Melinda Murphy Dionne

Bankruptcy Attorney

Birmingham | 205.453.1012
Tuscaloosa | 205.349.5911
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How Does Filing Bankruptcy Impact on My Credit Score?

Written by Melinda Dionne, Esq., October 5, 2011, Credit and Bankruptcy

So, you’re considering filing a Chapter 7 or a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case but worried about what it will do to your credit score. This is a legitimate concern as, by law, a chapter 7 bankruptcy filing can show up on your credit report for as long as ten years from the date of filing and a chapter 13 bankruptcy case can show up on your credit report for as long as seven years from the date of filing. The Impact of Bad Credit Versus 

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What Should I Wear to Bankruptcy Court?

Written by Melinda Dionne, Esq., September 26, 2011, First Meeting of Creditors

Debtors in bankruptcy do not have a dress code, unlike bankruptcy lawyers who have a strict dress code.  While there is nothing to tell you what to wear, common sense should tell you that you should wear clothing appropriate for attending a meeting or a hearing in a United States Federal Court. Wear Clean Clothes that Will Help You Make a Good First Impression Everyone’s financial situation is different and everyone has a different wardrobe.  When you go to a Federal Courthouse you want to 

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How do I prepare for my meeting of creditors and what questions will I be asked?

Written by Melinda Dionne, Esq., September 26, 2011, First Meeting of Creditors

The best way to prepare for your meeting of creditors is to simply review your bankruptcy petition and schedules.  After your bankruptcy case is filed, your bankruptcy lawyer should provide you with a copy of all documents filed in your bankruptcy case. Review the bankruptcy paperwork and make sure that you listed all of your creditors and all of your assets. If you missed a creditor or an asset, make sure to tell your bankruptcy lawyer before your first meeting of creditors. You may also 

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Will I have to Go to Court if I file Bankruptcy?

Written by Melinda Dionne, Esq., September 19, 2011, How Bankruptcy Works

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Cases and Going to Court When you file a bankruptcy case the first “hearing” that you will attend is called the first meeting of creditors or the “341 Meeting”. In Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases in the Northern District of Alabama, the Chapter 7 meeting of creditors is conducted by a lawyer who is appointed from a panel to handle the administration of your case. The lawyer is called the Trustee. Your creditors have the right to be present at the meeting; however, 

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What is a 341 Meeting or a First Meeting of Creditors?

Written by Melinda Dionne, Esq., September 19, 2011, How Bankruptcy Works

When Will I Go to Court? Approximately 30 days after your case is filed, you will appear at the federal courthouse for your first meeting of creditors which is also called a 341 meeting. At this meeting, you will meet the person who was appointed to serve as your trustee. The trustee is a lawyer, not a judge. The trustee’s job is to review your case and determine whether there are any assets that can be sold to pay your unsecured creditors. An experienced bankruptcy 

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Why do I have to fill out all these documents to file for bankruptcy?

Written by Melinda Dionne, Esq., August 31, 2011, How Bankruptcy Works

Filing bankruptcy is really an easy process but you do have to fill out some forms and gather information for bankruptcy attorney.  The questions are not hard to answer and the documents needed are not hard to get.  Think of it this way-if you fill out the forms, the Bankruptcy Court will not make you most of your debts.  Your Bankruptcy Lawyer will need a list of all of your assets. Your bankruptcy attorney will need list of all of your assets, the value of 

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Cheap Bankruptcy Attorney

Written by Melinda Dionne, Esq., August 18, 2011, Hiring the Best Attorney

Cheap Bankruptcy Lawyer

WHICH TYPE OF BANKRUPTCY IS CHEAPER? CHAPTER 7 CASE Overall, a Chapter 7 case is the cheapest form of bankruptcy. It is generally over in 4 months. You pay your attorney fee and costs up front (some attorneys provide a payment plan but all fees and expenses must be paid prior to filing). The first $400 (approximately) of the money you pay is for expenses. CHAPTER 13 CASE A Chapter 13 case will allow you to get into bankruptcy for a much smaller up-front investment. 

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Do I have to list every debt I owe in my Chapter 7 bankruptcy case?

Written by Melinda Dionne, Esq., June 19, 2010, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Yes, you must list every debt that you owe when you file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case.  The law requires that you list all of your debts and all of your assets.  As a debtor, you have a duty to provide a full and complete picture of your financial situation.  You cannot pick and choose which creditors to list. Your petition is signed under penalty of perjury.  Intentionally failing to list a debt can result in criminal charges.  While this is rare, it is certainly 

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Who is the Chapter 7 Trustee?

Written by Melinda Dionne, Esq., January 18, 2010, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Every Chapter 7 bankruptcy case has a trustee.  In Chapter 7 cases in Alabama, the Chapter 7 trustee is an attorney who serves on a panel.  Each member of the panel is assigned cases on a rotational basis.  Some divisions rotate trustees on a weekly basis while others rotate based on the number of cases assigned. It is the job of the Chapter 7 trustee to represent the interests of the unsecured creditors.  The Chapter 7 trustee does not represent you.  You have an attorney 

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What is a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Case?

Written by Melinda Dionne, Esq., January 18, 2010, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Most people talk about Chapter 7 as a “total liquidation.”  People believe that they will lose all their property in exchange for wiping out all their debt.  Very few people actually lose any property when they file a Chapter 7 case.  In fact, almost 99% of Chapter 7 cases are deemed “no asset” which means that the trustee found no property to sell for the creditors.  In making his determination, a trustee has to subtract any money owed on property and a debtor’s exemptions.  Next, 

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Tuscaloosa Office | 2606 8th Street, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401 | Phone: 205-349-5911

Birmingham Office | One Perimeter Park South, Suite 100N, Birmingham, Alabama 35243 | Phone: 205-453-1012

Melinda Murphy Dionne represents clients in Central and West Alabama including Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Centerville, Fayette, Jasper, Moundville, Tuscaloosa County, Bibb County, Blount County, Fayette County, Greene County, Hale County, Jefferson County, Lamar County, Perry County, Pickens County, Shelby County, Sumter County and Walker County.

We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

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