Ed Boltz Reveals There is Hope For Student Debt In Bankruptcy masteradmin Tue, 04/02/2024 - 19:32 A federal program has been reported to make it easier to get student loan debt discharged in bankruptcy. This is nothing new over the last two years but has been sluggish in making clear headway. At the moment, only a small number of student loan debt applicants have had their debt discharged. However the problem is not enough attorneys or judges are familiar with the process.  Federal student loans were not always so burdensome to borrowers. In 1998 the Higher Education Amendments Act made them nondischargeable in bankruptcy except in cases of "undue hardship." Prior to that law, that standard only applied for the first decade after a student graduated. Now, consumer bankruptcy attorneys say they are hopeful the new program can provide an escape hatch for the otherwise grueling standard. After the U.S. Supreme Court dashed hopes of sweeping student loan forgiveness via executive order in 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education attempted to make some measure of change on their own by opening avenues for debtors to argue their debt should be discharged. Under the new, streamlined process, a bankrupt debtor files a 15-page attestation thoroughly describing their financial situation as well as an adversary complaint against the DOE. After assistant U.S. attorneys review the case, the government may choose to stipulate that the applicant qualifies under the undue hardship standard and that it does not oppose the debt being discharged. DOJ Promises The new guideline does not change the undue hardship standard, but it simplifies the process and states how cases are evaluated more explicitly than before, according to the DOJ. The DOJ released a report in November calling the new guidelines "successful," touting 632 adversary proceedings filed in the first 10 months of the program — a figure that experts told Law360 was underwhelming. For Vivian Houghton, a Delaware-based bankruptcy attorney, the DOJ got debtors' and their attorneys' hopes up only to dash them with a process that roughly costs the same and comes with a similar level of uncertainty. "You've got a lot of disappointed people. Disappointed but not surprised," Houghton said. "I thought the ideas were good, but we were made promises that our documents would be looked at, that it would be user friendly, and it turned out not to be true." The DOJ said in its report that 99% of cases in which a court rendered a judgment led to some debt discharge and that the process was working well. The agency declined to answer questions sent by Law360 and to provide updated figures. The DOE referred questions back to the DOJ. Stretto's Roitburg said of those 632 filings, only about 120 received decisions, and 84 of those borrowers received full or partial discharges — or 13% of the total. The DOJ's argument that the majority of cases in which a judgment was entered is misleading, according to Roitburg, because an unsuccessful attempt at getting a discharge will result in a dismissal, meaning the court will not enter a judgment. Roitburg also cited separate data gleaned from the firm's analyzer tool, which showed that lawyers had used it to file 181 adversary cases from Feb. 2023 through the end of Jan. 2024, of which 142 are still pending. Of the resolved cases, 16 were dismissed. For the 23 cases that resulted in a stipulation — leading to the discharge of $2 million worth of student loans — borrowers had to wait 162 days on average for a decision, according to Roitburg, who blamed the delays on insufficient funding. The delays can be attributed to the time it takes for consumer bankruptcy attorneys — who are not always trained in litigation and adversary proceedings — to level up, as well as for the feds to adapt to a new approach, according to Ed Boltz, a bankruptcy attorney at the Law Offices of John T. Orcutt and former president of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. "The Department of Ed had to staff up for this too, and had to educate all the AUS As across the country because it was a change for them. For the longest time, if you had one of those cases where student loans were discharged, that was a loss. You'd failed," Boltz said. The government's new mentality is more conciliatory, along the lines of, "our job is also to protect our citizens who need relief," Boltz said. "That's a win."Lawyers Still Adjusting Another reason for the low numbers of adversary proceedings is that consumer bankruptcy lawyers are still educating themselves on the process as well. Many are not accustomed to litigation and adversary proceedings, which are not part of the usual course of their business, Johnson told Law360. Some attorneys are waiting for the process to have been in place for a few years to suss out the territory before they wade into it themselves, Boltz said, and others have fired off many adversary proceedings at once with less than stellar results. "Some people have been hesitant and others have charged in too quickly," Boltz said. An adjustment period is also going to be necessary for judges, some of whom are accustomed to viewing themselves as backstopping the federal budget and thus may be reluctant to let debtors off the hook, Boltz said. Data analyzed by Stretto shows that the judge handling a debtor's case can affect the outcome, with some judges dismissing every case that has come before them and others granting every case. In the early stages of the new process, attorneys may prefer to bring only their strongest and most sympathetic cases in venues where the judges have a track record of being skeptical, according to Boltz. "We want to warm up the judges who are lukewarm with the right debtor, with a sympathetic debtor," Boltz said. Attorneys should also make sure they know the undue hardship requirements down pat and not just argue that the debtor cannot afford to make payments. "I tell people to make sure you know what you're doing; there's nothing that will make a judge angrier than muddling around," Boltz said. "Go in with greater preparation rather than just say, this debtor clearly can't pay their student loans." To help the judge understand their client's circumstances, attorneys should attach a copy of the attestation to their complaint under seal, so that the judge can see it but the public cannot. "The complaints filed in this case are not super detailed, and you still want to protect your client's privacy," Boltz said. Ultimately, Houghton said, the real fix is not improving the adversary proceeding process but a change in legislation. The status quo under which student loans are generally nondischargeable is only 26 years old, and it could be undone by Congress. Houghton said it should be, to undo the bind of student loan debt being treated differently than any other type of debt. "In a Chapter 7, if you came to me with a million in gambling debt over at Delaware Park [Casino] and asked if it could be discharged, my answer would be yes. But student debt, no," Houghton said. "So you might want to give it a try and see if you can make a few bucks and pay off this student debt." Blog comments Category Student Loan Debt

