Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Can You Discharge Tax Debts In A Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
For many Jacksonville residents, their biggest source of debt is what they owe the Internal Revenue Service. Florida may not have a state income tax, but most people still have to pay federal taxes on their income. And it is not uncommon for people to fall behind on their taxes, especially if they are… Read More »
Why Is It A Bad Idea To Represent Myself In An Employment Discrimination Lawsuit?
A person has the right to represent themselves in court without the assistance of an attorney. But this is never a good idea. Most people find the legal system overwhelming, and for good reason. It is not enough to simply argue your case before a judge or jury. You also need to understand–and comply… Read More »
The Difference Between A Secured And Unsecured Debt In Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
One advantage of filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy over Chapter 7 is that the former can help you get current with your secured debts. For example, if you fall behind on your mortgage payments but want to keep your house, a Chapter 13 repayment plan can help you accomplish that. Chapter 7 has no… Read More »
Is “Reverse” Discrimination A Title VII Violation?
Various federal and state laws are designed to prevent discrimination in employment based on a number of protected characteristics, such as race, sex, national origin, and religion. Historically, these laws were adopted to protect members of minority groups from discrimination by the majority. For example, an employer cannot fire or refuse to hire an… Read More »
Will The Florida Homestead Exemption Protect My Home If I File For Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
One of the biggest concerns that people have when thinking about filing for bankruptcy is what will happen to their house. Many people assume that bankruptcy automatically means losing their home to their creditors. But it is actually not that simple. Federal law permits each state to define certain property as “exempt” from being… Read More »
How Do Chapter 13 Repayment Plans Work?
One of the key differences between a Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing is that the latter requires the debtor to come up with–and follow–a repayment plan. In Chapter 7, a debtor’s nonexempt assets (if any) are liquidated and used to pay back creditors, with any remaining debts discharged by the court. This… Read More »
Did A Crypto Company Commit Bankruptcy Fraud?
For those who may be unaware, the crypto industry suffered a major fallout recently after one company defaulted on a loan provided by another company resulting in numerous bankruptcies across the industry. As a result, many who have invested in cryptocurrency have now had their assets frozen in their crypto accounts and may only… Read More »
Student Loan Debt Relief And Bankruptcy
When the U.S. government decided that it would extend loans to its citizens, it thought it was doing a good thing. To encourage loan vendors to issue the loans, the government had to afford it certain protections. These protections are unlike any loan provider in the U.S. No loan provider can prevent a debt… Read More »
Couple Files For Bankruptcy After Losing Breach Of Contract Suit
In 2005, a couple purchased their family home for about $900,000. Then, in 2008, they sold the home for $2.1 million. However, the couple to whom they sold the home sued the couple that sold them the home for breach of contract, nondisclosure of material facts, and negligent misrepresentation, among other things. The plaintiffs… Read More »
Can Your Recreational Marijuana Business File For Bankruptcy?
While marijuana is still illegal in Florida, there are several states across the country that have moved to legalize the popular recreational drug. In these states, marijuana dealers operate out of storefronts like liquor stores and provide top-quality marijuana to the public. While the drug is legal under state laws, it remains illegal under… Read More »