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
How to Get Out of Student Loan Debt
Most people can't eliminate student loan debt—but many can get better payment plans.
Is there a statute of limitations for private student loans?
State law limits the time period in which a creditor can sue you for the collection of a private student loan.
Different Types of Credit & Debit Cards
Credit, charge, ATM, and debit cards are not all alike. Here's some information to help you choose wisely.
Airplane Turbulence and In-Flight Injuries
Airline passengers suffering in-flight injuries may be able to sue the airline, the manufacturer of the aircraft, or the maker of any faulty equipment.
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.
Getting Your Medical Records: Rights, Procedures, and Denials
Your right to obtain medical records, and tips on how to get them.
Constitutional Rights in Juvenile Cases
Minors in juvenile court delinquency proceedings do not have the same constitutional rights as those given to adults in regular criminal court cases.
Sealing Juvenile Court Records
Former juvenile offenders may be able to get a fresh start of sorts by filing a petition in court seeking expungement or sealing of their juvenile records.
DUI Defenses: How to Fight a Drunk Driving Charge
The penalties for DUI (driving under the influence) and DWI (driving while intoxicated) offenses can be very serious.
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 To clean up your credit report, you'll have determine what's inaccurate or out-of-date, request that the credit bureaus fix the information, and then follow-up with each credit bureau.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.