When your property is being sold off to satisfy creditors, you should receive a notice for foreclosure and a sheriff’s sale. While these processes are related, there are differences between them that can seriously impact your case. If you are behind on your payments and your creditor has filed suit against you, you are facing foreclosure. This is only the beginning of losing your property, though, as the sheriff’s sale acts as the mechanism to sell it to another party. Fortunately, our team can help you develop a strategy that can stop this, regardless of which stage of the process you are in. After reviewing your case, we will better understand your financial situation and the options that makes available. Even if you decide you want to sell the property, we can help so that the sale satisfies your debts. Contact Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (215) 701-6519 for a free case review with our Pennsylvania property attorneys. What Are the Main Differences Between Foreclosures and Sheriff’s Sales in Pennsylvania? In Pennsylvania, the processes of foreclosure and sheriff’s sales are intertwined yet distinct, each playing its role in how properties with unpaid mortgages or taxes are dealt with. Fortunately, our Pennsylvania property lawyers can help explain the distinctions and how to address each situation. A foreclosure will be the first part of the process initiated by the lender, like a bank or mortgage company, when a homeowner fails to make mortgage payments. Through foreclosure proceedings, the lender can attempt to recover the balance of a loan from the homeowner who has stopped making payments. To foreclose on a home, though, a lender must file a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas and obtain a judgment against the homeowner. A sheriff’s sale, on the other hand, is the culmination of the foreclosure process, where the property is auctioned to the highest bidder. It is a means by which the foreclosing entity, whether it be a bank, tax authority, or homeowners’ association (HOA), regains title to the property and auctions it off to satisfy the outstanding debts. How Can I Contest a Foreclosure in Pennsylvania? You can contest a foreclosure in a number of ways. In every case, homeowners have the right to respond to the foreclosure complaint by filing an answer with the court. This response can challenge the foreclosure on various grounds, such as errors in the mortgage or servicing process, lack of standing by the lender, or violations of state and federal mortgage laws. By filing an answer, you move the case into the litigation process, potentially leading to a more favorable outcome for you and your family. Arranging to catch up on missed payments through loan modification or forbearance could also prevent foreclosure. However, this option typically requires skillful negotiation with the lender but can provide a viable path to keeping your home. Some Pennsylvania counties also offer pre-foreclosure mediation programs designed to help homeowners and lenders find alternatives to foreclosure. Participation in these programs can delay the proceedings and often lead to a modified loan agreement or another solution that allows you to avoid foreclosure. However, if you lose in a pre-foreclosure mediation or initial hearing, you usually have the right to appeal to a higher court. While challenging, this route allows homeowners to halt the foreclosure decision, at least until additional evidence and arguments are presented to overturn the original decision. Lastly, thoroughly reviewing the foreclosure documentation and overall process can reveal errors or legal violations that could serve as a basis for contesting the foreclosure. These might include mistakes in the loan balance, misapplied payments, or the lender’s failure to follow Pennsylvania’s foreclosure procedures correctly. How Can I Contest a Sheriff’s Sale in Pennsylvania? The fact that you have gone through foreclosure and moved on to a sheriff’s sale does not mean your options to contest the sale of your property have entirely run out. Gross inadequacy of price can be argued as a valid reason to set aside a sheriff’s sale. While a low sale price alone might not suffice, significantly low prices that shock the conscience of the court might warrant invalidating the sale. Challenges can also be based on a lack of authority to sell the property or fraud in the conduct of the sale. Homeowners can generally contest a sale if it was conducted without proper authority or if fraudulent practices were involved at any point in the process. Another good strategy to stop a sheriff’s sale is to file for bankruptcy. In most cases, filing for bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay that forbids any further collection actions, including sheriff’s sales. However, this option hinges on your filing being approved by the court, which usually means showing your ability to make your payments or plan to make payments over time. We can also help you file a motion to set aside a sheriff’s sale for proper cause. This usually requires demonstrating to the court a significant violation of your rights, such as procedural errors or gross mistakes that justify setting aside the sale. Alternatively, petitions to postpone a sheriff’s sale can be filed up until the day before the sale, providing a short-term reprieve to address the underlying issues causing the sale. However, it is best to file these petitions at least a week in advance so your petition has a chance to be heard. How Can a Pennsylvania Property Attorney Help a Foreclosure or Sheriff’s Sale Case? With so much on the line in these types of proceedings, it is hard to overstate the importance of having a knowledgeable attorney on your side. One of the key services our team provides is negotiating with lenders on behalf of our clients. This usually involves seeking a compromise through a loan modification, forbearance agreement, or other arrangements that allow you to retain possession of the property while addressing the underlying debts. Should a foreclosure or sheriff’s sale case proceed to court, we will be ready to present evidence and fight for your rights. However, this typically entails gathering and organizing a great deal of evidence. Fortunately, we know what to look for, so your filing is complete. The documents you will need include the original mortgage or deed of trust, promissory note, and any modification agreements you made. We can also account for and make detailed records of the total mortgage payments you made. These records should also show dates, amounts, and methods of payment. In some cases, this can expose discrepancies in the lender’s claims. Lastly, our team will compile all communication between you and the lender or servicer, including letters, emails, and any notices related to the mortgage. Letters and emails discussing payment difficulties, foreclosure avoidance options, or loan modification requests are especially important. Our Pennsylvania Property Lawyers Can Help Whether You Are Facing Foreclosure or a Sheriff’s Sale For a free case analysis with our Pennsylvania property lawyers, call Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (215) 701-6519.

