Hartford’s Stilts Building Faces Foreclosure 

Hartford’s Stilts Building Faces Foreclosure 

The downtown area in Hartford, CT has long been a prime location for many businesses. However, market fluctuations that have been driven by the Covid-19 pandemic continue to impact buildings that generate a large amount of revenue. The Stilts Building currently is facing foreclosure, which would severely disrupt the commercial real estate market that has already taken a hit because of the pandemic. It is recognized as a Class A downtown office building. The foreclosure process was initiated by Wells Fargo Bank after several missed mortgage payments, but negotiations are currently in place to resolve the issue. 

The building is owned by landlord Shelbourne Global Solutions and was purchased for $44.4 million. It has generated millions of dollars in real estate revenue since 2013, so if the building  goes through foreclosure it would significantly reduce the total revenue of the downtown area. The building has a vacancy rate of roughly 20%. Many companies have been forced to downsize their office space due to pandemic-related expenses and a changing workforce. The potential foreclosure that Shelbourne Global Solutions is facing is just another example of how businesses are still trying to navigate the ups and downs of the real estate market well after the peak of the pandemic. 

How Foreclosure Happens 

Foreclosure is the process of a lender seizing or selling a home if the borrower is unable to meet their obligation to make payments. It can be triggered after certain circumstances, such as if a borrower loses their job. Once the foreclosure process has begun, it doesn’t mean that there is nothing more that a borrower can do. There are alternative options and strategies you can use to strike a deal with the lender.

If you are facing foreclosure, it is a stressful experience to go through. The prospect of losing your home is something no one should ever go through alone, so that is why it is important to seek the legal services of a qualified foreclosure lawyer. 

Legal Services From a Foreclosure Lawyer

A Hartford, CT foreclosure lawyer like one at the Law Offices of Ronald I. Chorches can explain to you that you may still be able to consider several legal options if you are facing foreclosure, no matter how behind on payments you are. Their team has been successfully able to prevent the foreclosure process for many clients over the years they have been in practice. Foreclosure lawyers have the skills and years of experience to assist clients who are going through similar scenarios regarding foreclosure. They can advise you on what to do to navigate foreclosure, explain foreclosure and real estate laws, and help you fill out the necessary legal documents involved. 

Contact a Qualified Lawyer 

As reflected by the current challenges impacting the Stilts Building and other long-term businesses of the downtown area, even businesses that have long been in operation are not immune from the unpredictable nature of economic shifts that could lead to foreclosure. If you would like to know how you can avoid foreclosure and take the necessary precautions to resolve it, speaking to a lawyer can help you. Learn more by requesting a risk-free consultation with a foreclosure lawyer in your area now. 

Money Management Tips After Filing For Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy Lawyer

Financial struggles affect almost everyone, but if you are having trouble keeping track of your spending and savings, there are some helpful tips you can apply. This is especially true if you have filed for bankruptcy, as financial problems can occur despite best efforts to make responsible choices. Medical bills or an emergency repair can quickly derail your financial plans. If you are recovering after bankruptcy, keeping the following money management tips in mind can help you avoid getting into serious financial trouble again.

Review Your Credit Report

Keep an eye on your credit report regularly to watch for suspicious activity. A credit report is a summary of your financial transactions, showing information such as your loans. Knowing what’s on your credit report can give you a sense of the health of your finances. You can get free annual credit reports from the major crediting companies Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. 

Stick To Your Budget

One of the biggest mistakes that people make is not making a budget. If you struggle with spending, first identify the areas where you are having trouble with. Categorize your spending so that you can see where your money is going towards each month. Setting limits for yourself can help you cut down on lower priority purchases that can be saved for a later time.

Make Payments on Time

A good way to ensure that you can stay on top of your finances is to make payments well before they are due. Late payments can be damaging to your credit score. You can set reminders for yourself a few days or a week early so that you do not accidentally miss a payment. 

Explore Your Options 

If you have tried other strategies on your own but are not having success, you can reach out to professionals who can assist you with your financial planning. Debt issues and other major struggles you may be facing are best handled with help from an outside party. Don’t be afraid to explore all of your options and find out what resources are available to you with the help of a trusted bankruptcy lawyer like Carolyn Secor, P.A.. 

