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I filed my first bankruptcy petition for a client in 1978. While filing bankruptcy, like many other legal cases, is not something that a person necessarily wants to go through, it is sometimes the only viable solution to serious financial and legal problems. There are many reasons that an individual or a married couple finds it necessary to file bankruptcy, but over the course of thirty (30) years of representing working people and small businesses, I have learned that bankruptcy provides important rights to consumers under federal law. Many people have found their lives significantly improved by the judicious use of a bankruptcy filing, when there are no other acceptable alternatives. The concept of allowing people in debt to get a "fresh start" with bankruptcy is deeply imbedded in the legal system of the United States.
Modern bankruptcy law and practice in the United States dates back to the 1800s with the Bankruptcy Act of 1898 being the most significant legislation until the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. Further changes were made in the bankruptcy laws in the 90s. The most recent changes culminated in the so-called "Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act" of 2005, effective October 17, 2005. While this act made it more difficult for consumers to file bankruptcy, people should know that effective relief under the bankruptcy code is still possible for most people.
I am committed to assisting people who need to file bankruptcy. I provide cost- effective, high quality representation that is designed to assure a successful and relatively painless bankruptcy experience. The goal is to get the client in need of bankruptcy a fresh start as efficiently as possible. My fees for bankruptcy are very reasonable and cost effective. Many cases can be done on an affordable, flat-fee basis. Many of the reasons people are required to file bankruptcy are due to situations outside their control.
Many of the reasons people have to file bankruptcies can be attributed to economic conditions and political decisions made on a national level. Lack of universal healthcare coverage causes many people to have medical expenses that just exceed any reasonable ability to repay. The lack of medical insurance may arise for a family that never had the problem until the principal bread winner lost his or her job and their insurance with it. Unexpected job loss, with an insufficient social safety net, can result in the need to file bankruptcy because of the unexpected loss of income. Many people, who are already struggling with expenses and debts as a married family, find bankruptcy necessary when the marriage fails and divorce becomes a reality.
Charge card companies have been aggressively promoting credit, often without regard to the consumer's ability to repay and often at interest rate that are shocking. Consumers today incur debt legally to "auto title loan companies" and "payday loan companies" at interest rates that exceed what illegal loan sharks have charged. As a result of these conditions and others, many people find themselves in need of filing bankruptcy. Whether you are just considering bankruptcy as an option or you already believe that it may be your only option, it is worthwhile to contact me. Sometimes I can resolve debt issues without filing bankruptcy. Sometimes a bankruptcy is the most cost-effective legal option. Please contact me to find out if I can help you get relief from a difficult or intolerable situation.
I will leave you with a quote from Bruce Springsteen's song "Atlantic City":
"Well, I got a job and tried to put my money away. But I got debts that no honest man can pay."
If your situation is the same or similar to what Bruce described in his song, rather than taking desperate measures as did the character in the song, please contact me. I can help.
Joel Winnig
