How do I deal with my creditors?

There are few things which can be more stressful in your life than having to deal with debt creditors, you know, those people you owe money to. They seem to love you when you have the money to pay them, they even offer you more money and incentives while you make your payments on time. However, when your life takes a turn; maybe you lose a job, get hurt somehow so that you can't work, maybe a death in the family or a divorce. Something happens which really affects your ability to pay your bills on time, then all of a sudden, those best friends of yours at the banks, utility companies and other people you owe money to turn on you and begin to demand money from you.

You would think that they would understand, that they would help work something out to get you back on your feet. The fact of the matter is that few creditors will help you when times get tough. They only care about their investment and getting their money back. They have a way of making you feel that they control your life and there is nothing you can do.

BUT, they do not control your life and there are things you can do. There are laws which regulate how people you owe money to can go about collecting it from you and when they can do it. Both federal and state laws give you the consumer rights when it comes to debt and debt collection.

For instance; a creditor can not call you before 8 in the morning nor any later that 9 at night. They can't curse or insult you. They can't threaten you with consequence which can't legally happen because you didn't pay them. They can't lie about anything nor make you pay more than you owe.

Also, did you know that you can make a debt collector stop calling you? If you notify them in writing, this should stop the calls. Remember though that the debt does not go away.

The biggest thing to remember if you find yourself swimming in debt and you are being constantly bombarded with debt collection is that you have rights and options which will put the ball back in your court.

For more information an informative video on dealing with debt collection you can go to https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/media/video-0048-dealing-debt-collectors.

Also take a look at the Utah Fair Debt Collection and Practices Act (FDCPA) here: http://www.utahjustice.com/fair-debt-collection-practices-act#.U06nj_ldWSo

I AM THINKING ABOUT DIVORCE:

 

What do I need to know? 

            One of the most difficult times in a person’s life is when they find out they are getting a divorce or are needing one.  It is a life changing event.  It puts stress not only on the individual parties to the divorce but there are collateral stresses as well.  These collateral stresses relate to the impact of divorce on your children, personal finances, dealing with familial relationships no mention a few, and dealing with an unknown future to mention a few.  This article is to help offer some guidance in navigating these waters. 

            When parties get married they contract (agree) with one another to do certain things.  Parties often agree to have children, purchase property and acquire assets, and more often than not incur debt along the way.  When parties get divorced, the contract is broken and decisions have to be made.  Hopefully, the parties can, but if not there is always court, where an impartial, disinterested judge, is there to make decisions for the parties that will govern their lives for years to come. 

            The main issues to a divorce are: 1) if there are children, what will be the custodial arrangement and parenting time?  There are also issues of child support and medical care, etc.; 2) division of property both real and personal, real is anything doing with land or attached to land, personal is everything else; division of retirement benefits and alimony considerations, I also lump into this category; 3) division of joint marital debt incurred during the marriage.

            In Utah there are basically three types of custodial arrangements.  First, is sole care custody and control.  This is where all legal decisions and physical custody is vested in one parent.  The other parent usually is awarded standard visitation which is basically a mid-week visit from after school until 8:00 p.m. and every other weekend from a Friday after school until usually 7:00 p.m. on Sundays. 

 

            Next is joint legal custody with one parent being designated as primary physical caretaker.  Joint legal custody is  presumptive now in Utah.  Joint legal custody provides that the parties will confer and discuss major issues involving their children before a decision is made.  These major issues usually fall within the realm of health, education and welfare.  In addition, both parents are to have equal access to school and medical records and to be able to participate in such things as parent teacher conferences, doctor appointments, and extra curricular activities to mention a few.  There is usually a parenting plan which is developed governing conduct of the parties.   

            Last, is joint legal and physical custody.  Physical custody implies that both parents will have the children with them over 112 nights per year. So, joint physical is something as much as 50/50 time to as something that is a little more than standard visitation.  Although, joint physical custody of some type is not presumptive it certainly is becoming the norm.

            There are some nuances to each of these custodial arrangements which go beyond the scope of this article.  This is where an attorney can be most helpful. 

            Child support is a fairly easy calculation.  It is based upon each parties’ gross monthly income and the number of children of the marriage.  This goes to table to determine the amount of support which is then times by each parties percentage contribution to the combined gross income.  You can go to: https://www.utcourts.gov/childsupport/calculator  to get an idea what child support might be in your case.

            Other issues involving the children is medical care and day care.  Medical care is basically defined by statute.  Each party is to be equally responsible for the insurance premium, deductibles, co-pays and other non-insured medical expenses.  Again there are nuances which can be considered in negotiating the final divorce and this where an attorney can be of great service.  Day care is simple.  Parental care is preferred over surrogate (meaning day care centers) care.  If day care is needed which is either educational or work related, each party is responsible for half of the day care expenses.

            The next category is dealing with real property.  Real property acquired during the marriage is subject to being divided equally between the parties.  How this is done is always open for negotiation.  But the basic premise is that any equity is split 50/50 between the parties.  

            Personal property, remember is everything not land or attached to land, is also divided on a fair and equitable basis.  What is fair an equitable depends.  It can mean a 50/50 split of the property or its value or something other than 50/50.  Again this is all open to negotiation.

