Geraci Law Attorney Kristin Beilke Reports: Chapter 13 client calling because grandmother was just removed from her home he shared with her, will be put in assisted living facility. If something happens to her, he will inherit the home and is worried about this affecting his case. Took the time the time to review the claims, put client at ease, because even if he had to pay back 100%+ interest for the inherited property, it would be a manageable payment.
Geraci Law Attorney Robert Crowley Reports: Client has a rental car while her normal car is in the shop getting a new transmission. Her son destroyed the transmission over the winter trying to get out of the snow. While walking her to the door, she said she'd been driving around with the rear wiper on for a couple of days and couldn't figure out how to turn if off. I inspected the steering column for the wiper controls and helped her turn off the rear wiper and showed her all the wiper commands and how to turn them on and off.
Geraci Law Attorney Laura Caputo Reports: Debtor took an Uber ride to our Cicero office because her license is suspended. One of my clients is a Lyft driver so I gave her his $10 discount card (code BRER8) that helped our new client get home for half the price.
Geraci Law Attorney Thomas Barbour Reports: Clients allergies were really acting up. I know the feeling. Got her some Advil and water. Very appreciative.
Geraci Law Attorney Scott Greenwood Reports: A prospective Chapter 13 client came into my office prepared to file a case the same day as our first meeting. Because she brought all of her paystubs for the past 6 months, the past 4 years of filed taxes and took her credit counseling I had all I needed to file this the same day without any delay. Note that the requirements for a Chapter 7 are the same except that I only needed the past 1 year of filed taxes.
Geraci Law Attorney John Sadler Reports: Client was in to finalize her case before heading to work this afternoon. She's filing for Chapter 13 relief to recover her repossessed vehicle. She was helping her daughter with her tuition instead of paying for her car; she thought she could catch up on her own, but realized she needed serious help when she woke up to find her car was missing. I reviewed her petition & plan with her and had her case filed the same day! After calling the finance company myself, her vehicle should be released first thing the next day. Her birthday is in 2 days -I was able to save her birthday by getting her case filed quickly and smoothly.
Geraci Law Attorney Zachary Price Reports: CL distraught because I need her to prepare her 2013 taxes before I file the case, but she does not have the $80 to do it, and needs to get filed soon to avoid a garnishment on the next check. Advised I have never self-prepared taxes, but sit down and we will figure it out. Pulled up instructions and helped her prepare the Federal taxes, which we must have to file. Also pulled her Transunion and Equifax reports since she is very concerned about having all creditors listed.
Geraci Law Attorney Mariusz Zatorski Reports: Client is rejecting current rent lease and wants to move at the end of the month. Pretty stressed out. Also, got a call from her daughter's teacher that her daughter is failing some class -upset about that as well. Calmed her down, told her everything will be ok. Let her do most of the talking (venting) and client walked out feeing much better.
Geraci Law Attorney Jason Kara Reports: When the Debtor arrived for her initial appointment she was frantic because she locked her keys in her car. Told her don't worry, have a seat. I used my AAA membership to have a locksmith sent out to unlock the car. By the time the client was done with her appointment AAA had arrived and unlocked her vehicle.
Geraci Law Attorney Jason Shimotake Reports: I helped the debtor file her IL State taxes conveniently in the office.
Geraci Law Attorney Bridget Spears Reports: Client is 40 years old pregnant and with her sixth child, five children still at home under the age of 13. She took a nap in our parking lot before coming in because it was the only place she could get some rest. Reviewed options as car through plan will not work for her now that family expanding and plan payment will be unmanageable. She is going to file a Chapter 7 next year with her tax refund. She said a prayer before coming in that I would guide her out of this Chapter 13. It suited her well for the first two years but is not suiting her anymore. When my first suggestion was dismissing and refiling Chapter 7 after birth and tax refund comes in she said that I answered her prayers.
