The Law Office of Ronald L. Schwartz 2025-05-16T05:47:19Z https://www.ronaldschwartzlaw.com/feed/atom/ WordPress /wp-content/uploads/sites/1501231/2020/09/cropped-favicon-32x32.png On Behalf of The Law Office of Ronald L. Schwartz https://www.ronaldschwartzlaw.com/?p=46170 2020-11-23T20:22:48Z 2018-07-19T05:00:00Z

if Chapter 13 is right for you? Income and assets First, you must take a means test to qualify for Chapter 7. If you do not meet the requirements, then you will have to go with Chapter 13. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Chapter 13 is preferable if you have many high assets you do not want to lose, such as your home to foreclosure. Chapter 7 only protects property up to a certain amount in Maryland and then requires you to liquidate the rest to pay off debts. Financial goals Do you want to learn how to better manage your money? Chapter 13 can provide good practice, as you have to commit to the payment plan for three to five years. This means following a strict budget to prevent missing payments or accumulating debt again. You can also rebuild your credit quickly by paying on time. Soon you might qualify for a secured credit card to further establish good credit, or you can choose to forego cards and loans until the plan is complete just to be safe. Personal circumstances Ultimately, the decision comes down to what is best for your personal circumstances. Your bankruptcy attorney can help you figure out whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 is the best for your situation.]]> On Behalf of The Law Office of Ronald L. Schwartz https://www.ronaldschwartzlaw.com/?p=46171 2020-09-01T04:11:30Z 2018-04-22T05:00:00Z

marijuana possession is still prohibited in Maryland. The good news is that if law enforcement officers catch you with no more than 10 grams of marijuana, at least this is not a crime. You do, however, face paying a $100 fine if this is your first conviction. The fine increases to $250 on your second conviction, and could be as high as $500 for your third and subsequent convictions. In addition, if you are a minor under 21 years of age, the court will require you to submit to a clinical substance abuse assessment and complete a drug education program. Possessing larger quantities If law enforcement officers catch you possessing marijuana weighing more than 10 grams, now you do face criminal arrest and prosecution. If convicted, you could spend one year in jail and pay a $1,000 fine. Likelihood of being caught While it is highly unlikely that law enforcement officers will raid your home, apartment or dorm room in a search for drugs, the same cannot be said for when you are driving. Sadly, you have a target on your back when you drive, particularly if you drive a “hot” car. Getting pulled over for suspected alcohol or drug usage is an all too common occurrence in college towns. It goes without saying that you take your life and your freedom in your hands if you choose to drive after consuming alcohol or drugs. Both are illegal in Maryland, and the penalties are quite severe if prosecutors convict you of DUI or a related crime. Again, this is particularly so if you are not yet 21 years old. Long-range consequences While partying is a normal part of college life and no one expects you to spend four or more years with your nose stuck in a book, also keep in mind that one of the purposes of a college education is to teach you how to be a responsible adult. How you choose to go about learning that lesson is of course up to you. However, in this day and age where finding a high-paying job after you graduate is not at all assured, regardless of your GPA, you would do well to remember that an alcohol or drug conviction while in college may haunt you for years. It could be the one thing that causes potential employers to hire another applicant rather than you. Is that a risk you are willing to take?]]> On Behalf of The Law Office of Ronald L. Schwartz https://www.ronaldschwartzlaw.com/?p=46173 2020-09-01T04:51:16Z 2018-02-06T06:00:00Z

3 million college students drive while intoxicated every year. A DUI can have a profoundly negative impact on a person's life. It may be more difficult to get certain jobs. You also need to consider your overall reputation because a DUI conviction will show up on any background checks as part of your permanent criminal record. For college students, there is also one consequence that could be catastrophic: losing scholarships. How does a DUI affect scholarships? Many scholarships, especially those provided by the federal government, have various provisions stating the financial aid will be null and void if the student breaks a rule. For most students, the main rule to follow is simply keeping grades up. However, there may also be rules stating that if the student faces disciplinary action, especially because of a crime (like DUI), then the scholarship will automatically cease. Additionally, the college itself may have rules in place concerning students who receive DUIs. If a student faces suspension, even for one semester, then the scholarship may no longer be available when the student returns. Is there any way to protect a scholarship following a DUI? Ideally, you will avoid driving after consuming alcohol. However, if you wind up with a DUI conviction, even if it did not result in jail time, then there are steps you can take to protect your record. For starters, you can enter an alcohol rehabilitation program. You may face a mandate from the court to attend one of these programs, but even if you do not, it is still good to sign up. In the event you cannot retain a scholarship, then you can look into other forms of financial aid. Loans and grants from the government can help, but a scholarship you do not have to repay is worth hanging onto at all costs.]]> On Behalf of The Law Office of Ronald L. Schwartz https://www.ronaldschwartzlaw.com/?p=46175 2020-09-01T04:51:49Z 2017-10-25T05:00:00Z

