My name is Burke Smith and I am a bankruptcy and consumer law attorney representing people in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska and the surrounding area. With over 19 years of experience as an attorney representing people from all walks of life, the greatest satisfaction I have received has come from helping people get through the rough financial stretches that they face.

If you are facing garnishments, repossessions, foreclosure and bill collector’s telephone calls, then you know what being under the “financial-gun” is like. The bad news is that if you don’t do anything….things will most likely stay the same or get worse. The good news is that by working with an experienced Omaha Bankruptcy Attorney, you can stop the aggravation and get back some of the peace of mind you’ve lost.

The people I work with don’t want a free ride, but at the same time they don’t have the resources (namely the income or wages) to pay their debts in a reasonable amount of time. Do any of the following sound familiar?

• Loss of job
• Loss of hours at the job you have
• Medical emergencies
• Change of circumstances: Divorce, new child, loss of benefits, college, etc.

All of these can put people into a financial hole. While it’s true that poor financial decisions will hurt you, it’s usually one of the things mentioned above that push you over the edge.

None of the people I’ve worked with wanted to file bankruptcy, in fact it’s at the bottom of their list (right after having a root canal). However, most people who do file for bankruptcy end up wishing that they had done so a lot sooner. The truth is, bankruptcy law, even after it was changed in 2005, is designed to help you get a fresh start without losing your house, car, personal possessions or retirement accounts.

Often, people who wait to file end up losing more of their savings and possessions than those who file earlier. A basic principle of bankruptcy is that people will do better, lead better lives and contribute more to society if they aren’t saddled with a mountain of debt they can never repay.

If you have questions that aren’t being answered, feel free to call, email or set up an appointment with me to discuss your situation. I keep up to date on the most recent changes and developments in bankruptcy and consumer law; as an experienced Omaha Bankruptcy Lawyer, I’ll almost certainly have the answer to your question – and the call or e-mail is free.

Bankruptcy

If you decide that Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy is an option for you, there are a lot of attorneys to choose from. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind about my office and practice:

• I am a solo practicing attorney with a minimum of staff. When you meet with me during your initial appointment, you’ll be talking with the person who will handle your case from beginning to end. When you need to talk to me, you will talk with me, not with a paralegal or assistant who can’t answer your questions.

• I will be there for you after your bankruptcy case is discharged and closed. There will be questions and issues, sometimes important ones, that come up after your case is supposedly “done”. I will be there to answer those questions as well as take the necessary legal actions if required.

In many cases creditors take improper actions (and break the law when they do it) when it comes to someone who has successfully completed their bankruptcy and received a discharge. If that happens to you, I will be there to do what is necessary to make them stop and to pay damages if required.

Alternatives to Bankruptcy

I can and will talk to you about alternatives to bankruptcy. You may be able to fix or resolve your financial issues without filing for bankruptcy and we will discuss what options may be available to you.

I urge you to give me a call at 402.718.8865.  The call is free, and I’ll answer your questions….and likely ask you a few as well.  So let’s find out if there is another option to filing Bankruptcy in Omaha.

FDCPA

A big reason many people file for bankruptcy is to stop the phone from ringing off the hook or to stop the abusive or harassing messages left by debt collectors.  If this describes your situation, you understand how frustrating and intrusive this can be.

We have found that in many cases creditors who are abusing debtors with excessive phone calls are also violating the law in other ways as well. If this sounds familiar please understand that you can fight back! You have the right to be treated with decency, dignity and respect and if that is not happening you may be entitled to compensation.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is the federal law that protects individuals from abusive and harassing debt collectors. Working with an attorney who knows how the FDCPA and bankruptcy process can work together, you may be able to achieve much more than you thought possible. Know your rights and put them to use!

If you, or a family member is being harassed or abused by bill collectors in Omaha, give me a call at 402.718.8865.  I can help.