A sheriff’s sale is the sale of a repossessed property by law enforcement. Many individuals can be dismayed when a sale of their property takes place after it has been possessed. It can feel like the final nail in the coffin for ever having a chance at getting your property back. Moreover, a sheriff’s sale may come as a surprise if you do not know what to look for to figure out if a sheriff’s sale could be in your future. You do not need to be given notice that a sale of your foreclosed property is taking place until ten days before the actual sale. However, there are a lot of other notices that happen beforehand which, if you know what you are looking for, can indicate the potential for a future Sherrif’s sale of your property. If you are concerned about an impending sheriff’s sale, call our New Jersey foreclosure attorneys from Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (609) 755-3115. When Will I Learn that a Sheriff’s Sale is Happening in New Jersey? If your property is going to be sold at a sheriff’s sale in New Jersey, you will be informed of the sale at least ten days before the sale takes place per N.J. Ct. R. 4.65-2. The notice will be sent in the mail to you so that you know when the sale is going to take place. However, there will also be other notices before the “final” notice ten days prior to the sale. These notices do not necessarily have to be sent to you directly. They may act as “constructive notice,” where the information is available but you have to go looking for it. Will I Get Notifications Before a Sheriff’s Sale in New Jersey? There are other ways to know that a sheriff’s sale may be in your future in New Jersey. Many things have to happen before a property goes up for sale in this way, but in most cases, it should not be terribly surprising that a sheriff’s sale is in the future. Sheriff’s sales are auctions of foreclosed properties. Therefore, a foreclosure has to have happened before a sheriff’s sale can take place. The fact that a foreclosure needs to take place beforehand gives many opportunities to receive notice that a sheriff’s sale could be in the future. First, the lender cannot do anything regarding foreclosure proceedings before letting you know that something has gone wrong. Per 12 U.S.C. § 3708, your lender has to contact you within 45 days of your first missed payment on a mortgage. This is potentially the first notice that many people get of an impending foreclosure and subsequent sheriff’s sale. While lenders are not required to do so, they may also give subsequent notices that you have missed mortgage payments before initiating foreclosure, which can provide even more awareness that the property could be sold off. Can I Delay a Sheriff’s Sale of My Property in New Jersey? In New Jersey, homeowners are allowed to delay a sheriff’s sale of their property up to two times. Delaying a sheriff’s sale is also known as an “adjournment.” A property can be adjourned up to five times per N.J.S.A. § 2A:17-36: twice by the lender, twice by the debtor, and once upon agreement by both the lender and the debtor. Each adjournment cannot last longer than 30 days. Stopping a Sheriff’s Sale in New Jersey There are a couple of ways that you can stop a sheriff’s sale in New Jersey. Some of these methods are employed before your property is foreclosed on, while others can be used later in the process. Redemption Property owners have something called a “right of redemption,” which they can exercise for ten days following a sheriff’s sale of their property. The right of redemption is the ability of the property owner to reclaim their property by paying all outstanding balances all at once. The property owner must pay any unpaid debts from their mortgage, the cost of going through foreclosure, and the cost of putting the property up for sale. This can be a lot of capital to come up with. You should discuss your situation with our New Jersey foreclosure defense lawyers to determine if exercising a right of redemption makes sense for you. Curing Under the Mortgage Most mortgages have a time period within which you can “cure” a default or missed payment. If you can make the payment to your lender in that timeframe, they cannot foreclose on your property, and there, therefore, cannot be a subsequent sheriff’s sale. Bankruptcy If you file bankruptcy while the foreclosure process is ongoing, it can stop it in its tracks. This is because, when you file bankruptcy, something called an “automatic stay” is put in place, which instantly stops all debt collection efforts against you, including foreclosure proceedings. This can prevent a sheriff’s sale from happening, at least until bankruptcy proceedings have ended. However, this only works if a foreclosure is ongoing. If you file for bankruptcy during a sheriff’s sale, it is not as effective. Injunctions Another way to stop a sheriff’s sale is to ask the court for injunctive relief. An injunction is an official court order preventing something from happening. For an injunction to work, our attorneys have to convince the court that we would be likely to win at trial, and we would also need to show that failure to put the injunction in place would be unfair under the law. It may make sense to file an injunction to prevent a sheriff’s sale in your case, depending on the circumstances. Talk to Our New Jersey Foreclosure and Sheriff’s Sale Lawyer Today Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates has Cherry Hill, NJ  foreclosure defense lawyers ready to help you out when you call us at (609) 755-3115.

If a recent accident or diagnosis has left you unable to work, you can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Doing this right away is important, as it could be a few months before the Social Security Administration (SSA) approves your application. Getting approved for SSDI benefits can be a long process. The Social Security Administration will start by reviewing your application, which should include information about your work history and qualifying medical condition. During this time, the SSA might contact you with additional questions about your disability. Even after the SSA approves your application, you might have to wait several months before you receive your first check, depending on when your disability began and when you applied for SSDI. If the SSA denied your claim, our lawyers can help you make a request for reconsideration within 60 days. You should not wait to apply for SSDI benefits if you are disabled and cannot work, as doing so could hurt your case. For help with your case from our disability lawyers, call Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (215) 515-2954 or (609) 557-3081 today. How Long Does it Take to Get Approved for SSDI Benefits? Applying for SSDI benefits can be a complicated and lengthy process. Our lawyers can make sure we include the necessary information in your application for benefits so that you do not face any unnecessary delays with your claim. Depending on the case, the Social Security Administration might take several months to review a claim and make a decision. Cases might get delayed when applicants don’t include all necessary information in their applications. For example, if the SSA is unsatisfied with the medical records you have provided regarding your disability, it might request additional information, forcing you to wait longer for approval. Preparing your SSDI application ahead of time might help speed the approval process up. Our Pennsylvania, PA disability lawyers can compare your recent diagnosis to the SSA’s listing of impairments for SSDI benefits to ensure you are eligible. We will also gather information about your work history to estimate your monthly benefit before submitting your application. Mandatory Waiting Periods Following SSDI Approval After the SSA approves SSDI applicants, applicants must go through a mandatory five-month waiting period. The Social Security Administration uses this five-month waiting period to confirm applicants’ eligibility. The mandatory waiting period starts the first full month after an applicant’s disability begins. So, depending on how soon after becoming disabled you apply for SSDI benefits, you might not have to wait too long after being approved to get your first check. Applicants with certain conditions, like ALS, are not subject to waiting periods for SSDI. Because of when the waiting period officially begins, claimants often don’t know when they’ll get their first checks. Suppose the SSA finds that a claimant’s disability began at the start of June after reviewing their application and medical records. Considering the fact that the five-month waiting period starts after the first full month of disability, the applicant in this situation would be get their first check in December. So, all in all, the five-month waiting period often ends up being six months, because of how the SSA sends out checks. Our attorneys can confirm if the mandatory five-month waiting period applies to your case and, depending on the starting date of your disability and the date you applied for benefits, whether or not you will have to wait at all after the SSA approves your application. How Long Do SSDI Appeals Take? Unfortunately, the SSA does not approve all valid SSDI claims the first time around. If the SSA recently denied your claim, our lawyers can take you through the appeals process as quickly as possible. Waiting to hear back from the SSA could leave SSDI applicants without income for far too long. If, after waiting several weeks or months, the learn that the SSA denied your claim, you can appeal the decision. Applicants must submit a request for reconsideration within 60 days of learning about a claim denial. When you request reconsideration from the SSA, we can submit additional proof of your disability verifying your eligibility for SSDI. If the SSA does not change its decision, you can request a hearing from an administrative law judge within 60 days. The appeals process might drag on, especially if claimants are unprepared or do not know the reasons for the initial claim denial. To find success in your appeal and ensure that you do not have to continue to appeal your case, our attorneys will review the reasons for the SSA’s initial denial and gather medical evidence necessary to compel the SSA to reconsider its decision as soon as possible after a rejection. Should You Wait to Apply for SSDI Benefits? If a recent diagnosis has left you unable to work and earn an income, you might be eligible for SSDI benefits. You should not wait to apply for these benefits, as doing so could leave you without the financial support you need. Many conditions, ranging from cancers to mental health disorders, qualify insured workers for SSDI benefits. Even if your condition is not specifically listed by the SSA as an eligible disability, the SSA might approve your claim is your disability is similar enough. Waiting to apply for SSDI benefits because you think your disability is not debilitating could ultimately harm your application. Furthermore, SSDI benefits are only retroactive up to a point. While the SSA might pay retroactive benefits from the day you stopped being able to work because of your injuries, it will only do so for the year leading up to when you submitted your application for benefits. So, if you wait upwards of a year to get your SSDI benefits, you might not get all retroactive payments possible. Call Our Lawyers for Help with Your SSDI Application You can get a free case review from Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates when you call our West Chester, PA disability lawyers today at (215) 515-2954 or (609) 557-3081.

