Harvey Iseman Esquire

A bankruptcy trustee has the authority to undo contracts or agreements that appear to be an attempt to hide or spend assets before a bankruptcy filing. For example, paying a debt to your parents before a bankruptcy filing could be reversed.

One benefit of establishing a living trust is that you can name a trustee to manage your estate if you become incapacitated. It can also help you avoid probate, which can take up to 24 months and be quite expensive.

If you don't have the money for the bankruptcy filing or to pay an attorney, you may be able to seek a waiver of the filing fee. A bankruptcy lawyer is allowed to include attorneys fees in a Chapter 13 repayment plan.

Even the most amicable divorces can turn ugly when both parties want custody of the children. We can help you separate emotion from the facts of the case to give you the best shot of receiving custody.

The only way a high income debtor can qualify for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is by showing that there is less than $200 in discretionary income left after all bills are paid. A bankruptcy attorney can help you make that calculation.

Remember, the more complex your case is, the longer it can take to resolve the matter in court. While it can be frustrating to feel as though you're making little progress, getting the fairest judgment is the primary goal.

Remember, divorce negotiations won't necessarily be the same as negotiations within a marriage. After making an asset offer, avoid being the first person to bring it up, even if that means a lengthy silence on the subject.

Did you know that leaving all your assets to your spouse isn't always the best approach to take when it comes to estate planning? This way, you don't use your estate tax exemption and instead increase your surviving spouse's taxable estate, which could lead to your children paying more in estate taxes.

Chapter 7 plans make sense for debtors with mostly unsecured debt. That's debt not tied to a house or car. Credit cards and some loans are examples of unsecured debt, which can be completely erased in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Although the family home can be a hotly contested asset in divorce proceedings, it doesn't have to be. In many cases, it makes more sense to sell the home and split the profits with your former spouse.

So where do you start when it comes to estate planning? First, take inventory of your assets, including your investments, retirement savings, insurance policies, and real estate or business interests.

If you have a revocable living trust that contains most of your assets, it's recommended that you still have what's known as a pour-over will, which can take care of such details as guardianship for your children and untitled assets.

Remember, it's our job to be on your side, so honesty is important. Whether you know you're going to fail a drug test or a past infidelity is going to come up, it's critical we know so we can mitigate the damage.