Category Archives: Uncategorized

Chapter 13 Client Starts 2016 Debt Free!

I received this great testimonial from a Chapter 13 client who just finished a five year plan today:

“Giles and Lambert is an excellent company to work with if you are going to file any type of bankruptcy. Four years ago my finances were a mess and everyday it seemed that there was no way out. Just like a lot of things in life you just keep dealing with it and hoping that one day it might get better. I started using credit cards and different loans 25 years ago. I am now 49 years old and as of January 1, 2016 I am completely debt free thanks to Malissa, Tracy and the Roanoke office. I have five kids who are all grown. They see a happier dad today and will also benefit financially as well.”
– MK, Chapter 13 client finishing 5 year plan

Shouldn’t 2016 be your year to start fresh!

What can we offer?

Solutions to your debt problems.
Our bankruptcy packages include triple credit reports, obtaining your IRS transcripts, all bankruptcy court and state court filing fees, both of your mandatory credit counseling courses, and a follow-up credit reporting monitoring program with one of our partners. We try to make sure there are no outside costs and you know what you are paying for up front!
Make 2016 your year to start fresh and put debts in the past!

Artist finds inspiration from her own debts – Will you be inspired to change in 2016?

The Washington Post published a photo essay this past year by photographer Brittney M. Powell which was inspired by the photographer’s own personal debt.  In the photographs, she tries to capture the stress, burdens and loneliness that living with debt can bring upon people.

You can access the story and photographs at:

Read the full story

It takes bravery for folks to talk about their personal situations publically, but doing so often can make you realize you are not alone.  According to the Post article (and we know from the experience of our practice), living with tens of thousands of dollars of debt is now a common American experience. Families have more than twice as much debt than they did in the 1950s.

If you are one of these families, know that there are solutions to help remove you from that storyline.  Call or email us to set up an appointment and see what we can do for you today.

You may start 2016 with debts, but you don’ t have to end it that way.

 

 

Do you need a fresh start for 2016?

As 2015 draws to a close, maybe your New Year’s Resolution is to get a fresh start financially in 2016! If that is the case, we can help.
It is tough to take a hard look at your finances and where you are headed, but making the decision to change can mean more sleep at night, a better relationship with your partner or kids and less STRESS for 2016.
If you are ready to consider options, email us for an appointment today. While we have given our staff New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day off, we will be monitoring emails and setting appointments for people eager to take that first step toward a better financial future in 2016. No email? Just call and leave a message and we will get back to you!
If deciding which law firm to hire, we suggest you come in for a free consultation and let us explain what we offer. Our bankruptcy packages include triple credit reports, obtaining your IRS transcripts, all bankruptcy court and state court filing fees, both of your mandatory credit counseling courses, and a follow-up credit reporting monitoring program with one of our partners. We try to make sure there are no outside costs and you know what you are paying for up front!
Whether you need our services in 2016 or you are on firm financial footing, we wish you a Happy New Year!

Scammers targeting bankruptcy filers – BEWARE!

 

A sophisticated phone scam is targeting bankruptcy filers in several states, using personal information from filings and posing as attorneys to coerce intended victims to wire money
to the scammers immediately to satisfy a debt. We have seen scammers targeting folks who owe the IRS, but this is a new twist.
Please, please don’t fall for this. If you get such a call, do not give out any personal info and do not send these folks money!
An article published October 20, 2015, has been placed on the internet uscourts.gov website, under Judiciary News, which reads, as follows:
Phone scammers are targeting bankruptcy filers in several states, using personal information from filings and posing as attorneys to get intended victims to immediately wire money to satisfy a debt.
The National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys issued a warning that “Under no circumstances would a bankruptcy attorney or staff member telephone a client and ask for a wire transfer immediately to satisfy a debt. Nor would the bankruptcy attorney and staff ever threaten arrest if a debt isn’t paid.”
Bankruptcy filers in Vermont and Virginia reportedly have received calls. Vermont’s Attorney General says scammers use software to “spoof” the Caller ID system so the call appears to be originating from the phone line of the consumer’s bankruptcy attorney. Typically the calls come late in the evening or during non-business hours to make it difficult for intended victims to verify the call by contacting their attorney.
Consumers receiving this kind of call are advised to hang up and contact their bankruptcy attorney as soon as possible. Do not give any personal or financial account information to the caller.
If you are one of our clients and you get such a call, please call us the next morning or email so we can report the activity. If possible, record the time and return phone call number so we can help track down this illegal activity.
– Malissa Giles

New Martinsville Digs!

Courthouse 1

We are thrilled to announce we have moved into the Historic Henry County Courthouse and are now open for clients! Located at 1 East Main Street, Martinsville, we have a beautiful new space for the firm.
This great old courthouse was renovated in 2009 and the Virginia Garden Society landscaped the grounds in the past two years.
We are working on a sign, but you can find us on the left side of the courthouse, with plenty of free street parking!

Superheros may leave top of building, but we still have super powers over debt

Our Superheros left the Dr. Pepper sign this morning, but the law firm can still offer the super powers of bankruptcy to folks struggling with debt.  If you are looking for real options on dealing with debt, call us today for a free consultation.

Folks often struggling with debt can be targets for scams.  We have seen a significant increase in phone scams involving scammers pretending to be from the IRS.  Just this week, two clients got phone calls threatening to put them in jail if they did not wire money for their “IRS bill” immediately.  Folks, the real IRS does not operate this way.  If anyone calls threatening to you in jail for not paying a debt, they are almost always running a scam.  In the United States, we don’t put folks in jail for not being able to pay normal debts except in really unusual circumstances.  And the IRS is not going to call you out of the blue and threaten to put you in jail.

Don’t fall prey to these villains! If you need help with debt, call today!