When should you file bankruptcy if you lose your job?

That depends on where you lost it! Google Bobcat Goldthwaite “I lost my job. No, I didn’t really lose my job. I know it is still there.. It’s just, when I go there, there’s this new guy doing it!”

Below is one article written by Attorney Peter Francis Geraci. Read more at https://www.infotapes.com/Articles. You can find more information about bankruptcy, debt settlement, links to job fairs. Just need to talk? We’re here – call us at 800 CALL PFG.

Should you file bankruptcy if you lose your job?

That depends on where you lost it! Google Bobcat Goldthwaite “I lost my job. No, I didn’t really lose my job. I know it is still there.. It’s just, when I go there, there’s this new guy doing it!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rITk6utJvRY

There are over 50 ways to lose your job. Here’s the most popular, and if you should consider filing bankruptcy:

· I got fired yesterday

NO. Don’t call us if you got fired yesterday. Chill.

· I am on unemployment

Maybe.

· I got hurt on the job

Maybe. You need expert advice if hurt on job!

· Accident not at work

Maybe. Depends on a lot of factors

· Short term disability

Probably best to wait.

· Long term disability

Maybe, if permanent and income loss permanent.

· I will be getting back to work

Maybe. Is pay going to be higher, lower or same?

So, it really depends on why you are not working, will it be temporary or permanent, and also on exactly what kind of debt problem you have. For example:

Hurt on job? We file a lot of Chapter 7 cases to eliminate debt when there is a workers compensation claim. We can represent you in the Workers Comp claim, and also in either a Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy, and make sure you keep 100% of your workers comp settlement, while you eliminate or manage your other bills.

Just got fired? We recommend that you WAIT until you get back to work. Apply for unemployment, and get back to work. Don’t panic. Pay your regular living expenses, don’t pay any creditors until you get back to work. They can’t garnish your paycheck, can they? When you get back to work, we can see if Chapter 7 or 13 will manage your debt.

While you are unemployed, you can file a Chapter 7 case, but you are prohibited from filing under Chapter 13 unless you have a regular source of income.

It may be to your benefit, especially if you usually earn $45,000 yearly, or more, to file a Chapter 7 before you get back to work. This is because there is an income test in Chapter 7 cases, meaning you can have too much income to do a Chapter 7. This usually comes into play over $45,000, in urban areas like Chicago. If you are not a higher income person, this timing is not so important.

But, you may not want to not file a Chapter 7 case unless you are already back to work, for several reasons. First, your bad luck may not be at an end. If you are out of work, you probably don’t have medical insurance. If you become ill after you have filed a bankruptcy, and run up a bunch of medical bills, you will have to pay them, because you will have used up your chance to do a bankruptcy already. Secondly, if you are not working, your money is short, and if you fall behind in your rent or utilities, or your car insurance lapses because you didn’t pay it and you wreck your car, you will have already used up your 6 year chance to file a bankruptcy and start fresh. Thirdly, when you aren’t working, no one can garnish your wages, and you probably don’t have any savings that they can attach, so what is the point of doing a bankruptcy until you are back to work?

The reason for doing a bankruptcy is to get a start fresh. You cannot start fresh if you are still out of a job. Once you return to work, a bankruptcy can be filed in as little as one day, to protect you from creditors, so wait until you are back to work to worry about getting rid of your bills. You may run up some more before that happens/ Or there may be a reason to file now!

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 since November 2016!

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

Rockford Residents – We’re Here for You!

Geraci Law Rockford office is open and ready to help any Chrysler workers!

Rockford Residents – We’re Here for You!

Back in 2013, Chrysler shut down the legal department. Before, Chrysler employees had free legal representation including bankruptcy filings. Now, Chrysler employees in need of financial help are left to find their own counsel.

Geraci Law is here for you in our Rockford, Illinois office. No one understands how hard it’s been for employees from Chrysler in Belvidere. Since 2018, you’ve dealt with multiple shutdowns, overtime cuts and furloughs ranging from one week to entire month. Geraci Law staff gets it. We know you are trying, we know it’s tough.

Meet our Geraci Law staff in Rockford. We’ve helped tons of coworkers, friends and family. Geraci Law is local and we’re here for you. Call us at 800 CALL PFG.

Attorney Jason Nielson
Attorney Jason Nielson is a senior attorney at Geraci Law. He is licensed to practice in Illinois and Texas. Attorney Nielson started with Geraci Law in 2007. He is an expert in the Northern and Western districts of Illinois.

Clients say, “Pleased that everything went through in a timely manner! We were helped every step of the way, from filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. We were guided through each step, very helpful! Our minds were set at ease. Give a call to: Jason Nielson if you have questions about any Bankruptcy and Dept Legal Service you need. As with us, we are sure he will answer then guide you as to the best route for you! Thank you Jason.”

