Geraci Law Attorney Brent Berning Reports: I called our client’s bank and stopped several creditors from debiting her account. Our client is on Social Security on pension and needed these funds to buy groceries. I also convinced her bank not to charge $30 to stop each deduction, so I saved her $120 total.
Geraci Law Attorney Alexander George Reports: Our clients were extremely nervous about taking Credit Counseling on their own, so I sat down with them and went through the course slide by slide. Both were extremely thankful I took the time to walk them through the course.
Geraci Law Attorney Adam Suchy Reports: A client dropped by the office because she needed her Social Security benefit letter. The Social Security Administration had refused to give her the benefit letter and told her to get the document online. I took the time to create an account for her and pulled the benefit letter so the trustee would not dismiss her case.
Geraci Law Attorney Scott Greenwood Reports: A client forgot to bring her Social Security to court. Normally this means she would have to reschedule her court date, but I printed out the copy we had in our records and the court agreed to hold the meeting. This saved the client from having to take another day off of work.
Geraci Law Attorney Shera Bucchianeri Reports: I printed out proof of our client’s LINK and Social Security income so her significant other could obtain state/federal assistance. She has supported her significant other ever since he was robbed, beaten and left for dead.
Geraci Law Attorney Mariusz Zatorski Reports: Client disclosed when signing her petition that she intends to buy a car soon after filing for Chapter 13. I advised her to go to Motorworld (where she can finance a good car at reasonable terms) and get a car before we file her case so there are no unnecessary post filing issues.
Geraci Law Attorney Jonathan Parker Reports: Our client is on Social Security Disability, but did not know he could apply for an administrative discharge of his federally insured student loans. He did not have a computer at home, so I pulled the application from the Department of Education website and we completed the application together.
Geraci Law Attorney Nicholas Tepeli Reports: I assisted a wheelchair bound client entering and leaving the office.
Geraci Law Attorney Joseph D'Onofrio Reports: I helped a client get her paystubs online and created a "cheat sheet" for her personal use.
Geraci Law Attorney Marc Affolter Reports: At our client’s second appointment, we had planned to do a video chat with her husband in the Philippines. She brought her laptop, but we didn't have Wi-Fi. No problem! I hopped on my cell phone and created a Wi Fi hot spot. The three of us ended up having a very fruitful discussion.
Geraci Law Attorney Charles Kinzer Reports: Our clients owe $300,000 on a home that's worth about $100,000. They're paying nearly $3,000/month for a $100,000 home. I discussed long term options with clients. They decided to stop making mortgage payments, and start saving $3,000/month. Since foreclosure takes about 2 years, by the time their house is up for sale, they'll have over $70,000 saved up. They plan to use that money to buy their own home back. Since Sheriff's Sales usually sell below market value, they might be able to buy the home back outright and entirely eliminate their mortgage, and filing bankruptcy will ensure that they don't owe any deficiency on the previous mortgage.
Geraci Law Attorney Steven Camp Reports: A young couple with four children came in with $40,000 in debt from uninsured pregnancies. They were trying to survive on minimum wage jobs, and the husband had been working day and night just to cover the minimum payments! I counseled them about their options and filed their bankruptcy for less than their credit card minimums. They are coming back in less than a week to file their case, and finally breathe easier without that burden of debt.
Geraci Law Attorney Anthony Shull Reports: I filed a case for a couple that owed tax debt to the State of Indiana. Because of that tax debt, the Department of Revenue had an administrative hold on her application for a pharmacy technician's license. After the Department of Revenue filed a claim in the Chapter 13, I contacted an attorney in their office and got the hold removed within 24 hours!
Geraci Law Attorney Jon Clasing Reports: A married couple came in to sign their petition the day after Chicago booted their car for parking tickets. They were nervous and antsy to get the case filed. I worked it up and filed their case on the spot, and our clients were very grateful for the excellent service they received.
