Chronic Heart Failure and Social Security Disability
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Tuesday, May 22, 2018
In several of my blog posts I have examined what symptomatology the Social Security Administration (SSA) looks for when reviewing medical records for the purposes of awarding disability benefits. In today’s blog post I’m going to talk about another common ailment that I see a lot of in my disability practice, Chronic Heart Failure (CHF), and how the SSA determines the severity of their impact on a claimant’s
Abusive Debt Collection Practices Continue To Plague Consumers
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Friday, May 18, 2018
If you are facing a money crisis, you are probably one of the millions of Americans getting phone calls and letters from debt collection companies and law firms. Too often, these phone calls and letters are rude, abusive, and threaten actions against a consumer that cannot be lawfully taken.
Prescription Drug Costs/Perceptions/Reality
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Thursday, May 17, 2018
In the past three weeks, I personally have encountered the confusing maze of prescriptions drug prices and discovered I don’t understand it and probably never will. My family is healthy for the most part. As a consumer, mom, and bankruptcy attorney, I became very disheartened by three things in the last three weeks.
Stop Drowning…in Guilt. Get Going Forward!
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Wednesday, May 16, 2018
It's probably safe to say that most of us were raised with the adage: "If you create a debt, you had better pay it. You're a bad person if you don't pay your bills." But, most of us when we are making decisions do not intentionally set out on a course to simply skip out on paying our bills.
Credit Scores Could Increase as Much as 30 points
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Credit scores…we all have them but most of us do not understand how our scores are calculated. Regardless, effective immediately, your credit score may experience an increase as high as 30 points. This could help you when applying for credit or trying to negotiate a better interest rate.
Cambridge Analytica to File for Bankruptcy
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Monday, May 14, 2018
Political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica announced last week that it was planning to cease its operations and file for bankruptcy. The announcement follows growing concerns of its business practices and its work during the 2016 presidential campaign.
When Told to Complete the SF 86 for Your Clearance, Please Do so Immediately!
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Friday, May 11, 2018
Recently, I have seen a number of individuals who have been instructed by their facility security officer (FSO) that they need to fill out and submit a SF 86 form through the e-Qip (Electronic Questionnaire for Investigation Processing). This is all done online through the JPAS (Joint Personnel Adjudications System).
IRS Standard Mileage Rates for 2018 Up from Allowable Rates for 2017 to Be Used for Tax Purposes
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Thursday, May 10, 2018
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) determines the standard mileage rates each year to be used when calculating the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.
Dating back to the beginning of the year (January 1, 2018) through December 31, 2018, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
Common Means Test Pitfalls
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Wednesday, May 9, 2018
The Means Test became a part of bankruptcy along with a raft of other changes in 2005 through an amendment called BAPCPA (the “Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Creditor Protection Act”). Since then it has caused problems even for experienced bankruptcy practitioners.
New Study Finds Most Millennials See a Large Drop in Net Worth
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Friday, May 4, 2018
According to a recent Time Money article, a new report shows that younger adults burdened with student debt are falling behind their parents’ generation in financial stability. The report compared the wealth of 25 to 34-year-olds in 2016 with the same age group in both 2013 and 1989. One bit of good news: compared with 2013 age group, the 2016 folks made some gains in median income, retirement savings, and assets.