Geraci Law Attorney Briana Czajka Reports: Our elderly client had a brokerage account that she mis-remembered as a retirement account. She filed a Chapter 7, but converted to Chapter 13 after remembering the brokerage account do protect her account and to decrease the trustee's fees associated with paying the creditors. We continued the confirmation past the claims bar date to make sure that the plan would accurate pay all of the creditors, and no creditors filed claims! Now the client gets to keep her brokerage account and still receive a discharge of all of her debts.
Geraci Law Attorney Lisa Ellmaurer Reports: Client has a cane and quite a bit of trouble walking (when she left the office she was headed to the doctor to be fitted for TWO knee braces) so I made sure to help her out of the rolling office chair and walk her all the way out of the office to her vehicle to ensure she made it there safely.
Geraci Law Attorney Alex Wilson Reports: Client knows that she owes the IRS but lost all her documents in a flood, including tax returns. I went to the IRS "get transcript" website and requested that copies of the transcripts along with the statement showing her balances be mailed directly to her home.
Geraci Law Attorney David Lulkin Reports: Third time client, the moment she came in gave her the lowdown: You're not only under a 7 bar, you're in no-discharge status. But I can help you, make all your problems stay away for $200/m and the refile after 3 years to get rid of the debt after that. and if you like that, I'll make it all happen TODAY if you can spend an hour longer than you expected. Client so happy wrote a review praising us.
Geraci Law Attorney Tarek Khalil Reports: She's been receiving threatening calls from a creditor who is listed on the Bankruptcy. I called and spoke to a customer service representative, who transferred me to a supervisor. I let him know our client is in an active Chapter 13 and they promised the calls would cease immediately.
Geraci Law Attorney Charles Kinzer Reports: Now that it's legal, client finally married his long-time partner. Relevant to us, he's going to get a large tax refund this year as a result. I noticed, though, that one creditor never filed for its large unsecured claims, and it's now scheduled to pay off 100% and still end 20 months early! Because it's now at 100%, I modified the plan to get him to keep his tax refund.
Geraci Law Attorney Christopher Holoyda Reports: Our client has vision trouble due to getting sand in his eye in the military, leading to a form of glaucoma; accordingly I took extra time explaining the petition to him and reading portions out lout as necessary.
Geraci Law Attorney Mario Arreola Reports: Suffers from MS and husband now also disabled with auto-immune disease. Had previously filed three bankruptcies with another attorney. Explained how some attorneys rather collect fees than solve your problems--Geraci Law will get things right the first time!
Geraci Law Attorney Shera Bucchianeri Reports: Clients appreciate when we look at their entire situation and empower them to find solutions to issues the bankruptcy won't ameliorate. Per husband's description, I am his "financial advisor." He defaulted on his student loan payments and the servicing company began harassing his friends. I suggested researching special ed teacher loan forgiveness programs, then to call the company and lock in a payment plan. If those options failed, then we would proceed filing a solo13 (and a solo 7 for the wife) to hold them at bay instead of garnishing 15% of his check. I explained the 13 is a short term solution because interest still accrues and he responsible for the balance at the end of the plan. I gave him a pep talk prior to calling the creditor. The eventually agreed to reduce his monthly payments. We are now filing a joint 7 this week. Clients are thankful for my guidance in solidifying their successful financial future.
Geraci Law Attorney Megan Hayes Reports: They came in to sign their petition with their two small children. It was the end of the day and they were all so tired. The kids were fussy and getting into everything, clients getting stressed and frustrated. I took the kids aside and entertained them while my clients reviewed their petition before signing. They loved the flashlights I gave them. They were appreciative of my interest in their children. We talked about how much life changes when you have children. I have two boys, so I understand how hard it is to juggle life.
Geraci Law Attorney Jordan Staleos Reports: Our client called in this morning saying that her car had been repossessed even though we filed her case 11 days ago! Mom and Pop car dealer claimed that they did not receive notice of the case and therefore do not have to return the vehicle. I explained to dealer that it violated federal law when it repossessed the vehicle and that it is violating federal law by refusing to return it. Car dealer called the towing company and authorized the release of the vehicle to our client.
