Geraci Law Attorney John E. Rigney Reports: I received a call from a client who was completely lost in the mall looking for our River Oaks location. I advised him to stay put and I would go and him. I retrieved the gentleman and walked him to our office. He thanked me several times and said it had been years since he had been to the River Oaks Mall.
Geraci Law Attorney Adam Suchy Reports: I took the time to create an ADP profile for my client so we could pull his paystubs for the trustee.
Geraci Law Attorney Jennifer Asbury Reports: Trustee issued a Motion for Turnover for 2013 tax returns and refund in October 2015. My clients had turned over copies of their tax returns immediately upon filing back in 2014, but the Trustee had never provided a turnover amount. My clients no longer had the money from the tax refund and are still living paycheck to paycheck, so had no idea how they were going to be able to afford a $1,500 turnover requirement. I convinced the Trustee that with $30,000+ in claims filed and a much smaller tax refund than anticipated, that the tax refund turnover would not result in a meaningful distribution. He agreed, and my clients are VERY glad they don't have to worry about a payment plan or turnover of next year's tax refunds.
Geraci Law Attorney Laura Caputo Reports: Discussed general financial advice with young client. When I recommended splitting her car payment in two and paying for it on her paydays, she said she had always wanted to use PNC Bank's Bill Pay feature but did not know how to set it up. Thus, we logged in to her account, added her finance company as a bill payee and set up automatic biweekly payments. She LOVED this and plans to set up biweekly payment of her rent now that she knows how to use Bill Pay.
Geraci Law Attorney David Lulkin Reports: I stayed on the phone with my client 25 minutes, who was emotional about dumping her boyfriend for having another girl in Canada. I helped her come up with plan to move to Indiana to be back with family and reject the cosigned lease with the scumbag ex.
Geraci Law Attorney David Lugardo Reports: A client of ours came into the office with a friend. While our client met with another attorney, I chatted with her friend to keep things running smoothly. We even wound up running a credit report for him for free.
Geraci Law Attorney Thomas Barbour Reports: My client has been paying all her money to a debt consolidation company. She had really tried to make it work. Then the company over-drafted her account. I got on phone with them and got her account closed and money refunded back to her. Very thankful.
Geraci Law Attorney Ryan Fojo Reports: My client left her cell phone in the car while at her meeting of creditors. She needed a phone to call her ride to let them know she was ready to be picked up. I lent her my phone. She called her ride and was able to get picked up.
Geraci Law Attorney Brent Berning Reports: I called Wells Fargo with my client and got her in touch with a loss mitigation specialist so she can work with them on unemployment forbearance.
Geraci Law Attorney Sharon Hunt Reports: I successfully got my client through court security with expired driver’s license. Under new court order, only a tenant of the building like a Judge's clerk can waive people through. A friend from the US Trustee’s office was accommodating and signed for our client.
Geraci Law Attorney Dale Riley Reports: My client came to court to make sure her motion was granted and her home was not sold at foreclosure. After the motion was granted and her home was safe she was so relieved she had to sit down; she was dealing with her asthma. I sat with her in the hallway and talked about her home with her until her granddaughter came to pick her up from court and take her home.
Geraci Law Attorney Kathryn Mackenzie Reports: The husband in a joint case of mine is applying for Social Security Disability and needed recent paystubs from his wife to continue with the application. They are illiterate so I contacted ADP and helped get their log in information. I went online and printed out the necessary stubs for them.
Geraci Law Attorney Christopher Holoyda Reports: I drafted and reviewed Debtor's petition at her first meeting so she didn't have to make the drive from Delavan again.
Geraci Law Attorney Lisa Ellmaurer Reports: My client could not renew her license plate registration due to parking tickets incurred 10 years ago that she had forgotten about. She did not know how to get the citation numbers for the tickets, so I helped her look them up online and helped her contact the Municipal Court to obtain the ticket information so that we could add them to her petition. I was able to file her amendment while she was here, and provide her with a copy of the amendment to take to the court so that they would allow her to register her vehicle.