Attorney Phil Hart
Attorney Hart used to work for Chrysler legal department, he now handles court work for Geraci Law. He’s an expert in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy petitions.

Attorney Joseph D’Onofrio
Attorney Joseph D’Onofrio graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Northern Illinois University. He went on for his Juris Doctorate at Valparaiso University Law School.

Clients say, “Filing bankruptcy is NOT something that I never thought that I should do HOWEVER circumstances changed and I thought it was the worst thing I could do to change my situation. However after going in to Geraci and talking to Mark I was put at ease and decided that it was the best thing I could do. Joe D’Onofrio continued to make this process quick and easy to understand and was of immense help to me. These folks are calming and so easy to talk to and I can’t thank them enough! They are awesome and continued communication has been awesome as well!”

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

Extra $600 Unemployment Ends on 7/31 – What Do I Do About My Debt?

The extra $600 in unemployment benefits ends on 7/31 – it may be time to rework the monthly budget.

Extra $600 Unemployment Ends on 7/31 – What Do I Do About My Debt?

The CARES Act provided an additional $600 per week in unemployment benefits. It is a federally funded program that is slated to end on 7/31. It’s only two weeks more of the extra income unless something changes. If you are unemployed, you should immediately review your budget. Take a look you’re your budget dependent on the $600 per week extra income? It is time to come up with an alternative solution…fast.

Make a list of your budget priorities. Expenses like your housing, food, utilities. Then take a closer look at where your money is going. Is your income going straight to student loan minimum payments? You could find savings here by consulting with your provider for a forbearance or deferment plan. Federal loans are automatically deferred until September 30^th (read more at https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/lower-payments/get-temporary-relief/forbearance).

Look at other expenses – a good way to find what you are spending money on is looking at your bank statement. Take a look at the last 30 days. If your budget is reliant on using the credit cards to pay for these priorities because you are ALSO paying the minimums then you are in a budget cycle (see Break the CYCLE of DEBT!).

You could be in a circle where you are making the minimum payments but using the credit again because your cash is gone. If you have LESS income coming in after the $600 additional unemployment benefit ends, then making those minimum payments becomes nearly impossible. Add the interest rates, late fees attached to credit and you have a debt snowballing.

It may be time to consider a bankruptcy. Break the cycle of credit debt. Call Geraci Law and let’s go over options. If you want to consult by phone, we’re ready. Call 800 CALL PFG and ask to speak with an attorney. Start planning for your financial future so when you are back to work or when you have another source of revenue you are not relying on the credit debt to meet the basic essentials.

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

Unemployed with Debt – What to Do?

If you are unemployed with debt – you should consult an attorney with Geraci Law.

Unemployed with Debt – What to Do?

We are all struggling to figure out existence in this new world. Trying to balance budgets, E-Learning and making sure we have enough hand sanitizer. With the LOSS of income, everything becomes MORE strained. Not to mention worrying about making the next minimum credit card payment.

Over 33 million Americans are out of work since the start of the pandemic. That number most likely will not decrease but rather increase. When you have debt and you are unemployed – what do you do?

The answer may or may not be bankruptcy. If you have debt – the BEST decision you can make is to call Geraci Law to consult about your financial situation. Our experienced attorneys and staff can help you figure out what to do about the bills. Geraci Law not only has FREE phone consultations, we also have FREE video meetings with our attorneys.

Consider your options. Consider your expenses. Job loss is scary. Filing for bankruptcy with Geraci Law is NOT scary. If we have a solution to your problem, we’ll let you know. If we cannot help you we’ll let you know that too. Talking is important – give us a call at 800 CALL PFG.

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

Help with Application for Unemployment

Geraci Law wants to provide resources during COVID-19 uncertainty. There’s an APP that helps streamline the unemployment process.

Long hold times are wreaking havoc for people waiting to apply for unemployment benefits. You could wait HOURS before you are able to begin the application process. Geraci Law wants to provide everyone resources to provide clarity during these uncertain times.

An app called “Do Not Pay” is available on IPhones and Androids as a free download. “Do Not Pay” is an app that can help expedite applying for unemployment. This service is free to use.

To apply for unemployment, you will need:

Your Social Security number
Copy of your Driver’s License or State ID
Paycheck stub or W2 from your LAST employer
Last employer’s supervisor name
Reason for reduced hours or unemployment claim
Bank account and routing number
The name, how long and the hourly wage from ALL employers in the last 18 months.

The Today Show featured “Do Not Pay” as part of its segments. You can watch the segment by clicking the link here.

You can check out more useful COVID resources from Geraci Law by clicking the link below:

https://www.infotapes.com/Links#Covid1

Read ALL ABOUT DEBT RELIEF at www.bankruptcybookbypeterfrancisgeraci.com

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Rockford Residents – We’re Here for You!

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Extra $600 Unemployment Ends on 7/31 – What Do I Do About My Debt?

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Unemployed with Debt – What to Do?

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