Filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy can feel like a brand new world. Unless you do your share, it won't last for long. Each month, thousands of people from around the country look to the bankruptcy court to stop a foreclosure, forestall a repossession, … [Continue reading]
New Way to Pay Your Topeka Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Payments
April 20, 2013 By
There is a new way to pay your bankruptcy payment to the Topeka chapter 13 trustee. Jan Hamilton Trustee has contracted with TFS Bill Pay so you may send money to the trustee electronically. This is a service through a third party. It … [Continue reading]
New Less Paperwork Mortgage Mod Program Starts July 1
March 28, 2013 By
Washington, DC – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will offer a new, simplified loan modification initiative to minimize losses and to help troubled borrowers avoid foreclosure and stay in … [Continue reading]
Kansas Median Income Increases April 1, 2013
March 22, 2013 By
New median income data for bankruptcy cases filed on or after April 1, 2013, has been released by the U.S. Trustee Program. KANSAS 1 earner  $42,577 2 people $56,851 3 people $65,907 4 people $76,402 For cases filed on or after … [Continue reading]
EITC Exemption Update
February 21, 2013 By
 We have two updates for you in the ongoing fight in Kansas for the right to keep one year's worth of earned income tax credit in bankruptcy. Kansas Bankruptcy Trustee Appeals Earlier this month, the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel affirmed the … [Continue reading]
Debtors Win EITC Appeal
February 5, 2013 By
The new Kansas exemption law allowing a person to keep one year of earned income tax credit in bankruptcy is constitutional, a third court has ruled. This is good news for lower income working families with children who received EITC and who are … [Continue reading]
Congratulations Judge Norton!
February 1, 2013 By
Congratulations to our friend and colleague, Cynthia Norton, who was sworn in today as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Missouri. She is pictured here with U.S. District Court Chief Judge Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr., who administered the … [Continue reading]
Free Topeka Tax Help
January 30, 2013 By
Here is a list of where you can go in Topeka for free tax return preparation help. If you are a debtors in a bankruptcy case, take a copy of the 2012 tax returns, both federal and state, to your bankruptcy attorney. Refunds should not be spent … [Continue reading]
Bankruptcy Dollar Limits Expected to Ease April 1, 2013
January 21, 2013 By
It will be a little easier for the debtor in bankruptcy when an adjustment in limits and formulas occurs on April 1. There will be modest increases in the chapter 13 debt limits, in means test formulas and federal exemptions when the … [Continue reading]
Medical Bills Cause Money Woes Bankruptcy Stops
January 6, 2013 By
A trifecta of life changing events - illness, job loss or divorce - often starts an avalanche of financial problems that results in bankruptcy. Most of us are one serious illness or injury away from medical bills we can't afford to pay, even when we … [Continue reading]
Feedback Sought on National Form for Chapter 13 Plan
January 3, 2013 By
Feedback is being sought on a suggested mandatory national form for chapter 13 bankruptcy plans. The Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules has created a working group to study the proposal and is holding a conference on January 18, 2013, to discuss … [Continue reading]
New Year Resolution: Get Out of Debt
January 1, 2013 By
Getting out of debt competes with losing weight for the most common New Year resolutions. Here is some advice for making your New Year resolution stick. One secret is to create a goal and a sub-goal. If your resolution is to get out of debt, you … [Continue reading]
Ring Out the Old Bills, Ring in the New Year
December 31, 2012 By
Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Alfred Lord Tennyson Ring out the old bills and your financial troubles once and … [Continue reading]
Fighting to Keep Earned Income Tax Credits Exempt
December 17, 2012 By
Our attorneys continue to fight for Kansas debtors to keep one year of federal and state earned income tax credits (EITC) exempt  from bankruptcy trustees and creditors. We traveled to Denver for oral argument  before the Bankruptcy Appellate … [Continue reading]
Michaux Appointed to U.S. Supreme Court Committee
December 15, 2012 By
Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., appointed Jill Michaux to a three year term on the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules to the U.S. Supreme Court. She is one of four practicing lawyers on the 17 member committee. Other members are federal … [Continue reading]
Chapter 13 Debt Limits
December 14, 2012 By
Chapter 13 Debt Limits Update: Debt limits changed April 1, 2013. $383,175 unsecured liquidated debt $1,149,525 secured liquidated debt … [Continue reading]