Staying on top of your finances after completing the bankruptcy process can be intimidating, but picking up better money management habits will take time. Developing a suitable financial plan will take time and effort, and you are not alone in your struggles. Meeting with a bankruptcy lawyer is a good first step to take if you are not where to start. Schedule an appointment now to learn more about financial services available. 

What Sets Chapter 7 Apart From Other Types of Bankruptcy Filings?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is one of the most common types of bankruptcy filings used. It has the potential to help many people get themselves out of poverty and onto a path where they feel empowered to handle their finances. Chapter 7 bankruptcy can give you a fresh start in eradicating the debts that loom over you. However, filing for bankruptcy should only be done when thought through, and discussed with a lawyer who is familiar with bankruptcy law. 

What makes Chapter 7 bankruptcy different from other types of bankruptcy filings? Here we have listed the pros and cons, so you have a better idea of what operating under this bankruptcy status will be like:

Pro’s of Chapter 7 bankruptcy:

• Automatic Stay Protection: once your case has been filed, creditors are banned from contacting you or taking collection actions.
• You Keep Most Belongings: Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows for people to keep most of their assets, such as cars, furniture, clothes, etc. 
• Future Wages are Protected: after filing, creditors cannot touch your earnings, so future paychecks are entirely yours to keep and use for necessities of living and other expenses.

Con’s of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy:

• Public Record: what happens in the bankruptcy court is not private, and is open to the public. But, most people aren’t interested in finding out the details about another individual’s bankruptcy case. 
• Income Limits When Applying: it will be important to calculate your income, and see if you fit the criteria needed to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
• Giving Up Luxury: even though you are permitted to keep certain assets, there are others that aren’t protected, such as luxurious and indulgent items.

Hiring a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer

Hiring a lawyer can be a stressful process. To begin with, how can you be sure you even need a lawyer? There are a lot of reasons that you need a lawyer before you end up in a courtroom. Once you know you need a lawyer, how do you find a good one? Should you hire one for just this job or keep a lawyer on retainer?

How to know if you need a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer

The simple answer is, if you’re not sure, you need a lawyer. Consulting a lawyer and finding out you are in the clear is preferable to not contacting a lawyer and facing down lawsuits or fines. Lawyers are essential at every step of the business process like a chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer from a firm like Carolyn Secor, P.A., can explain. They can make sure you start off on solid ground by advising on a sound business structure and helping you with the paperwork and licenses you need. You will also need a lawyer if you are working with any intellectual property and when going through a bankruptcy. They can draft solid agreements and contracts to help keep business running smoothly. They can even help you get paid with a letter on your behalf. If you wait until an emergency comes up to hire a lawyer, you have waited too long.

How to Find a Good Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer

One of the best ways is to ask around. Put your personal and professional networks to work for recommendations. Make sure to look around online and do some research. There are sites that offer directory services for lawyers, and they may even include complaints lodged against the lawyer.

Once you have some recommendations, set up meetings with the potential lawyers. Make sure that you come ready to ask questions. Think of it as interviewing an employee. How much do they need to be paid? How much experience do they have?

What is a Retainer

A retainer is a prepayment into an account that is used to pay the lawyer’s fees later. By setting up a retainer with a lawyer, you can avoid worrying about legal issues and focus on running your business. The retained lawyer can review and form contracts and agreements and advise in all sorts of legal matters. They can even make recommendations if you need someone more specialized. The exact amount needed depends on the lawyer, so make sure you ask during the interview process.

If you have questions about any chapter 7 bankruptcy legal issues relating to your business, contact a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer and discuss your options.

6 Ways Filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Could Affect Your Daily Life

Filing for bankruptcy is never an easy decision. There are many things to consider when deciding if it is right for you. There are two main types of bankruptcy for individuals: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. This blog will focus on Chapter 7. 

Chapter 7 bankruptcy, or liquidation bankruptcy, is the kind of bankruptcy that is often portrayed in media. It allows individuals who are unable to pay their debt to discharge most of it. Once you file, an automatic stay takes place and your creditors must cease all actions pertaining to the collection of your debt. You will likely have to sell some of your assets to pay down some of the debt, however some things may be considered exempt. If you decide to file for bankruptcy a lawyer can help you decide if this is the correct option for you. If you go forward with filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy here are six ways it may affect your everyday life. 

You may have difficulties obtaining a good credit card.