Geraci Law Attorney Michael Holsen Reports: I recovered $600 from Chase Bank for my client, where she had opened a bank account in June 2015. Chase Bank did not inform my client at the time she opened the account that they intended to take the first $600 she put in the account due to an old account balance (in fact, they informed her she owed them nothing). They also did not have a judgment for the balance and the seizure may therefore have been illegal but they immediately returned the funds when I raised the issue to them. My client was thrilled we recovered money she thought was gone for good.
Geraci Law Attorney Brent Berning Reports: I helped my client with the address for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and instructed on procedure for getting W2s and printed out tax forms to help her fill out. She'll bring back the W2s and fill them out in front of me and with my help so we can get her case filed.
Geraci Law Attorney Laura Caputo Reports: My client wants to put car and bills resulting from abusive relationship behind her. Only working part-time and about to get evicted. Recommended she find a second job near her place of employment because there are many restaurants nearby. Opened Google Maps and went down street view showing her all the places she could walk to work from Mariano's. She loved this idea. We will file a case for her in a few months when she is ready to move forward, and she is glad we helped her even before she retained us. Hugged me and said she would see me in the spring.
Geraci Law Attorney Scott Greenwood Reports: All clients are required to appear at a short hearing and bring a photo ID and social security card once the case is filed. My client forgot her social security card which usually means the Trustee will not hold the meeting and it gets rescheduled. In this case, I had a copy of the client's social security card that we scanned in when we first met. I spoke to the Trustee who agreed to hold the meeting with this scanned copy. I saved the client from having to take another day off to come in for a different meeting.
Geraci Law Attorney Nicholas Tepeli Reports: Our client recently purchased a new cell phone and she hasn't really figured out how to set it up. She told me she wasn't able to access our emails/texts properly because of the new phone so I assisted her in her initial phone set up.
Geraci Law Attorney Kristin Beilke Reports: My client is under median and is doing a Chapter 13 to protect the equity in her paid in full mobile home (valued at $70,000). Debtor's plan was initially filed in 2010 at 60 months to keep her payment as low as possible. Debtor lost her job and was sporadically paying the trustee. She did get another job, but it is only part time and she is unable to continue any more payments. After review of the case, and reviewing if liquidation was met, it appears if we count the attorney fees, we can end her plan now, saving her $3,800. And get her a discharge instead of an unsuccessful dismissed Chapter 13!
Geraci Law Attorney David Kosk Reports: My client has been in debt consolidation since July of 2014. When finalizing her case, we called the debt consolidation firm and asked for a refund of the funds held in escrow. My client has filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy which will save her a lot of money in the long run and has no tax consequences, unlike cancellation of debt through debt consolidation.
Geraci Law Attorney Nicholas Tepeli Reports: My client showed up 2 hours past closing on Friday to his initial appointment. My client is disabled in a wheelchair, so Attorneys Tepeli, Hernandez and Nelson stayed late to accommodate the client, even providing a dinner.
Geraci Law Attorney John Sadler Reports: Mr. & Mrs. work long hours, and with juggling their children's school schedules have a very difficult time making it to the office at the same time. As we were wrapping up their initial consultation, we were struggling to find a time that both of them could come back into the office to sign their petition that would not require one of them to take off time from work. I agreed to meet them at the office at 8.00 (an hour before we opened) so that we could sign off on their petition before Mr. had to go to work. We were all joking about how tired we were going to be after getting in so early, but they were thrilled that we could work around their schedule to file their case!
Geraci Law Attorney Alex Wilson Reports: My client had been working with a private debt consolidation company and had been paying them for months. They were not returning her calls and were not helping her with her debts. I sent a letter to the company requesting a refund in full of the monies paid.
Geraci Law Attorney Lisa Haley Reports: Suggested a book to my client who has a history of cancer and wants to try a healthy alternative. I gave my client the name of the book a family member used at sign up and at our next meeting my client advised that he bought the book on Amazon and it has been really helpful so far.
