Tax Foreclosures and Recouping Your Overage Funds: A Practical Guide

Tax Foreclosures and Recouping Your Overage Funds: A Practical Guide

Foreclosures are rarely if ever a pleasant thing for homeowners.

However, they may be able to recoup the equity in the property after the foreclosure if there were surplus funds after the sale of the house.

How to Claim Surplus Funds

The primary purpose of a tax foreclosure sale is to recover any property taxes that are unpaid. Any money that is left that is above and beyond that owed amount, is considered the overage or surplus.

To claim these tax foreclosure surplus funds, a borrower will have to file a motion with the court in order to be entitled to the surplus. It’s important that you understand what the official process is in your jurisdiction, so it’s always advisable to consult with an experienced attorney.

The lawyers at Babi Legal Group, for example, have many years of experience defending the rights of homeowners who are facing foreclosure, including helping them claim surplus funds.

An important step is to track the foreclosure process so you can learn about the potential for surplus funds, including noting when the foreclosure sale will take place and the contact information of the foreclosing party.

In Michigan you are required to petition the court to seek your surplus prior to your home ever being auctioned whether or not you have a surplus.  However, this law is currently being challenged and may be changed to make it more equitable towards the homeowner that was foreclosed upon.

Laws Governing Foreclosure Surplus Funds

Each state has its own laws that govern foreclosure surplus funds, and these are usually outlined specifically in state statutes. Not only will these laws determine how surplus funds are handled in tax foreclosures, they’ll also explain who’s entitled to receive them.

If your state allows for original borrowers to claim surplus funds, its laws should outline the process for claiming them, as well as the timeline for when you should expect to receive them.

Make sure that you’re aware of your state’s applicable laws so you can understand your obligations and rights. This is also why it’s important you work with a lawyer who’s experienced in real estate law in your state.

Calculating Surplus Funds

How can you calculate surplus funds in a tax foreclosure sale? It’s actually quite simple.

First, add up how much was owed in taxes, and any other fees.

Then, subtract that amount from how much the property sold for at auction.

For instance, if the total amount owed was $650,000 and the home sold for $700,000, the surplus funds in this case would be $50,000.

Again, make sure that you are factoring in any and all costs associated with the foreclosure process and the sale of the home into the calculation, as those will need to be taken out.

Who is Entitled to Surplus Funds

The primary rights to surplus funds lie with the former homeowner. That being said, if there were other liens on the property — such as judgments or a second mortgage — then those creditors might also have a claim to the surplus.

These junior lienholders, as they’re referred to, are typically paid in their order of seniority before the prior homeowner can receive any proceeds from surplus funds if they petition the court to obtain the surplus.

The Tax Sale Process

Property Tax sales are completed to recover any unpaid property taxes, with overages being any amount that results from the sale above what’s owed, including penalties, costs and other liens.  In Michigan, they are held once per year and only allow a 30 day redemption period to payback the property tax balance, otherwise the homeowner will lose their interest in the property.

Avoiding Unclaimed Surplus Funds

In most states, it’s incumbent on you to claim the surplus funds. If you don’t do so within the requisite time period, those funds could be distributed to the unclaimed property division in your state and in some cases, the state simply keeps your money.

All unclaimed assets in the state of Michigan, for instance, are held by the Michigan Department of Treasury if the prior homeowner doesn’t claim them on a traditional foreclosure, but in the event of a tax foreclosure, at this time, the County keeps your money.

To claim them if this happens, you’ll need to initiate a claim on the department’s website and fill out required forms along with proof of identification. 

Protecting Yourself from Surplus Funds Scams

Foreclosure records are public, which means that anyone can review these records and see whether a foreclosure sale resulted in surplus funds. This environment unfortunately creates a fertile ground for scammers who are looking to take advantage of vulnerable homeowners.

You should immediately contact an attorney after the tax foreclosure sale to assist you within the allotted time frame to reclaim your surplus funds, usually for a flat or contingent fee, as it could be a complicated process, while if you delay you may forfeit your right to any surplus.

Timeline for Receiving Surplus Funds

To claim a tax foreclosure sale surplus in Michigan, the process involves several steps as outlined in the Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL).

