One in seventy homes in the US has filed for bankruptcy making it an extremely common topic of discussion for many Americans. But where did the concept of bankruptcy come from? The process may be different today than it was in the past, but, surprisingly, bankruptcy has existed in some form or another for thousands of years.

Ancient Greece

Bankruptcy as we know it today was not an option for people living in ancient Greece. If a debt that could not be paid was owed, it was not uncommon for the debtor to be a debt-slave for five years or more. Although protection from bodily harm and death was offered, debt was paid back in the form of difficult physical labor.

Old Testament

The Old Testament mentions debt forgiveness many times; debt was forgiven for members of the Jewish community every seven years and for community members and foreigners every forty-nine years.

England

In 1500s England, debt was considered a crime which was punishable by imprisonment and possibly even death. By the 1700s,...

According to statistics from a report provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (more commonly known as the FDIC) “one out of every two hundred homes will be foreclosed upon” and six out of ten homeowners “wish they understood the terms and details of their mortgage better.” The same report shows that more than twenty percent of American households are spending more than they earn each year and more than half of employees are living paycheck to paycheck. Job loss, health emergencies, lack of savings, and no available credit are the biggest reasons that push homeowners over the edge and into the possibility of foreclosure.

Although it can appear that the cost of owning your own home is just too high, there are, in fact, a number of benefits. Homeowners generally live happier, more satisfying lives because owning a home has been linked to emotional, mental, and even physical health. Your children are also more likely to have greater academic...

When it comes to bankruptcy, confusion abounds. If you file for bankruptcy are you just out of luck? Will it ruin your life? Is your plan for your future now out of the question? Nearly everyone has heard something about bankruptcy that is an exaggeration; oftentimes what they’ve heard is flat out untrue. Here are five facts about bankruptcy that will give you a better idea about what it actually is.

Bankruptcy won’t necessarily ruin your credit. This is probably the most common myth about bankruptcy that’s floating around out there. The fact is that having bankruptcy on your credit report won’t necessarily keep you from being able to buy a car or home for yourself. In fact, it’s not uncommon for people to report an increase in credit score because their credit truly is improved in just a matter of months.

Bankruptcy won’t cause you to lose everything. Contact us with the specifics of your particular scenario to be sure, but know that most people who have filed for bankruptcy...

If you have received a letter stating that your lender intends to begin a foreclosure on your property, hiring a lawyer as early as possible in the process will go a long way towards making the procedure go as smoothly as possible. Sometimes lawyers are able to come to an agreement with your lender, allowing you to stay in your home if they are brought in to help early on. The first step in the foreclosure process is for your lender to send you a letter which lets you know that they intend to begin foreclosure proceedings.

Filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy is one option that you have if you’ve spoken with your lender about adjusting your loan. By proposing a plan to repay your debt over a period of three to five years, you may be able to keep your home. It is important to contact an attorney early though, because if you miss a deadline from your lender or they finish with the foreclosure before you’ve acquired legal counsel it will be very hard to get your home back. A couple of your options may include loan modification and loss mitigation and a lawyer can help you to be...

Bankruptcy is often misunderstood and can be a confusing process to work your way through which is why we’d like to provide you with a detailed overview of what bankruptcy actually is and the various options that are available to you. We know that filing for bankruptcy is a difficult decision to make and one that often carries with it a large amount of stress and uncertainty. C. Rainford Law can help you out with consumer credit related counseling and guide you through the legal proceedings.

What is bankruptcy?

Simply put, bankruptcy is defined as the inability to discharge all of your debts as they become due. It is a legal proceeding that’s guided by federal law that is designed to address situations where a debtor (which can be either an individual or a business) has accumulated obligations so great that he or she is unable to pay them off.

What happens when you file?

Now that you have a good grasp on what it actually is, let’s talk about what happens when you file for bankruptcy. Laws are designed in such a way that...

In our previous blog we talked about being abused by a spouse, and calling a family law attorney to help you fight your way out of a bad marriage. If you are still on the fence about leaving your spouse due to fear of them harming you, we are here to help push you over the fence. We have seen many cases of violence and domestic abuse here at C. Rainford Law Firm, which is why today we would like to cover the cycle of violence that any abusive partner is sure to follow. If this cycle is ringing a bell, then it is absolutely time for you to leave, and our experienced family law attorneys are here to help.

Most domestic abuse follows an identical pattern. First comes the abuse, your spouse will lash out at you either physically or emotionally in a violent and malicious way. You will be left injured internally or externally. The abuser will then express remorse, not because he is actually sorry, but because he is fearful that he will be reported or caught. The he will make...

Are you living in fear from your husband or wife? If you are feeling trapped, threatened, or vulnerable you may be in an abusive relationship. Being in an abusive relationship is scary, painful, and unfortunately it is something that most individuals keep silent about. Abuse in a relationship can take many forms, it isn’t just physical violence that is ailing women.

