Florida Bankruptcy Lawyer Blog

In Florida, we pay our property taxes at the end of the year. On April 15, our federal income taxes for the previous year are due. So, within a 4 to 6 month period we may be hit with property and income taxes. In the last few years, there has been a push by the credit card companies, like Visa, American Express, Mastercard and Discover to allow you to pay your taxes with a credit card.

Don't be fooled they are not doing it because they like you. They are doing it to protect themselves. When the Bankruptcy Laws were changed in 2005, Congress added to the list on non-dischargeable debts. A non-dischargeable debt survives the bankruptcy and is still and owing after the bankruptcy discharge arrives in your mailbox. So, what did our wonderful politicians stick us with this time. Well, Congress expanded credit cards protection. While a separate statute provided the credit card companies protection when people pay income taxes and then file bankruptcy, Congress extended this protection to state and local taxes that are paid with credit cards.

Continue reading "Taxes And Credit Cards" »

This Morning I wrote a blog for the Bankrutpcy Law Network discussing why consumers shoudn't apply for a department store credit card at the register and try to save 10%.

Please click here to read it.

Don't Cave In And Apply For A Deparment Store Credit Card

This post was submitted by Carmen Dellutri, Esq., founder of The Dellutri Law Group, P.A. Currently, the firm has offices in Port Charlotte, Fort Myers, Naples and Sarasota. Mr. Dellutri also sits on the Board of American Board of Certification. Mr. Dellutri is also one of the founders of the Bankruptcy Law Network, Debt Law Network, Credit Law Network, and Mortgage Law Network. Mr. Dellutri also writes for the firm's personal injury litigation blog. Mr. Dellutri also writes for the firm's other blogs: www.faircreditreportingactblog.com and www.fairdebtcollectionpracticesactblog.combankruptcy blog.

The Dellutri Law Group is getting ready to start a New Blog focusing on the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. Our Fair Credit Reporting Act Blog can be found at:

www.faircreditreportingactblog.com

Please check it out and tell us what you think? It should be active in 7 to 10 days. The Fair Credit Reporting Act Blog will focus on all aspects of Credit Reporting.

Continue reading "Dellutri Law Group To Start A Fair Credit Reporting Act Blog" »

Yesterday, Board Certified Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney Carmen Dellutri published an article on the Bankruptcy Law Network about Debt to Income Ratios. The blog put into perspective what a debt to income ratio is, the importance of your debt to income ratio and how to use a debt to income ratio to gain control over your finances.

Continue reading "Debt To Income Ratio Explained" »

Board Certified Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney Carmen Dellutri was recently cited in an online article by Melissa Yeager. Melissa was asking whether the debt collectors were cranking up their debt collection activities in Southwest Florida. The answer is yes.

Please click on this link and go read the article.

Continue reading "Carmen Dellutri cited in Wink News Article" »

Score one for the Consumer. The Texas Attorney General agreed to settle unfair debt collection claims against NCO Group, Inc. and/or NCO Portfolio Management, the company's debt buying unit in the amount of $250,000.00. The Texas Attorney General alleged that NCO violated the Texas Debt Collection Act by making harassing phone calls and using profanity to scare and harass debtors. A quick Google Search for NCO will reveal some very interesting things about the company.

Texas law prohibits consumer debt collectors from using unlawful threats and/or coercion in an attempt to collect consumer debts. Interestingly, as part of the settlement, NCO admitted no wrongdoing. Yea right.

Continue reading "NCO Group, Inc. Agrees To Pay A Fine Of $250,000 for Illegal Debt Collection" »

On July 31, 2008, the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights Act of 2008 passed through the House Financial Services Committee. This bill aims to curb outrageous credit card practices like: bait and switch contract clauses, outrageous interest rate increases, prohibiting credit cards to minors, etc.

It is important for all of us to call our local representative. Please click here for a link to all the Florida members of the House of Representatives to find your local representative and contact them today. This bill needs to become law. It is not the best that our leaders can do, but it is a start. Remember, our elected officials have to play politics with the lobbyists. So, please call your local representative and ask them to vote for H.R. 5244 as it exists today. Otherwise, our leaders may muck up the bill with amendments.

Continue reading "Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights Act of 2008" »

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Changes are coming to the Florida Bankruptcy Lawyer Blog whether you like it or not. It's time to kick the tires and light the fires and slap a new coat of paint on this puppy. We also might throw in some cool features like a new website and a new look for the Florida Injury and Accident Lawyer Blog as well.

So, keep your eyes peeled, and watch out for the new stuff. It may just hit you right between the eyes.

Continue reading "Changes, They Are A Coming" »

Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain's wife Cindy, has at least $200,000.00 in credit card debt with American Express. Somehow she was able to negotiate a zero percent interest rate. The amount owed on her credit cards could be as high as $500,000.00. This information has been disclosed by the McCains only recently.