Geraci Law Attorney Ann Kramer Reports: Client was in an accident and needs to list all of the parties on her bankruptcy. She thought she had it at home but couldn't find it. We looked the report up together on the DOT website, it wasn't available but said we could request by email. I sent an email to request it for client and have it sent right to her home.
Geraci Law Attorney Timothy Stanton Reports: Client's car was impounded for parking tickets. I filed his case the same day that he came in for his initial consultation. He was able to go pick up his car the next day.
Geraci Law Attorney Lacey Stier Reports: Client was upset Progressive hadn't faxed over proof of insurance like they told her they did. I told her no worries, helped her create her account on Progressive's site and saved the Declaration page right to her file. I also wrote down her username and password for her for future use.
Geraci Law Attorney Nathan Curtis Reports: Client called looking for discharge because thought he needed it to get a new vehicle (based on what his dealership told him). Recommended a dealership that could get him a car the same day.
Geraci Law Attorney Kristin Schindler Reports: Client was very nervous at our initial consultation, she is a new mom and brought her baby to the office because her fiance works. She did not want to do anything without him but he has to work to provide for the family. I offered to call him if she gave permission. She did and as soon as we started talking with her fiance on speakerphone she was noticeably calmer. Together we came up with a plan to file her case and in less than 6 days case filed.
Geraci Law Attorney Brent Berning Reports: Client had 7 years of unfiled taxes. Printed off information for her to go pick up tax documents at IRS. Printed off last 4 years tax forms, some years was not required to file per IRS regulations, so had her sign an affidavit. Also had her sign a POA for state of Wisconsin so we could get her case filed and court team would have no issues. Prior 13 with a different attorney and she flubbed the case by not taking care of tax issue. Client was extremely grateful that we could help her and stop her power shut-off.
Geraci Law Attorney Abraham Pinon Reports: Client is diabetic. He admitted that he was so nervous he forgot to eat breakfast the morning of the appointment. My father being a diabetic I knew it was important for him to eat something. I gave him some of my emergency trail mix that I keep in the office. He was very happy.
Geraci Law Attorney Marc Affolter Reports: Client has suffered from a history of problems with her leg, and I could see from the moment she got out of her car that she was clearly laboring all the way to the door. Rather than wait for her to get inside and merely hold the door open, I met her outside and offered her my arm all the way into my office, holding the doors open for her along the way. She exclaimed "what a true gentleman, I'm lucky if most people just hold the door open!" I told her we at Geraci Law aren't satisfied with what most people do. If we don't go above and beyond the norm on a daily basis than we consider that a failure. She said based on everything she has seen so far, we are doing a great job of that!
Geraci Law Attorney Kathryn Mackenzie Reports: Client came to the office 10 min after we technically closed. She came because she was super nervous about her 341 scheduled for later in the week. I took about 10 minutes to calm her down and explain the process. I printed out driving directions from her house to the courthouse house and circled where all the parking ramps were. She was extremely grateful that I took the time to do that for her. She said she had been losing sleep, because she was so anxious about the 341 hearing.
Geraci Law Attorney Morgan Decker Reports: We care for people even when they aren't our clients! I was speaking with an appointment about options and she had dry mouth (a condition from her lupus) and I found a bottle of water in my bag to give to her. She cannot file with us now but will come back to see us around tax time!
Geraci Law Attorney Mark Levine Reports: Clients' oldest son has a learning disability & needs regular treatment/therapy that they have to pay for out of pocket. Because of their financial difficulties they have been kipping many of the sessions that he vitally needs, simply because they know they won't be able to afford the cost. I discussed with them the various programs that are available in the suburbs for folks who are disabled or have disabled children; went online to a few sites to show them the broad range of programs that are available in their area. I encouraged them to apply for as much assistance as they can possibly apply for, the sessions are too important for them to skip. They promise they will do so, they know they need to take the initiative but have been overwhelmed by finances & son's needs as of late so things have begun to unravel. Told them we can assist them financially & hopefully by pointing them in the right direction to get their son the treatment he needs and deserves as well.
