Stephen H. Swift, Colorado Bankruptcy Attorney Many of you can immediately save yourself the time involved in reading the rest of this post: if you have unmanageable debt, you need a bankruptcy attorney. There is a wide variety of on the market, such as so-called ‘debt resolution’ agencies and ‘petition preparers’. For the most part,...Read More

As a Colorado bankruptcy attorney, one of the most common questions I’m asked is, “How much control will creditors have over my personal possessions?” It is rarely a surprise when creditors seize automobiles, boats or other expensive luxury items, but do they really want your clothes and furniture too? Good news: unless you happen to...Read More

If you plan to file for bankruptcy in Colorado Springs you will no doubt meet with an attorney who will walk you through all your options, but most people want a little preview before they visit a law office. Unless you’ve been through the bankruptcy process before it’s likely you have a long list of...Read More

Money may not buy happiness, but the lack of it can certainly inspire negative emotions. When we lack financial stability it often causes sadness, grief, and shame, but these are just the beginning when it comes time to file for bankruptcy. There is something about admitting defeat and formalizing that defeat in a court of...Read More

If you are stuck in a cycle of high-interest debt, it could be time to consider filing for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Colorado Springs bankruptcy attorneys know that it becomes a vicious cycle: You have poor credit, so they give you a high interest rate, and then you’re stuck barely being able to make the minimum, so...Read More

Bankruptcy can provide debt relief and a new financial start.  But many hard-working people who have gotten in over their heads hesitate to consider this option. They have many misconceptions or needless fears about the bankruptcy process. At the Law Office of Stephen H. Swift, P.C., we have helped thousands of people obtain debt relief,...Read More

Shot of an attractive young hispanic woman enjoying a day of shopping A Colorado Springs bankruptcy is generally the result of circumstances beyond one’s control: divorce, lay-off, medical crisis, etc. However, our Colorado Springs Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorneys recognize that almost everyone can benefit from delving into their financial habits and breaking a few bad...Read More

Portrait Of Smiling Multi-Generation Family Standing Outside Home Together Misconceptions about bankruptcy abound in America, which is a great shame because it prevents many people from getting the debt-relief help that they so desperately need.One of the many misconceptions about bankruptcy is that your property will be seized to help pay off your debts, and...Read More

Having lenders forgive debt can be a godsend for those who are unable to pay their bills; however, depending on when this debt forgiveness occurs, borrowers may find themselves having to deal with some negative consequences when it comes to paying taxes. Also referred to as “cancellation of debt” (COD), debt forgiveness can translate into...Read More

That’s it, you’ve had it! After struggling for months, or even years, to pay your debts, you are ready to consider filing for bankruptcy. The time has come to find a bankruptcy lawyer but you have no idea what to look for, or which questions to ask. It’s not uncommon to see a bankruptcy attorney...Read More

Bereaved family members have enough to contend with when someone passes away without having to shoulder the burden of left-over debts. You should know that you aren’t responsible for debts that weren’t in your name or that you did not co-sign for. That doesn’t mean widows and widowers especially won’t suffer a financial blow. Here...Read More

There are a large number of so-called debt settlement agencies advertising services that boast that they can help you avoid a Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Colorado Springs. If you have overdue medical bills, late car payments and credit cards with sky-high interest, you know you have to take some form of action. And it can be...Read More

n this second-half of a two-part series on dealing with personal debt, Colorado Springs debt-relief lawyers examine the federal guidelines for what constitutes debt collection “harassment” and offer tips for Colorado consumers dealing with seemingly unrelenting creditor calls. According to the, a debt collector may not “harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with...Read More

We’ve all heard the horror stories from friends, coworkers or family members who have gone through a nasty divorce. Few “life events” compare to divorce when it comes to financial security, not to mention the emotional toll it can take on a family and their quality of life. When Bankruptcy Meets Divorce Money is the...Read More

Any decent financial advisor will be careful to warn clients against the perils of taking on too much debt. Not only will a heavy debt load damage your credit score, it will put you at a much higher risk for bankruptcy, especially if you suffer a job loss. Bankruptcy presents some major challenges for individuals...Read More

In some circles, bankruptcy is viewed as a taboo subject. People immediately assume that those who file for personal bankruptcy are simply irresponsible with money or they are trying to escape from paying their bills. In reality, however, this is rarely the case. Bankruptcy attorneys and other financial experts are quick to point out how...Read More

In this financially turbulent time, many Americans have found themselves facing foreclosure. It’s not an altogether strange story… Being able to make a mortgage payment is getting harder and harder as more people lose their jobs. It only takes getting behind on one payment, and then before you know it, you can be paying huge...Read More

