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Bankruptcy is provided by federal law, and all bankruptcy cases are handled in federal court.
In most cases you will not lose your home or car during your bankruptcy case as long as your equity in the property is fully exempt. Even if your property is not fully exempt, you will be able to keep it, if you pay its non-exempt value to creditors in chapter 13. However, some of your creditors may have a “security interest” in your home, automobile or other personal property. This means that you gave that creditor a mortgage on the home or put your other property up as collateral for the debt. Bankruptcy does not make these security interests go away. If you don’t make your payments on that debt, the creditor may be able to take and sell the home or the property, during or after the bankruptcy case. There are several ways that you can keep collateral or mortgaged property after you file bankruptcy. You can agree to keep making your payments on the debt until it is paid in full, or you can pay the creditor the amount that the property you want to keep is worth. In some cases involving fraud or other improper conduct by the creditor, you may be able to challenge the debt. If you put up your household goods as collateral for a loan (other than a loan to purchase the goods), you can usually keep your property without making any more payments on that debt.
Foreclosure is the process where a bank or other lender or creditor can take your home or other real estate away from you because you have fallen behind on making the payments when they became due. This can be a very stressful and difficult time from a financial and emotional perspective, due to the fact that to you, your house is a home, but to a creditor, your house is their investment. If you are facing foreclosure, or have received demand letters from your bank or their attorneys for past due amounts owed on your mortgage, you should contact us immediately so we may be able to determine what stage of the process you are in and advise you accordingly.
Sometimes, your bank will allow you to sell your home to someone to avoid a foreclosure and may accept less than what you owe them in full satisfaction of the debt you owe—this is commonly referred to as a “short sale”. To see if you may qualify for this alternative to foreclosure, please contact our office so that we may speak with you and obtain further information from you regarding your specific situation.
There are also instances where a bank may allow you to catch up on your past due mortgage payments—often called the “arrearage” by making payments to your bank without having to file for bankruptcy.  To see if you may qualify for this alternative to foreclosure, please contact our office so that we may speak with you and obtain further information from you regarding your specific situation. For more information check out www.massachusettsforeclosurecenter.com
A pre-bankruptcy counseling session with an approved credit counseling organization is required prior to filing and will include an evaluation of your personal financial situation, a discussion of alternatives to bankruptcy, and a personal budget plan.
A typical counseling session should last about 60 to 90 minutes, and can take place in person, on the phone, or online.You will be charged a fee for the counseling, which will generally be about $50, If you cannot afford to pay a fee for credit counseling, you should request a fee waiver from the counseling organization before the session begins, waiver are usually granted for those who only receive social security or whose income is below the poverty level or unemployed.
After filing you must take the Debtor Education Course by an approved provider should include information on developing a budget, managing money, using credit wisely, and other resources. Like pre-filing counseling, debtor education may be provided in person, on the phone, or online. The debtor education session might last longer than the pre-filing counseling – about two hours – and the typical fee is between $50 and $100. As with pre-filing counseling, if you are unable to pay the session fee, you should seek a fee waiver from the debtor education provider.
When you receive a “discharge” of your debts from the bankruptcy court, that means your case is concluded and you can begin to enjoy a fresh start in your financial life. Second chances are a big part of what America was built on and still remains as strong tradition in the United States. At this time, you will have an opportunity to begin building for your more secure financial future, including saving money and rebuilding your credit.
After your bankruptcy is concluded, you may want to repair and rebuild your credit. The biggest thing that you can do to rebuild and repair your credit is to pay your remaining bills on time. This would include paying your mortgage or rent on time, paying your car, phone, electric and other utility bills on time, all of which can contribute toward rebuilding your credit.
Another option you may have, is to get a “secured” credit card. This is a credit card issued to you by a bank, where you send them up-front, how much money you want for a line of credit. You make charges on the card and get a bill, just like a regular credit card. You pay the bill on time every month and after making several payments on time, you can ask the bank to turn that credit card into a regular, unsecured credit card. Doing this can help you rebuild a positive credit history. This process does not happen overnight, but if you are taking steps in the right direction, your credit will improve over time. One of the biggest benefits going in your favor, is that new credit card companies and lenders will know you have concluded a bankruptcy and essentially have no more debt, so you are viewed by them as a person with little or no more debt, which is a good thing.

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http://www.massachusettsbankruptcycenter.com

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ROCKLAND, MA…

There’s a misconception among many consumers that buying “green” refers strictly to products made of natural materials. While that’s part of the equation, there’s much more to it. Like appliances and lighting that last longer and use less power to run. Or plumbing that requires less water. At DirectBuy of Boston South, members not only have the opportunity to purchase the full spectrum of green products under one roof, but they also can save some “green” buy paying manufacturer-direct prices.

Some of the green products available to DirectBuy members include:

Faucets and plumbing fixtures that offer low consumption

Natural cork flooring and underlayments

Flooring made of renewable natural bamboo

Lighting and ceiling fans with Energy Star ratings

Energy Star compliant kitchen appliances, washers and dryers

Cabinets treated with low-voc, LEED-compliant stains

Bedroom, dining room, living furniture manufactured by members of the Sustainable Furniture Council; many of these pieces are made from natural fibers, use eco-friendly foam and contain organic, halogen-free fire retardants.

“Consumers are always being encouraged to make ‘greener’ purchases, but there’s no real road map as to where to make these purchases and whether or not what they do buy is green,” said John Massaria, owner of DirectBuy of Boston South. “The green products our members can buy through DirectBuy have been rated by recognized authorities like Energy Star, LEED and the Sustainable Furniture Council, so you know the green purchase you’re making is part of the solution.”

Energy Star ratings refer to the U.S.-government backed program ranking the energy efficiency of products. LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a voluntary green building rating system, which is a consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance sustainable buildings. The Sustainable Furniture Council is a non-profit balanced coalition of manufacturers, retailers and consumers offering a public tagging program to identify good “green” choices.

“We all know we should be making greener purchases, particularly when it comes to products we use in our everyday lives like lighting and appliances. Unfortunately, making those wiser choices can be quite costly. By making all these green options available at DirectBuy, we give our members the choice to save money and valuable natural resources,” said Massaria.

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. DirectBuy of Boston South, conveniently located at 11A Commerce Road in Rockland, Massachusetts, offers consumers a comfortable, welcoming setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House in the Rockland location by contacting DirectBuy of Boston South at 781-878-8846 or by visiting www.directbuybostonsouth.com.

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct enables members’ hard-earned money to go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy of Boston South opened in 2006 and prides itself in providing excellent member service, access to confidential prices, local suppliers and unparalleled selection, all of which help make members’ dream projects a reality.  It’s a comfortable setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. DirectBuy of Boston South is one of more than 160 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House in the Rockland, Mass. location by contacting DirectBuy of Boston South at 781-878-8846 or by visiting www.directbuybostonsouth.com.

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