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  • Spectacular!

    I liked your fast, friendly service. You were all knowledgeable in the area of bankruptcy. Your treatment of me as a client was spectacular! You were great at promptly responding to my questions and concerns. I loved that you provided courteous and quick responses to all my questions.
    --Donna
  • Highly Recommended!

    I have worked with Seth and he is the utmost professional in how he works with his clients. If you need an attorney you can trust I would highly recommend the Law Office of Seth Hanson.
    --David
  • Very Professional.

    Everyone was very professional and efficient. Seth, and everyone that I had contact with were very knowledgeable. I was very pleased with how we were treated by his staff. My questions were always answered promptly. I was very pleased with the service I received and would not hesitate to refer someone to your firm.
    --Anonymous
  • Non-judgmental.

    You were very open and answered all of my questions. You never made me feel like I was asking a dumb question. I was comfortable with your knowledge of the law. It was hard for me to make this decision to move forward in my life. Everyone was friendly to me and respectful. Non-judgmental. Every question I asked was answered promptly and appropriately. I would recommend you.
    --Anonymous
  • More Than Expected!

    I found the firm's representation to be more than what I expected. I was always kept in the loop, all my questions were answered (whether or not I asked more than once the same question), and I felt completely supported by the firm staff when going through this (at times) scary ordeal. Thank you again.
    --Joanna
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    I liked that you had very friendly, caring staff. You were all very knowledgeable. Your treatment towards me was excellent and you quickly responded to all my concerns. If a friend asked of your overall impression, I would say that we were very impressed and we would recommend you to them.
    --Danielle

Surrendering Property In Bankruptcy

assetsWhen surrendering your home in bankruptcy, how you handle the property and all the expenses associated with the property is important. Let’s take a look at debtor responsibilities when surrendering a home in bankruptcy:

Utilities

Paying the utilities is your responsibility until you hand over the keys to the bank.  Keeping the utilities on is important because failure to do so can sometimes result in property damage. For example, failure to keep your home heated during the winter could result in frozen or burst pipes if temperatures drop.  Many cities offer utility assistance programs to low-income families, so keeping your home heated shouldn’t be impossible even if you’re struggling financially.

Property Taxes

Just like your utilities, you’re responsible for property taxes until you surrender the property to the mortgage lender.  If you’re property taxes are bundled as part of your mortgage, then any mortgage delinquency will equal a delinquency on your property taxes. Fortunately, once you file bankruptcy, all property taxes accrued before your filing date will become part of the bankruptcy case. Unfortunately, it’s possible that you could continue to accrue tax liabilities even after your bankruptcy filing if you haven’t handed over the keys to your lender and/or you didn’t get the timing right on your filing. Speak with your bankruptcy attorney about how you can minimize your property tax liability today.

Insurance

Home insurance is important because it protects your property in case the unforeseen happens such as a fire, a personal injury or accident involving a visitor to your home. Since many borrowers pay their insurance via their mortgage, once they cease making mortgage payments their house becomes uninsured. Having an uninsured home leaves you vulnerable to all types of catastrophe.  If a visitor is hurt on your uninsured property, you could be sued for damages. Even if you’re unable to pay for home insurance, you should contact your mortgage lender immediately. Some lenders will pay for insurance on the property just to protect their investment.

HOA Fees

Homeowner association (HOA) fees accrued before filing bankruptcy become part of your case. However, HOA fees accrued after your bankruptcy filing remain your financial responsibility.  This is why it’s important to decide when/if you want to surrender you home in bankruptcy.  Remaining in your home means that you will continue to be responsible for all expenses associated with your home including your HOA fees. Fortunately, bankruptcy attorneys can sometimes negotiate HOA fee settlements which allow you to pay significantly less than what you owe.

Work with your Roseville bankruptcy lawyer to make sure you’ve fulfilled all of your obligations when surrendering your home in bankruptcy.

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