First, a claimant must submit a notice of intention to claim an interest in any applicable remaining proceeds from the transfer or sale of foreclosed property. This notice must be submitted using a form prescribed by the Department of Treasury and must be filed by July 1 immediately following the effective date of the foreclosure of the property Breiner v. State, 344 Mich. App. 387.

If the property was sold after July 17, 2020, the notice must be submitted pursuant to subsection (2) of § 211.78t. Notice of intention to claim interest in proceeds from sale of foreclosed property.. For properties sold before July 18, 2020, a claim may be made only if the Michigan Supreme Court orders that its decision in Rafaeli, LLC v. Oakland Cty., 505 Mich. 429 applies retroactively, and the notice must be submitted pursuant to subsection (6) Breiner v. State, 344 Mich. App. 387.

Once the notice is submitted, the foreclosing governmental unit is required to pay the amounts ordered by the court to the claimants within 21 days of the order. The claimant must file a motion with the circuit court in the same proceeding in which the judgment of foreclosure was effective to claim any remaining proceeds payable to them § 211.78t. Notice of intention to claim interest in proceeds from sale of foreclosed property.

Common Mistakes When Claiming Surplus Funds

It’s important to avoid common mistakes that often occur when claiming surplus funds. First, make sure to act quickly, not underestimate how complex the process can be and/or attempt to claim funds without seeking an attorney’s help.

If you make any of these common mistakes, you could miss the deadline to claim funds and not be prepared for the process. This is why it’s important to have an experienced and knowledgeable attorney on your side to help you navigate the process.

Additional Resources

If you are a resident of Michigan and need help retrieving surplus funds, reach out to the state Department of Treasury. They can help guide you through the process of searching for and claiming unclaimed surplus funds.

Before it gets to this point, though, consult with a foreclosure attorney to advise you on or tax collector for how you can claim the funds.

Babi Legal Group Can Help You Claim Surplus Funds

If your home was sold at a tax foreclosure auction, you might be able to claim any surplus funds. Figuring out whether there were surplus funds, whether you’re entitled to them and how to go about getting them, though, can be a complicated and complex process.

At Babi Legal Group, we specialize in real estate and foreclosure law, and have helped many people like you claim the surplus funds they’re entitled to, but do not wait as the window to claim your surplus is very short.

For more information, contact us today.

Exploring Bankruptcy and Security Clearance in Law Enforcement and Government Jobs

Exploring Bankruptcy and Security Clearance in Law Enforcement and Government Jobs

Bankruptcy can often be a financial lifeline for people who find themselves in a mound of debt they can’t get out from under. In many ways, it can be sought as a restart of sorts from a financial perspective, allowing certain debts to be discharged.

Of course, there are ramifications of bankruptcy, including a hit on your credit score, which can affect your ability to get new loans for a certain period of time. That being said, the positives often outweigh the negatives for people who are considering bankruptcy.

One often overlooked aspect of bankruptcy is the fact that it can also affect future job prospects. It’s not always negative, though, as declaring bankruptcy can actually be seen as beneficial to people who need security clearance to work their public-sector jobs or even private-sector jobs.

Below, we’ll dive deeper into bankruptcy and security clearance in law enforcement and government jobs.

Understanding Bankruptcy and Its Implications

There are some implications to bankruptcy that you should be aware of before you file. 

Impact on Credit History

Perhaps the biggest bankruptcy implication is the impact it will have on your credit score and history. From strictly a credit score perspective, bankruptcy is perhaps the most damaging thing that can happen.

In some cases, it may reduce your credit score by 200 points or more. But, it’s not just about the reduced credit score. A bankruptcy will also act as a “stain” on your credit report for many years — 10 years for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and seven years for Chapter 13.

This could affect your ability to get new loans and credit cards for that period.

At the same time, declaring bankruptcy could actually be much better for your credit score and history long term compared to constantly missing payments and getting behind on your debt.

Legal Protections

There are some legal protections that people who file bankruptcy enjoy, especially from an employment perspective.

No public institution — whether it be a local, state or federal government agency — can use a person’s bankruptcy as part of the decision-making process for hiring or firing employees. 

Similar protections are in place in the private sector in terms of firing decisions. However, private companies are allowed to take bankruptcies into consideration when making hiring decisions.

Security Clearance Requirements in Law Enforcement and Government Jobs

Some law enforcement and government jobs require people to obtain a security clearance. Obtaining this clearance essentially certifies that someone is reliable enough to be trusted with confidential information. 

