Congratulations Claire Frenkel!

WHMH congratulates Claire Frenkel, daughter of Office Manager Maureen McArdle, for receiving the NCAS Dr. Richard Lapchick Award.  The Lapchick award is an honorary award for recognition of academic and athletic achievement and utilizing sports as a vehicle for positive change in the community.

Claire, a graduate of Boone High School, will graduate in May from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Psychology, and is the Captain of the UCF Woman’s Rowing team.  She intends to attend Nursing school after graduation.  Claire is very active in community service, volunteering her time with many organizations, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Canine Companions for Independence and the Pediatric Cancer Foundation.  Way to go Claire! 

Employee Profile: Mellissa Anne Waters

Mellissa, who has been with the firm since 2000, is our Billing and Marketing Coordinator.  Outside of the office, Mellissa enjoys attending concerts, spending time with her husband of 13 years and volunteering at her son's school, where she is the "class mom".  Mellissa takes pride in helping our clients with all of their billing needs, whether it is providing bills or assisting clients with payment plans to fit their budget.  We are happy to have Mellissa as part of our team.  

Success After Bankruptcy

The old adage "if at first you don't succeed, try try again" is often easier said than done.  Sometimes though, bankruptcy is an excellent way to put past difficulties aside and start fresh.  Some people who have filed for bankruptcy protection and gone on to great success:

• Walt Disney - Before he became a household name, Walt Disney made cartoons under the studio Laugh-o-Gram.  His business was unsuccessful and when he became unable to pay employee's salaries he was forced into bankruptcy.  He later moved to Hollywood, where he went on to create the Walt Disney Studios and Theme Parks; 
• Abraham Lincoln -  Many more than fourscore and seven years ago, Honest Abe bought a general store, but sold his share after consistently poor sales.  When his former partner died, he became liable for back payments and declared bankruptcy.  Lincoln didn't have modern bankruptcy laws to protect him, and lost his only remaining assets to creditors.  He then went on to become the 16th president of the United States;
• Henry Ford - In 1899, Henry Ford founded the Detroit Automobile Company.  At that time, Ford had not yet invented his now famous assembly line, and the company went bankrupt after producing only 20 cars. In 1903 he founded the Ford Motor Company, which later changed its name to the Cadillac Automobile Company;
• Willie Nelson - An iconic Country singer and actor, Willie Nelson was forced to file for bankruptcy in 1990 when he could not pay a large IRS tax debt.  While all of his assets were seized, including his bank accounts and homes, he was able to recover by releasing an album titled “The IRS Tapes: Who’ll Buy My Memories?”

Filing for bankruptcy can be a stressful time, but as these celebrities have proved, bankruptcy can be just a bump in the road to greater success.

What is a discharge in bankruptcy?

A bankruptcy discharge releases the debtor from personal liability for certain debts. The discharge is a permanent order prohibiting the creditors of the debtor from taking any form of collection action on discharged debts.  Although a debtor is not personally liable for discharged debts, a valid lien (i.e., a charge upon specific property to secure payment of a debt) that has not been avoided in the bankruptcy case will remain after the bankruptcy case. Therefore, a secured creditor may enforce the lien to recover the property secured by the lien.

Birthday Wishes

WHMH wishes a happy birthday to legal assistant Jerry Updike.  Hope you have a great day, Jerry!

Congratulations Melissa Fussell!

WHMH congratulates Melissa Fussell, sister of file clerk Holly Fussell, for her excellent representation of the Rollins Debate Team at the National Parliamentary Debate Competition.  Melissa, a senior at Rollins majoring in International Affairs, won 2^nd place out of 1100 debate teams from colleges all over the country.  She also received 2^nd place for the Best Speaker award.  Melissa plans to attend law school when she graduates from Rollins, but has not yet decided where. Way to go Melissa!

What debts cannot be discharged?

Certain debts cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. The Bankruptcy Code lists several categories of such debts.  The most common types of debts that will not be discharged include, but are not limited to:

 

·   Most taxes and tax liens

·   Student Loans

 ·   Alimony and child support (domestic support obligations)

·   Debts obtained through fraud, false pretenses or false representation (in some cases)

·   Debts incurred from the operation of a motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft while you were

·   Debts you do not list in your bankruptcy

·   Debts you incur after the filing of your bankruptcy case 


 Filing a bankruptcy case is a big decision, and knowledge about the bankruptcy process gives you the power to make the best choices for your situation. Please contact our office to set up a consultation and discuss your specific needs with one of our knowledgeable attorneys.

Birthday Wishes

WHMH wishes a happy birthday to shareholder Peter Hill.  Peter is a native of Canada and became a US citizen in 1995. Before he became an attorney, Peter worked as a high school teacher and as a hotel manager.  Peter enjoys golf and spending time with his wife Carla, their children and grandchildren.  Hope you have a great day, Peter!

Congratulations Delani Baker!

WHMH congratulates Delani Baker, daughter of our receptionist Staci Baker.   Delani, a freshman at Edgewater High School, was inducted to the National Beta Club on March 6, 2012 and joins the 420,000 active members of the society which was formed in Landrum, SC in 1934.  The National Beta Club strives to promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, service and leadership among elementary and secondary schools and is the nation's largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization.  Pictured here is Delani at the ceremony.  Way to go Delani!

What Can I Keep if I File Bankruptcy?

Under Florida bankruptcy law or the Bankruptcy Code, exemptions may include, but are not limited to:

• Unemployment, disability, veterans and social security benefits
• Retirement plan and life insurance proceeds
• Alimony or child support
• Some personal property
• Crime victim and workers compensation
• Any professionally prescribed health aids

Filing a bankruptcy case is a big decision, and knowledge about the bankruptcy process gives you the power to make the best choices for your situation. Please contact our office to set up a consultation and discuss your specific needs with one of our knowledgeable attorneys.