USA Today. Another common explanation is the rising cost of attending college. Many students end up taking out loans to get an undergraduate degree. However, students every year also get into too much debt simply because they do not know how to handle their finances on their own. It is easy to accumulate too much debt when you get a credit card for the first time. Discharging debt The reason many students have to file for bankruptcy is due to accumulating too much debt from student loans. However, it is important to consider that filing for bankruptcy will probably not eliminate debt from student loans. The idea behind filing for bankruptcy is that it gives you a fresh start by eliminating certain debts. However, it does not apply to everything. Student loans, alongside criminal fines and child support, cannot go away with bankruptcy. Applying for financial aid Some students end up with too much debt in the middle of their education. You may worry about having to drop out of school with a ton of debt and no degree. Fortunately, it does not have to be that way. Filing for bankruptcy should not affect your financial aid in any way. It can be different for your parents, though. There are some loans that will not provide funds to a student if his or her parents filed for bankruptcy in the past. Luckily, that only applies to certain federal loans. You should look into the Stafford loan, which does not take into account credit history. Therefore, parents can still be co-signers on the agreement to help you receive funding. There are numerous ways to pay for college, and sometimes a student needs to get creative.]]> On Behalf of The Law Office of Ronald L. Schwartz https://www.ronaldschwartzlaw.com/?p=46176 2020-09-01T05:10:11Z 2017-08-02T05:00:00Z

driving under the influence of alcohol. A first DUI offense could lead to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000 in the state of Maryland. It could also lead to loss of academic scholarships or expulsion from the university entirely. No party is worth it. This year, students should make sure that they and their friends are safe. Some simple tips can allow students to go to parties with peace of mind. Assign a designated driver When students attend a party as a group, one person should be the designed driver. To make it fair, the DD should rotate among the group of friends. Other people in the group can encourage the one person to remain sober by offering to pitch in for a nice meal afterward. People can even pitch in for a gift. Even a gift card can incentivize someone to avoid alcohol. Be a responsible party host For students planning on hosting the occasional party, it is vital to be mature when doing so. Additional beverages should be available that do not contain any alcohol. It is also good to have plenty of snacks and appetizers so that guests are not solely putting beer in their bodies. Good party hosts should also have some kind of transportation plan in mind. For example, the host can take everyone’s keys before guests enter the party. The host should also be the one to arrange Uber, Lyft or taxi rides for people requiring rides home. College parties are a way of life, but that does not mean people’s lives need to be put in danger. A few preventive actions can allow people to enjoy themselves without risking their bright futures.]]> On Behalf of The Law Office of Ronald L. Schwartz https://www.ronaldschwartzlaw.com/?p=46177 2020-09-01T05:10:43Z 2017-05-01T05:00:00Z

right to legal counsel. Criminal charges are not something to make light of. They come with serious consequences that can affect you throughout the rest of your life. To better understand why you should work with a criminal defense attorney, here is a brief overview of the disadvantages of self-representation. You lack knowledge about the legal system The law is very complicated, and the legal system even more so. You do not have the time, nor the resources, to learn what you need to know to successfully defend yourself against the prosecution. The prosecutor has many years of experience and expert knowledge of the law that he or she will be using against you. An attorney, on the other hand, has the in-depth knowledge, skill and expertise that are needed to successfully defend you. You could make a crucial mistake and lose it all The legal process is not very easy to navigate through. In addition to having to appear in court, you will need to file documents that are time sensitive. Since you are not too familiar with the Maryland judicial system, the chances of you submitting documents with missing information and missing deadlines are high. Simple mistakes like those could end up severely impacting your case and may result in stiffer penalties. You may have unrealistic views about the criminal justice process and how it can impact your life. These illusions can make it harder for you to understand the seriousness of your situation. It can also complicate things when you go to trial. You should always consider hiring an attorney to protect your rights and fight for your freedom instead of gambling it away with self-representation. If you are facing criminal charges, no matter how minor or severe they are, you should speak to an attorney for guidance.]]> On Behalf of The Law Office of Ronald L. Schwartz https://www.ronaldschwartzlaw.com/?p=46179 2020-11-23T20:24:24Z 2017-02-01T06:00:00Z