Geraci Law Attorney Ashley Chike Reports: My client was unable to pay his Trustee after he was laid off from his job. The Trustee filed a motion to dismiss his case. The client was able to get cash jobs after this motion was filed, but needed more time to cure the payment default. I convinced the judge to give him a longer than usual continuance. My client was able to cure the default during that time and the Trustee withdrew the motion to dismiss. My client is only 1 year away from completing his 5 year case.
Geraci Law Attorney Morgan Decker Reports: My client came to see me at our Indianapolis office located at 56th and Georgetown Road. She has struggled with car repossessions, pay day loans and every type of debt you can imagine. She wants to file a Chapter 7 to clean up her credit and hopes to buy a house someday. I gave her some information for INHP, Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership. Their website has a path to home ownership and the organization even sets clients up with loan officers and helps get first time home buyers toward the path to purchase! She had never heard of the organization and is very hopeful that she'll own a home in the not so distant future!
Geraci Law Attorney Alexander George Reports: My client has had an 04 Pontiac Grand Am listed as surrender in 3 bankruptcies Still has the vehicle and has had no word from Wells Fargo on what they wanted to do with the vehicle. My client called in to see if we could help him in getting rid of it since not working and essentially just taking up space. Made calls to Wells Fargo Auto Finance to help figure out whether they want the vehicle or whether they just want to send lien release. Got a call back from Wells Fargo today and they will be mailing lien release to my client so he can finally scrap the car.
Geraci Law Attorney Anthony Shull Reports: My client has been receiving several notices from his mortgage company, after his bankruptcy had been discharged and the mortgage not reaffirmed. It was very frustrating to him, and he felt harassed by them. I called them and relayed his feelings, and they have since stopped sending him as many letters. I also explained to that his home was about to go through foreclosure, so some letters are to be expected, but in this case, the mortgage company was sending three copies of each, all certified mail, about a day apart.
Geraci Law Attorney David Lulkin Reports: Discharged 13; having trouble with short sale due to pre filing, unavoidable lien on water heater. The creditor was demanding $5K. I discussed with my client’s real estate attorney; we determined that they re recorded the lien during the active 13, as well as filed claim for only $1K; the real estate attorney was able to use that information to get the lender to back down and release lien for substantive discount, saving the client thousands.
Geraci Law Attorney Ann Kramer Reports: My client came in for late sign-up on Monday. I stayed late after the appointment to draft the petition. She came in with everything for our appointment next afternoon and we had case filed by the end of the day.
Geraci Law Attorney Amanda Lester Reports: Husband was being sued and the creditor froze both of his bank accounts. They did not have access to 70% of their money. Discussed their options with them got them back into the office a week later and got their case filed the next day. Made sure to fax over the documents showing their bankruptcy had been filed to the creditor to try to expedite the process of unfreezing their bank accounts. They were grateful I was able to handle their case so quickly and smoothly.
Geraci Law Attorney Charles Kinzer Reports: My client was lost in Rockford, unable to find the trustee's office, and a nervous wreck. She couldn't even tell me what street she was on, nor what side of the river. I deduced her location based on her proximity to a Chase bank, then stayed on the line with her as she found the bridge, crossed the river, and got to the trustee's building.
Geraci Law Attorney Laura Caputo Reports: My client gambled away her retirement and life savings since she stopped working in '09. I asked if she was in Gamblers Anonymous or had signed up for casino self exclusion and she had not. I printed a list of the locations to register for self exclusion and a schedule of the Gamblers Anonymous meetings in her area. She had no idea how many chapters of GA existed and how close they are to her home. She promised to register and bring proof that she had done it to her next appointment.