Geraci Law Attorney Kristin Beilke Reports: Our client is a pensioner who and suffers from osteo arthritis and lives off of $1,700/month. Originally, her Chapter 13 payment was $215/month for 55 months to protect the equity in her home. By taking attorney fees into account in the liquidation analysis, I reduced her plan payment by $100/month and cut the term to 36 months. Our client will get out of the bankruptcy 19 months earlier and save $5,685!
Geraci Law Attorney Bridget Spears Reports: I saved our clients $2,660 by convincing the Chapter 13 Trustee that he would need to pay at least $3,000 to liquidate their assets in a hypothetical Chapter 7. The Trustee initially wanted to extend the plan by seven months. After I presented my argument in court, he agreed with me, and recommended the plan for confirmation as is!
Geraci Law Attorney David Lulkin Reports: A creditor repossessed our client’s vehicle post filing. I got the creditor to tow the car back to our client’s home on the same day since the repo was improper.
Geraci Law Attorney Lisa Haley Reports: I helped my client open a Gmail account so she could access Client Corner on our website and track her case.
Geraci Law Attorney Abraham Pinon Reports: The client came into the office with her 8-month-old daughter who was fussing due to teething. I volunteered to carry her out to the car. On the way to the car I swung the child gently and calmed her down. The client was so grateful as she was visibly perturbed by her child's crying. She was also very grateful to him for stepping in and helping her to her car.
Geraci Law Attorney John Sadler Reports: A client was off of work for several months and fell behind on her car payment. She finally found a new job and resumed making her car payments, but her car was repossessed before she could get caught up. When she came in to sign her petition, she thought it would take a few days to file her case. I finished my review and filed her case later the same day!
Geraci Law Attorney David Kosk Reports: A low-income client with two children was worried about a pending garnishment. She did not have money saved for a Chapter 7. We filed a Chapter 13 for her so she could get quick relief at a lower payment than the garnishment. I discussed her case with Mr. Geraci. When she gets her refund in 2016 she will be eligible for a conversion and can eliminate all her debt in less than a year.
Geraci Law Attorney Ann Kramer Reports: Our clients came to their first appointment one day before their power was scheduled to be shut off. I drafted their petition and had them take Credit Counseling in the office. I filed their case later that day, in time to prevent the shutoff.
Geraci Law Attorney Kathryn Mackenzie Reports: The husband recently moved to a nursing home, because the wife was unable to care for him. This increased their monthly expenses because of the high cost of the nursing home and medications. The wife came to the office, nearly in tears, stating they were unable to afford their Chapter 13 payments along with all their necessities and living expenses. After a careful review of their plan, I was able to cut their payment almost in half. The wife left the office with a smile on her face, saying she was so happy and relieved to have a lower payment that she can focus on caring for her husband. She said we are heads above her prior bankruptcy attorney and that she really appreciates us doing everything possible to help her out.
Geraci Law Attorney John Rigney Reports: Following an office visit, the client asked me where a particular store was in the River Oaks Mall, because she needed to buy a birthday gift. I provided her directions, but after walking her out to the door, she looked at me and asked, "Which way?" I told her I would go one better and walk her to the store she wanted to visit. After we got there, she smiled at me and said "you are the best!"
Geraci Law Attorney Jason Nielson Reports: A client signed up to file a Chapter 13 to recover her repossessed vehicle. By the time she had gathered all her paperwork, her car was about to be sold. After filing her case, I called the finance company myself and managed to cancel the sale in time.
Geraci Law Attorney Jason Kara Reports: Our clients were over-withholding taxes and also getting large Earned Income Tax Credit. In reviewing their tax returns, I realized they could actually go exempt and still get a large refund. The additional money in every check will give them more money per month, even after they make their Chapter 13 payment. By changing their withholdings, our clients are essentially giving themselves a raise, and eliminating all unsecured debt at the same time.
