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Debtors Win Against Creditor Harassment

Though bankruptcy is often thought of as a negative, it is better thought of as an opportunity to stop creditor harassment.  An opportunity provided by the law because of a belief that sometimes debt can reach a point where it is nearly debilitating and that individuals and businesses can benefit from a fresh start. Perhaps the most stress relieving privilege that bankruptcy grants is the automatic stay.  As discussed in earlier blogs, the automatic stay is an automatic court order preventi[...]

Florida’s Bankruptcy Wildcard Exemption

Most bankruptcy laws are federal and thus, bankruptcy proceedings are relatively uniform throughout the country.  However, one area where states vary is bankruptcy exemptions, property that is excluded or put differently, safe from forced sale during bankruptcy.  Florida’s exemptions include an exemption for “homestead” properties, which was discussed in earlier bankruptcy blogs. Those who do not “claim or receive the benefits of” a homestead exemption, have one unique advantage in [...]

New Case Polarizes Foreclosure Statute of Limitations in Florida

Foreclosure Statute of Limitations in Florida NEW CASE PRESENTS HOPE FOR HOMEOWNERS FACING SECOND FORECLOSURE ACTION In an earlier bankruptcy and foreclosure blog, we discussed a case, US Bank v. Bartram,  that was troubling for homeowners.  The case, which was decided by Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal, allowed a lender’s second foreclosure action against the same homeowner to move forward despite the homeowner’s argument that the statute of limitations (i.e. time limit for fi[...]

Blake Trueblood Interviewed on Marijuana Legality in Indian Country

Blake Trueblood, was interviewed by KFI Radio on the topic of marijuana legality and economic development in Indian Country. The conversation centered around a recent Department of Justice memo stating that the Department would not stand in the way if Native American sovereign nations decided to grow marijuana on Tribal lands. In the interview, Mr. Trueblood stated that Tribes need to evaluate for themselves whether growing marijuana on their land is in their best economic and social interest. [...]

In Florida Bankruptcy Cases, Raise Claims or Lose Them

Florida Bankruptcy Cases In February, the 2nd Circuit handed down an interesting, unpublished Bankruptcy case, In re Residential Capital, LLC that demonstrates just how complicated the intersection between bankruptcy law, foreclosure law, and general civil litigation can get.  Like many Floridians, Stephanie Harris, an individual residing in Miami, Florida had some difficulty paying her mortgage around 2008. Eventually a mortgage foreclosure action was instituted against her by GMAC Mortgage ([...]

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy for Churches: Minneapolis Archdiocese Joins the List

We’ve said it before and we’re likely to say it again: bankruptcy is designed to provide individuals and businesses (whether for profit or non-profit) with a financial fresh start.  And when it comes to occasionally needing a fresh start, no one is immune.  Some of the countries largest companies have at one time or another filed for bankruptcy and even the Catholic Church has found itself in need of the protections offered by bankruptcy. Over the past eleven years, twelve dioceses have f[...]

Bankruptcy Effect on Divorce : No Love Lost

The bankruptcy effect on divorce It’s been said that two things can make ordinarily rationale individuals act crazy: love and money.  It is not surprising then that when bankruptcy and divorce are combined the results  can get, well, interesting.  Such was the case in Morales v. Giddens, an adversarial case arising from the  bankruptcy effect on divorce regarding Christopher Giddens.  Christopher Giddens and Marta Morales divorced in 2008 after ten years of marriage.  The two agreed to a[...]

Expiration of Protection for Tenants in Foreclosure

Jacksonville, FL Tenants in Foreclosure When lenders pursue foreclosure of a home, it is not just the homeowner that is impacted. If the property is being rented, the tenant will also be negatively impacted but with fewer rights to assert than the landlord, property owner. During the height of the housing crisis, the nation saw a sharp increase in the number of tenants being evicted mid-lease by lenders or new owners often with virtually no notice.  Some  estimates indicate that up to 40% of f[...]

Everest Student Loans Update – Buyer Agrees for $480 Million Debt Forgiveness

As we’ve discussed in earlier posts on Adam Law Group’s bankruptcy blog, Everest student loans are one of the major sources of debt for many Americans and under current law, it is very difficult, though not impossible, to discharge them during bankruptcy. Yet, there is reason to be more optimistic.  The public and legislatures have begun to recognize the overwhelming student loan crisis and to propose solutions.  A house bill has been proposed that would make it easier to discharge stud[...]

Awaiting Supreme Court’s Bankruptcy Protection Decision

Bankruptcy Protection The United States Supreme Court is in session and for the second year in a row, it has an important bankruptcy case on its docket, Wellness International Network Ltd. v. Sharif.  As mentioned in an earlier post on Adam Law Group last year, the Supreme Court in Executive Benefits Insurance Agency v. Arkison, 134 S. Ct. 2165 (2014) passed on providing clarification regarding the power of bankruptcy courts to decide issues “stemming from” bankruptcy protection proceeding[...]