Managing Credit Card Debt After the Holidays: How to Prevent a Bad Situation from Getting Worse

As the holidays approach, household credit card use will increase dramatically as consumers rely on credit for retail purchases, goods, and travel. The good tidings of December do not necessarily have to evolve into the bad tidings of January and February as the bills begin to roll in. But assuming for purposes of this article […]
WRDW News Report: Protecting Yourself From Credit Card Fraud

WRDW News 12/WAGT-NBC Augusta recently sat down with our attorney Zane Leiden to get his expert opinion on the growing epidemic of credit card fraud. With the holidays approaching, the amount of online shopping activity is increasing — and with it, the risk of security breaches and stolen credit card data. What measures should you […]
CREDIT CARD DEBT, BANK REVENUE, RISES TO RECORD HIGHS

According to a New York Times article dated October 20, 2017, four top American banks – Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase and Citigroup – made more than $4 billion in income from their credit card divisions between July and September 2017. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily good news, as the Federal Reserve reports that […]
SALES, TRANSFERS AND DEBT REPAYMENT: WHAT YOUR BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY NEEDS TO KNOW

Previous articles from Leiden & Leiden have addressed the importance of accurate disclosure of financial information in the process of filing for bankruptcy. This is necessary because a fundamental component of the bankruptcy process is a thorough disclosure of all of the debtor’s assets and income. However, simply disclosing what you presently own, and what […]
THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCURATE INCOME TAX RETURNS IN BANKRUPTCY

A fundamental component of any bankruptcy consultation is to review the state and federal income tax returns of a prospective client. Bankruptcy law requires that a debtor must be up to date in their income tax filings. Additionally, these returns are required to be submitted to the assigned Bankruptcy Trustee no later than seven days […]
WHAT IS A NON-DISCHARGEABLE DEBT, AND HOW CAN IT AFFECT MY BANKRUPTCY CASE?

When a consumer files a bankruptcy case, all of their debts must be identified and listed in their bankruptcy petition. The Bankruptcy Code requires that all of your creditors must be notified of the bankruptcy filing. However, just because a debt is listed in the bankruptcy petition does not mean that it will be discharged. […]
COMMON QUESTIONS THAT BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEYS HAVE TO ANSWER FOR POTENTIAL CLIENTS

The decision to file a bankruptcy case can be very difficult. Unfortunately, circumstances beyond a consumer’s control may not leave any other options. But while a prospective bankruptcy client may only have one immediate concern – such as a wage garnishment or house foreclosure – a bankruptcy attorney will need to perform a full inquiry […]
WESTINGHOUSE BANKRUPTCY: WHAT WILL IT MEAN FOR PLANT VOGTLE WORKERS?

Many are wondering how the impending Westinghouse bankruptcy will affect those businesses with contractual ties to the company. Westinghouse is the company in charge of designing two new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle in Burke County. Bankruptcy attorney Zane Leiden talks to Channel 12 and weighs in on the Westinghouse bankruptcy and its effect on […]
LIFE AFTER BANKRUPTCY: SEPARATING FACT FROM FICTION

Even though they may need relief, many people delay the filing of a personal bankruptcy because they are concerned about the effect it will have on their credit going forward. Unfortunately, they often ignore the damage that has already been done to their credit. Most of the time, their scores have already been damaged by […]
ARE CREDIT CARD COMPANIES REQUIRED BY LAW TO ACCEPT LESS THAN THE AMOUNT OWED?

Lately in Augusta we’ve been hearing radio ads from different companies that advise consumers that there are laws the credit card companies do not want to disclose, that would require credit card companies to accept less than the full balance of the amount that is owed. These programs are touted as an alternative to a […]