Geraci Law Attorney Andrew Golanowski Reports: One of our Chapter 13 clients was diagnosed with cancer and could no longer work. She was using up all of her FMLA pay to cover her plan payment. I filed a Motion for Hardship Discharge so she would not have to continue struggling. The court granted the motion without a hearing.
Geraci Law Attorney Wylie Mok Reports: The Bankruptcy Court kept sending a client letters stating his case would be dismissed because he hadn’t signed an affidavit after taking his Debtor’s Education course. Our client wasn’t required to sign this affidavit, so I called the Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court, who admitted the error and updated the court’s records. Our client was much relieved. He was scared his case would be dismissed after all the work we've done, and told me we’ve done a great job.
Geraci Law Attorney Lisa Ellmaurer Reports: A collection agency called our client repeatedly after she had completed her bankruptcy and gotten a discharge. The company made many illegal threats and scared the client into making a payment. I called the collection agency, but realized their phone system would not allow incoming calls. After some online research, I discovered a way to get through their phone system. I spoke to a representative, who not only agreed to stop the harassing phone calls, but also agreed to refund the payment that the client made out of fear.
Geraci Law Attorney Briana Czajka Reports: Client forgot to list NICOR in her bankruptcy, which was filed about 6 months ago. The claims bar date had passed, and NICOR was threatening to disconnect gas service for a pre petition debt, so I filed a motion to allow a late filed claim for NICOR. After the judge granted the motion, I filed the claim and prevented her gas from being shut off.
Geraci Law Attorney Dale Riley Reports: The Bankruptcy Court sent our client a letter stating that he had to resume his mortgage payments now that his Chapter 13 was complete. Our client misread the letter and thought it meant he still owed over $16,000 to his junior mortgage lender. He called in wanting an explanation of where his money had been going. I walked him through why he was confused (he was looking at the original balance on the mortgage from over 5 years ago, not the current balance owed), and provided him proof of how much was paid through his Chapter 13. I emailed him proof of the same so he can make sure he gets credit for every payment when he resumes paying the minimal balance left on his mortgage now that he's completed his Chapter 13.
Geraci Law Attorney Christopher Holoyda Reports: I wrote a quick letter to the Debtor's landlord explaining that they can't be evicted so long as the Automatic Stay is in effect.
Geraci Law Attorney Sharon Hunt Reports: Talked a nervous elderly couple through the process for their meeting of creditors. Both are hard of hearing and needed a little more help.
Geraci Law Attorney Timothy Stanton Reports: A client showed up at our Monroe office 45 minutes late for her court date. The client is elderly and it was difficult for her to get downtown. Her cab had dropped her off at 55 West Monroe instead of 55 East Monroe. I walked her over to Trustee Vaughn's office just as they were about to close, and convinced the Trustee to hold her meeting. Client was thankful to not have to come downtown again for a rescheduled meeting.
Geraci Law Attorney Shera Bucchianeri Reports: A client came in to sign her petition the day after getting into a car accident. She broke a bone in her shoulder and we will look into filing a personal injury case for her. I printed out the signature pages, dated them for her, and then placed my hand over each signature page to stabilize the paper since she was unable to use her left arm due to the shoulder injury.
Geraci Law Attorney Lizette Villegas Reports: This client signed up for a Chapter 13 because he fell behind on his car note due to a reduction in his work hours. By the time he came to us, he was 3 months down and the creditor was threatening to repossess his vehicle. We filed his Chapter 13 in 1 week and prevented a repossession!
Geraci Law Attorney Robert Crowley Reports: I called our client’s bank to determine what is necessary to keep his overdrawn bank account open.
Geraci Law Attorney Michael Holsen Reports: At the meeting of creditors, the Trustee was missing a page from the recorded mortgage (required for the hearing). Since their home was in Kenosha, and we were at the Kenosha County Center for the hearing, I walked with the clients over to the Register of Deeds (same building!) and we got the missing document right there, and provided it to the Trustee, so that the issue was resolved quickly the same day.
