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Is Bankruptcy Expensive? And If So, How Can I Afford It?

21 February 2012, 3:19 pm

Bankruptcy has a reputation in some circles for being expensive, but that disadvantage is often a myth.

Indeed bankruptcy fees have increased since 2005, and some people find them daunting, but the dollar amount for your particular case might not look so bad once you set up a payment plan. In addition, you always have to balance out the long-term costs of not filing bankruptcy.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Costs:

In Chapter 13 debt reorganization, most if not all of the fee is included in the debt restructuring plan. After looking at your debts and unique situation with your attorney, you should end up with reasonable monthly payment that will include most if not all of the bankruptcy fee. Reasonable is the key word here: we’re talking about payments designed specifically for you so that you’re able to pay them.

Thus Chapter 13 bankruptcy can bring immediate relief from foreclosure and repossession with almost no upfront cost.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Costs:

In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the fee is modest compared to the relief it brings. While there are some upfront costs, Chapter 7 can bring you permanent relief from overwhelming debt and the anxieties that come with it.

It stops harassing phone calls and any other potentially humiliating legal problems (in much more legally permanent ways than other debt services can promise). And perhaps most importantly, Chapter 7 offers you a chance for a fresh start in life.

Because there are so many benefits to Chapter 7 bankruptcy, any extra income you receive would be well-spent on the fees. Tax refunds are coming in right now, and many of our clients have used their refund to cover that fee.

Talking with an Attorney:

Keeping all of that in mind, we can also work with you if necessary; and we offer a discount whenever possible to military personnel and veterans.

The best way to find out how much bankruptcy will cost, what it can do for you, and whether it is the right option is to speak with an attorney.

Our bankruptcy attorneys in Memphis will gladly discuss your situation for free so that you can make a wise choice before signing anything. Contact us today. We’re happy to help.

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Uninsured Driver Accident? Your Options for Getting Compensation

20 February 2012, 9:31 am

Were you in an accident with an uninsured or under-insured driver? What can you do to make sure you are covered in case of injury? Memphis car accident attorney Darrell Castle explains what options you may have and how a lawyer can help you get compensation (TEXT).

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Memphis Car Accident Injury Attorneys – the Value of Respect

16 February 2012, 10:00 am

Over 40,000 people die every year from car accidents, with approximately 100 deaths in Memphis alone. Countless more people struggle with accident-related injuries from whiplash to spinal cord damage.

Our Memphis car accident attorneys see victims of crashes all the time who never expected that someone else’s negligence could change their entire lives.

In fact, car accidents are the leading cause of personal injury claims in Memphis and all over the country.

If you are injured in a car accident and it wasn’t your fault, our attorneys can help you to get the compensation you deserve.

But we go further than that: we will give you the respect and compassion you need while going through this difficult time. Our attorneys have a reputation for standing by your side with strong client care – an absolute must for anyone getting used to a disabling injury or the resulting pain of a car accident.

If you want qualified, respectful help with your car accident injury claim, contact us today to talk with an attorney for free.

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SSDI and Personal Injury Settlements – Can You Receive Both at the Same Time?

16 February 2012, 10:00 am

Compensation as part of a personal injury lawsuit should not have any effect on your Social Security disability application. In fact, pursuing the two together may help you:

If you can prove to the SSA that you have a disabling injury preventing you from working, it will speak volumes in your personal injury case about the legitimacy of your injury and its consequences – like loss of income and quality of life.

Those details alone will not win a personal injury case, but they certainly won’t hurt your chances in a settlement or with a jury.

Ideally, you can receive compensation in a personal injury case to help cover your medical bills, necessary repairs, and other related costs while Social Security disability benefits help you deal with long-term loss of income and the lifetime of uncertainties that can occur with a debilitating injury.

Our attorneys are experienced with both SSDI and personal injury law. We can help you figure out your options in pursing both.

If you have been injured due to someone else’s error, contact us to talk with a lawyer for free.

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Memphis Consumers in Bankruptcy Are Not Alone

15 February 2012, 11:00 am

If you are struggling with debts you can’t pay and are contemplating bankruptcy, it might help to remember you are not alone. Economies all over the world face instability.

Consider Kodak. They’ve declared bankruptcy and on Wednesday had to remove their name from the theater used for the Academy Awards just 10 days before the Oscars.

American Airlines, NBA star Allen Iverson, and entire countries like Greece all have debts they can’t pay.

Fortunately most Memphis consumers deciding whether to file bankruptcy don’t have to worry about the rioting in the streets or what the Academy Awards viewers will think. In fact, bankruptcy no longer has a shameful reputation at all. It happens every day to thousands of people and businesses all over the world for a variety of reasons.

With the recent financial crises in the United States and Europe, bankruptcy can even happen when you have been relatively cautious.

Contact us today to speak with an attorney for free about what a bankruptcy can do for you and what it might mean for your credit, assets, and financial future. We would be glad to answer any questions you have.

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Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for Veterans

14 February 2012, 11:58 am

Disabled military service members have access to both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Veterans Affairs benefits like Compensation or Pension.

