Bradford W. Botes's blog

We keep hearing that we’re all in this together, but one group seems not to have gotten the memo: scammers. It’s no surprise, when you consider the huge number of scams targeting people facing foreclosure and in other types of crisis. As of the end of April, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reporting tens of thousands of Covid-19-related complaints. So far, the bulk of these complaints have been from the hardest-hit, most populous states.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reports that U.S. consumers ended 2019 with record-high debt. In the 4th quarter of last year, household debt climbed $193 billion, to a total of $14.15 trillion. Mortgage debt accounted for about $120 billion of the increase and 68% of the total. The remainder was attributable to:

Before the current crisis began, we wrote about the surprising number of Americans whose low wages kept them struggling financially despite low unemployment rates.

Many people would find it nearly impossible to carry on regular daily activities without a car. They rely on their vehicles to get to work, do the grocery shopping, go to doctor appointments, take the kids to school or daycare, and generally attend to necessities. And some large cities like Birmingham have relatively limited public transit systems. Some neighborhoods are better covered than others, and many public transit lines don't run at night. In some areas, there is little or no public transportation available. 

There’s a battle of experts underway about just how often medical bills and lost income due to an illness or injury triggers a bankruptcy filing. Some studies conclude that as many as ⅔ of all bankruptcy filings  are due at least in part to medical problems, while others contend the number is much smaller. 

There’s a battle of experts underway about just how often medical bills and lost income due to an illness or injury triggers a bankruptcy filing. Some studies conclude that as many as ⅔ of all bankruptcy filings  are due at least in part to medical problems, while others contend the number is much smaller. 

Many people considering bankruptcy are concerned about their options for purchasing a home after bankruptcy. In many ways, qualifying for a loan after bankruptcy is no different from qualifying for a mortgage without a history of bankruptcy. That is, the lender’s determination will be based on the same set of factors, such as the amount of the loan in comparison to your disposable income and your credit history.

How Can I Stop a Foreclosure in Alabama?

Credit card debt is a problem, both for the nation and for individuals. According to credit reporting agency Experian, Americans were carrying about $834 billion in credit card debt as of the end of 2018, and that number continues to grow.

The 341 Meeting which has been scheduled in your case will be held at the Robert S. Vance Federal Building located at 1800 Fifth Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203-2111.

Remember to dress appropriately for your hearing-business casual attire. (Shirts with collars and sleeves, long pants, skirts or dresses with sleeves. No shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, flip flops, etc.)