We are grateful to be able to serve our clients, especially during these trying times.  We are also grateful that The Law Office of Stephen H. Swift, P.C. was recently selected as a Top Consumer 
Bankruptcy Attorney in Colorado Springs by Colorado Springs STYLE Magazine, for the fourth year in a row.  (We were also a...Read More

It makes sense that if you are filing for bankruptcy, you aren’t in a position to pay a fortune to an attorney to help you do it. Some people turn to a lawyer who will do it for a few hundred dollars, while others try to navigate the process on their own. But our Colorado...Read More

broken Piggy bank smashed into pieces with hammer and small or loose change euro coins Nearly half of all Americans aren’t able to save up as much money as they should, often necessitating debt relief in Southern Colorado and elsewhere in the country. This is according to a recent poll which found about 45 percent...Read More

Golden nest egg concept for retirement savings Colorado Springs bankruptcy attorneys know that in order to avoid being burdened by debt in old age, retirement savings are crucial. However, life has a way of throwing in a few surprises, and in those cases, a Colorado Springs bankruptcy can give you the freedom to enjoy your...Read More

If you owe money, and most Americans do, you’re probably being harassed by calls from creditors. They call at odd hours of the day, hoping to trick you into answering the phone, and make it so that whenever your phone rings, you have a moment of dread when you see a number you don’t recognize....Read More

There’s no doubt you’ve heard the phrase, “Bankruptcy should be a last resort.” For people who are in relatively good financial shape, that’s probably a good mantra to keep. The whole idea of bankruptcy is not to make it easy for people to avoid debts they can easily pay off. However, Colorado Springs Chapter 7...Read More

After a divorce, you become more susceptible to increasing debt, and subsequently a Colorado bankruptcy. To be sure, bankruptcy can be a blessing in disguise, as it allows you to free yourself of debts you may have accrued during your marriage, and those that piled up following your divorce. In some cases, you could be...Read More

Few people can say they’ve never had an issue with their credit report, even if it was not their fault; but bankruptcy brings a whole new set of issues to your standing with the credit bureaus. Whether you filed a few weeks ago or a few years ago, it will be challenging to recover a...Read More

Some people make the mistake of swearing off credit cards in the wake of a Colorado bankruptcy. This is not only unnecessary, Colorado bankruptcy attorneys know it’s probably going to hurt you in the long-run because you need to rebuild your credit in order to earn consideration of future loans on a vehicle, mortgage and...Read More

Let’s face it; no one envisions a future that includes a bankruptcy filing.  But that shouldn’t dissuade you from considering it when it is necessary.  As a Colorado bankruptcy lawyer, there is one question I hear almost every day, “Is there any way I can avoid filing for bankruptcy?”  And while this question is answered...Read More

College students, especially those at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, have it difficult these days because they are thrust into debt with job prospects looking bleak. The cost of higher education in this country has continued to rise, even as more and more students are seeking education after high school than decades earlier....Read More

Young woman lying on sofa with laptop and entering the number of her credit card to pay online Our Southern Colorado Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorneys know that credit card companies have long targeted the college student demographic because of their overall impulsiveness and lack of experience. But their tactics are becoming increasingly savvy. Today, nearly 900 universities...Read More

One of the most disturbing trends in money management is overuse of debt consolidation loans. Sure, they may be the perfect solution for people who have gotten into unforeseen financial trouble, but debt consolidation loans are too often used to treat symptoms instead of addressing an underlying problem. One of the greatest myths about these...Read More

It may come as a surprise to some people to hear that a Colorado Springs bankruptcy can actually be looked back upon as being a positive thing. As “Real Housewife” Teresa Giudice explained recently on the show, the bankruptcy “made us stronger.” Our Colorado Springs bankruptcy lawyers know that many of our clients express that the whole process is...Read More

No one can see the future, and although no one deliberately makes decisions that lead to needing a Southern Colorado bankruptcy lawyer, it happens more frequently than you might think.  Debt accrues interest, fees, and grows beyond what many would ever imagine, and it becomes simply unmanageable. Excessive spending or the use of credit cards...Read More

So many people call a bankruptcy lawyer expecting to file for bankruptcy next week, when in reality there is a process that must be followed. For example, you must receive credit and budget counseling from an approved credit counseling service within the 180 days prior to filing a petition. The credit counseling agency will review...Read More

