Kathleen Michon is an estate planning lawyer in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has been affiliated with Nolo in various capacities for more than fifteen years, including five years as Nolo’s in-house bankruptcy, foreclosure, and debt editor. Kathleen’s previous legal experience also includes directing Public Counsel's Consumer Rights Project and representing inmates on death row. Kathleen received a B.A. from Yale University and a law degree from Northwestern University School of Law.
Articles By Kathleen Michon
Seeking Financial Assistance For Your Medical Bills
Take steps to reduce, eliminate, or better manage your high medical bills.
A debt collector is calling me at work. Is this a violation of the FDCPA?
The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) limits where and when debt collectors can contact consumer debtors.
Steps to Cleaning Up Your Credit Report
An accurate credit report is essential to good financial health. To clean up your credit report, you'll have determine what's inaccurate or out-of-date, request that the credit bureaus fix the information, and then follow-up with each credit bureau. Start by ordering a free credit report.
How Much Will My Divorce Cost and How Long Will It Take?
If you’re facing the end of your marriage, you have a lot of concerns. One of your questions is likely to be: How much will a divorce cost? The answer to that question will depend on many different things, including whether you hire a lawyer, whether your spouse is combative or collegial, whether you have children at home, how much property and debt you have to divide, whether one of you is requesting alimony—and the list goes on.
Forms You Must File in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Here's a list of the forms you must file in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and where to find them.
Forms You Must File in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Here's a list of the forms you must file in Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and where to find them.
Collect Emergency Information for Elders
Once you have assessed what tasks your older relative can handle independently -- and any areas where they might need help -- begin collecting information that you will need to deal with emergencie
Tax Consequences When a Creditor Writes Off or Settles a Debt
If you settle a debt with a creditor for less than the full amount, or a creditor writes off a debt you owe, you may owe money to the IRS. The IRS treats the forgiven debt as income, on which you may owe income taxes. Learn the rules -- including reporting requirements and exceptions -- here.
How to Get Out of Student Loan Debt
Most people can't eliminate student loan debt—but many can get better payment plans.
What Is a Bankruptcy Audit?
The U.S. Trustee audits bankruptcy cases every year. The purpose of the audit is to monitor fraud and prevent debtors from lying about their income and schedules.