Geraci Law Attorney Amanda Lester Reports: I was the attorney at client's meeting of the creditors. Trustee claimed that Client's plan was underfunded by $6000 and that the plan would need to increase from 36 months to 56 months. Went back to the office and reviewed with Senior Attorney Bridget Spears, and came to the conclusion that Client's Chapter 13 plan is fine just the way it is, saving the client $6000.
Geraci Law Attorney Alex Wilson Reports: A client fell behind on his car payments after we filed his case. The Judge granted the finance company’s motion for relief from stay, allowing the creditor to repossess the vehicle. Our client tried to negotiate with the lender to work out a payment plan but they refused, so I reached out to the attorney representing the finance company and worked out a deal so that our client could keep his vehicle and take his spouse to doctor's appointments. They entered into an agreement to work things out. The client was relieved.
Geraci Law Attorney Daniel Fasman Reports: The client forgot that court costs for a Chapter 13 need to be on a debit card. The client doesn't use or doesn't have a debit card. I printed a map and directions to the nearest store and instructed the client how to purchase a pre paid debit card. A fellow attorney helped the client activate an online account for the prepaid debit card when the client returned to the office. The client was extremely appreciative and thankful and said he will continue using the debit card instead of his credit cards.
Geraci Law Attorney Paul Jensen Reports: I went over the budget of a client in a filed Chapter 13 to allow the plan to end a whole year early.
Geraci Law Attorney Mario Arreola Reports: We filed a Chapter 7 for a married couple who were well over the median income. Mr. Geraci himself strongly advocated that we file this case as a Chapter 7. Our argument is that because the wife has Parkinson’s and will not be able to work as much, their income will decrease. At their court date, the trustee declared that there were no assets. Once again, PFG trumpets the cause to help those that need it the most.
Geraci Law Attorney Laura Caputo Reports: A 72-year-old woman came to see us because Discover was suing her 80-year-old husband, who is ill with dementia. She arrived in our office with their daughter. While discussing options, I found out that the wife was in treatment for a work related rotator cuff injury and surgery, and that their daughter was interested in filing bankruptcy before she moves to Ireland for work. As the wife’s long term plan is to sell their residence within the next year, she decided against filing a 100% Chapter 13. Instead, she retained PFG for a worker’s comp case, and her daughter retained PFG for a Chapter 7. In the meantime, the daughter made payment arrangements with Discover for less than the cost of a 100% Chapter 13, giving her parents time to sell their home and stop the recording of a judgment lien.
Geraci Law Attorney Kyle Dallmann Reports: A Chapter 13 plan was set to run longer than the original 60 months because claims came in higher than expected. I filed a motion to modify the plan to reduce the base and dividend, which will get them out of their Chapter 13 right on time.
Geraci Law Attorney Jason Shimotake Reports: A client had multiple questions about complicated reaffirmation process. Not only did I explain the legal issues in a clear and concise manner, but we even looked up the nearest depot so that the documents can get processed.
Geraci Law Attorney Ashley Chike Reports: A client fell behind on payments to his mortgage company during his Chapter 13. His mortgage company filed a motion seeking to remove the client's home from bankruptcy protection. I convinced the judge to give the client a long continuance to get current on payments. Our client managed to get current on payments by the continued date, so the client's home stayed under bankruptcy protection.
Geraci Law Attorney Kristin Schindler Reports: A client retained us to refile a Chapter 13. His prior case had been dismissed when he was off work on medical leave. He is back to work now, but the finance company repossessed his car after his last case was dismissed. He feared he would lose his job if he could not get to work. When he came back in four days later, I filed the case on the spot, notified the finance company, and he had his car back the next day.
Geraci Law Attorney Nathan Curtis Reports: Our client was getting sales calls from some place in Colorado; they would not leave her alone. I figured out how to block the numbers on her cell phone.