If you are expecting to go through foreclosure or your property is going to be sold at a sheriff’s sale, you may be concerned about the potential consequences of that sale. You likely know that you will not have ownership of that property anymore, and you likely understand that you will not be in debt to your creditors once the property is sold. However, there are also credit score implications for having a property sold at a sheriff’s sale. Having your property sold at a sheriff’s sale will affect your credit score in a negative way. The particulars of your foreclosure process that led up to the sheriff’s sale have a direct impact on how significant the effect on your credit is. In general, the later your mortgage payments are past due, the worse the effect will be on your credit score. However, retaining legal counsel can help prevent or mitigate the negative effects of a sheriff’s sale on your credit. For a free analysis of your situation, call Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates’s foreclosure defense lawyers at the number (609) 755-3115 for matters in New Jersey or (215) 701-6519 for matters in Pennsylvania. How Sherrif’s Sales Impact Credit Scores Make no mistake, having a property foreclosed on and subsequently sold at a sheriff’s sale will have a negative impact on your credit. The exact impact will depend on the nature of the situation that led to the foreclosure and sheriff’s sale. If the missed mortgage payments that led to foreclosure were only slightly delinquent, the impact on your credit score may be minimal. However, if your missed payments were extremely late, foreclosure and a subsequent sheriff’s sale can have an extremely negative impact on your credit. Additionally, the impact on your credit is somewhat proportional to your credit prior to foreclosure. If your credit is high before foreclosure, you will lose more points than if your credit score was lower to start with. For example, according to Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), the main tool used by lenders to determine credit, someone with a “high” credit score will lose somewhere between 140 and 160 points due to foreclosure or a sheriff’s sale. Conversely, an individual with a lower credit score of 680 will lose only 85 to 105 points. This is partially because there are simply fewer points to lose and partially because once credit is damaged, subsequent negative impacts on credit are less important because the credit score is already not good. How Do Lenders View Foreclosure and Sheriff’s Sales? Foreclosures and sheriff’s sales are not viewed favorably by moneylending institutions. In fact, they are seen as some of the most serious red flags out there, only under being in the midst of bankruptcy proceedings. It will be very difficult to take out a loan if you have a property foreclosed on or are currently going through foreclosure proceedings. Many lenders may even outright refuse to give you a loan if they see that your property has been the subject of foreclosure or sold at a state sale. All that being said, every lender will have different standards for the level of perceived risk they are willing to accept. Moreover, lenders may become more lenient and understanding of your situation as time passes, especially if you can show that you have things under control in years following foreclosure proceedings. Ways to Improve Credit After a Foreclosure and Sheriff’s Sale Since credit is negatively impacted by foreclosures and sheriff’s sales, many people who go through those experiences will be looking to work towards rebuilding their credit. There are many ways to do this, and our foreclosure defense lawyers are ready to advise you on the best courses of action for your situation. Pay Bills on Time Arguably, the most effective way to improve your credit is to pay your bills consistently and on time. This shows financial institutions that you will not leave them out to dry when they loan you money. Ultimately, credit is a measure of how likely you are to pay someone else back, so actually paying what you need to is a good way to boost your credit score. Property Manage Credit Cards Another method for building credit is keeping credit card balances to a minimum. Making credit card payments in a timely fashion will improve your credit score over time by showing that you can pay your debts. Some common advice regarding using credit cards to improve credit involves leaving some of the balance unpaid so that it generates interest. Doing that is a risky proposition for building credit, as you are not, in fact, paying off the entirety of your bill. It is better to pay off your credit card debt in full and on time to rebuild your credit. Avoid Large Purchases Sometimes, it cannot be helped, but minimizing the number of large purchases you make can improve your credit. First, smaller purchases are easier to pay off. Second, it shows that you are trying to be financially responsible by avoiding large purchases that may put you at risk of failure to pay debts on time. Be Patient Above all, you need to be patient when rebuilding credit. There is no way to rebound from a diminished credit score overnight. The only way to rebuild credit is to work hard at it over a long period of time, so stick with it and trust that things improve over time. If you are responsible with your purchases and timely with your repayments, your credit will improve. Let Our Foreclosure Defense Lawyers Help You Out Today Contact the foreclosure defense lawyers from Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates by calling (609) 755-3115 for the state of New Jersey or (215) 701-6519 for the state of Pennsylvania to get a free analysis of your situation.

