Facing foreclosure is a time of challenge and uncertainty. On top of financial difficulties, you may be dealing with aggressive mortgage companies and the prospect of having your home taken away. That’s why you should never navigate a foreclosure case without an attorney. There are many ways a foreclosure attorney can improve the odds your […]
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What Is a Homestead Exemption?
Any homeowner has to deal with property taxes. But you can reduce the amount you owe with a homestead exemption. Are you asking, “What is a homestead exemption?” In California, you can qualify for an exemption of up to $600,000 with the state’s homestead exemption rules that went into effect in 2021. If you’re […]
How Can a Mortgage Attorney Help After Bankruptcy?
If you’ve filed for bankruptcy, applying for a mortgage or any type of loan may seem futile. Could it even be possible to secure such financial backing? With a bankruptcy attorney, it is. That’s not to say there are no challenges in getting approved for a mortgage. However, your chances are not completely eliminated. Here […]
How Does My Bankruptcy Lawyer Get Paid?
Filing for bankruptcy is sort of a paradox. You’re looking for financial relief, but obtaining that relief comes at a cost. If your finances are already tight, it’s normal to wonder how you’re going to pay a bankruptcy lawyer, or what the process is for how they get paid. We’ll now cover some common questions […]
What Is the California Statute of Limitations on Medical Debt?
At OakTree Law, we provide various solutions to help improve your financial situation. These include Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 bankruptcy as well as help with avoiding foreclosure or wage garnishment. Medical debt is one of the leading reasons people seek financial relief. We’ve helped many clients get back on their feet, […]
If You Declare Bankruptcy, Can You Leave the Country?
Drowning in debt can feel like a dire situation. You may have thoughts of leaving the country to escape it. But then again, you may have obligations to travel or had made plans before you considered bankruptcy. Will the court see your activities in a negative light? What are the penalties? If you’re asking, “If […]
When to Hire a Student Debt Lawyer?
Student loan debt can be an excessive burden. According to The Institute for College Access & Success, the average debt for the Class of 2019 (earning a bachelor’s degree) was nearly $29,000. In some states, it was close to $40,000.1 However, many students owe substantially more. Whether you owe on a federal or private student […]
Bankruptcy Dismissal vs. Discharge
When a bankruptcy case is filed with the court, it may be dismissed or discharged. The terms are often confused, especially among first-time filers. Here, we will explain the differences between bankruptcy dismissal vs. discharge and how the court’s decision ultimately affects your case. What Is a Bankruptcy Dismissal? When you receive a dismissal, it […]
OakTree Law’s Guide: How to Prepare for the Next Recession
A normal occurrence in the economic cycle, a recession is a significant and prolonged downturn in economic activity. It may last from a few months to years. According to a 2022 survey from Empower and Personal Capital, 74% of U.S. consumers expressed concern about the economy going into recession. Economists and organizations have been warning […]
How Does a Creditor Garnish Wages?
Wage garnishment is a legal procedure in which the court orders your employer to withhold a portion of your earnings to pay back your debt. It’s a typical process—around 7% of workers in the U.S. each year are left asking, “How does a creditor garnish wages?”. However, there are rules and limitations. Whether you’re facing […]