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Bankruptcy can be a powerful tool for debt relief. If considering bankruptcy, but you receive Social Security benefits, there are some things you might want to be aware of. According to federal law, Social Security benefits are exempt in bankruptcy cases. Both the Social Security Administration as well as bankruptcy courts uphold this. However, there are some situations in which your benefits may be affected.Social Security Benefits and Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy have different but equally valuable uses, depending on your situation. Social Security also relates to them differently.

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child support lawyerIf a couple has children, the Florida courts will ensure that their financial needs are met to the best of the parents’ abilities. Child support pays for things like food, health care, and shelter. You might be wondering about how child support is determined in Florida. This article provides a brief overview of what to expect. If you are looking for an experienced child support attorney in Jacksonville, call Parker & DuFresne today to set up a free consultation.

An Overview of Child Support in Florida

Raising children is expensive. When funds are coming from just one parent, the financial burden can be unbearable at times. Fortunately, in Florida, both parents are obligated to support their child financially. The “Income Shares Model” is used when calculating how much each parent pays in child support. This model is based on how the finances work in an intact household, where the parents money is pooled. The court uses a set of guidelines to determine how much of that money would be spent on supporting the child.

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Security Clearance and Bankruptcy It’s normal to have questions when filing for bankruptcy. This is especially true when regarding a security clearance. There are many scenarios that can affect a security clearance including personal conduct, alcohol use, and financial considerations. However, filing for bankruptcy itself won’t prevent you from receiving security clearance. There are various factors that will affect security clearance outside of bankruptcy. These are considered when deciding whether someone is a security risk or not.

Factors That Affect Security Clearance

There are 13 guidelines that are considered when granting or denying security clearance.

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Car Lease and BankruptcyFiling for bankruptcy can impact existing and future car leases. Depending on how up-to-date you are on your lease payments can determine what happens when you file bankruptcy. A professional bankruptcy attorney can help you find the options that best fit your situation.

Automatic Stay and a Trustee’s Choices

An automatic stay halts any collection action by a car lessor, including efforts to repossess a vehicle. However, if you are behind on payments, the lessor may file a motion to have the automatic stay lifted. If this happens, the lender may pursue collection of the debt.

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Clearing Court Fines JacksonvilleIf you’ve been convicted of a criminal offense, bankruptcy can better help you deal with the associated fees. Laws surrounding how bankruptcy affects fines differ between states. However, a Jacksonville bankruptcy lawyer can help you with charges in Florida. Different convictions determine whether the debt associated with a fine can be discharged. Even if it cannot completely free you of fines, bankruptcy might still be a helpful option.

Determining Whether a Fine Can Be Discharged

The government refers to fines in different ways: penalties, forfeitures, tickets, tolls, and surcharges. Generally, fines are owed to a government unit (municipal, state, federal, etc.). Whether or not a fine is able to be discharged depends on if it was a penalty or reimbursement.

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Custody AgreementSplitting up can incite a lot of emotions for all parties involved. When disputes arise an individual may unintentionally break their custody agreement. However, how does one know if they are violating a custody order? A Jacksonville child custody attorney can tell you whether or not you would be violating an agreement.

Frequent Custody Agreement Violations

Here are some common custody agreement violations:

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Credit-repair-101-300x200Filing bankruptcy is a powerful tool you can use to get free of debt and give yourself a fresh financial start. Part of this is the opportunity to repair your credit going forward. While your credit will take an initial hit right after filing, there are many ways to restore it. Bankruptcy stays on your record for 10 years in most cases. If you don’t take action to increase your credit score during this time, you might find it difficult to lease an apartment or buy a car. It is important that you move as soon as possible to start restoring your credit after you file bankruptcy.

Track credit score/reports

If you file bankruptcy in Jacksonville, consider why you had to in the first place. Was it due to overspending? Medical expenses? Loss of employment? Figuring out the cause of your situation will help you in making an effective plan moving forward. After figuring that out, create a budget to keep track of your expenses. This will help you avoid unnecessary spending that will hinder your goals of credit restoration. When you have a solid budget in place, get free annual credit checks to keep track of your score.

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December-31-270x300President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December of 2017, overwriting a decades old tax law. The old rules allowed alimony to be tax deductible by the spouse paying. The spouse receiving the alimony payments was required to record them as taxable income. After the new law takes effect on January 1, 2019, alimony paid is no longer be deductible. If you are going through a divorce, you should consider finalizing it before the end of 2018.

How Will this Affect Those Going Through a Divorce?

The new tax law comes into effect on January 1, 2019. When it does, wealthier couples or couples in which one partner earns significantly more than the other will be affected the most. Because alimony will no longer be tax deductible, the spouse paying alimony will see smaller returns. Meanwhile, the spouse who received alimony might see less money coming in. This is mainly because the main incentive to pay more, the tax exemptions, will be removed.

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A hand holds 3 burning billsGoing through a divorce is rarely easy and often stressful. A trusted Jacksonville divorce attorney can help guide you through the process, but the clients still have to keep certain things in mind. Divorce often brings up concerns about finances and children. It can be an emotional process that leads to many financial errors that make things difficult for everyone going forward. Here are 4 money mistakes to watch out for during a divorce.

Rushing Without Taking Everything into Account

No one wants to have to go through the hassle of a divorce. However, it is very important to avoid rushing, as it can cause you to miss important details such as:

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A Street Sign Saying Debt Relief Just Ahead
Bankruptcy is a powerful tool for debt relief. It can provide a fresh start for people who have been living with the burden and stress of debt for years, and allow them to finally move forward. Unfortunately, there are many myths and misconceptions about bankruptcy that can scare people off before they learn about its benefits. When you work with an experienced bankruptcy attorney in Jacksonville, they can help you pick the right option that will have the best impact on your financial future.

Some Common Misconceptions About Bankruptcy

Misconception 1: You’ll Lose Everything