The Miami Herald reported on PPP fraud in South Florida, which is currently being prosecuted by the government. The article can be found at  https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/ar-BB1ktBVX?utm_source=pocket_mylistRather than spending the money on employee wages and other overhead costs, much of it was defrauded or spent on luxury goods purchases. The government is now prosecuting the individuals and attempting to recover the money or property.Jim Shenwick, Esq  917 363 3391  jshenwick@gmail.com Please click the link to schedule a telephone call with me.https://calendly.com/james-shenwick/15minWe held individuals & businesses with too much debt!

Your Bankruptcy Budget   When you fill out your bankruptcy budget, remember inflation. Some people give me a food budget that might have worked ten years ago, but not now. Do you buy coffee every morning at the 7-Eleven/? Some people think of just the grocery store budget and forget they get coffee every morning at the 7-Eleven, or Starbucks(!). I’ve seen moms with two teens at home put down $40 a month for clothing–that doesn’t even keep them in shoes. Here’s a chart you can use as a starting point.  It’s based on research collected by the Census Bureau.  This shows the expenses of the average family in America, collected by the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.   Remember that in Northern Virginia, things can be more expensive than elsewhere. (One family I talked to recently had a food budget that seemed too low. Mom told me that their family–living in western Stafford–ate a lot of venison; the husband killed deer during hunting season and froze the meat. That probably doesn’t apply to you. Many families around the country grow their own veggies. That’s hard to do around here, too.) Healthcare is not on this chart. Healthcare is another area where people budget way too low. Here’s something I posted on budgeting your health care costs. I wrote that ten years ago. The post Your Bankruptcy Budget–Don’t Forget Coffee appeared first on Robert Weed Bankruptcy Attorney.

While having insurance provides an important financial safety net for unexpected accidents, insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with. If your long-term disability insurance claim is denied, an attorney can help you write an effective appeal letter. A successful appeal letter for long-term disability claims should directly respond to the reasons cited by the insurance company for the denial. Vague statements about why you disagree or need the claim approved are unlikely to help. You should include the specific reasons why your claim was denied and why the insurance company’s decision is incorrect. Use language taken directly from your policy to make your point. If necessary, include additional information about your medical history and condition that might strengthen your claims. We need the denial letter from the insurance company and your policy before writing your appeal letter. If the denial does not align with the policy terms, you have a stronger case for appeal. You should avoid vague or unnecessary information, as it will likely not help you. Get a private case evaluation for free when you call Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (215) 515-2954 and speak to our disability attorneys. Writing a Successful Appeal Letter After Your Long-Term Disability Claim is Denied When an insurance company denies a claim, they must send the claimant written notice of the denial. The denial letter must include the specific reasons why the claim is denied. Insurance companies cannot just deny a claim with no explanation. If your denial letter contained no explanation of why your long-term disability claim was denied, call an attorney immediately. When writing an appeal letter, it should be a direct response to the denial letter. If the insurance company lists several specific reasons why your claim was denied, your letter should address each of those reasons specifically and directly. If even one of the insurance company’s reasons is left unaddressed, your appeal letter might not be successful. This can be difficult for people whose claims are denied on numerous grounds. Even so, an attorney can help you write an effective appeal letter and hopefully get your long-term disability claim approved. Do not write some vague statement about why you need coverage. You might be upset about the denial, as it means you must wait even longer before getting financial assistance from the insurance company. As such, it can be tempting to write a long, angry letter about why the insurance company is heartless or why you need these benefits. Your feelings are certainly valid, but broad statements that do not specifically address the denial will not help you write an effective appeal letter. What to Include in Your Appeal Letter After Your Long-Term Disability Claim is Denied First, our disability attorneys need to lay out the reasons you were denied. What grounds did the insurance company claim when they denied you? Be specific. If the insurance company denied your claim for three specific reasons, we must include each of those three reasons in your appeal letter. Next, we should include language from your policy that supports your coverage. Keep it specific to the reasons why you were denied. Do not be vague. What does the policy state regarding the reasons cited by the insurance company? We need to establish that your policy covers you. Including additional details about your medical condition and future prognosis might also be a good idea. It is possible that the insurance company does not believe you are disabled or that your condition does not qualify for long-term disability benefits. This sometimes happens when claimants do not provide enough information about their condition when they initially submit a claim. Providing additional details that prove you are disabled might be helpful. We can also include contact information for you and your doctors. The appeals process can sometimes be a bit complex, and the insurance company might contact you or your doctors for more information. What You Need to Begin Writing an Effective Appeal Letter for a Long-Term Disability Claim We first need the denial letter to begin writing the most effective appeal letter possible. As mentioned before, the denial letter should spell out exactly why the insurance company denied your claim. We need this information to build your appeal case. If the letter is too vague or unclear, your attorney can help you ask for clarifications from the insurance company. It would be best if you acted quickly, as getting clarifications might eat up more of your time. Next, we need a copy of your policy. You should make direct references to it throughout your appeal letter. Remember, the policy controls whether certain claims are approved or denied. We might also need some additional proof of your disability. Have other entities or organizations officially recognized your disability? For example, the Social Security Administration might recognize your disability for the purpose of getting Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. If you have documentation from the SSA, you can provide copies to the insurance company. Basically, if your condition is good enough for the federal government, it should be good enough for your insurance company. Things to Avoid When Writing an Appeal Letter for a Long-Term Disability Claim To make sure your appeal letter is as strong as possible, you should avoid making vague statements. You might want to stress how important long-term disability benefits are for your survival, but this should not be the focus of the letter. Statements should be specifically about the issues raised in the insurance company’s denial letter and how they do not align with the terms and conditions of your policy. Also avoid information that does not specifically address the reasons cited by the insurance company for the denial. While additional information might be helpful in some cases, you must first respond to the reasons why your claim was denied. If the insurance company does not base the denial on a lack of medical information, there might be no need to include additional medical information. Either way, talk to your lawyer about including extra information. Do not wait! Time is of the essence. The sooner you get started, the better. Also, avoid doing it alone. Call a lawyer for help. Contact Our Disability Attorneys for Legal Support Now Get a private case evaluation for free when you call Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (215) 515-2954 and speak to our Allentown, PA disability attorneys.

