William E Maddox Jr, LLC, Attorney at Law

07/30/2022

Trademarks and copyrights are both forms of intellectual property. If you’re new to entrepreneurship, it’s easy to think these terms are interchangeable or have the same function, but trademarks and copyrights protect different types of assets

Here’s how to figure out which IP your business needs.

07/30/2022

If you have more debt than you can pay, filing for bankruptcy may help you get a fresh start.

Nearly everyone will need to borrow money at some point in their life, whether it's to pay for college, buy a house, or just use a credit card to pay for a dinner out. And nearly everyone who borrows expects to be able to pay it back. But sometimes life takes an unexpected turn, and you may find you...

07/21/2022

Exempt property is property the law specifically allows you to keep after a bankruptcy case. https://bit.ly/3hbJDwo

Learn about federal bankruptcy exemptions, or property the debtor is allowed to keep for a fresh start after filing for bankruptcy.

07/21/2022

There is more than one type of personal bankruptcy filing, and each has its own rules and consequences, but the ultimate goal of each is to help a debtor out of a difficult financial situation. https://bit.ly/3v3fWHj

For many people, filing for personal bankruptcy is an option that carries with it personal stigma and many unknowns. Persistent myths swirl around the process that are either half-truths or completely false. There is more than one type of personal bankruptcy filing, and each has its own [...]

07/15/2022

The FDCPA is a federal law designed to protect you from debt collectors who harass, mislead and abuse consumers. Knowing how this law works is essential when learning how to deal with a debt collector.

Know your rights when it comes to debt collection practices.

07/14/2022

The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 provides federal bankruptcy protection for IRAs. Traditional and Roth IRAs are currently protected to a total value of $1,512,350, with adjustments for inflation made every three years.

Learn which types of IRA accounts are protected from creditors in a bankruptcy, and to what dollar value each type of IRA is protected.

07/11/2022

The type of bankruptcy you choose to pursue, how much equity you have in your vehicle and whether you own the car outright or are financing or leasing it will determine what happens to your car in bankruptcy. Other factors like the value of your car and exemptions in your state will determine what happens to your car once you file.

If you want to hold on to your car after Chapter 7, you'll have to sign a reaffirmation agreement. Learn more.

07/09/2022

If you are in heavy mortgage debt, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy can save your home from foreclosure while helping you restructure the payments you owe. You can also eliminate second mortgages by a process known as lien stripping, which means they can be discharged once your Chapter 13 is completed.

06/30/2022

Knowing your rights with debt collectors can save you much headache and even keep you from paying debts for which you have no legal obligation.

Can collection agencies charge interest? Know your rights as a consumer, so you're prepared to protect them if necessary.

06/30/2022

Despite the hardships you’ll endure after declaring a bankruptcy, there are several ways you can bounce back.

Bankruptcy will mess your credit up, but you can recover with time and discipline. Here are seven tips on how to get your credit back in the black.

06/28/2022

Consumers who have filed bankruptcy are right to worry about just how long bankruptcies linger on their credit reports, but it’s important to note that you may see less impact to your credit as time goes by.

A bankruptcy will stay on your credit report for a number of years depending on when you actually filed as well as the type of bankruptcy.

06/23/2022

If you have large debts that you can’t repay, are behind in your mortgage payments and in danger of foreclosure, are being harassed by bill collectors, or all of the above, declaring bankruptcy might be your best option.

Filing for bankruptcy may not be attractive, but it's sometimes the best—or only—option. Learn how bankruptcy works and what the consequences are.