Bankruptcy Issue Spotting and Debt Settlement Red Flags: Practical Guidance for Attorneys

TIME: 2 – 4 PM EST

This webinar will equip attorneys with practical tools for evaluating when bankruptcy can serve as an effective strategy to stop public housing evictions, unwind certain foreclosures, discharge student loan debt, halt wage garnishments, and address other urgent financial issues. Rather than functioning as a step by step filing guide, the first portion of the session focuses on strategic issue spotting and effective collaboration with bankruptcy specialists to safeguard the long term financial stability of low income clients.
 
The second portion turns to a critical examination of debt settlement companies. Participants will learn to recognize the common pitfalls, risks, and red flags associated with these services and to compare them with the legal protections and transparency that bankruptcy provides. Using real world examples, the session will offer practical tips for identifying when clients are being targeted by high risk debt relief schemes and when bankruptcy may offer a safer, more affordable path to recovery. This segment will also cover state and federal income and asset exemptions to help advocates determine when a client may be “judgment proof.”

SPEAKERS:

• John Rao, Senior Attorney, National Consumer Law Center
• Andrew Pizor, Senior Attorney, National Consumer Law Center
• Todd Kaplan, Senior Attorney, Consumer Rights Unit Greater Boston Legal Services