Our blog offers practical guidance on bankruptcy, estate planning, and small business law to help you make confident financial and legal decisions. Whether you’re exploring bankruptcy options, creating a plan to protect your assets, or managing the legal side of your business, our insights are designed to help you navigate life’s most important financial challenges with clarity and confidence.
Wills vs. Trusts in Oakland, CA
The Difference Families Should Know Between a Will and a Trust For many Oakland families, creating an estate plan begins with one basic question: Do I need a will, a trust, or both? The answer depends on your family, the property you own, how you want your assets handled, and what you want to happen if you become unable to manage your own affairs. A will and a living trust are both important estate planning tools, but they serve different purposes. In many cases, a comprehensive California estate plan uses them together. At LaVelle Law Offices, our Oakland estate planning attorneys help individuals, couples, families, homeowners, and business owners throughout Oakland and the East Bay understand their options and create ...
Qualifying for Bankruptcy in San Jose
Qualifying for Bankruptcy in San Jose – Bankruptcy Means Test I live in San Jose and have a good job. Can I still qualify for Bankruptcy In Santa Clara County? Which chapter you will be ...
Can I Keep My Car in Bankruptcy?
One of the most significant decisions you’ll make during bankruptcy is keeping your car or surrendering it to the creditor. If you have negative equity in your car (meaning you owe more than it’s worth), ...
How to Get a Lawsuit Dismissed by Filing Bankruptcy?
If you’ve been served with a collection lawsuit, try not to panic. It is essential to understand that this does not mean that the creditor has won the case. The lawsuit is just the first ...
What Happens at the Meeting of Creditors
At the meeting of creditors, the debtor (that’s you) must make a personal appearance. Before the pandemic, these appearances were at the courthouse, but for the last two years, these “appearances” have been over the ...
The Guilt of Filing Bankruptcy: Famous Bankruptcy Filers
Almost Everyone knows someone who has filed for Bankruptcy! Almost everyone that I speak to about filing bankruptcy feels they have done something wrong, and they feel guilty that they have to file for bankruptcy. ...
Should I Use a Debt Relief Company?
Debt Relief Companies and the Better Alternative (Chapter 13 BK) When you find yourself in debt and start researching ways to get out of debt, you may come across “debt relief,” “credit counseling,” or “debt ...