In fact, the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers members of the armed forces an expedited process: If your disabling injury occurred while serving in active military service on or after October 1, 2001, you are eligible to apply for this fast-tracked process.

The expedited claims option applies regardless of where the disability first took form, so Iraq War veterans, soldiers deployed in Afghanistan, and men and women serving on US military bases all have access to the same program.

How SSDI and Veterans Affairs Benefits Interact:

In addition, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers disability benefits independently  from the SSA. They both require separate applications and do not necessarily cancel each other out.

There are multiple types of benefits available for veterans through both SSA and Veterans Affairs. Some of those benefits do not look at your income level at all but look instead at your military service and type of disability.

Others like Non-service Connected/Pension benefits do take your income into consideration. When applying for benefits that require low income for eligibility, you may receive benefits from one organization and not another.

Legal Help for Veterans Seeking Disability Benefits:

Veterans who apply for Social Security disability benefits and are denied have a short window in which to appeal. As you can see, disability claims can be confusing, and having an attorney work with you through the appeal process can make a big difference.

As a Vietnam Veteran and former United States Marine Corps officer, I take veterans benefits very seriously and want to help in any way I can. My law firm in Memphis offers a discount to men and women who have served or are currently serving with the military.

We can manage your Social Security appeals process so that you get the compensation you need to help with your disability.

Let us know if you need legal help and want to take advantage of this option.

- Darrell Castle

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Are Personal Injury Attorneys Expensive?

13 February 2012, 10:00 am

Is it expensive to hire a personal injury attorney? Will the results be worth it? In this video, Memphis personal injury lawyer Darrell Castle explains the pricing for personal injury lawyers [text]:

 

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Dishonest Doctors and Your Legal Rights

9 February 2012, 10:00 am

A new survey released yesterday in Health Affairs revealed that many doctors do not tell the whole truth to their patients. According to the study, at least 1 in 10 doctors have told an adult patient or child’s guardian information that was not true; and at least 1 in 5 doctors have not fully disclosed a mistake or error they made because of fear of a malpractice suit.

In some ways, it’s hard to blame them. Everyone makes mistakes, so telling someone information that turns out not to be true doesn’t necessarily mean a doctor was lying on purpose. Likewise if the mistake or error they made was minimal and had no effect on the patient’s outcome, it is easy to see why they would not want to make it public.

Doctors are human beings with families and friends, and unfortunately they don’t know the perfect answer to every question or get everything right 100% of the time. They did not go into medicine to harm others – in fact, they took an oath not to – and baseless lawsuits can be very difficult on them and their families.

At the same time, these mistruths and hidden information can also have very negative consequences. Perhaps the “something that is not true” drastically changed the patient’s treatment plan for the worse. Perhaps the “mistake” was leaving something dangerous in a patient’s body after surgery.

When major health problems occur because of a doctor’s negligence or wrongdoing, you do have options. Our Memphis medical malpractice lawyers can look at your situation and help you figure out what possible path to take. Contact us today to talk with an attorney for free.

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(Photo: Sanja Gjenero)

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Memphis Joblessness and a Slow Recovery

8 February 2012, 10:00 am

Since it’s election season, candidates from both sides have spent the last few months talking about jobs. They all promise economic growth and stability to come; but the Mid-South still hasn’t seen much evidence of a recovery.

A January jobs report shows a slight decrease in unemployment around the country and 243,000 new jobs created in January; and perhaps you remember when some economists declared the recession over in 2009?

Yet here we are in 2012 with so many Memphis families looking for work, unable to pay their bills, and wishing for a recovery that’s just moving too slow for the Mid-South area.

If you are in that boat, you may be feeling like there is no way out. It can be incredibly frustrating to hear about signs that our economy is healthy again – or even getting there – when all around you the evidence says otherwise. Perhaps you feel like a failure, or feel guilty that you don’t have enough money to cover your expenses.

Remember that you are not alone. All around the country, families just like you read the paper or watch the news and feel the same way. Here are just a few of the proven ways some of them have stayed strong in a time of joblessness and financial worry:

Keep Your Friends Close
Find supportive folks to encourage you in your job search, especially when it looks most impossible.

Stay Active
Make sure to get up and get dressed every day (even if you don’t have family needs that make you). Take walks and continue to be active – it’s best for your mind, body and soul.

Register with Temp Agencies
Consider a temporary help agency – they will record your skills and work experience in order to place you with the right fit. Temp jobs can help fill in lost income, and can be the perfect way to get your foot in the door for something more permanent.

Seek Career Counseling
Shelby County offers free career services centers around the city to help you with resumes, skills training and more.

Don’t Be Afraid of Legal Help
A good attorney will help you look at all of your options. The decision to file bankruptcy isn’t an easy one, but our Memphis bankruptcy lawyers are concerned with what will work best for you in your unique situation. We’d be glad to answer any of your questions, so contact us for a free consultation.

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What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

6 February 2012, 10:00 am

Are you afraid that your loved one’s nursing home staff might be abusive or neglectful? If you suspect mistreatment, you do have some options. In this video, Memphis nursing home abuse attorney Darrell Castle explains some of the ways you can move forward if you’re worried about your loved one. (Text)

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