Physical Abuse

If you are being physically abused by your spouse, you are not alone. In the United States, a woman is beaten by her husband every 15 seconds according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Any form of physical harm is abuse. It seems that a partner will continue to stay in a relationship if they think that the abuse isn’t “that bad” in comparison to other cases of physical violence that they know of. Many people also believe that acts of physical violence are just isolated instances and say things like “He only hit me one time, and he promised never to do it again.” However, it is extremely likely that if your spouse has abused you once, that it will happen again. If your...

Bankruptcy is a scary term with a lot of negativity attached to it. It is when you owe more than you can afford to pay. This occurs when you overspend and can’t catch up on your bills or credit card payments. In situations like this, you need to thoroughly assess your finances including stocks and bonds and any other liquid assets. Any and everything that you own should be valued to determine whether or not you will be able to pay back your debt. After totalling everything you own and can liquidate, if you can still not pay your bills you may be forced to file for bankruptcy to keep your head above water. Bankruptcy should not be used as a cure for out of control debt or spending. It will generally have a negative effect on your credit score, and depending on your career, it could affect your employment status. Having bankruptcy in your history can also make you ineligible for certain jobs.

Deciding To File

You have decided despite the negative consequences, that bankruptcy is the best option for you and your out-of-control financial status. There are...

If you or someone you know has been a victim of personal injury, it is smart to hire legal representation. The financial cost well outweighs the overall benefits that having a personal injury lawyer will provide. Sometimes, the simple threat of getting your lawyer involved will result in benefits in your favor. Whether your case goes to court or can be reconciled man to man, it is good to have a lawyer present to protect your rights and get you the compensation that you deserve.

Long-Term or Permanently Disabling Injuries

Certain injuries can affect your physical capabilities or appearance for a long time, which is classified as a year's time or longer, or permanently. The severity of your claim paired with your lawyer’s expertise will determine the amount of the settlement for injuries such as these.

Medical Malpractice

If you have suffered from an illness or injury due to the negligence of a doctor, nurse, hospital, clinic, laboratory, or other medical provider, you are entitled to a settlement. The legal and medical...

If you are immigrating to America from another country, you are required to be granted a green card or an immigrant visa by the United States government. If your case is straightforward with no complications such as a criminal history or a history of run ins with the Department of Immigration, you can receive a green card with no issue. However, if you have a complicated case, chances are that you will need an immigration lawyer to help you present your case and hopefully be granted your green card.

Immigration Court Proceedings

If you are or have ever been involved in immigration court deportation, call a lawyer immediately. If you are still involved in court proceedings, a lawyer can help to argue your case. If you have had proceedings in the past, you many want to contact a lawyer to find out whether or not the previous outcome will affect your application.

Inadmissible

If you are deemed “inadmissible” by the United States government, you may be able to reapply with the assistance of a lawyer. Inadmissibile applicants...

The fear of violence should never be something that you stand for. Unfortunately, divorce isn’t usually a very pleasant experience for most who go through it. People turn ugly, mostly in contested divorce, when the odds are not in their favors. Desperation, especially when faced with divorce, can cause people to take a turn for the worst resulting in deceit, emotional abuse in a plea to get the spouse to stay, and even physical abuse, or the threat of it. Are you fearful that your spouse may harm you or your children due to the idea of getting a divorce?

If you answered “yes” to this question, you need to pack up yourself and your children if applicable and head to a safe place immediately. Call a friend or family member, or rent a hotel. It doesn’t really matter where you go; just get away from your spouse if you have been abused in the past or suspect that he or she may abuse you now due to the issue at hand. Once you are in a safe place, call a family law attorney. He or she will be able to evaluate the situation with you and help you figure out what your next move...

Knowing when to hire a divorce lawyer is not always black and white. Divorces range from being simple and civilized to being extremely ugly. Regardless of how long you have known or loved someone, the pain, anger, and disappointment that can be caused by divorce is excruciating. Your family will never be whole again. Many couples choose to try and resolve their issues on their own, but for some it can be a little more complicated to navigate. This is when legal representation is recommended. Let the legal experts at your Top Rated Local® law firm take the lead with one of their experienced family law attorneys.

Abuse

If there is any abuse happening that has led to the decision of divorce, seek legal help. It doesn’t matter how tough you are or how much you believe you can handle; abuse is a sticky situation that should not be tolerated by anyone, adult or child. This includes mental, physical, and substance abuse. So, whether your spouse has intentionally injured you or a child, is putting you down...

Welcome to C. Rainford Law Firm, your top rated local Georgia law firm! We have four great locations all over Georgia for your convenience! Let us be your law firm choice in Stockbridge, Clarkston, Alpharetta, and Conyers. Our firm has been in business for over twenty years, which is why we consider ourselves experts in handling personal injury, immigration, family law, and bankruptcy cases. Whether your green card is expired, you have decided to file for divorce, have been injured in a car accident, or have financially run your business into the ground, we are here to help. We understand the severity and seriousness that can accompany these cases, which is why our lawyers will do their best to walk you through the process as carefully as possible, to ensure the best possible outcome for your situation.

Call us today for a free consultation on your case! We encourage and maintain an open communication policy among our clients in a team-oriented atmosphere which is one of the reasons that our clients keep coming back to us! Regardless of your...