GET YOUR WILL OR TRUST DONE FOR YOUR FAMILY'S SAKE

My wife and I each lost a parent during the past few months. One of our parents had their estate plan (will and trust) complete, everything was in order, and the distribution of assets to children and grandchildren is going smoothly, with no complications. The other parent didn't do it right, and as a result there are problems beyond belief, possible litigation, and animosity among family members. My office doesn't do these types of matters, and this isn't a solicitation for me to pickup new business. But no one knows what tomorrow will bring. I can't recommend strongly enough that everyone give consideration to at least preparing a will or simple estate plan to make sure that your wishes are carried out, and to save your family from alot of potential grief. Law Offices of Richard L. Leeds 18321 Ventura Blvd, Suite 900 (East West Bank Building) Tarzana CA 91356 (818) 654-1900 Fax: (818) 654-1902 Email: Lawyer602@aol.com website: Rleedslaw.com

What Can Bankruptcy Do For Me?

Bankruptcy Law Allows People To Become Debt Free Who Never Thought They’d See A Life Without Overdue Bills … Would YOU Like To Experience The Same Freedom And Peace Of Mind?

For many, a life without the crushing burden of overdue debt has led to a sense of freedom and peace of mind. They’re now back on track, getting mortgages, car loans and new credit – but using it smarter than ever before. Because they realize that just because you’re in debt today doesn’t mean you’re a bad person – and it doesn’t mean you need to be in debt slavery forever.

Bankruptcy can be a new beginning. Over 1.6 million people filed for bankruptcy last year, and California bankruptcy courts have been some of the busiest in the nation. Some of your friends and family members may have filed for bankruptcy, and you may not even know it. You are not alone.

Whether due to job loss, illness, divorce or wages that simply do not keep up with increased cost of living, many individuals and families in New York find themselves in financial distress.

Constant phone calls, lawsuits, judgments, wage and bank account garnishment, calls at work that can threaten your job security, foreclosure and eviction are all problems California individuals and families find themselves in when overwhelmed with unmanageable debt.

Call for your new financial start.

Law Offices of Richard L. Leeds
18321 Ventura Blvd, Suite 900 (East West Bank Building)
Tarzana CA 91356
(818) 654-1900
Fax: (818) 654-1902
Email: Lawyer602@aol.com
website: Rleedslaw.com

Chapter 13 Q & A

What is a Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
--A Chapter 13 bankruptcy consolidates all of your bills into a monthly repayment plan. Each month you will make a payment to the assigned Trustee (known a “Trustee Payment.”)
How long does the Chapter 13 plan last?
--The length of the repayment plan generally runs between 3 and 5 years (“Plan Term.”)
--How much will I pay back?
During the plan term, you will pay your unsecured creditors anywhere between 10 and 100 percent of what you owe the unsecured creditors. We strive to make the percentage as low as possible.
--Why would I have to file a Chapter 13?
Most people file a Chapter 13 (rather than a Chapter 7) for one of four reasons:
1) They are behind on their mortgage payments & they want to save their house,
2) They are behind on their car payments & they want to save their car from repossession,
3) They have an asset that would be placed in jeopardy in a Chapter 7 case, or
4) Their income disqualifies them for filing a successful Chapter 7 case.
--What determines the percentage I pay to the unsecured creditors?
It is determined by a large number of factors – including: the household income, how many dependents you have, what kind of debt you have (secured/unsecured/priority). This is part of what the attorney will analyze during the free, confidential consultation.
--Stripping off the 2nd Mortgage:
This is commonly referred to “Lien Stripping” or “Stripping/Removing the Junior Lien.” If the market value of your residence is valued at LESS THAN the amount owed to your first mortgage holder, you may be a candidate to (a) remove the junior liens from the property and (b) have the lien paid through your monthly repayment/trustee payment (for example at 10 cents on each dollar).
--What if my situation changes during the life of my Chapter 13?
If things change during the course of your case, call us. We will evaluate whether or not you are still a good candidate for a Chapter 13 case or if we can safely convert your case to a Chapter 7 case. If possible and appropriate, we can petition the Bankruptcy Court to lower your monthly payments based on the change in circumstances.
--The Filing Process
Filing Chapter 13 is very simple. After your case is filed with the court, you will go with your attorney to the office of the trustee. This meeting takes place about six weeks after your case is filed and is very informal. The purpose of the meeting is for a trustee to go over your case to make sure the plan that we have filed on your behalf is workable. Assuming that the trustee recommends your plan-and he/she almost always does-your case will be set for confirmation in front of a judge. You do not need to be present in court for your confirmation hearing-we will be there for you. Then, all you need to do a make your monthly payment to your trustee

