Before the explosion of the internet and media marketing, the only ways to find a new home was to hire a realtor, find a home through friends or family or ride through neighborhoods you liked searching for a “For Sale” sign in a yard. However, the internet has now made it possible to find a home with a simple click of the button. New websites and applications have put house hunting at your fingertips. Buyers can also research areas in advance to decide if they want to buy a home in specific … [Read more...]
Organize your home to save money in 2014
January 8, 2014 by
If one of your resolutions for 2014 is to be organized, you may find that keeping this resolution will not only save you time this year but it can help you save money as well. Being organized helps you pay bills on time thereby avoiding late fees. You will avoid purchasing duplicate items because you cannot find the one you know that you have somewhere in the house (know what you own and what you need). Being organized and having a filing system will help you at tax time when you need to … [Read more...]
Student loan lawyers fight discharge of student loans – – sometimes they lose
January 8, 2014 by
Everyone knows that discharging student loans through bankruptcy is very difficult; however, it is not impossible. There are instances where student loans have been canceled through bankruptcy. Loan lawyers fight these discharges and often ask questions that baffle judges and opposing counsel. One lawyer asked a mother of five if her children were “planned” while another asked a woman why she chose to have children when she had no husband and was in poor health. The line of questioning did … [Read more...]
What does your gym’s liability waiver mean?
January 7, 2014 by
If you joined a gym as part of your New Year’s resolution to lose weight and live healthier in 2014, you probably had to sign a liability waiver as part of the gym membership. The paperwork you sign when you join a gym is a contract and it is enforceable even if you fail to read the entire contract. Most gyms include some type of liability waiver in each of their contracts ranging from a total waiver (waiving all liability) to a waiver of negligence (preventing members from suing for injuries … [Read more...]
Legal New Year’s Resolutions that can help you financially in 2014
January 7, 2014 by
Most of us make some type of New Year’s resolution each year depending on what we believe will make us happier, healthier and more financially secure in 2014. If you made a New Year’s resolution to manage your personal finances better, five legal resolutions you should make include research estate planning, get your tax return completed early, manage student loan debt, learn more about Obamacare and begin to plan for retirement. To read more about each legal issue you should tackle in 2014 … [Read more...]
Are you looking for low mortgage interest rates in 2014?
January 6, 2014 by
If you are purchasing a home in 2014 and want to take advantage of the low mortgage interest rates before they disappear, you need to act quickly. To speed up the underwriting process, have documents to prove your income such as bank statements, tax returns, W2s and investment accounts ready to attach to your loan application. Because interest rates are expected to rise in 2014, try to lock in an interest rate as soon as possible. Review your credit reports and correct any problems or … [Read more...]
Should you deed your house to your children?
January 6, 2014 by
If you are thinking about deeding your home to your children, you should know several things before you sign over a deed. Deeding a home to a child may seem like a good way to avoid probate and inheritance taxes; however, it could also create more problems than it solves. For instance, even though your children will be on the deed to your home, they are under no legal obligation to pay the mortgage payments. Therefore, if you are unable to pay the mortgage the bank can still foreclose and sell … [Read more...]
Looking for additional tax deductions – these people found some odd ones that worked
January 3, 2014 by
While you might not be able to claim your in-laws as a deduction on your tax returns because you had to feed them at least once a week on Sundays for the entire year, there are people who successfully fought the Internal Revenue Service and claimed odd and extraordinary tax deductions. One man burned down his home while making illegal drugs because the building he purchased to make the drugs was faulty - - the tax court allowed the deduction even though it involved an illegal activity and the … [Read more...]
What happens when you cannot pay your student loans?
January 3, 2014 by
Student loan debt exceeds credit card debt in America and affects hundreds of thousands of people each day. More and more individuals are finding themselves in financial situations where they are unable to pay the minimum payments on their student loans much less pay them in full. When this happens, many turn to bankruptcy; however, it is very difficult to obtain a total discharge of your student loans through bankruptcy. There are other options available to you if you cannot pay your student … [Read more...]
Benefits of filing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy case
January 2, 2014 by
Deciding to file a bankruptcy case is a big decision; however, for many it is the best alternative to their financial problems. If your income is not sufficient to pay your basic living needs and pay your debts, you may qualify to file for relief under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. The main benefits are the filing of the bankruptcy case stops all collection actions and you can discharge most, if not all, of your unsecured debt. For more pros of filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and a few … [Read more...]
