At this time, C. David Cottingham is the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy trustee for those filing Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. FIRST: You can request that your payment be deducted from your paycheck each pay period. SECOND: You can mail your payment to C. David Cottingham each month. NOTE: C. David Cottingham DOES NOT accept…Read more
Wage Garnishment in Alabama
Ever felt like you’re walking a financial tightrope, balancing your income and expenses with the grace of an acrobat? But then suddenly, out of nowhere, comes the weighty anchor called wage garnishment in Alabama. Your paycheck shrinks and every step forward feels more precarious. You’ve been there or maybe you’re standing on that rope right…Read more
Need a loan modification? Here’s where to start.
Mortgage forbearance provided a lifeline for millions of homeowners in the U.S., especially during the most difficult months of the COVID-19 pandemic. But with over 2 million homeowners fast approaching their forbearance end date, many will have to decide what their next steps would be. Some of the possible options may include a forbearance extension,…Read more
Does The 2021 Mortgage Servicing COVID-19 Proposed Rule Protect Me from Foreclosure?
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s proposed COVID-19 mortgage servicing rule may protect you from foreclosure through the end of the year (2021) if you are experiencing financial hardship due to the ongoing pandemic. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB, sets forth different regulations to assist consumers. The CFPB also enforces different regulations and creates…Read more
How to Buy a Car during an Open Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Case
A consistent issue during a Chapter 13 bankruptcy is the need to maintain an operable car throughout the 3-5-year process. Engines and transmissions fail. Wiring degrades. Light fender-benders can result in a mechanic’s verdict that your older model car is not worth replacing. What are your options when that happens during a Chapter 13 bankruptcy…Read more
The COVID-19 Bankruptcy Relief Extension Act of 2021: What You Need to Know
The recent passage of new legislation extending provisions of The CARES Act offers hope to those who are struggling in confirmed Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases. In March of 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed The CARES Act. Potentially Reduce Chapter 13 Payments and Stretch Out Your Case to 7 Years if Your…Read more
Chapter 13 bankruptcy and your mortgage escrow: What can go wrong?
Chapter 13 bankruptcy and mortgage escrow accounts rarely mesh well. That being the case, if you are a homeowner, it wise to obtain some key documentation from your mortgage servicer before filing a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy case. Especially in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, since a debt reorganization process that can be 5…Read more
6 ways to make Chapter 13 Trustee payments in Birmingham, Alabama
At this time, Bradford W. Caraway is the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy trustee for those filing in Birmingham, Alabama. Here are six ways you can make your Chapter 13 payments: FIRST: You can request that your payment be deducted from your paycheck each pay period. This is called either a wage deduction or income withholding order. SECOND: Chapter…Read more
Beware of mortgage fees after Chapter 13 bankruptcy
Homeowners will encounter an unusual accounting practice in the Chapter 13 bankruptcy process. This is the practice of mortgage servicers maintaining two separate sets of books while homeowners are in the Chapter 13 process. First, it is important to note that a Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a reorganization bankruptcy, in which you prioritize the payment…Read more
What is a mortgage escrow account?
Most homeowners who have a mortgage will be required by their mortgage company to have an escrow account. Your monthly mortgage statement will break down your payments into principal, interest, and escrow. What is a mortgage escrow account? Why is it necessary? A mortgage escrow account is like a savings account. Depending upon the sort…Read more