There are various levels of security clearance, and steps that people need to go through in order to obtain them. While having a bankruptcy in your history doesn’t automatically bar you from getting a security clearance, it could affect it in some ways.

Levels of Security Clearance

There are three main types of security clearance — confidential, secret and top secret. Each refers to how severe the risk that the information poses to national security if it were to be compromised. 

The higher the security clearance, the more intense and rigorous the process is for obtaining it.

Background Investigations

Every person who wishes to obtain security clearance must undergo a comprehensive background check. This will involve scrutinizing credit reports, criminal records and personal conduct, which is done through interviews. 

How in-depth the background check will be depends on the type of security clearance a person is seeking. Generally speaking, they will all cover criminal history, work history, overall behavior and financial status.

The goal of background checks is to identify any potential warning signs that might suggest a person is either unreliable or vulnerable to being influenced by outsiders. If any questions are identified, a person might be designated as not dependable enough to handle certain sensitive information. 

Financial Responsibility

The reason why financial responsibility serves as an essential aspect of security clearance is that money troubles could make a person susceptible to bribes — especially for those who deal with sensitive national security information. For instance, if an outsider identifies that a person with security clearance is in financial trouble, they could exploit that to gain access to government secrets.

On a simpler basis, though, financial struggles could also suggest poor decision-making, especially if there’s a long history of unresolved debts, charge-offs and late payments. 

All of this could speak to an individual’s reliability and character.

The Effect of Bankruptcy on Security Clearance

While you might think that a bankruptcy would instantly be a bad thing for security clearance, that’s not necessarily the case. While bankruptcies certainly aren’t something to be desired on a background check, they are viewed as better than other financial troubles.

That’s because bankruptcies could help solve a person’s financial troubles, thereby removing a major concern when issuing security clearance. The ideal scenario is a clean financial picture, but bankruptcies are often preferred to mounting debt and being way behind on payments.

Navigating Bankruptcy Court

If you’ve decided that bankruptcy is the best route for you, it’s important that you understand exactly how it works from a legal perspective. The better prepared you are, the more successful your filing will be — and the more you will be able to take advantage of protections offered under U.S. Bankruptcy Law.

Hiring an Attorney

It’s always important to consult with a local attorney who’s experienced with bankruptcy cases in your state. That’s because each state might have different laws when it comes to bankruptcy and different protections that are available.

Doing this on your own is possible, but it’s certainly difficult, to say the least. The professionals at Babi Legal Group can help guide you through your bankruptcy case so you know what’s best for you. 

Preparing for Court

Your attorney will help guide you through everything that you need to prepare for court. This includes getting all pertinent financial paperwork together, including tax returns, deeds and personal identification.

The court will want to see a complete and precise representation of your finances, as that will play a critical role in whether your bankruptcy petition is approved. The more prepared you can be, the more likely it is that your case will be approved.

Post-Bankruptcy Steps

Once your bankruptcy is approved, there are certain things that you’ll have to do, depending on what type of bankruptcy you filed. If you still owe some debt as part of a Chapter 13 repayment plan, you’ll need to make sure you make those payments.

In all cases, it’s important to come up with a good budget and a concrete plan for not falling into the same debt hole as you did before. This will be especially important as you look to obtain and/or keep the necessary security clearances for your job.

Improving Credit History

While a bankruptcy will be damaging to your credit score, there are steps you can take to improve it over time. You may not be able to qualify for unsecured credit cards right after bankruptcy, for instance, but secured credit cards that are backed by a deposit of cash can help you build your credit score and financial reputation over time.

Slowly but surely, you can build back your credit score to a reasonable range by making smart financial decisions, such as setting and sticking to a budget and not spending above your means.

Communicating with Employers

While there’s nothing that requires you to tell your employer that you have filed bankruptcy — and little that will automatically notify your employer — doing so is a good idea, as it can foster trust. Having an open line of communication with your employer is always important, but especially so if you have a security clearance or need to obtain one.

It’s always better to be upfront about your situation than to have your employer discover your bankruptcy down the line. 

Consult with an Experienced Attorney if You’re Considering Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy can provide a financial lifeline to many people, but there are some implications of filing. It could hamper your ability to obtain a security clearance, or keep one that you currently have.

