Blogs

By Ronald C. Sykstus

One of the issues that I have seen lately is individuals with clearances getting criminally charged with federal or state offenses. What should you do if you hold a security clearance and find that you are charged or have pending criminal charges in federal or state court?

It comes up every tax season. You’re looking forward to receiving a big tax refund check, and you’re also working hard to get your bankruptcy case filed. So, what happens to your tax refund in a bankruptcy case?

It is no secret that going to college will cost money. Along with tuition, currently $545 per credit hour for in-state students at the University of Alabama, there are many more costs to consider when going to college; housing, food, travel, books, fees, and all these before one football game or social event.

It is a cold fact that everything is getting more expensive. Inflation is cruel, making the cost of what you need today like gas, food, clothes, and just about everything more expensive. For many that have incurred debt like mortgages, car loans, credit cards, and medical debt, inflation will surely require hard choices.

A common question asked by our clients who are contemplating filing bankruptcy is whether or not doing so will affect their employment. According to 11 U.S. Code § 525, neither a government or private employer “may terminate the employment of, or discriminate with respect to employment against ...

Debt settlement typically involves contracting with a debt settlement company to handle the negotiations for you. For a fee, the company will negotiate with your creditor to accept a reduced lump-sum payment of what you owe them, mostly on unsecured debt like credit cards.

If you were treated for Covid-19, and the medical bills have started rolling in it’s especially important to be aware of your rights and how to best handle bills that you can’t pay immediately. If you were diagnosed with and treated for Covid-19, make sure you understand how the specific laws enacted could help.

By Ronald C. Sykstus

Anyone who holds a security clearance is aware that the “renewal” for the clearance is every ten years for a secret and every five years for a top secret. I wrote previously about the big and new change regarding the use of artificial intelligence and continuous evaluations of security clearance holders.

It’s never fun to consider declaring bankruptcy. But, believe it or not, bankruptcy can be a smart financial decision in certain situations. Bankruptcy is designed to give people a fresh start when they need one. And if you file for bankruptcy, you’re taking a big step towards getting your finances under control. That’s always a responsible goal.

When Covid-19 hit the economy, most debt collectors gave borrowers a break, cutting back on lawsuits amid lockdowns, closed courts, and loan-forbearance initiatives. For some, this has given a little breathing room to get themselves on top of their finances and in a better position when we come out of the pandemic.