Florida asset protection, estate planning, bankruptcy, and family law firm.
// by Jon Alper
Technology has made it easier for people to operate a business at or next to their primary residence. Operating a commercial venture on the property where you reside raises issues about Florida’s homestead exemption from creditors. The issue is whether a Florida resident can operate a commercial business on his homestead property without forfeiting homestead …
Florida Homestead Exemption Not Affected By Commercial Operation on LandRead More
// by Jon Alper
A self-directed IRA is a personal IRA plan where the owner can invest IRA funds in assets other than marketable securities, such as real estate. There are companies that provide qualifying IRA plan documentation and who hold title to your customized IRA assets. The self-directed plan provisions require that the owner not use IRA money …
Bankruptcy Debtor Denied Exemption For Self-Directed IRARead More
// by Jon Alper
I’ve warned many clients against making fraudulent transfers of money to their non-debtor spouse or to tenants by entireties with their spouse. A creditor may get a general money judgment against the non-debtor spouse for the value of assets transferred. The transfer to the spouse risks making the spouse a new defendant in the creditor’s …
Non-Debtor Spouse May Be Liable For Fraudulent Transfer To Entireties AccountRead More
// by Jon Alper
Florida residency is significant if bankruptcy is more than one way. A person may not claim Florida bankruptcy exemptions unless he has resided in Florida for two years. Prior to two year residency, the debtor is eligible for exemptions in the state where he most recently lived for two years. If he did not qualify …
// by Jon Alper
Here is an example of the importance of being truthful on your bankruptcy petition if you file bankruptcy. A man consulted with us about filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Florida after he had previously filed in another state five years ago. In the previous filing, the court denied the client his Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge …
// by Jon Alper
During the mortgage crises of 2008 through 2010 many of my clients were desparate to hold on to their homes that were under water and facing foreclosure. Some attorneys began to specialize in the area of foreclosure defense. These attorneys were skilled and delaying bank foreclosure actions during which time the homeowner occupied their home …
New Florida Law Curtails Mortgage Foreclosure Defense By Bankruptcy DebtorsRead More
// by Jon Alper
People avoid filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy if they have non-exempt property with significant equity. Yet, consider a debtor who owns real estate that has appreciated and therefore has a built in liability for capital gain. If that debtor files bankruptcy could the IRS hold him personal liable after bankruptcy for the income tax liability associated …
Income Tax Liability In Bankruptcy For Appreciated PropertyRead More
// by Gideon Alper
A bankruptcy debtor cannot discharge debts incurred by false representation or actual fraud. Appellate court decisions split as to whether a debt incurred as part of a fraudulent transfer of assets is included in the category of “actual fraud” that may not be discharged in bankruptcy. Some courts have held that actual fraud in the …
Supreme Court: Fraudulent Transfer Debts Not Dischargeable In BankruptcyRead More
// by Jon Alper
A recent bankruptcy court decision addressed the issue of whether people who assist a debtor’s pre-bankruptcy fraudulent transfers can be held liable for damages in the bankruptcy proceeding. In this case, a trustee hired to liquidate debtor property filed a complaint pursuant to Section 544(b) of the Bankruptcy Code against a group of people for …
// by Jon Alper
The new bankruptcy law imposes a “means test” to determine if certain debtors are eligible to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Only debtors who, according to the means test formula, lack the ability to repay substantial portion of their debts may file Chapter 7.
2572 W. SR 426 #1024
Oviedo, FL 32765
(407) 444-0404
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