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
He then attended University of St. Thomas School of Law, where he graduated in 2009. Attorney Blaha started at Geraci Law LLC that year.
Attorney Blaha interned for Minneapolis City Attorneys Office Criminal Division during law school, and keeps active with local non-profit organizations.

Chicago’s Fresh Start Program

City of Chicago’s Fresh Start Program for parking tickets and driver license suspensions. Let Geraci Law help you apply and get a fresh start from your other credit debt!

Chicago’s Fresh Start Program

Geraci Law uses the phrase FRESH START for people who file for bankruptcy.  Geraci Law offers you the ability to start again with both a Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. You are debt-free with the opportunity to reestablish your credit.

The City of Chicago borrowed the phrase Fresh Start for a new parking ticket program. In the city of Chicago, unpaid parking ticket balances can double and snowball to HUGE balances. A driver’s license can be suspended or a car can be booted if unpaid tickets are ignored. Previously, the ONLY bankruptcy option was filing a Chapter 13 repayment plan for the debt.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy plans consolidate the balance of parking tickets into an affordable repayment. With the Fresh Start program, parking ticket balances can be written off. So instead of a three to five year repayment, you can file a Chapter 7 to eliminate OTHER debt like credit cards and medical. When your case is discharged, you apply for the Fresh Start Program.

Geraci Law will handle ALL of this for you. When accepted into the program, the City of Chicago will respond with a proposed plan.

–       ANY tickets over 3 years old will be written off by the City of Chicago. So you will NOT owe them.

–       ANY tickets incurred within the last 3 years, will be put into a payment plan without the need of a large down payment.

If you have parking tickets, Geraci Law CAN help! Calling our experienced staff can determine if a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 is a viable option to STOP a driver’s license suspension.

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 at Kohler Conference

Geraci Law Wisconsin attorneys attend the Kohler Conference.

Geraci Law Attorneys attended the Kohler Conference in Wisconsin. Attorney Felicia Petroff was asked to be on a panel for the conference for her bankruptcy knowledge.

Attorney Felicia Petroff as a member on the panel.

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Attorney Andrew Golanowski & Attorney Joseph Blaha.

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Attorney Robert Crawley & Attorney Kathryn Mackenzie

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Attorney Lisa Ellmaurer & Attorney Brent Berning

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Attorneys Brent Berning, Kathryn Mackenzie, Abraham Pinon, Robert Crawley, Lisa Ellmaurer & Andrew Golanowski

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Attorney Robert Brynjelsen

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Attorney Brent Berning

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Geraci Law Wisconsin Attorneys

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Attorneys celebrating at the Kohler conference.

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When Should I File For Bankruptcy?

Use Peter Francis Geraci checklist to determine if NOW is the best time to file!

When Should I File for Bankruptcy?

Below is a checklist from Attorney Peter Francis Geraci’s Bankruptcy Book. Use the checklist to review if now is the best time to file for bankruptcy.

Read more of The Complete Book on Bankruptcy by Attorney Peter Francis Geraci at www.bankruptcybookbypeterfrancisgeraci.com

  • Three or more apply to YOU, you should call us NOW.
  • Five or more apply to YOU, then you should have called us months ago.

_____My debt is over $10,000 not including a car or house.

_____My payments are over 25% of my take home pay.

_____I am frequently late on my payments.

_____I pay 20% interest on my debt.

_____I buy necessary items like food or clothing on credit.

_____I frequently get cash advances.

_____I am thinking about getting a loan to pay other loans.

_____ I have a lawsuit and over $10,000 in other debt I can eliminate.

_____Collection agencies are calling me.

_____I am “robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

_____My balances are not going down even though I make payments.

_____I have been turned down for more credit.

_____Payments are more than 1 month behind on more than one bill.

_____My driver’s license is suspended because of an accident.

_____I am working but paying other debts so I can’t afford car insurance.

_____My mortgage or rent is always late, or is behind.

_____We are getting divorced and have too many bills to pay.

_____I have medical bills over $20,000 that are not insured.

_____There is a garnishment or wage assignment on my check.

_____I owe income taxes I can’t pay now.

_____My car is worth much less than I owe.

_____I have no savings.

Either way, Geraci Law offers a free consultation if bankruptcy solves your problem. Don’t wait until creditors file a lawsuit, don’t wait until your savings are spent and do not wait until a car is repossessed. BREAK THE CYCLE!

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

What Happens to My Credit?

Geraci Law answers 5 common questions about credit after filing for bankruptcy. What is “good” credit?

What Happens to My Credit?

Geraci Law answers 5 common questions about credit after filing for bankruptcy. What is “good” credit?