Geraci Law Attorney Marc Affolter Reports: My clients had to bring their two small daughters to the appointment to sign their petition. Before we started I made sure the kids had some crayons and coloring pages to keep them occupied, but that wasn't enough, so I also gave them each one of our flashlight key chains. They LOVED them! They started giving each other eye exams in the office with the lights and pretended they were at the doctor's office. My clients were so impressed I was able to keep their kids occupied, and it allowed us to finish the meeting with no distractions.
Geraci Law Attorney Mariusz Zatorski Reports: My client rushed in to the office saying she's here only to drop off paystubs. I looked at her record and noticed that she had SRP set for today. When I told her that, she said she has no time, just wants to drop off paystubs. I told her I will make the appointment very quick and get her case file ASAP to get her on track to be debt free. My client liked that. I had her signed on the spot and case was ready to be file the same afternoon.
Geraci Law Attorney Lavita Ball Reports: My client arrived at 341 meeting soaking wet and completely out of breath. She took 4 buses and then walked over 2 1/2 miles IN THE RAIN! The Trustee’s office is not on a main road and the walk there was not easy. She actually apologized because she was 2 minutes late. I asked for a favor and made sure she had a ride to the closest bus stop so she didn't have to walk in the rain!! Client was so appreciative.
Geraci Law Attorney Michael Holsen Reports: When reviewing my client's case I noticed that it was her birthday, and sent her birthday wishes!
Geraci Law Attorney Christopher Holoyda Reports: Filled out two Broker Price Opinion requests with my client since he has quite a lot of trouble reading them they have small print and his eyesight is not so great.
Geraci Law Attorney Ryan Fojo Reports: I walked a disabled client to his court date from our downtown office, and helped him into and out of the elevator.
Geraci Law Attorney Kristin Schindler Reports: My client appeared at her consultation nervous and afraid. She brought her friend for moral support. Her friend is a current Geraci Law client and she assured her she was in the right place. They were both so thankful for our patience and understanding through a tough time. My client came back and filed within 2 weeks.
Geraci Law Attorney Lizette Villegas Reports: My client came to finalize her Chapter 13 case 1 week after signing up. She came in with the filing fee of $310, plus all of the required documents, except for the credit counseling course. When asked why she hadn't completed the course, she explained it was because she did not have the $25 fee for the course. She had just switched jobs, and therefore, would not be receiving a paycheck for another 2 weeks. Rather than delaying her case 2 weeks and risking her vehicle from being repossessed, Geraci Law advanced the $25 fee for the course, allowing my client to take it that same day. Her case was instantly filed and her vehicle was kept safe and sound.
Geraci Law Attorney Chad Garrapy Reports: My client had her 9-month-old baby in the office during consultation. Baby got a little fussy and client was overwhelmed and started crying. No problem! I had some Cheerios that I brought for breakfast, so gave them to client to give to baby. Baby was happy as a clam! My client was too! Got down to business and she's set to come in soon to save her home!
We set their plan up for a 100% pay off on BOTH mortgages through the plan! Because the second mortgage is now due in full, the Bankruptcy Code allows them to pay 0% to her unsecured creditors while paying off both mortgages in the plan! If they complete plan & get discharge they will have paid-in-full house!Geraci Law Attorney Mark Levine Reports: Filing 13 because over median income but the real issue here is that second mortgage with balance $114,000 came due on the eve of filing their case; this means they must either refinance that loan or they will have to pay it in full during the plan.
Geraci Law Attorney Kyle Dallmann Reports: Facing objection over car payment, was able to negotiate on interest and payments, saving my client money in the long run as car was being paid through her plan.
Geraci Law Attorney Timothy Stanton Reports: My client did not have an ID, so I printed out directions to the closest DMV.
Geraci Law Attorney Jason Shimotake Reports: My client struggled to figure out her e mail password. Not only did I help her straighten out her debts by handling her case while she waited but I also helped her regain access to her e mail!
Geraci Law Attorney Paul Jensen Reports: My client had waited too long to come into Geraci Law. I warned her that a creditor has filed for a Citation to Discover Assets. I filed her case quickly and gave her a bankruptcy stay so she could file her appearance and avoid getting a bench warrant for her arrest.