Continue reading "Senator McCain's Wife has over $200,000 in Credit Card Debt at 0% Interest" »

The best way to do this is with a Debit Card tied to your bank account. Naturally, this comes with a bit of responsibility. Debit cards allow you to pay for items by automatically taking money out of your account and sending it to the creditor, so you are not incurring debt at all. Likewise, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express will not have the ability to charge you interest on the outstanding balance at the end of the month. So, that $5 coffee this morning from Starbucks doesn't wind up costing you $35 in an over the limit fee. This is where I ask my clients to analyze the true cost of things.

Continue reading "Debit Card Do's And Don'ts Part II" »

As a Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney, it seems as if a couple of questions are on everyone's mind. One of those questions is: After bankruptcy, how will I rent a car or secure a hotel room if I cannot keep any of my credit cards? My reply is simple: Use your debit card. People are often shocked that yes, they can use their debit cards for this purpose. Yesterday, my friend and colleague in Connecticut, Eugene Melchionne, wrote a blog for the Credit Law Network, titled "Using Debit Cards and ATM's Effectively". After reading Gene's article, it made me think of several reasons why people using debit cards need to be careful.

Continue reading "Debit Card Do's And Don'ts Part I" »

Why do companies, especially credit cards, market to individuals in Bankruptcy? The simple answer is that individuals who file for bankruptcy (7) are prohibited from receiving another discharge for 8 years. But, is that really the answer? Are these companies afraid that the individual will file bankruptcy again? I don't think so. The credit card companies like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover know that individuals will have a tough time changing their spending habits, and therefore, why not try to lure these individuals back into the charge and pay lifestyles that they may have once led. Kind of like a dope dealer pedaling dope to someone recently out of rehab.

Continue reading "Why Do Companies Market to Individuals in Bankruptcy?" »

This post is submitted by Carmen Dellutri, Esq. founder of the The Dellutri Law Group, P.A. Mr. Dellutri is a Board Certified Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney and is also one of the founding members of the Bankruptcy Law Network.

Normally, when a client goes to see a bankruptcy attorney for a bankruptcy consultation, it is usually the worst part of their day. Imagine what could be worse than walking into an attorney's office and putting all of your financial details on the table for discussion. Most people would rather be any other place in the world. Yesterday, I had the honor of sending a client a check for four (4) times the amount she paid me in attorney's fees for handling her bankruptcy case. That's right, the attorney sent the client a check. This happens all the time at the Dellutri Law Group, and the clients love it.

Continue reading "Discharge Violations Pay Off for Dellutri Law Group Clients" »

United States Bankruptcy Judge John C. Ninfo is taking financial literacy to the next level. As bankruptcy filings rise, Judge Ninfo is teaching students of all ages to live within their means. Although, the Judge has some very strong views about the people that he is seeing in his courtroom, his message is crystal clear to the students.

At the Dellutri Law Group, we encourage the members of our firm to go out into the public, especially schools and trade organizations, to speak with people about what we do and how we do it. In the bankruptcy/consumer world, people always have so many questions. This is also true when we go into classrooms and speak about personal injury cases. The questions are always entertaining and enlightening.

Continue reading "New York Bankruptcy Judge Is Taking Financial Literacy To The Students" »

Yesterday, on a Sunday, the Fed cut the discount interest rate a quarter of a point and still the Asian markets tumbled this morning. The Fed also helped bail out Bear Stearns over the weekend and gave the green light for JP Morgan to buy out Bear Stearns for $2 a share. Bennie and the Feds were very busy this weekend. But what does this mean for the average guy on the street? Well, the interest rate cuts are good if you are in the market to borrow money or if you are looking to consolidate your debt?

Continue reading "To Consolidate or Not to Consolidate? That is the Question." »

This post is submitted by Carmen Dellutri, Esq. of The Dellutri Law Group, P.A. and one of the founding members of the Bankruptcy Law Network. Carmen Dellutri, Esq. is also on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Certification, which is the nation's premier legal specialty certification organization.

This morning I began a new blog for the Credit Law Network on the types of credit cards that consumer's have, carry, and use. The idea for this blog came after I received multiple credit card offers in yesterday's mail. You would think that with all the marketing done by the credit cards and the wealth of information contained in their data banks about consumer trends and spending habits, they would know that there is not a chance in hell that I am going to sign up for their credit cards. I would be willing to bet that they spent a small fortune marketing to just my house. Of course, I am also on the do not bother me list. But, that doesn't seem to stop the advertisements from being sent, and the mailman from having to deliver them.

Continue reading "Credit Cards Try To Lure You In With Affinity Cards" »