Geraci Law Attorney Michael Holsen Reports: The client believed she had completed her 5 year repayment Plan in May of 2015. The Trustee was preparing the case to close when the Wisconsin Department of Revenue filed a claim under 11 USC 1305 for post-petition taxes. This would have caused the Plan to run longer than 5 years, which is not allowed-so the Trustee brought a Motion to Dismiss instead of filing a Notice of Completion of Plan! The client was very concerned, but I contacted the claims filer for the Department of Revenue and convinced them to withdraw their claim, allowing the Plan to complete and our client will receive a discharge.
Geraci Law Attorney David Kosk Reports: Elderly lady on fixed income is bothered by constant creditor harassment after she fell behind on bills when her husband passed away. She is signed up for a Chapter 7 to eliminate her debt and hasn't missed a single payment. She is very close to paying off a majority of her attorney fees prior to filing, so I advised her that we can finalize and file her case now and trust her for the balance. She was very excited that she wouldn't have to wait another month and could stop the calls.
Geraci Law Attorney Alexander George Reports: I brought in donuts for the office today. When I asked whether anyone in the waiting room would like one, client's son got a big smile on his face and said yes. The other clients in the waiting room commented that it was really nice of us to offer donuts to everyone.
Geraci Law Attorney Ashley Chike Reports: The Trustee wanted to dismiss the client's Chapter 13 case because the client missed two mandatory meetings with the Trustee. I explained to the judge that the client missed the first meeting because she was unexpectedly in the hospital and the second meeting she actually attended but the Trustee refused to hold it since the client didn't have her social security card. The judge agreed to give a continuance to give the client one more chance to attend the mandatory Trustee meeting so I prevented the case from being dismissed.
Geraci Law Attorney Jennifer Asbury Reports: Client arrived 2 hours early to her creditors meeting with a friend, who had hired a different firm for her Chapter 7 bankruptcy and had her meeting the same day. The friend was getting extremely stressed because her meeting was scheduled for 9AM, and it was already 9:15, with no sign of her attorney. I had a little extra time before my next meeting, so I sat with them and went over with both of them what to expect and put them both at ease. Client was extremely glad that she chose our firm, and friend thanked me for helping her out, regretting she paid her attorneys so much money when they weren't even there for her.
Geraci Law Attorney Andrew Golanowski Reports: Despite our district not requiring court approval for loan modifications, the client's mortgage company requires it. The client obtained a modification, and I filed the approval motion for her as soon as we received a signed copy.
Geraci Law Attorney Andrew Nelson Reports: Client came in and was very stressed out about her debt because she can't afford a garnishment. We discussed her situation and determined we can file a Chapter 13 for her to combine her general debt and car payment into one easy payment she can afford. She was very relieved that we spent the time to figure out a solution to help her get out of debt and said now she can sleep at night instead of staying up worrying.
Geraci Law Attorney Jon Clasing Reports: Clients have a notice for a power shutoff. The disconnect date was three days before clients came in to sign their petition. I told clients I will file them on the spot and immediately fax notice to the power company to avoid an electricity shutoff. Clients were very thankful that I took the time to explain everything and file the case on the spot.
Geraci Law Attorney Kyle Dallmann Reports: First continued motion to modify stay out to allow client time to apply and get a loan modification, then argued successfully with Judge to deny the motion once he was accepted into a trial period.
Geraci Law Attorney Jonathan Parker Reports: Former Client comes in unannounced. His 13 case was dismissed for non payment after we had gotten the case confirmed. After that, he filed another 13 with another firm which was never confirmed. He's an elderly widower and very confused. Worried about his house. It turns out that his wife (now deceased) took a reverse mortgage in her name alone and that lender objected to the old 13 plan because a reverse mortgage cannot be reinstated in a 13 and must be paid off. It turns out we cannot help him but now he knows why and I gave him local (city and state) resources to contact for assistance.