When you file for bankruptcy your credit score will likely drop by 100 or more points. The negative mark bankruptcy leaves on your credit score can last for up to 10 years. Most “good” credit cards, with benefits and low interest rates, will require you to have a credit score of 700 or above. While you are building your credit back up, you may still be able to get a credit card, but it will likely be one with a higher interest rate and fees.

You may have a hard time getting a mortgage.

Once you file for bankruptcy you will have a waiting period before you can apply for most types of mortgages.  For example, FHA loans are the most flexible allowing you to apply for a loan as soon as 1 year if you can prove extenuating circumstances, or 2 years without. Other types of loans have their own waiting periods. Once you have completed the waiting period you will probably need to meet a credit score minimum and other requirements. Securing a mortgage after bankruptcy is by no means impossible, but there will be hurdles.

You may have high interest rates if you choose to finance a new car.

Sometimes during a bankruptcy proceeding you will be forced to sell your car to pay down your debt. If this occurs and you need to buy a new car but cannot pay cash, car dealerships may take advantage of the situation and charge you extremely high interest rates, occasionally up to 29%.

You will no longer receive collection calls.

Once you file, collection agencies will not contact you anymore. Not having to deal with harsh creditors may significantly improve your daily life. 

You may feel relieved. 

Once your bankruptcy proceeding is finished you may feel immediately relieved. Now that you have been discharged of your debts, you can move forward without the constant stress of large amounts of debt hanging over your head. You may even find you look at the world in a more positive light and other aspects of your life may improve as well. 

You may notice a decrease in the amount of fights you are having at home. 

If you have a partner, you might find that your relationship improves almost overnight. Financial strain is one of the biggest stressors on any relationship. With your debt being eliminated you can focus more on your improving your relationship rather than your financial situation and you may fight less frequently.

These are just a few of the ways filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy could affect your daily life. Deciding to file for bankruptcy is a very personal decision, everyone’s situation is different. Like with everything in life, there are pros and cons to filing and only you and your lawyer can decide what those will be for you.

If you have questions about a bankruptcy case, contact an bankruptcy lawyer, like the attorneys at the Brandy Austin Law Firm for help with your case. 

How the Automatic Stay in Bankruptcy Helps You

One of the basic and most important protections available when you file a bankruptcy of any type, anywhere, is the Automatic Stay.

Essentially, the moment you file your bankruptcy case, the Bankruptcy Automatic Stay stops any company or person whom you owe money (a “creditor”) from taking any steps to collect money from you. The provision that creates this Automatic Stay is Section 362 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.  The Automatic Stay blocks credit card companies, personal loan companies, banks, car loan companies, mortgage companies, the IRS, and almost anyone else to whom you owe money.

What does this mean for you?  Here are a few examples:  If your home is to be sold tomorrow in a foreclosure sale, we can file a bankruptcy petition today and stop the sale. If your bank account has been frozen (restrained), we can file a bankruptcy petition, and the Automatic Stay requires your bank to release the freeze and allow you access to your money.  If your salary is being garnished (also called an “income execution”), filing a bankruptcy petition will invoke the Automatic Stay and stop any garnishment so you once again receive your full paycheck.  Are you being sued? Filing a bankruptcy petition will invoke the Automatic Stay which, in turn, will temporarily halt any proceedings against you.

The Automatic Stay begins at the moment the bankruptcy petition is filed (usually electronically); not the day it is filed, but the actual moment it is filed. Therefore, we can theoretically stop a foreclosure sale scheduled for 3pm by filing the bankruptcy ten minutes earlier.  

However, it is not unlimited relief; there are some circumstances in which the Automatic Stay will not block legal action against you, as the lawyers at Baram Kaiser Law can explain. For example, criminal proceedings do not violate the Automatic Stay. Likewise, actions to collect previously Court-ordered child support obligations are not stopped by the Automatic Stay.  The Automatic Stay can be limited in duration in certain circumstances, for example, if you have filed bankruptcy previously in the recent past. In certain circumstances, a creditor may have legal grounds to ask the Bankruptcy Court Judge to remove or modify the Automatic Stay, for example, if you do not resume mortgage payments after you file your bankruptcy. These nuances in the Bankruptcy law require the advice and counsel of a knowledgeable, experienced attorney to help plan the best course of action to protect you and your family’s finances.