Happy November! The air is getting colder here in New York and holiday shopping is in full swing. Thanksgiving is coming, which means so is Black Friday. Just as we are thinking about our holiday shopping, we must also be smart about our holiday spending. November and December tend to be the most expensive months between gift shopping, holiday travel, and expenses related to hosting holiday Read More

For nearly a year and a half, unemployed Americans have been receiving additional unemployment benefits as part of the relief package in the CARES Act. Those who were eligible for unemployment compensation were able to receive extended benefits, in addition to a weekly supplement from the federal government. The federal supplement expanded state unemployment benefits to cover independent contractors, gig workers, and Read More

In prior posts, I explained how the bankruptcy exemptions can be used to protect assets and how they periodically get updated. While New Yorkers can choose between state and federal exemptions to protect assets, sometimes people find themselves with assets that cannot be fully protected or can only be partially protected. This post will explain what that means and the practical implications. Bankruptcy is a tool Read More

As a New York Mets fan, I’ve had my share of disappointment. Today, and every July 1st until 2035, are reminders of that. For those who are confused, Bobby Bonilla Day started July 1, 2011, and is an annual celebration ending on July 1, 2035. Don’t be fooled, this is not a good kind of celebration. Bobby Bonilla was a six-time all-star who played for the Mets. He was traded away in 1995 but brought back in 1999. Read More

Legal fees are always a touchy subject. Many people think that overall, lawyers charge too much and bill at absurd hourly rates. There may be some truth to that, but bankruptcy attorneys are usually the exception. Most consumer bankruptcy matters are billed at a flat fee rather than on an hourly basis. If I charged my clients on an hourly basis, my fees would likely be double that flat fee. In short, legal fees for Read More

There’s an ongoing debate whether all of the government assistance is encouraging Americans to delay returning to work. Some argue that between the stimulus payments and federal unemployment supplements, people are no longer motivated to return to work. There may be a compelling argument there, as they may also qualify for low or no cost health insurance. The government has provided quite a bit of pandemic relief Read More