We’ve updated the means test calculator to incorporate the new expense standards that take effect today. You can start using the calculator by going to https://www.legalconsumer.com/bankruptcy/means-test/
Fraternal Benefit Society Benefits: What Are They? And Why Are They Exempt From Creditors?
A Helping Hand: The History and Protections of Fraternal Benefit Societies Mutual Support in Ancient Times: Long before commercial insurance, fraternal societies offered a social safety net. Ancient guilds and religious groups provided financial aid during illness, death, or hardship. These early forms emphasized shared values and community, laying the groundwork for the fraternal societies […]
Bankruptcy Means Test April 1, 2024 State Median Income Standards Rise 3.95%
The revised median income numbers for each state to be used in the Bankruptcy Means test were released in March. These standards apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after April 1, 2024. Like last year, the revised median income numbers do not appear to be a state-specific measure of median income but rather an […]
Adventures in AI: How Google is Spreading Incorrect AI-Generated Legal Information
Recently, I’ve been testing how consumers can use AI prompts to do their own legal research. Yesterday I was working on an article on Pay on Death Deeds for Real Estate in each state. Some (most) states allow them. But some do not. When testing the AI prompt for residents of New Jersey, I discovered […]
This Is Not a Woodworm! Scams Used by Crooked Roofing Contractors
If a contractor ever shows you this bug and tells you, it’s a woodworm, you know you are being scammed. Call the police. The worm in the picture is called a “superworm.” You can buy these worms at a pet store to feed your pet bearded dragon for $2.99 a bag. If you see this, […]
The Nicer the Car You Drive, the More Likely You Are to Break The Law
This morning on the show Marketplace, they discussed a study that echoes earlier studies suggesting that the wealthier you are — or feel — makes you less likely to care about others. In this latest study, people were given different cars to drive and then monitored on how they yielded to pedestrians. They found that […]
Biden forgives another $5 billion in student loans
Department of Education announcement: The Biden-Harris Administration announced today the approval of an additional $4.8 billion in student loan debt relief for 80,300 borrowers. These discharges stem from fixes made by the U.S. Department of Education to income-driven repayment (IDR) forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Today’s announcement brings the total approved debt cancellation […]