That’s why it’s always important to  consult with an experienced local bankruptcy attorney if you’re considering filing.

At Babi Legal Group, our experts have a combined 15 years of experience in bankruptcy, debt collection and debt settlement. For more information, please contact us today.

Can Bankruptcy Affect Your Job: Employer Restrictions in Michigan

Can Bankruptcy Affect Your Job: Employer Restrictions in Michigan

When people get themselves in challenging economic situations, filing bankruptcy might be the best option to provide debt relief and peace of mind. However, at the same time, doing so could impact your future job prospects in the state of Michigan.

Bankruptcy laws do have protections in place for debtors who have filed bankruptcy, shielding them from discrimination from their current employer. For instance, employers are barred from firing an employee based solely on a bankruptcy filing.

At the same time, it could affect your future job prospects, especially in the private sector. While all local, state and federal government agencies are prohibited from using bankruptcies as a hiring criteria, the same protections are not in place for private employers.

Some private employers conduct credit checks on prospective employees and may decide not to hire someone if they have a bankruptcy in their history. And individuals who refuse to permit a credit check may also be removed from consideration for certain jobs.

While most employers will only consider a credit check in relation to the job that you’re applying for, there aren’t specific protections in place in the private sector.

Employer Restrictions on Bankruptcy

People who have filed for bankruptcy do enjoy some federal protections against discrimination in the workplace. It’s laid out in the U.S. Bankruptcy Code that employers cannot discriminate against an employee who has filed bankruptcy.

This employment discrimination clause protects debtors from losing their job solely based on the fact that they filed bankruptcy. This applies to employers in both the public and private sector.

In other words, if you are already employed, you cannot be fired simply due to your bankruptcy filing. 

How Bankruptcy Can Affect Job Prospects

Where a bankruptcy may come into play is with future job prospects, especially if you’re applying to a company in the private sector. 

While there’s nothing that forces you to disclose to prospective employers that you filed for bankruptcy, there are some ways that they might discover it.

For instance, some employers perform credit checks, which could reveal that you filed for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy filings are matters of public record, so employers wouldn’t be doing anything illegal if they discovered you filed for bankruptcy.

Private companies are allowed to consider bankruptcy cases when they are making their hiring decisions, which provides you no protections from future job prospects in the sector. 

If you’re applying to a public-sector job, you will enjoy some protections. That’s because no government agency is allowed to consider previous bankruptcy filings in their hiring decisions.

Security Clearances and Bankruptcy

There are obviously many financial benefits of filing for bankruptcy if you find yourself in over your head with debt. From an employment perspective, it could provide significant benefits for you as well, depending on your job status.

For instance, bankruptcy can actually substantially lower your risk of losing a security clearance. Credit counselors who work for the CIA and the military have said that people who have a lot of debt can become easy targets of blackmail, which could compromise their position with access to sensitive government information.

As such, when you file for bankruptcy and rid yourself of mounds of debt, you could actually be improving your career position at the same time. Not only can bankruptcy help to improve your personal financial concerns, it can also alleviate potential concerns your employer might have if you have certain security clearances — or need them to perform your duties.

Discrimination Laws and Bankruptcy

There are many protections in place for people who file for bankruptcy. As it relates to discrimination at the workplace, federal law bans all private-sector employers and government agencies from discriminating against individuals solely based on the fact that they have filed for bankruptcy.

These protections are provided under Section 525 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

It states that all government agencies — whether on the local, state or federal level — from firing, refusing to hire or discriminating against individuals who file for bankruptcy.

It also prohibits all employers in the private sector from firing individuals because they have filed for bankruptcy. However, the employment protections for individuals in the private sector basically end there.

Keep in mind that your current employer may never find out about your bankruptcy filing, and you are not required to notify them.

If you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, employers are not required to be notified by the courts. Only direct stakeholders such as creditors and co-signors are automatically notified.

If you file Chapter 13 bankruptcy, though, your employer might eventually receive notice. This is because the bankruptcy court requires a wage garnishment as a method of repayment for your restructuring plan.  However, if you can foresee this being an issue that can negatively impact your employment, then there are options to avoid the wage garnishment to repay your Chapter 13 bankruptcy. 

