David Offen - Bankruptcy Expert

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1 ANSWERING YES TO THESE QUESTIONS COULD LEAD TO A PENNSYLVANIA BANKRUPTCY FILING The decision to file for bankruptcy could change your life. Conversely, the decision against filing could have a big impact as well. For this reason, it is imperative that you make the right choice at the right time. DAVID M. OFFEN PHILADELPHIA BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY

2 The decision to file for bankruptcy could have a big change your life. Conversely, the decision against filing could have a big impact as well. For this reason, it is imperative that you make the right choice at the right time. Some people are fully aware that filing for bankruptcy would be in their best interest. Others, however, are unsure of what this offers and how bankruptcy would help them. If you find yourself on the fence, you need some help making the right decision. You don t want to move in one direction or the other without knowing that it is best for you and your finances at the present time. Answering Yes to these Questions Could Lead to a Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Filing 3

3 There are many key questions to answer if you are considering bankruptcy. These include: 1. Do you have more debt than you can afford to pay? This is the first sign that bankruptcy could be a good option. If you are unable to pay your debt, month after month, you will begin to slip behind. Debt negotiation is an idea to consider, but some creditors aren t willing to cooperate. In this case, bankruptcy may be the best choice. There may also be taxes owed if you don t pay your bills back in full due to the IRS provision of debt cancellation income. 2. Are you ready to stop debt collectors from contacting you? There is nothing worse than debt collectors calling your phone all day long. Answering Yes to these Questions Could Lead to a Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Filing 4

4 This can be frustrating, especially if you don t have the money to pay what you owe. With a bankruptcy filing, thanks to the automatic stay, this will be put to an end. Creditors are not legally permitted to contact you during this time. Once your bankruptcy comes to an end, you will be in a good position as well. You either discharged some or all of your debt, or you reorganized your debt into a repayment plan that you could afford. Either way, you are protected from creditors. 3. Are you afraid of what the IRS will do to you? There is always the chance the IRS could garnish your wages. Not only does this mean you will take home less Answering Yes to these Questions Could Lead to a Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Filing 5

5 money, but your employer will now have a better idea of what you are going through. 4. Is foreclosure on your mind? If you are considering bankruptcy, there is a good chance you have slipped behind on your mortgage payments. As noted above, filing for bankruptcy will implement an automatic stay. This gives you the opportunity to save the home as your lender is not permitted to move forward with foreclosure. 5. Has your situation become so bad that you could never fix it on your own? If you are buried in entirely too much debt, you may have no choice but to file for bankruptcy. Even if you want to avoid this, it is possible that not only is it your only way out, it may be your best idea as well. In this case, you should get on board with the idea that bankruptcy is the best way to solve your trouble, once and for all. Answering Yes to these Questions Could Lead to a Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Filing 6

6 If you answer yes to one or more of these questions, you may want to consider filing for bankruptcy. In this case, there is one last question to answer: will I file on my own or hire a bankruptcy attorney? The law does not require you to hire an attorney, but this is often times a good decision as it gives you somebody on your side who knows the ins and outs of the law, the challenges you will face, and the decisions you should and should not make. Don t hide from any of these questions. Instead, answer them honestly. Doing so will allow you to make an informed and confident decision. Answering Yes to these Questions Could Lead to a Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Filing 7

7 About the Author David M. Offen A native to the Philadelphia area, Mr. Offen attended Temple University College and Law School. Mr. Offen is licensed to practice in the States of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He is a member of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Conference and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. David M. Offen has over 20 years of experience and has helped over 8,500 individuals and families go through the Bankruptcy process. These filings have included stopping foreclosure on a home, stopping repossession of a car or vehicle, stopping IRS tax levies and frozen bank accounts and putting a stop to; lawsuits, credit card bills, personal loans, bills, utility shutoffs and other types of debt. With Mr. Offen s help, these families have saved countless millions of dollars of debt. David enjoys getting to know his clients and will be happy to answer any and all questions you may have. You are treated as a person and not a number. Remember there is no such thing as a silly question. Don t be afraid to ask any questions you may have. David M. Offen has found that people looking to file Bankruptcy are not trying to avoid their responsibilities but rather to make a difficult situation easier. David enjoys getting people to stop worrying and making their financial lives much better and help people stop feeling overwhelmed. In some cases, Bankruptcy is not the best move and he can review your situation with you and tell you the right move for you to make. Get a completely free evaluation of your situation. For the past 20 years, the Law Offices of David M. Offen has been among the top filers of bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The Law Offices of David M. Offen The Curtis Center 601 Walnut Street, Suite 160 West 1st Floor Philadelphia, PA Answering Yes to these Questions Could Lead to a Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Filing 8