Geraci Law Attorney Steven Camp Reports: Husband and Wife come to Geraci Law being sued. They're soon to be garnished, but understand that garnishment to be months away. Upon returning home, they find out they will be garnished in the next paycheck. Attorney Camp worked out an arrangement to file their case fast so that the client will not have to experience a garnishment, and are able to breathe easy.
Geraci Law Attorney Brent Ingram Reports: My client is disabled, so I carried his red folder and water for him out to his car. He was ecstatic that we were willing to help him, said he's had "nothing but bad luck" for years, and that finally having Geraci Law on his side felt like a Godsend.
Geraci Law Attorney Dale Riley Reports: The client had a lease that she did not want to keep in her Chapter 13. Rather than sell the vehicle, the creditor tried to say that they should be paid the entire balance of the lease because they didn't want to have to re-sell it, despite the client giving the vehicle back to them. I objected to their claim and prompted them to sell the vehicle, saving the client over $23,000.
Geraci Law Attorney Jason Nielson Reports: Client having trouble getting tax returns because when ex-girlfriend took them when she moved out. Client was unsure how they were filed, went online and requested them to be mailed to client so we could file his case.
Geraci Law Attorney Christopher Hoffman Reports: Carried the client's heavy bags full of baby supplies to and from her car for her.
Geraci Law Attorney Christopher Dyer Reports: The client called in today because she was having a problem. She is trying to give up a financed car in a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and the creditor is refusing to pick up the vehicle. This was a problem for the client because the car is inoperable and in order to register her car she needed to pass emissions testing. As a result she was incurring post-filing parking tickets. I called the creditor with the client on the line and explained the problem. The creditor will be sending over a voluntary surrender form and they should be able to get the car by early next week rather than wait for a motion to modify the stay to be filed.
Geraci Law Attorney Nana Yaa Russell Reports: I found the client crying at the reception desk of the trustee's office as she signed in. I asked if she was ok and she said no. I pulled her to a private room and asked her what was going on? She explained her young daughter had been badly injured. She came from the hospital for the hearing. I went and got her tissues and sat with her as she cried. She was in no condition to be at a hearing and I told her it was ok. We would get her another date. The trustee's office rescheduled the hearing. I called the client a few days later and she sounded better. She thanked us for our patience.
Geraci Law Attorney Amanda Lester Reports: Client was very confused regarding the Chapter 13 payment at her meeting of the Creditors. She did not understand that she was supposed to be paying her Trustee not us. After my meeting of the creditors I sat down with her in one of the extra rooms and sat down and explained it all to her. Advised the payment that her daughter made was not the Trustee payment and she must start mailing in the payments immediately as the Trustee is paying her mortgage. I wrote down her Trustee's name and showed her how to make out the money orders or checks that she needs to start sending. I wrote down her Trustee's payment address. We then took a look at her calendar and we marked out the day she must make the trustee payment for the next year. She thanked me continuously because she understood the importance of making the payments.
Geraci Law Attorney Lisa Haley Reports: Client left his Social Security card in his car. It was a rainy day and client had no jacket, no umbrella no nothing. I offered client mine so he wouldn't get soaked on the way to his car to get a copy of his Social Security card.
Geraci Law Attorney Paul Jensen Reports: Met with client who set an appointment with our office for right after her daughter's dentist appointment to have teeth pulled. Finished our business quickly and gave client a cold compress for her daughter. Client agreed that going to meet with a Geraci attorney is much less painful than a trip to the dentist.
Geraci Law Attorney Christine Kuhlman Reports: Client's 341 meeting of creditors was last on the Trustee's call at 3:30pm. The case right before hers was a complex business case with 15 creditors in the hallway. I asked the Trustee if he would mind calling our case first, and save the business case until the end. He said it was a good idea and he had no problem calling our case first. Client very grateful that I saved her over 30 minutes of waiting around.