Geraci Law Attorney Lacey Stier Reports: I noticed husband squinting at the petition in the lobby and his wife was reading it aloud to him. I asked if he'd like some reading glasses and he was thrilled we had some available since he had forgotten his at home. I pulled them back to my office to sign the petition, let husband pick some reading glasses out and the appointment went smoothly once he could see. He called it Christmas morning when I said he could keep the glasses!
Geraci Law Attorney Zachary Price Reports: A medical creditor withdrew $100 from our client’s bank account after he filed a Chapter 7. I called the creditor to stop the deductions and demanded they refund our client’s money. The creditor made excuses and tried to argue they were entitled to keep the funds, but I convinced them they were wrong. Finally, the creditor agreed to refund the money.
Geraci Law Attorney Felicia Petroff Reports: After their court date, I sat down with an older married couple to review their Chapter 13 payment. They were worried they wouldn’t be able to afford their plan payment and ongoing medical expenses, which had increased after filing. The wife had only been getting a few hours of sleep per night due to stress. Since most of the debt our clients were paying in their plan was owed to the IRS, I checked the court’s records and saw that the IRS’s claim was $4,000 less than the amount we had listed. I told our clients we could lower their payment since the IRS’s claim came in at about half of what we were expecting. The wife started crying and hugging me and thanking me for the good news. I told her now she can get some sleep!
Geraci Law Attorney Jennifer Asbury Reports: Our clients’ mortgage company, Wells Fargo, refused to file a reaffirmation agreement under the faulty logic that our clients had reaffirmed on the loan in their previous bankruptcy, over 8 years ago. I spent 30 minutes explaining why this was not, in fact, the case. The issue should be resolved by their research department shortly, resulting in the Wells Fargo reaffirmation agreement being filed in this case.
Geraci Law Attorney Chad Garrapy Reports: A client was sick and tired of paying minimums on credit cards and getting nowhere. She lives an hour away from the South Indianapolis office, so to save her another trip, I prepared her bankruptcy petition in the office and had her sign it before she left. She was so happy she gave me a big hug as she left.
Geraci Law Attorney Mark Levine Reports: I filed a retrieve-the-car Chapter 13 for nice, hardworking divorced dad. He’s been on his job 17 years, but fell behind on the car after his job kept transferring him back and forth between Chicago and Indiana. He incurred out of pocket expenses that made it impossible for him to make car payments. It took us less than 4 days from signing up to filing the case, and would have been quicker had he been able to get back in for the second appointment sooner (job issues prevented that). I also prepped him in detail about what to expect post-filing, so the vehicle retrieval process went off without a hitch as a result.
Geraci Law Attorney Ryan Fojo Reports: A married couple appeared at our downtown Chicago office for their court date. The husband is in a wheelchair and his wife cannot push him for long distances, so I pushed him to the elevator and rode with them to the lobby. I then took them to the 38th floor, in to the Trustee’s office and checked them in with the front desk.
Geraci Law Attorney Morgan Decker Reports: I was meeting with a client who had to return home to care for her sick mother. The client’s niece had been helping her care for her mother and her three children, but the niece was incarcerated and client wasn't sure why or for how long. I searched the court’s website, found her niece’s case, and pulled up information about the charges against her and future hearing dates. She had had no clue when her niece would be home and wasn’t sure what to tell her kids, so she was very grateful I found out what was going on at home to shed some light on her situation!
Geraci Law Attorney Lisa Ellmaurer Reports: Client's utility company required a deposit from our client after we filed her case and she was having a hard time coming up with the money. I recommended that she contact the utility company to review her options for paying the deposit, as many of our clients have successfully done in the past. After contacting her utility company, she learned that she qualified for a waiver of the deposit as long as she could provide her last 3 months of paystubs. Client is not familiar with computers, however, and did not know how to get her paystubs online. I was able to help the client obtain her paystubs online and faxed them to her utility company for her so that they could waive her deposit going forward.