When can I apply for credit?

You can apply for credit after your case is discharged and closed.  But should you apply for credit? You do not want to find yourself in the same position you just discharged in bankruptcy. You are a credit risk immediately after filing for bankruptcy. Creditors KNOW you filed for bankruptcy and after bankruptcy you have limited bankruptcy relief options. These creditors prey on you because you are a credit risk so you WILL get loan offers.

Any credit preapproval you receive will usually come with high interest rates. It may be better to NOT use credit. SAVE money, make house/car payments ON TIME, stay away from the high-interest credit debt and personal loans.

When can I buy a house?

You can apply for a home loan after your case is discharged and closed. Some people are approved while they are IN a bankruptcy. FHA loans might be an option. For a conventional loan, usually its two years after a bankruptcy discharge. Geraci Law is here to help with the process. If you need your bankruptcy paperwork – YEARS down the road, you can log into your Geraci Law Client Corner account to print. You can also search Geraci Law in your app store on your phone to download our Geraci Law app.

What happens to my credit score after filing Chapter 7? Chapter 13?

In your post-bankruptcy life, you should focus on rebuilding financially. Start with a savings account and build an emergency fund. If you have a car payment or mortgage payment, continue to make those payments ON TIME to work to reestablish a payment history.

You will get credit offers in the mail – do your research! Look at the interest rates – if you are going to use the credit, then make sure you pay off what you borrow every month. Do not accept the first offer that comes your way. Review the small print, stay away from the predatory lenders.

When can I buy a car?

After the bankruptcy is discharged and closed you can buy a car. If you are in a Chapter 13 right now, you need court approval if you are looking to FINANCE a vehicle. Craig’s List is a great option to buy a car for cash. You’ll get advertisements from car lots in the mail after bankruptcy – make sure to review the terms. Avoid the high interest, older vehicles without a warranty.

How do I rebuild credit?

  • Pay all of your bills on time! Timely payments prevent late charges and helps you reestablish a payment history.
  • Make sure all of your creditors are reporting to the three major credit agencies (Experian, Transunion, Equifax).
  • Dispute incorrect items on your credit report. Don’t ignore your credit report! All agencies have options to dispute right on their web site, make sure to follow up.
  • Make a large down payment – making a large down payment on any kind of credit make lenders more likely to grant a loan. Your goal should be to put down 20% of the total cost.
  • A small secured credit card is a really great way to build credit with very little risk.

 

  • 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

Debt Settlement & Consolidation – What You May NOT Know 

Debt Settlement & Consolidation – What You May NOT Know 

You see the commercials. You get the ads in the mail. Debt Settlement or Consolidation. When something seems too good to be true, it often is. Many of these “programs” turn out to be scams or schemes.

Sometimes, there ARE cases where debt settlement makes sense. Geraci Law can help! You can meet with an attorney for FREE to determine your BEST plan of action.

What they don’t tell you about debt consolidation:

  • Anything settled CAN BE taxable income. If you settle a $10,000 bill for $1,000 – the difference or $9,000 can be considered taxable income. So at the end of the year, you may receive a 1099-C form from the creditor. Debt discharged in a bankruptcy is NOT taxable income.

 

  • Some creditors do NOT settle. Debt settlement or consolidation is NOT a guarantee. There is no law that forces creditors to accept a smaller payment. If you file for bankruptcy, you are using federal law to get financial help. There are laws in place to protect YOU. Geraci Law is here to help you get control over your finances.

 

  • Your credit still takes a hit. Some agencies will tell you to stop paying the debt and let it go into collections. Then they will work with the collection agencies for a settlement. This takes TIME. You will get collection calls and maybe even SUED by the time the agency attempts to settle. With Geraci Law, you can file in as little as ONE day to stop all collections. This means no phone calls, no lawsuits and no more debt.

 

  • No time frame. There’s no time frame for debt settlement or consolidation. At best, they can give you an estimate but it could go longer. A Chapter 13 debt repayment is structured into a three or five year repayment plan. You have a structured plan in place rather than an indefinite amount of time. Geraci Law will help you determine the fastest way to get control over your financial situation.

 

  • Creditors CAN still sue you. That’s right, there is no legal protection with debt settlement or consolidation programs. If a creditor refuses the settlement offer, they could file a lawsuit in attempt to get a judgment or garnish your wages. Bankruptcy STOPS the collections. Creditors violate Federal statutes if they file lawsuits against you or even continue to call you while under Federal Bankruptcy protection. You hire Geraci Law and we help you from the initial phone call until the end of your case.

 

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