Unexpected expenses that have not been budgeted for You cannot control the weather or if a thief breaks into your home. If an earthquake, tornado or flood destroys your home, or a burglar vandalizes it, it may not be covered under your insurance. This means that you deal with the loss of your possessions and your home, and replacing it all on your own can lead to catastrophic debt. Divorce proceedings or temporary separation As the marriage is split in two, so are the finances. If you are separated, you may be paying for two different places to live, along with all the bills that come with it. This can quickly add up. If you are getting divorced, legal costs, child support and alimony can all drain your resources until you cannot keep up on your other obligations. Excessive use of credit Credit makes it easy to think you can afford more than you can. After all, you can have it now and pay for it later, right? Unfortunately, credit can quickly snowball and get out of control. When you cannot meet your monthly obligations to pay back what you have borrowed, you may be in trouble. High interest rates can also add to the debt and make it bigger. Job layoffs or firing Obviously, if you do not have a job, you cannot pay your bills. Unexpected layoffs or termination can lead to chaos when it comes to your finances, particularly if you do not receive a severance package of some type. Without an emergency fund to work with, debts pile up very quickly. Excessive medical bills and expenses The number one reason that people file for bankruptcy is medical expenses that they can't afford. Around 62 percent of bankruptcy cases are filed for overwhelming medical bills. Even those with health insurance may file for bankruptcy because they cannot keep up on their bills. If you are dealing with overwhelming, suffocating debt and are not sure where to turn, bankruptcy may alleviate your monthly obligations. Speak to an attorney quickly to determine what your options are.]]> On Behalf of The Law Office of Ronald L. Schwartz https://www.ronaldschwartzlaw.com/?p=46181 2020-09-01T05:18:35Z 2016-10-31T05:00:00Z

debt you cannot eliminate through this type of bankruptcy. Alimony and child support: If you are divorced and have been ordered to pay alimony and/or child support, those payments cannot be discharged through bankruptcy. If you cannot meet your obligations, you can seek to have the court order modified with regards to your current financial situation, which will hopefully result in a reduction of the payments for which you are responsible. Student loans: If you owe a significant amount in student loans, making those payments can be tough. While student loans are typically not discharged in bankruptcy, you can find relief by proving that the payments will cause you undue hardship. To find out more about how you can qualify for an undue hardship exemption, you will need to speak with a bankruptcy attorney. Fines, penalties and judgements: If you have been ordered by the court to pay for court fees or penalties associated with criminal activity, you will not be able to discharge those debts under bankruptcy protection. Likewise, you cannot discharge debt you owe because of judgements against you as a result of civil claims. If you were ordered to pay restitution because of a personal injury or wrongful death claim made against you because of your negligent or criminal actions, such as drunk driving, you will not be able to discharge this obligation. Tax debt: If you owe a considerable amount in personal income taxes over the past three years, you cannot discharge that debt through bankruptcy. This applies to other types of tax debt as well. Debts you fail to list in your filing: Even if the debt is eligible to be discharged under bankruptcy protection, failing to list that debt will likely mean that you will still be responsible for it after the court approves your filing. Make sure you list all of your debts when you file for bankruptcy so that you can have all eligible debts discharged. Aside from the debts listed above, other debts may also be non-dischargeable. Under Maryland bankruptcy law, you may still be responsible for debts you incurred through illegal activities, such as fraud or embezzlement, as well as substantial debts you incurred just before your bankruptcy. In order to determine all of your options regarding which debts you can discharge through Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you need to consult with an experienced bankruptcy attorney.]]>