Michael Barnett P.A

What to Know About Filing Bankruptcy

Learn what happens if you file for bankruptcy, whether you will lose your property, what happens to you credit, if it affects your job or future employment.

BMO Harris Bank fails to prove fraud against Ron McMartin

A U.S. bankruptcy judge in Fargo, N.D., has discharged a fraud allegation by BMO Harris Bank in the bankruptcy of Ron G. McMartin Jr., of St. Thomas, N.D. McMartin’s McM Inc. farm filed Chapter 7 liquidation in February 2017. McMartin filed a separate but related personal Chapter 7 bankruptcy in September 2017. Creditors filed $62 million in claims, including $43 million from lender BMO Harris.

6 Warning Signs For When Not To Take On A Client

Though often you just don’t know until you’re already knee-deep in the representation, here are some red flags signaling when it might be better to pass on a certain prospective client.

3 Warning Signs That Your Lawyer's No Good

We all have different tastes, and varying notions of what makes a thing great. Some of us tend to the simple yet sophisticated, while others are into ostentation and flair. Just like there is no one way to be well-dressed...

How to Reinstate an Auto Loan after Repossession

If your car gets repossessed, you have three main ways of getting it back: reinstating the loan, redeeming the vehicle, or buying it back at auction. If it's allowed in your state, keep reading to find out how to reinstate an auto loan after repossession.

Top 10 Mistakes Made When Hiring a Lawyer

Hiring a lawyer is an intensive process. You will often hear people complaining about their relationship with their attorney. Issues can be circumvented if you make a concerted effort to avoid the following common mistakes when hiring an attorney. Not checking a lawyer's area of expertise. Some attorneys can do well outside of their area of expertise, but many do not know the nuances in other areas of the law. Therefore, if you need a contract lawyer, do not hire a divorce attorney…

5 Things You Should Never Buy With Your Credit Card

Put that plastic away! For these six expenses, you’re better off leaving your credit card in your wallet.

Fixing your credit scores after a bankruptcy

Money Talk column on how to fix your credit scores after a bankruptcy

Will store's bankruptcy hurt my credit score?

Your credit score may not be impacted much if you have a store credit card and the store goes under.

Foreclosure or Bankruptcy? Which is Harder on Your Credit Score?

Facing foreclosure and/or considering bankruptcy? You might be surprised at the real effect of these actions on your credit score.

7 Tips to Improve Your Credit Score After Bankruptcy

This article outlines 8 tips to improve your credit score after bankruptcy.

How Will Bankruptcy Affect Your Credit Score?

Chances are if you have told anyone you are considering bankruptcy, you have received a variety of reactions. Many people understand how helpful bankruptcy can be, but others assume the worst and believe bankruptcy is never the right option. In most cases, these are people who have never faced financial hardship and needed assistance getting back o...

5 Surprising Ways to Increase Your Credit Score

; Updated July 27, 2017<br>It's common knowledge that a high credit score is the key to low-interest loans and increased purchasing power. But what makes a credit score go up? Counter to conventional wisdom, people who keep their credit card balances near zero and always pay their bills on time might not have the highest possible credit score. Many factors are used to calculate the score beyond the main checks on timely paying of bills and having no maxed-out lines of credit…

Debt Counseling and Your Money Mistakes

Bad Money Habits If you have trouble sticking to your financial goals such as getting out of debt, consider debt counseling. A certified and trained credit counselor isn’t there to judge or criticize, but to educate…

I had a bankruptcy. How can I raise my credit score?

How Will Bankruptcy Affect My Credit Score?

How Much Your Credit Score Will Be Affect When You File Bankruptcy Depends On What It Is Before You File<br>One of the biggest fears my clients have is that bankruptcy will ruin their credit, and that they’ll never be able to get credit again. This fear has to be in the top three misconceptions that people have about bankruptcy. While filing bankruptcy will definitely affect your short-term ability to get credit at good interest rates, your interest rates will improve with time…

Credit scoring myths and the facts

Perhaps no area of personal finance is more confusing than credit. That's because some of the basic tenets of credit scoring seem illogical.How can a billionaire have a worse credit score than his...

Where do I apply for debt counseling?

An article about debt counseling and how to find a reputable debt counselor, while avoiding scams.