Closeup of credit cards One of the top reasons people avoid bankruptcy like the plague is that they fear the impact on their credit score. Colorado Springs Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyers won’t sugarcoat it and say there will be no affect whatsoever. However it’s worth noting that when you file for bankruptcy, the scoring algorithms...Read More

If you’re like many other Americans, you may think that bankruptcy is just another word for being broke, or not having any money, but in this age of extended credit, how do you define ‘broke’? When do you know when you don’t have any money?This can be a complicated problem, because many people may think...Read More

If you are facing foreclosure, it won’t be long before your friends and family start offering advice. You may hear about some proven strategies to keep the mortgage company at bay, and other actions that may help you avoid foreclosure. But first it is important to understand foreclosure. What is foreclosure? A bank foreclosure is...Read More

Whether you’re struggling to make mortgage payments or seriously behind, foreclosure is a scary proposition. Not only would this be devastating to your lifestyle, but you may be concerned about its impact on your credit. But isn’t every major financial problem going to damage your credit? When it comes to your FICO score, is it...Read More

It may seem a bit opportunistic, perhaps even heartless, but there are plenty of companies that look for people who are struggling with debt and try to exploit them for profit. While this is not true of all credit counseling companies, it is very important to do your research before signing up for one of...Read More

It should come as no surprise to learn that singles are less affluent compared to other family structures. According to recent research by the MetLife Mature Market Institute, singles reported the lowest income levels (averaging $32,000), the lowest asset levels ($110,000) and the lowest rates of homeownership (43 percent). A surprisingly low 17 percent said...Read More

Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy can be stressful enough, but then your Colorado bankruptcy lawyer informs you that you must attend something called a “Meeting of Creditors” before your debts can be discharged? That might be enough to make you wonder what you got yourself into. Good news! There is no reason to fear this...Read More

Our Colorado Springs bankruptcy attorneysknow that one of the main culprits for out-of-control debt is the overgrown mountains of student loans. Colorado Springs bankruptcies are on the rise as students are graduating with enormous loans and little opportunity for jobs that will help them pay it off. It begins a vicious cycle of debt. So...Read More

Experiencing a damaging credit event like a foreclosure, short sale or bankruptcy doesn’t mean you will never be eligible for a mortgage again.  As you prepare to buy your next home, take a look at this useful chart to see typical waiting periods before you can be approved for a mortgage.  If you experienced extenuating...Read More

Because reports of skyrocketing medical costs span both statewide and national news, Denver debt-relief attorneys were not surprised when a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention national health survey revealed that one-in-three American families are feeling the financial pinch of outstanding medical bills. Of that same group, the CDC reports that one-in-five families are struggling to pay down their...Read More

Approximately 1 in every 5 Americans older than 65 years old have been victimized by some sort of financial fraud, according to a 2010 report issued by the non-profit Investor Protection Trust (IPT). This translated to about $2.9 billion lost by the elderly in 2010, which had increased from the previous year by about 7...Read More

A nationwide drought that has prompted authorities to declare a natural disaster in 1,000 counties in 26 states (including Colorado) has left many farmers abandoning acreage, filing insurance claims and, in some cases, contemplating bankruptcy. Our Colorado Springs Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyers know that while this drought is currently affecting farmers and those in the...Read More

Colorado bankruptcy attorneys know that with wedding season coming up, many brides have visions of destination vows, mile-high wedding cakes and princess gowns. But all of that can quickly lead to a Colorado Springs bankruptcy, if you’re not careful.  Of course, parents want to give their children a memorable and special occasion. They reason that...Read More

As a Colorado bankruptcy attorney, I am often asked if bankruptcy rates are going up or down, and if the demographic makeup of bankruptcy filers has changed. Over the past few years, as the U.S. has gradually emerged from the recession, the number of people filing for bankruptcy has decreased, but there are a few...Read More

handsome young man alone on a terrace downtown for coffee We’ve heard a lot in the course of our country’s economic recession about how families have been affected: lost homes, lowered wages, unemployment, etc.  Colorado Springs Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyers understand that any one of these things can cause a great deal of financial strain,...Read More

Foreclosure For Sale Real Estate Sign in Front of House. Statistics can be deceiving. While recently-released figures seem to indicate that home prices are actually up, the reality is that we may soon see a glut of foreclosures in Denver, Colorado Springs and across the country. Our Colorado Springs foreclosure lawyers know that it has...Read More

partial view of couple at table with divorce documents What may come to mind for many people considering divorce in Colorado is what will happen with the kids, who will get the home and how will I make ends meet after the divorce? But what they should also consider is whether a Colorado Springs bankruptcy...Read More