End of the Year / Holiday Financial Tips
End of the Year / Holiday Financial Tips
Avoid excess gift-giving this time of year. Your family wants your time, not your money and your presents. If your loved ones knew you were suffering financially in order to shower them with gifts they would not want them.
Please make sure you are maintaining your auto insurance policy. I have seen people get into accidents and the car is totaled. The insurance policy lapsed, but the car creditor still wants their money. You would hate to have to file for bankruptcy because your insurance policy lapsed in such a situation but you still owe the car creditor $25,000.
When facing financial difficulty, do not try to fix it yourself. You would only be making an already difficult situation worse. 401(k) withdrawals, credit card balance transfers, deeding real estate over to family members, etc will essentially “tear up the plumbing” and make it more difficult for you to recover financially.
Please drink in moderation, especially in connection to the operation of a motor vehicle. You do not want to injure yourself or others. You do not want to lose your license. You do not want to go to jail. Generally, civil liabilities are discharged in bankruptcy. But if you kill or injure someone through the intoxicated (drugs or alcohol) use of a motor vehicle, civil liability for that incident is not discharged.
With the holiday parties and travel schedules, it can be hard to take the time to meet with a bankruptcy attorney. I am available for evening appointments and also on Saturdays as needed.
The above information is a general overview and is not intended to be used as legal advice. If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, the best thing to do is call our office at 248-557-3645 and schedule a free consultation so you can receive advice which is tailored to your specific circumstances.
By: Michael Benkstein, Esq.
Managing Attorney, Bankruptcy Department
The Law Offices of Joumana Kayrouz, PLLC
1000 Town Center
Suite 800
Southfield, MI 48075
(phone) 248-557-3645
(fax) 248-200-0645
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