Please feel free to call if you have any questions. We're here to help.

Law Offices of Richard L. Leeds
18321 Ventura Blvd, Suite 900 (East West Bank Building)
Tarzana CA 91356
(818) 654-1900
Fax: (818) 654-1902
Email: Lawyer602@aol.com
website: Rleedslaw.com

DIVORCE? YOU SHOULD CONSIDER MEDIATION!

After a break up, there are many issues to resolve:

* How both of you can remain a vital part of your children's lives;
* When each of you will have time with the children;
* Managing education, extracurricular, and medical costs;
* Resolving difficult parenting issues- such as creating a consistent approach to discipline;
* What to do about a child who is struggling or who has special needs.

And even if you don't have kids together-

*Dividing personal property from a residence that you shared;
*Resolving issues relating to a vehicle you bought together;
*What to do about the house or apartment where you had lived.


MEDIATION CAN BE AN EFFICIENT AND COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO RESOLVE THESE AND MANY OTHER FAMILY ISSUES!

Have you ever stood in court with a lawyer and wished YOU could speak?
Mediation is one way to have your voice heard (either during, after, or without a court process) and to contribute to creating a resolution that can work well for you and your family.

As a mediator I will function as a neutral party to facilitate an agreement BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU! My fees are reasonable and are generally split between the parties. I am available to assist you days, evenings, and even some weekend hours.

Law Offices of Richard L. Leeds
18321 Ventura Blvd, Suite 900 (East West Bank Building)
Tarzana CA 91356
(818) 654-1900
Fax: (818) 654-1902
Email: Lawyer602@aol.com
website: Rleedslaw.com

What's The Deal With Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy gives you a fresh start by eliminating those debts you cannot afford to pay while allowing you to keep all of your property. Once these debts are wiped out in Chapter 7, you will never have to pay them.

In general a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy will WIPE OUT MOST OF YOUR DEBTS, STOP WAGE GARNISHMENTS, STOP REPOSSESSIONS, STOP HARASSMENT and allow you to control your financial future. Take the first step to financial freedom - CALL The Law Offices of Richard L. Leeds at (818) 654-1900. Our friendly staff will be happy to answer general questions about Bankruptcy or set up your FREE - no obligation - 30 minute consultation with the Attorney.

Stops Creditor Harassment

Once you have filed for protection under the bankruptcy laws, your creditors are required by law to stop all collection activity against you. No more telephone calls demanding payment, no lawsuits, no wage garnishments and best of all, no more debts.

You Do Not Lose Any of Your Property

In 99% of the Chapter 7 cases, the person filing Bankruptcy keeps all of their property. Bankruptcy law is not meant to punish you and allows you to keep your property under what are called "exemptions" (things you get to keep). You keep your car, your house, your jewelry, the boat, your clothing, just about everything!(there are a few very specific exceptions)

Your Bankruptcy Case

A Bankruptcy case is like a lawsuit to get rid of your debts. Once it is filed, your Bankruptcy case will last approximately 4 months. During that time period, the only thing you will need to do is attend one court hearing, approximately 30 days after the case is filed. Our office will explain what happens at that hearing and prepare you for your appearance and examination in court.