Geraci Law Attorney Jason Nielson Reports: My client was so happy with our service that she told us she would write us positive reviews on several websites. Already wrote us one on BBB & AVVO reviewer, and will do a Google + AND a Yelp review in a few days.
Geraci Law Attorney Lacey Stier Reports: My client is a Vietnam Vet and former insurance salesman. He taught me several things I didn't know about auto and renter's insurance coverage and we talked about Germany since his wife is from there and my family is too. He said he was so impressed to meet a young educated woman who would hold a conversation with him and really appreciated that I just talked to him for a while.
Geraci Law Attorney Mario Arreola Reports: My client’s car is impounded for parking tickets but she has her Driver’s License. She said her mom purchased the vehicle co signed and signed my client's name! I gave her Hardship Driver’s License info and went on Craigslist and helped her find two SUVs in her price range. Told her to make sure she purchases Car Facts and check the vehicles before purchasing them.
Geraci Law Attorney Jason Kara Reports: One of my Chapter 13 clients went to a car dealer to finance a car and was told that because of the bankruptcy he only qualified for a brand new car. I explained that this makes no sense and is a lie. The salesman is just trying to increase the sale. Try to avoid financing and just buy a car outright, and if he has to finance a car, get a nice used Nissan or Toyota. He realized how ridiculous it sounds that he could only qualify for something newer and nicer, and was appreciate that I was there to keep him from getting taken advantage of.
Geraci Law Attorney Joseph D'Onofrio Reports: It was his first appointment and he came in because he needed help filing his case ASAP. I processed his case and he was filed the very same day within hours of coming in for help.
Geraci Law Attorney Felicia Petroff Reports: My clients called very concerned because their checking account with their credit union was frozen. They tried to use the debit card over the weekend, but it was declined, and when they called the credit union about it on Monday, they were told the credit union had frozen their accounts because the credit union no longer wants them to bank there, as it will be taking a significant loss due to my clients' bankruptcy. My clients were confused because the only debts owed to the credit union were secured and being paid through the plan. I called the credit union and spoke to the bankruptcy claim filer and discovered that the dealer that sold my clients one of the cars had never added the credit union to the title as a lien holder, so it is actually an unsecured debt which was not scheduled to be paid in full. Due to some means test changes, we were going to be amending this plan to 100% already, so I filed the 100% plan that day and notified the claim filer at the credit union so he could fully reinstate our clients' accounts.
Geraci Law Attorney Joseph Blaha Reports: Was worried about car repo and power shut off and saw Mr. Geraci on TV. Called us and we had her car safe and her power in ONLY TWO DAYS TIME!
Geraci Law Attorney Adam Suchy Reports: A client came in because his gas was shut off. He said he had to wake up to a cold shower while looking at frost and he knew we could help him restore his gas. He was referred in by his girlfriend so we will file his bankruptcy no money down and enable him to take warm showers once again!
Geraci Law Attorney Wylie Mok Reports: My client came in and was absolutely terrified Court would take her Mini Cooper that she only owed $1,000 on. I went to KBB with her and reviewed every single option, detail, mileage, even went out to the parking lot to look at the car with her. KBB says her car MV: $7,000, I explained to her how we can stack the vehicle and personal property exemptions on the car. My client says we've lifted a great weight off her shoulders, the car was the main thing holding her back from filing
Geraci Law Attorney Andrew Nelson Reports: This client came in worried because ComEd had shut off her service & her kids were crying because it was dark in the house. She brought in her bills & we called ComEd to verify the reason for the shut off, calculated a plan payment she could afford & filed her case. ComEd has since restored her service & she & her kids are happy again.
Geraci Law Attorney Jason Nielson Reports: My client signed up for Debt Consolidation with Robert Gitmeid in NY. I drafted letter to cancel their service and refund money to debtor ASAP.