Watching your property get sold to the highest bidder at a sheriff’s sale is generally not a pleasant experience. Sheriff’s sales are the final step in the foreclosure process, where property is sold to pay debts that a debtor owes to various creditors. The proceeds from the sheriff’s sale are used to pay these debts. However, since sheriff’s sales are auctions, sometimes the highest bid for a property will not be enough to pay off every debt owed to creditors. When properties sold at sheriff’s sales are not sold for enough to pay all debts, those debtors actually end up out of luck. The proceeds of a property sold in a sheriff’s sale pay off creditors in order of priority, so those creditors lower on the list will not get paid if the proceeds from the sale are not enough to satisfy all debts. If you need assistance, speak to the foreclosure defense attorneys with Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates by calling (215) 701-6519 for Pennsylvania matters or (609) 755-3115 for New Jersey matters. Do Creditors Get Paid if My Property Does Not Sell for Enough in a Sheriff’s Sale? If your property sells for less than what your creditors are owed, the creditors are paid in order of priority. In general, creditors who obtained an interest in the property earlier in time get paid before creditors who obtained their property interest later, barring some exceptions like mechanic’s liens. Those creditors who are lower in priority do not get their debts satisfied if not enough money is made from the sheriff’s sale. What Happens at Sheriff’s Sales? Whether a sheriff’s sale is happening because of a “tax sale” or after foreclosure proceedings, the process remains largely the same. A property that is being sold to pay for debts is put up for auction, and people bid on it. The highest bidder gets the property, and the proceeds from the sale are used to pay the creditors who initiated foreclosure. You are also allowed to bid on your own property. If you are the highest bidder, you will re-obtain your own property without any liens or encumbrances. That being said, it is not a good idea to use a sheriff’s sale as a way to get rid of debt, as having a property foreclosed on can still have negative consequences, so discuss your situation with our foreclosure defense attorneys. What if My Property is Not Sold at All in a Sheriff’s Sale? If your property is not sold, it becomes what is called “real-estate-owned property.” Essentially, the bank or other creditors get ownership of the property instead of getting paid. It may be surprising to know that this is generally a bad outcome for the creditor. In most cases, the creditor will be a bank or other financial institution. Those entities are not in the business of possessing ownership of errant properties, so they would prefer that the property be sold rather than get possession of it. Ways to Prevent Sheriff’s Sales If you are concerned that your property will be foreclosed on and go up for auction at a sheriff’s sale, there are, fortunately, options available to you to prevent that from happening. Each person’s situation is different, so it is best to talk with our foreclosure defense attorneys about what option is right for you and your property. Right of Redemption When a property you own is being sold at a sheriff’s sale, you can exercise your “right of redemption.” When you exercise this right, you are stating that you have the entire balance of outstanding debts against you ready to be paid to creditors right away. Of course, it can be difficult to come up with the amount of capital needed to pay off all debts at the same time, so this option may not be practicable in all circumstances. Injunctive Relief Another way to prevent sheriff’s sales is to request injunctive relief. Injunctions are court orders that prevent a party from doing something. In this instance, the injunction prevents a sheriff’s sale. In order to have a successful claim for injunctive relief, you must show the court you are more likely than not to win the case if it went to a full trial. Another thing the court takes into account in a request for injunctive relief is whether the requesting party will suffer hardship if they do not issue an injunction. For example, if failure to issue an injunction would result in you losing your home because it is sold at auction, a court is likely to see that as hardship and may be more inclined to give you the injunction to stop the sale until circumstances change. Bankruptcy An option to stop a sheriff’s sale from taking place is to file bankruptcy. When someone files for bankruptcy, an “automatic stay” is placed in effect, which prevents any efforts to collect a debt against the person filing bankruptcy. Bankruptcy prevents sheriff’s sales by stopping the foreclosure process so that things never get to that point in the first place. However, you should not think of bankruptcy as a “magic bullet” that can be used without much consideration. Filing bankruptcy can have significant consequences for your credit score, and depending on the Chapter of bankruptcy you file under, your property may be able to be liquidated in any event. Filing bankruptcy is a serious decision that you should discuss with our attorneys before you make it. Chat with Our Foreclosure Defense Attorneys About Your Case For any foreclosure or sheriff’s sale-related concerns you have, call Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates’ foreclosure defense attorneys at (215) 701-6519 for Pennsylvania and (609) 755-3115 for New Jersey.