Eligibility

If there is any single qualifying factor for filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, it is that all of someone’s income is spent on their monthly expenses. As you can imagine, for most people this is not a problem.

Types of Debt

Unsecured debts, such as credit card debt, personal loans, money judgments and certain taxes are wiped out in a Chapter 7. However, certain debts are not dischargeable under Chapter 7 Bankruptcy; these debts include, but are not limited to, most student loans, certain taxes, alimony and child or other court ordered support payments.

This is only an overview; please call us at (818) 654-1900 for a free consultation to have all your questions answered.

Law Offices of Richard L. Leeds
18321 Ventura Blvd, Suite 900 (East West Bank Building)
Tarzana CA 91356
(818) 654-1900
Fax: (818) 654-1902
Email: Lawyer602@aol.com
website: Rleedslaw.com

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH PREMARITAL AGREEMENTS (PRENUPS)?

Premarital agreements aren't just for rich folks - they're for anyone who is concerned about losing control of their property as a result of marriage. This includes people who were previously married, especially if they have children from the prior marriage, and individuals who own their own business.

The first key to an effective, enforceable premarital agreement is independent representation. That means each party to the agreement must have his or her own attorney, even if the parties share the same views on what the premarital agreement should say.

The second key to an effective, enforceable premarital agreement is full disclosure of each party's assets to the other. This makes sense - if you are agreeing to give up the right to another person's property, you should know exactly what you're giving up.

The typical premarital agreement usually covers three scenarios: during the marriage, upon divorce and upon the death of a spouse. California law gives spouses certain rights under each of these scenarios, but a premarital agreement may be used to change (or eliminate) these rights.

Perhaps the simplest and most common type of premarital agreement is what I call the "yours is yours, mine is mine" agreement. As its name indicates, each party has separate property during the marriage, and neither party has the right to the other's property upon divorce or the death of one spouse. This doesn't prevent either spouse from making gifts to the other during life or upon death (e.g. in a Will); however, neither spouse is required to make such gifts.

This is only the simplest analysis and discussion of premarital agreements; please feel free to call if you have further questions or to schedule an appointment.

Law Offices of Richard L. Leeds
18321 Ventura Blvd, Suite 900 (East West Bank Building)Tarzana CA 91356
(818) 654-1900
Fax: (818) 654-1902
Email: Lawyer602@aol.com
website: Rleedslaw.com

SHOULD YOU CONSIDER BANKRUPTCY?

These are difficult times; debt is mounting, and the stress of having to deal with the constant phone calls, letters, and other reminders of past due bills can be overwhelming. We know that the decision to file Bankruptcy isn’t an easy one. But--when you are faced with a mountain of debt, with no relief in sight, you need to take an aggressive stance and do something now that will help you rebuild and brighten your future.

Bankruptcy law changed in 2005; before that, filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy used to be fairly easy. Now, in order to qualify for a Chapter 7 , you have to meet the requirements of a "means test." Your income must be at or below the national median income and you cannot have filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in the past eight years. The Bankruptcy Laws have become more and more complicated; we have the experience and knowledge to guide you through the process.

We also know that every dollar counts right now. You need to find an attorney whose experience and service you can trust — without having to pay for that initial, “getting-to-know-you” interview. We can assure you that we will treat you with the respect and professionalism you deserve at your first meeting and through every step after that. We’ll also be with you for each creditor hearing and Court appearance that is neeeded to complete your Bankruptcy.


From the day you hire our office, we will take the necessary steps to make sure that the debt collector calls will stop, which will allow you the breathing room to figure out what to do next. In a Chapter 7, most debts are eliminated, and you can confidently move on to the next phase of your life without the burden of overwhelming debt.

Please feel free to call us for a no charge initial consultation. We're here to help.

THE LAW OFFICES OF RICHARD L. LEEDS
18321 Ventura Blvd, Suite 900
Tarzana CA 91356
(818) 654-1900
Fax: (818) 654-1902
email: Lawyer602@aol.com