            Retirement benefits accrued during the marriage are subject to being divided regardless of who is the owner.  Courts use what is commonly referred to as the “Woodward” formula.  It’s kind of complicated but basically any retirement acquired during the marriage is divided equally between the parties.  A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is created and signed by the judge.  The Plan Administrator, upon receipt of the QDRO divides the accounts, pursuant to the terms of the order,  in to two separate accounts.  One for the actual owner of the account and the other for the other spouse. 

            Last issue to address is division of debt.  Utah, once again uses a fair and equitable standard as to the division of debt.  It can mean to divided on a 50/50 basis or something other than that.  Some principles usually apply, for example, debt follows property.  If one party is receiving a car that has a payment, it is generally presumed that person will be responsible for that debt.  There will be obligation for removing the other party from financial responsibility on the car or other property.  This usually requires a refinance within a designated period of time.  Other times debt can be divided by who incurred the debt or in who’s name the debt is listed.  Debt can also be divided on the same basis as child support is calculated.  The court can look at the combined gross income of the parties, determine each part’s percentage contribution to the combined gross income and divide the debt accordingly. 

 

            This article is intended to provide basic information for one going through, faced with or is contemplating a divorce.  It is not intended as giving legal advise and nothing can replace the advice you can receive from a competent experienced attorney who can guide you through these troubled waters.  Divorce is a serious issue and should be contemplated wisely. 

           

ADOPTION NEWS-

Utah is a very pro-adoption state.  In situations where the biological parents are not married, a biological father must file with the State in order to protect his rights.  If he does not do so, before a petition for adoption is filed, he will lose his rights as a father and does not even need to be notified of the adoption much less consent to it.  These requirements have made out of state mothers choose to come to Utah to give birth and then place the child for adoption. 

 

A statute recently signed into law by Governor Herbert, now gives biological fathers more protection in these out of state cases.  The law now requires a biological mother to have lived in the State for at least 90 days or file information with the Court about the biological father.  If she files the information with the Court, then the Court may order the mother to notify the father, before she can put the baby up for adoption. 

At Richards & Godfrey, P.C. we keep apprised of changes in the law.  Come in now for a free initial consultation.

Have a look at the article here: Utah governor signs bill giving fathers new rights in adoption cases.

¿Puedo realmente declararse en quiebra , sin dinero ?

¿Sabía que usted puede ser capaz de declararse en quiebra sin tener que pagar a su abogado cualquier dinero abajo ? Muy a menudo nosotros, la gente ir a una oficina de abogados para aprender acerca de cómo la bancarrota puede ayudarles. El abogado les dice todos los beneficios y cómo puede ayudarle a conseguir detrás en sus pies , pero luego viene una desconexión . El cliente potencial llega porque está en quiebra , pero el abogado le pregunta por una importante suma de dinero para pagar por sus servicios. La persona se sienta allí a pensar: "¿cómo y demonios voy a llegar con el dinero, si yo tuviera el dinero para pagar esa cantidad de dinero no estaría aquí en primer lugar? "

Hay una solución ! Las personas pueden encontrar alivio de la constante acoso de los acreedores mediante la presentación de la quiebra y el abogado todavía pueden ganar dinero por ayudar al cliente , sin que tengan que venir con dinero que , obviamente, no tienen. Por la declaración de quiebra bajo el Capítulo 13 del Código de Quiebras , una persona puede evitar el acoso telefónico y encontrar un momento para recuperar el control de su vida financiera.

En el capítulo 13 , los honorarios del abogado se puede pagar a través de su plan de pago del capítulo 13 . Esto significa que el capítulo 13 fiduciario distribuirá una pequeña porción a usted abogado con cada pago que realice. Usted abogado recibe el dinero que se ha ganado por lo representa , se obtiene el alivio y nuevo comienzo que necesita para poner sus finanzas en orden. Esto le permite obtener un caso presentó de inmediato sin tener que llegar a un montón de dinero que no puede tener en este momento. Ahora , todavía es la tasa de justicia de $ 281 , esta tarifa no va al abogado , pero va a la corte. ¿Sabía usted que algunas personas ni siquiera tienen que pagar esa comisión total por adelantado? La corte ahora permite a algunas personas a pagar esa tasa en cuotas.

Si usted se encuentra atrapado entre una roca y un lugar duro financieramente y no tienen idea de lo que vas a salir usted debe encontrar un abogado con experiencia en bancarrota que le puede mostrar cómo la presentación de quiebra puede ayudarle. Richards y Godfrey, PC. , Ha estado ayudando a las personas a encontrar alivio a su situación financiera por más de 25 años. Ayudamos a los clientes en todo el norte de Utah , usted puede venir y discutir la posibilidad de la bancarrota de forma gratuita. 801-621-7443

CAN I REALLY FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY WITH NO MONEY DOWN?

Did you know you may be able to file for bankruptcy without having to pay your attorney any money down? All to often we people go to a lawyers office to learn about how bankruptcy can help them. The lawyer tells them all the perks and how it can help them get back on their feet, but then there comes a disconnect. The potential client comes in because he is broke, but the lawyer then asks for a substantial sum of money to pay for his services. The person sits there thinking to themselves, "how and the hell am I going to come up with the money, if I had the money to pay that amount of money I wouldn't be in here in the first place?"