When one parent can no longer work because of a disability, the other, along with their children, might be eligible for auxiliary benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Also known as family benefits, auxiliary benefits are paid in addition to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and do not reduce a primary beneficiary’s SSDI benefit amount. Each eligible family member might be able to get up to 50% of the primary beneficiary’s benefit amount, though that it is not guaranteed. There is no limit to how many family members can get auxiliary benefits, though the SSA might reduce their individual benefit amounts if they exceed the maximum family benefit allowance. Auxiliary benefits can change to survivors benefits if primary beneficiaries die, possibly resulting in larger monthly benefits for surviving spouses or children. Auxiliary benefits are not factored into a primary beneficiary’s overall income, meaning recipients can stay below substantial gainful activity (SGA) limits while getting additional financial support from the SSA. To schedule a confidential and free assessment of your case from our disability lawyers, call Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates now at (215) 515-2954 or (609) 557-3081. What Are Auxiliary Benefits? If you were recently approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, your immediate family members might be eligible for additional auxiliary benefits from the Social Security Administration, also known as family benefits. The SSA pays auxiliary benefits in addition to SSDI or other disability benefits, not in place of them. These benefits are paid to immediate family members of SSDI recipients to increase the family’s total monthly income. This is often necessary for families of SSDI recipients, as the maximum monthly SSDI benefit is just $3,822. For some, that might be enough to support themselves. For others with large families, additional financial support might be necessary and can come in the form of auxiliary benefits. Furthermore, it is important to note that the maximum monthly SSDI benefit is not available to all recipients, just those near retirement age. Your specific SSDI benefit amount will be calculated according to your work history, which will also help determine the auxiliary payments your family gets. While the SSA pays auxiliary benefits in addition to SSDI payments, it will not automatically do so. Your spouse or children must apply for family benefits to get them, which our disability lawyers can assist with by preparing the necessary information and submitting it to the Social Security Administration. Who Can Receive Auxiliary Benefits? Auxiliary benefits are only available to primary beneficiaries’ children, spouses, and ex-spouses. Furthermore, these individuals must meet additional criteria to show the SSA they are entitled to family benefits. Spouses Those currently married to disability recipients can get auxiliary benefits if they are 62 or older or are any age and have an in-house child. This means that they have a child who is 16 years old or younger or qualifies as a disabled adult child (DAC). Ex-spouses can also get auxiliary benefits through an ex’s record if they were married for at least ten years, are at least 62 years old, are unmarried, and are ineligible for benefits on their own record or someone else’s. This can get confusing, especially in situations involving ex-spouses, and our lawyers can help you determine whether you are eligible for auxiliary benefits based on your specific situation. Children Children of disability recipients can also get auxiliary benefits, provided they meet the various criteria. To get family benefits, children of SSDI recipients must be unmarried and under 18. Alternatively, if the child of a disability recipient is disabled themselves and was diagnosed with their disability before the age of 22, they can get family benefits even if they are older than 18. The SSA classifies such individuals as DA Cs, and they can get SSDI benefits themselves through a parent’s earning record if they require financial support. In addition to being under the age of 18 or otherwise being classified as a DAC, children seeking auxiliary benefits must show the SSA that they meet extra criteria. For example, they must meet the definition of “child” as defined by the SSA, meaning they must be the biological, adoptive, or, in some cases, step-child of the primary beneficiary. Furthermore, the child must have been dependent on the primary beneficiary during at least one of three points in time. For example, a child must have been dependent on the primary beneficiary at the beginning of the worker’s disability, when the worker was last entitled to disability benefits, or when the child’s application for auxiliary benefits was filed. Depending on the specifics of a case, there might be additional dependency requirements a child has to meet in order to prove their eligibility for auxiliary benefits. Are You Eligible for Auxiliary Benefits? In order for the SSA to consider someone’s eligibility for auxiliary benefits, that person must have the necessary relationship with an insured worker. This means that there must first be a primary beneficiary who is eligible for SSDI benefits for there to be a family member who is eligible for auxiliary benefits. Eligibility for SSDI benefits is based on two factors: a person’s work history and disability. Work history is of greatest concern when it comes to auxiliary benefits, as that is how our lawyers estimate a family’s additional income. To have a sufficient earning record for SSDI, an applicant must have work credits. Individuals can earn up to four work credits per year, which is done when workers earn $6,920 in income. To be eligible for any disability benefits, an applicant must have at least 40 work credits, 20 of which were earned in the last ten years preceding their disability diagnosis. Once we have established that a primary beneficiary is, in fact, eligible for SSDI, we can help their immediate family members apply for auxiliary benefits, the amounts of which will be calculated according to the primary beneficiary’s benefit amount. That amount is ultimately based on their earning record, or the number of work credits they have accrued, which is why examining their history prior to applying is important. When Are Auxiliary Benefits Not Payable? When applying for auxiliary benefits, primary beneficiaries or their spouses might leave out crucial information or fail to meet certain standards, resulting in their applications being denied. Spouses under retirement age can typically only get auxiliary benefits if they have a child under 16 in their care. The Social Security Administration might deny applications for auxiliary benefits in cases where spouses are separated or a minor child has been removed from a parent’s care. Child benefits are not payable in specific situations, which our lawyers can explain in the event that they apply to your case. Generally speaking, the biggest issues with applications for auxiliary benefits occur when parents leave out important information required by the SSA. Maximum Auxiliary Family Benefit Amounts Auxiliary benefits are based on several factors, such as a recipient’s relationship to the primary beneficiary and the primary beneficiary’s benefit amount. Our lawyers can explain how the SSA calculates auxiliary benefits and what might happen if your family’s total benefit amount exceeds the limit allowed by the SSA. Generally speaking, each family member who is eligible for auxiliary benefits can receive up to 50% of the primary beneficiary’s benefit amount. That said, there is a maximum when it comes to how much the SSA will pay to one family. In most cases, the maximum total family benefit amount is between 150% and 180% of the primary insurance amount. Suppose a disability recipient has a spouse and several children and the auxiliary benefits payable to them would be above the maximum family benefit allowed by the SSA. In that case, the SSA might reduce each of their individual auxiliary benefit amounts as necessary. Suppose you have recently applied for SSDI and are interested in how auxiliary benefits can increase your family’s overall income. In that case, our attorneys can estimate the total benefits your family might be eligible for by reviewing your income prior to sustaining a disability and your work history to calculate your likely SSDI benefit amount and, by extension, your family’s auxiliary benefits. When to Apply for Family Benefits Many SSDI recipients are unaware of the existence of auxiliary benefits when they originally apply for support from the SSA. Even if it has been years since you’ve been approved for SSDI benefits, it is not too late for your family to apply for auxiliary benefits. Applications for SSDI benefits are usually subject to a five-month waiting period. After the SSA informs you of your approval, you can immediately begin the application process for auxiliary benefits for your spouse and children. By doing this as soon as