Geraci Law Attorney Lizette Villegas Reports: Spanish-speaker came to our office for a consultation. I greeted him and handed him part of our intake forms to fill out while I pulled his credit report. After pulling his credit report, I went back to him and realized he hadn't filled out any of the forms. He looked at me and said, "This is going to be very difficult for me. Maybe I should just come back. I have trouble reading and writing." I grabbed the forms from him and assured him I would help him. That's what we're here for! I brought him to my office and went over all of the forms. At the end of the consultation, he thanked me profusely and was very appreciative for not making him feel bad that he can't read or write.
Geraci Law Attorney Daniel Fasman Reports: The client returned for a second consultation without his spouse. He stated that his wife had mostly student loan debt and some credit card debt. The client was impressed that we ran a free credit report and provided a credit score for him. He asked me how he can do this at home for his spouse. I provided information for annualcreditreport.com so client can help his spouse with her credit report and credit score.
Geraci Law Attorney Adam Suchy Reports: The clients came in because their power had been off for a month. They signed off on their petition and I had them filed the next day so they can have AC for the summer!
Geraci Law Attorney Joseph D'Onofrio Reports: Helped her find the student loan discharge information even though she was not a client.
Geraci Law Attorney Frank Hernandez Reports: Multiple stroke survivor! Just out of the hospital and came to see us! He could not write due to the devastating effects of the strokes, so Attorney Khalil assisted him with the forms. When several other appointments came in, I took over and finished the info sheets for him. When I asked how long on pension, he pulled out his retirement watch from his union and proudly announced the date of his retirement. Wife wasn't able to be there because she was in the hospital, but client took documents to her, and I discussed our plan to file with her over the phone.
Geraci Law Attorney Cecil Scruggs Reports: Client came in after work right before the office closed in a panic because her electricity was shut off. I reviewed her petition with her and stayed late to prepare her case to be filed. It was filed the first thing the following morning and power quickly restored. She was very relieved and appreciative of the effort to help her in her time of need.
Geraci Law Attorney Juan Villalpando Reports: Clients tried debt consolidation this year in March with large monthly payments, but still received a lawsuit summons. When clients received the court summons they realized debt consolidation would not work, and worse are worried about a judgment that could result in a judgment lien on their house, and a potential garnishment against wife's wages. Husband filed chapter 7 bankruptcy with Geraci Law years ago, so he consulted with us again for bankruptcy options, and, husband and wife hired Geraci Law again to get them out of debt. Geraci Law expeditiously faxed a cancellation, and demand letter to the debt consolidation business, and today clients reported to us that the consolidation company will refund our clients close to $4,000! Clients are glad they will receive a refund, and relieved that their new bankruptcy will cease the court summons, and prevent a judgment lien on their house, and also prevent a wage garnishment, and get them out of debt!
Geraci Law Attorney Felicia Petroff Reports: Client's car was barely operable anymore and not worth the necessary repair costs, so client wanted to purchase a newer, more reliable vehicle instead. While client worked on obtaining an offer of financing, I emailed the trustee ahead of time to let them know we would be sending a car request and inquiring as to whether the trustee had all required tax returns for this debtor. The trustee's office informed me they were missing three years, so I was able to tell the client so we could avoid delays in the approval process. However, client could only find copies of two years of taxes. The trustee is usually very strict about having all tax returns before she will even look at a purchase request, but client needed time to get copies of the missing year and also needed the car ASAP. I emailed the purchase request to the trustee along with a request to make an exception to her no taxes, no review policy. Trustee approved the purchase request, client can get a safe, reliable car to get her to work!
Geraci Law Attorney Wylie Mok Reports: Client has been able to pay her rent but not her car payment due to garnishment. She came in to sign up four days after her car was repossessed. Drafted her petition, sent her home to get required documents, she came back, had her complete Credit Counseling, and sign her petition on the same day. I stayed till 10 pm to make sure her case is ready to file first thing in the morning.