It’s also important to note that the Bankruptcy Code does not prevent private-sector employers from taking your credit history into consideration for hiring decisions, and this includes previous bankruptcy filings. 

While employers need your permission to run a credit check, if you refuse to give that consent, you can also be denied employment based on that. That’s why it’s typically best to be upfront and honest about your situation.

What to Do if You Experience Discrimination

Despite the protections that are in place thanks to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, there are still instances in which some people experience employment discrimination.

If you believe that your current employer, or a prospective employer, discriminated against you because of your bankruptcy filing, you need to first make sure that they didn’t have another reason why they terminated you or didn’t hire you.

This can be extremely challenging for you to prove, unfortunately. Many employers don’t need a real reason for terminating an employee, and even if they do, they could build a case against you in other ways.

That’s why it’s important to consult with an employment law attorney if you believe you have been wrongfully discriminated against. They will be able to help determine whether there is sufficient evidence of wrongdoing, and what options you might be able to explore for filing a wrongful termination claim.

At Babi Legal Group, we have more than 15 years of experience in bankruptcy, debt collection and debt settlement law that we can put to work for you if you believe you’ve been discriminated against by a current or prospective employer.

To learn more, please contact us today.

Navigating Michigan’s Homestead Exemption and Out-of-State Property Bankruptcy Filings

Navigating Michigan’s Homestead Exemption and Out-of-State Property Bankruptcy Filings

Filing bankruptcy can be a scary proposition, especially if you own certain assets that you wish to protect. One of the main assets that comes into question in bankruptcy cases is a primary residence.

Luckily, there are federal bankruptcy exemptions that are in place that can help to shield your home from the bankruptcy process and from creditors. There are also state-specific bankruptcy exemptions that Michigan offers in lieu of the ones offered at the federal level.

As long as you have resided in Michigan for at least two years, you can choose between either the state or federal exemptions that are offered to you. This is good news, as Michigan’s homestead exemption is currently higher than the federal one — $46,125 compared to only $27,900 and even greater if you or your dependent are disabled or a senior citizen.

If you’re not a homeowner, it might behoove you to choose the federal exemptions, as they include greater protection for personal property and cash by providing a wild card exemption that can be used on anything you list as an asset in the bankruptcy.

Regardless of whether you are a homeowner or not, it’s important to understand what your rights are in bankruptcy cases. Consulting with an experienced bankruptcy attorney such as the ones at Babi Legal Group is always a good idea in this regard.

Michigan Bankruptcy Exemptions vs. Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions

No matter what your situation, it’s always good to know what your rights are and what exemptions are available to you. This is especially important in bankruptcy cases, since you can only use exemptions that either the federal government or your state government offers; you cannot use both.

As mentioned above, it may behoove you to choose the Michigan bankruptcy exemptions if you’re a homeowner, since the limit is higher than what the federal government provides. 

In addition, doing so will allow you to take advantage of the federal nonbankruptcy exemptions, if you’re able to qualify for them. Some examples include retirement benefits if you receive Social Security benefits, survivor’s benefits, and death and disability benefits.

If you want to make an informed choice, you need to understand the differences between what exemptions Michigan offers and what exemptions are offered through the federal government. Only then can you make the choice that’s best for you.

The Michigan Homestead Exemption

The Michigan Homestead Exemption allows people who have resided in Michigan for at least two years to protect the equity that they have built in their home, up to as much as $46,125. If you or a dependent is at least 65 years old or disabled, the exemption amount increases to $69,200.  These amounts may even be greater as Michigan is considering to possibly increase these amounts through new legislation in 2025.

What the state’s Homestead Exemption allows you to do is protect the ownership interest you have in your home. To determine the specifics of the program, you’ll need to fully read the homestead statute to see how you can take advantage.

To understand how valuable this can be for you, it’s important to know how much equity you have in your home. To calculate this, simply subtract how much you owe on your outstanding mortgage from the current fair market value of your home.

Claiming Exemptions in a Michigan Bankruptcy

During a bankruptcy proceeding, you’ll be required to file a list of all your assets as well as their values with the United States Bankruptcy Court. You’ll also need to provide proof of ownership of these items, which prevents people from claiming they own something that they actually don’t.

While this may seem like a simple process, it can actually be quite complicated. Even one minor mistake in filling out the paperwork can be catastrophic to your financial future.