possible, you can get the greatest financial support from the SSA from the get-go. The SSA may pay auxiliary benefits to children retroactively for up to 12 months. How to Apply for Auxiliary Benefits Applying for auxiliary benefits is similar to applying for SSDI benefits. Our attorneys can gather the necessary information for a child or spouse’s application for family benefits so that the Social Security Administration approves it without issue. Family Benefits for Children If you are applying for auxiliary benefits on your child’s behalf, there is information and documents you will need to provide to the SSA along with the application. This will include your child’s birth certificate or proof of adoption and proof of your child’s U.S. citizenship, among other information. The SSA might ask questions to verify your relationship with your child, such as whether or not they live with you at home. If your child qualifies as a DAC, you might need to complete additional forms and provide information about their medical condition. Family Benefits for Spouses When applying for auxiliary benefits as the spouse of an SSDI recipient, you must provide the SSA with certain information. This will include your birth certificate, marriage certificate, and W-2 forms for the last year. The SSA will also ask you various questions, such as information about your spouse, children, and current employment status. You should also be prepared to give the SSA your banking information so that you can easily receive your auxiliary benefits after getting approved. How Long Does it Take to Get Approved for Auxiliary Benefits? The Social Security Administration is not necessarily known for its efficiency when handling claims. Because of this, it might be several weeks or months before the SSA approves an application for auxiliary benefits. Generally speaking, those who apply for auxiliary benefits are not subject to the same five-month waiting period after approval as SSDI benefit recipients. That said, there is no telling how long it will take for the SSA to review an application for auxiliary benefits. If an application lacks certain information, the approval process might take longer. Suppose you, your spouse, or your child applied for auxiliary benefits months ago and have not heard back from the Social Security Administration. In that case, our Allentown, PA disability lawyers can contact the SSA to determine the status of your application. If the SSA has additional questions or requires more information, we can help you respond promptly so that the SSA approves your application as quickly as possible. Do Auxiliary Benefits Impact SSDI Benefit Amounts? Upon learning that their family members are eligible for auxiliary benefits through their records, disability benefit recipients might wonder if their monthly payments will be affected. The answer is no. Auxiliary benefits increase the overall income for an SSDI recipient’s family. You will get your normal monthly payment from the SSA, but that’s not all. On top of that, each eligible member of your family will get their own monthly auxiliary benefit. In the event that your family’s computed benefit amount is greater than the maximum family benefit allowed by the Social Security Adiminstration, it will reduce their individual benefits proportionally as necessary. The primary beneficiary’s benefit will be unaffected in these cases, as it is calculated separately from the maximum family benefit. Auxiliary Benefits for Surviving Family Members If a primary beneficiary dies while on disability, their family’s auxiliary benefits will likely convert to survivors benefits. When this happens, monthly benefit amounts might change. Survivors benefits are calculated differently than auxiliary benefits and are generally greater. For example, a surviving spouse who is at full retirement age or older may receive 100% of a decedent’s benefit amount. Surviving spouses caring for a child under 16, regardless of their age, can receive up to 75% of a decedent’s benefit amount, as can dependent children under 18. There are additional survivors benefits available to dependent parents of decedents and surviving spouses with disabilities. Eligible family members can apply for survivors benefits after a primary beneficiary’s death. If family members already received auxiliary benefits before a decedent’s death, their benefits should easily convert to survivors benefits. If your benefit amount has not changed since the death of a primary beneficiary, our lawyers can contact the SSA to update the agency about the situation. Payment Schedules for Auxiliary Benefits The Social Security Administration follows a regular payment schedule for SSDI and auxiliary benefits. This means that after getting approved, you can expect to receive your benefits at the same time each month. Apart from Supplemental Security Insurance benefits, which are paid on the first of each month, the SSA pays all other Social Security benefits on either the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of every month. Which day each individual recipient gets their auxiliary benefits will depend on their birthday. If your birthday falls between the 1st and the 10th of the month, you’ll get your benefit on the second Wednesday. If your birthday falls between the 11th and the 20th of the month, you’ll get your benefit on the second Wednesday. And finally, if your birthday falls between the 21st and the 31st of the month, you’ll get your benefit on the fourth Wednesday. Generally speaking, it’s easiest to opt to get SSA payments through direct deposit, whether they are SSDI benefits or auxiliary benefits. There’s a greater chance that recipients experience delays when the SSA sends checks out by mail. When the SSA sends payments via direct deposit, it does so at midnight on the correct payment date. How Long Can Eligible Family Members Get Auxiliary Benefits? If your immediate family members qualify for auxiliary benefits through your record, how long they can continue to receive payments could depend on several factors, such as their age, marital status, and your continuing eligibility for disability benefits. Child benefits typically last until a primary beneficiary’s child turns 18. That said, if a primary beneficiary’s child is also a DAC, they can continue to receive benefits for as long as necessary. Because the SSA allows people to get auxiliary benefits through an ex-spouse’s earning record in certain situations, some individuals might be able to keep receiving family benefits even after getting divorced. If a primary beneficiary is no longer eligible for SSDI benefits, auxiliary benefits will also stop. The SSA assesses recipients’ continuing eligibility for SSDI benefits routinely and, during one of these reviews, might learn new information about a recipient’s medical condition that disqualifies them from getting further benefits. If you get auxiliary benefits as a spouse, they will stop once you no longer have an in-house child under the age of 16. They might resume once you reach age 62 or if you meet other criteria for auxiliary benefits for spouses in the future. Auxiliary Benefits and Social Security Disability Income Limits When the SSA approves an SSDI application, it is because the applicant can no longer work because of an injury, illness, or disability. To reinforce the importance of this point, the SSA has set substantial gainful activity limits for disability benefit recipients, preventing them from earning a certain amount in additional income each month. If your family gets auxiliary benefits, will those payments count toward your SGA? Fortunately, the answer is no. The SGA limit is only an issue when it comes to money earned from working. For example, if you tried to work a part-time job while getting SSDI, and that job generated too much income, you might be over the SGA limit for the month. For 2024, the monthly SGA limit is $2,590 for blind individuals and $1,550 for non-blind individuals. Even if your family’s overall auxiliary benefits exceed the SGA limit, you will have nothing to worry about, as it does not count toward your income in the eyes of the SSA. That said, auxiliary benefits are taxable income, which is something for eligible family members to keep in mind. Similarly, auxiliary benefits do not impact trial work periods (TW Ps). Disability benefit recipients automatically trigger TW Ps whenever they earn upwards of $1,110 in a month. If left unchecked, TW Ps could cause SSDI recipients to lose their benefits and their family members to lose their auxiliary benefits. To prevent this from happening, our attorneys can identify a TWP and address it with the SSA promptly. Even if you and your family are at risk of losing SSDI or auxiliary payments, we may be able to prove your continuing eligibility for benefits despite a recent TWP. Call Our Lawyers to Learn More About Auxiliary Benefits Today To get a free case review from our attorneys today, call the Berks County, PA disability lawyers of Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (215) 515-2954 or (609) 557-3081.