There is a solution! People can find relief from the constant harassment of creditors by filing bankruptcy and the lawyer can still make money by helping the client, without requiring them to come up with money they obviously don't have. By filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code, a person can stop harassing phone calls and find a moment to take control back of their financial life.

In Chapter 13, the lawyer's fee can be paid through your chapter 13 plan payment. This means that the chapter 13 trustee will distribute a small portion to you attorney with each payment you make. You lawyer gets the money he has earned by representing you, you get the relief and fresh start you need to get your finances back in order. This allows you to get a case filed right away without having to come up with a bunch of money you may not have at the moment. Now, there still is the court filing fee of $281, this fee does not go to the attorney but goes to the court. Did you know that some people don't even have to pay that fee all up front? The court now allows some people to pay that fee in installments.

If you find yourself stuck between a rock and a hard place financially and have no idea how you're going to get out you should find an experience bankruptcy lawyer who can show you how filing bankruptcy can help you. Richards & Godfrey, PC. , has been helping people find relief from their financial situation for over 25 years. We help clients throughout Northern Utah, you can come in and discuss the possibility of bankruptcy for FREE. 801-621-7443

Recientemente, EE.UU. Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración en libertad un artículo titulado Medio Millón de Empresas Participan ahora en E -Verify, al artículo en sí mismo no proporciona ninguna información a los inmigrantes o los empleadores en materia de inmigración y / o empleo / inmigración temas relacionados . Sin embargo , el artículo hacía subrayan y confirman que cada vez más empleadores están tomando medidas para protegerse de las multas , sanciones y dolores de cabeza legales que pueden llegar a ellos cuando contratan a inmigrantes que no están en posibilidad legal de trabajar . La tendencia de los empleadores que verifiquen la capacidad potencial de los trabajadores de trabajar sólo aumentará la capacidad de los inmigrantes ilegales para obtener puestos de trabajo reales será cada vez más difícil de encontrar.

Sin embargo , un inmigrante que se encuentra en esta situación puede tomar medidas para asegurarse de que no se vean perjudicados por un trabajo porque no están en posibilidad legal de trabajar en este país . El gobierno de EE.UU. concede permiso a los trabajadores extranjeros a residir en los EE.UU. bajo una variedad de diferentes estados , cada uno requiere un tipo diferente de aplicación tornillo de banco y el proceso de audición.

Por ejemplo, si uno necesita y de inmigrante ( permanente) , no-inmigrante (temporal ) , o L -1 visa depende del tipo de trabajo que el empleado va a hacer , la industria en cuestión, la educación y la formación necesaria , y si la empresa puede completar una transferencia intra - empresa. Hay cinco visas laborales diferentes ( E- 1 a E - 5 ) , con normas diferentes para cada uno . En algunos casos, el ciudadano extranjero debe adquirir una petición certificado de trabajo . En cualquier caso, el nacional debe ya sea presentar una petición de visa de inmigrante o someterse a procedimientos consulares.

El inmigrante que se encuentra luchando para encontrar trabajo puede y va a aumentar sus posibilidades de encontrar un buen trabajo , asegurando que califican para trabajar bajo las leyes y normas de inmigración de Estados Unidos. Richards y Godfrey, PC ha ayudado a muchas personas a obtener el estado que necesitan para trabajar legalmente en los EE.UU. , siempre que las sus necesidades y las necesidades de sus familias que se sigan cumpliendo . La obtención de estatus legal proporciona estabilidad y consistencia a la vida los inmigrantes.

Recently, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services released an article entitled Half a Million Companies Now Participate in E-Verify, to article in and of itself does not provide any information to immigrants or employers regarding immigration and/or employment/immigration related issues. However, the article did underscore and confirm that more and more employers are taking steps to protect themselves from the fines, sanctions and legal headaches which can come to them when they hire immigrants who are not legally able to work. The trend of employers verifying a potential workers ability to work only will increase, the ability of illegal immigrants to obtain real jobs will become increasingly difficult to find.

However, an immigrant who finds themselves in this predicament can take steps to make sure they do not lose out on a job because they are not legally able to work in this country. The US government grants permission to foreign workers to reside in the US under a variety of different statuses, each requiring a different type of vise application and hearing process.

For instance, whether one needs and immigrant (permanent), non-immigrant (temporary), or L-1 visa depends on the type of work the employee will be doing, the industry involved, the education and training required, and whether the company can complete an intra-company transfer. There are five different work-related visas (E-1 through E-5), with different standards for each one. In some cases, the foreign national must acquire a labor certificate petition. In any case, the national must either file an immigrant visa petition or undergo consular proceedings.

The immigrant who finds themselves struggling to find work can and will increase their chances of finding good jobs by ensuring they qualify to work under US immigration laws and rules. Richards & Godfrey, PC has helped many people obtain the status they need to work in the US legally, providing that the their needs and the needs of their families continue to be met. Obtaining legal status provides stability and consistency to the immigrants life.