In Michigan, you’ll have to file a form known as “Schedule C: The Property You Claim as Exempt” with the bankruptcy court. In addition, you’ll have to file a Statement of Intention form in chapter 7 cases, which will indicate whether you wish to keep the asset or surrender the property as part of your bankruptcy filing.

If you want to ensure that your assets are protected properly, and that the exemption process is handled correctly, it’s important to hire an experienced bankruptcy attorney who is well-versed in Michigan law.

Protecting Out-of-State Property

Many people own property in one state that they don’t call their primary residence. If you are a Michigan resident but own property outside of the state, you may actually be able to protect that property in bankruptcy using the exemptions that Michigan provides its residents.

This isn’t an across-the-board rule, though, as a lot will be determined by where that other property is located and what laws that state has in place. 

If you find yourself in this situation, you’ll want to consult with a qualified bankruptcy attorney so you can understand how the property you own out of state will be treated during a Michigan bankruptcy proceeding.

The Role of the Bankruptcy Trustee

Once you file for bankruptcy, the court will assign a bankruptcy trustee to your case. This person is responsible for viewing your petition to ensure that you’re complying with all applicable bankruptcy laws.

In addition, the trustee in a chapter 7 case also could be responsible for selling off your non-exempt assets as a way to pay your creditors. Again, this depends on the type of bankruptcy that you are filing as well as the assets you have and the debt that you owe.

Regardless of those details, the bankruptcy trustee’s role is to ensure that the process is fair and that you and your creditors are all treated equally.

Working with the Bankruptcy Trustee

As the bankruptcy trustee plays such an important role in your case, it’s essential to cooperate with them and provide whatever documentation is required. If you fail to cooperate with the trustee, it can result in your bankruptcy case being dismissed outright — which will leave you and your assets susceptible to your creditors.

While the bankruptcy trustee may seem like an intimidating person who is asking for intrusive information, there are some simple tips that will make working with the trustee a smooth process.

First, be very honest and transparent about your financial situation with your bankruptcy attorney upon your initial meeting. Remember that they are here to help you, since their work will ultimately ensure that you are able to get rid of certain debts while keeping certain assets.

Provide all required and requested documentation to them in a timely manner. Whenever the trustee requests information from you, respond to them in a prompt manner. 

All of this will engender trust with the trustee and ensure a good working relationship.

Filing for Bankruptcy in Michigan

To file for bankruptcy in Michigan, you must complete a credit counseling course in addition to filing a bankruptcy petition with the bankruptcy court. The course is meant to help educate people who are filing bankruptcy on the financial pitfalls that lie ahead so that they can hopefully avoid repeating this situation in the future.

The bankruptcy court will require you to provide financial documentation as proof that you need relief. This includes pay stubs, tax returns and any other income paperwork as it applies to you.

To file for bankruptcy in Michigan, you must be a resident of the state and meet the eligibility requirements for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, depending on which one you are filing for.

Bankruptcy Process and Timeline

From start to finish, the bankruptcy process usually takes several months. How long your case will take depends on how complex it is and the workload of the bankruptcy court at the time you file.

In addition to filing the forms listed above, you’ll be required to attend a creditors’ meeting as part of your bankruptcy case. At this meeting, the bankruptcy trustee and your creditors will have a chance to attend and ask you questions related to your petition.

You might also have to attend a confirmation hearing, which is where the bankruptcy court will review your bankruptcy plan.

Special Considerations

If you have property that you are financing through a loan, such as a home or a vehicle, you might be able to keep it if you continue making payments. If you fall behind on these payments, though, you could be at risk of losing that property.

This is yet another reason why it’s so important to consult with a qualified local bankruptcy attorney so you can fully understand your options when it comes to financed property.

How to Navigate Michigan Bankruptcy

There are many state-specific bankruptcy exemptions offered in Michigan, and they can be used in addition to some of the federal bankruptcy exemptions. One of the key ones for property owners is the homestead exemption, which can protect the home in which you live.

If you want to ensure that your assets are protected and that the exemption process is handled properly, it’s essential to work with a qualified bankruptcy attorney.

The experts at Babi Legal Group have more than 20 years of real estate experience and more than 15 years of experience in bankruptcy, debt collection and debt settlement. For more information and to learn your rights, please contact us today.