Baran Bulkat is a former consumer bankruptcy attorney with extensive experience in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings as well as debt settlement. He has authored numerous bankruptcy and debt management articles on Nolo.com as well as other Nolo sites. He has also updated a previous edition of Nolo's book, How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
In addition to his bankruptcy experience, Baran also worked as an analyst and compliance manager for a large financial planning firm where he obtained his Series 7, 24, and 66 securities licenses.
Baran received his undergraduate degree in business management from Georgia Tech and his law degree from California Western School of Law.
Baran's Other Pages
The Bankruptcy Site
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Articles By Baran Bulkat
Learn about car repossessions: how they work, how to avoid them, and your options if it happens to your car.
If any of your debts are in default, you have probably received numerous calls from debt collectors wanting you to make payments. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects debtors against abusive collection tactics by debt collectors. However, it does not apply to your original creditor. Read on to learn more about the difference between a debt collector and a creditor, and how it affects your rights under the FDCPA.
Filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy will not discharge your obligations -- but it can help you to get caught up.
You might be better off delaying your bankruptcy filing when you move to a new state. It depends on your old and new states' exemptions.
Most states (called common law states) use common law rules when determining who is liable for a particular debt in a marriage. In common law states, you are usually only liable for credit card debt if the obligation is in your name.
If you fail to make payments on your credit card, the credit card company may declare your debt uncollectable. This is referred to as a credit card debt write-off (also called a credit card charge-off).
The cost of hiring an attorney to negotiate with your creditors can vary significantly depending on your circumstances. In most cases, how much a lawyer will charge depends on:
I just received a foreclosure notice from the bank. Can I save my home if I file for chapter 13 bankruptcy?
If you've lost your driver's license due to unpaid traffic fines, Chapter 7 bankruptcy may help reduce your debt so you can pay the fines and get your license back.
What happens if you are in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy and you decide to get divorced? Learn about your options.