Lists to Cover Debt, Legal Health
More legal checklists for you to clip, save and share with your friends:
I’m in debt
* I can consider: getting professional assistance in budgeting and paying off bills, asking my creditors for more time to pay my bills, filing a Chapter 13 debt repayment plan in bankruptcy court, filing for bankruptcy if I can’t find a way to pay my debts.
* I can repay part of all my debts through a Chapter 13 plan if I: have a steady income, owe less than $350,000 in debts for which I put up security, owe less than $100,000 in other debts.
* If I file for bankruptcy, I still have to pay any debt for which I put up security, debts to anyone I didn’t list on the bankruptcy forms, most of my unpaid income taxes and penalties for the last three years, most student loans, child and spousal support, any money I owe from a drunk-driving lawsuit, the bill for any luxury item I bought shortly before filing or all my debts--if I hide or lie about my assets.
I want to stay legally healthy
* I should take special care with documents by reading them carefully before I sign, asking for an explanation of anything I don’t understand, keeping copies, putting all important agreements or contracts in writing, using certified mail for important documents so I can prove that I sent them, keeping documents like wills up to date by reviewing them after a marriage, divorce, birth or death.
* I should use a bank safe deposit box to store documents that I rarely use, like adoption papers, automobile ownership certificate (pink slip), birth certificate, divorce papers, grant deed and policy of title insurance, life insurance policy, marriage license, naturalization papers, passport, stock certificates and will.
* I should keep for at least five years such papers as agreements, loan papers and similar documents, bank statements and canceled checks, copies of income tax returns, insurance policies, including auto, homeowners and public liability and real estate bills.
* In case of theft or fire, I should keep in a safe place a list of my personal property, including descriptions of the property, identification numbers, receipts and photos.
* I should get and keep receipts for my rent payments, if I pay in cash, and for most purchases or payments.
* My legal health also will improve if I make a will if I am 18 years or older, make and keep notes on important conversations, especially if the talk is about about money, agreements or property; open and read my mail regularly; pay attention to any legal notices or demands I receive and get help for problems instead of ignoring them.
Next week, more checklists.
Klein is an attorney and president of The Times Valley and Ventura County editions. Brown is professor of law emeritus at USC and chairman of the board for the National Center for Preventive Law. They cannot answer mail personally but will respond in this column to questions of general interest about law. Do not telephone. Write to Jeffrey S. Klein, The Times, 9211 Oakdale Ave. , Chatsworth, Calif. 91311.
