First of all, never confuse any deduction coming out of a paycheck with a wage garnishment. A wage garnishment is a legal procedure that is conducted by a collector attempting to collect a debt. The collector has filed a lawsuit, obtained a judgment from a judge and filed the legal paperwork with the court to get permission for a wage garnishment to take effect. In other words, a wage garnishment forces someone to pay a debt they refused to pay on their own.

However, a 401K Loan that is being paid through payroll deduction is not in any stage of the collection procedure. Instead, the debtor went to their employer, asked to borrow a certain amount of money against their 401K. After borrowing the money the debtor agreed to have the monthly payments made through payroll deduction. Therefore, payroll deduction is not a wage garnishment.

One big difference between the two is that a payroll deduction is a voluntary payment made by the employee and a wage garnishment is the result of a lawsuit filed by a company the debtor owed money to. The debtor did NOT make a voluntary request to deduct money from their paycheck for a wage garnishment. Instead, the collector must force the debtor to pay the debt through a legal process known as a wage garnishment.

Secondly, wage garnishments are stopped the moment a bankruptcy petition is filed because the Bankruptcy Stay goes into effect. Do a search online for the term [wage garnishment] and you will find a paragraph that is part of the legal paperwork. This paragraph states that the filing of a bankruptcy petition automatically stops a wage garnishment. Naturally, the debtor does not want to stop the repayment of a 401K Loan, which is another difference between a payroll deduction and a wage garnishment.

What is the Proper Way to List the 401K Debt on the Bankruptcy Petition?

Method 1: Since a 401K is an asset, most bankruptcy courts I have worked with prefer to have the 401K listed on Schedule B with a lien attached to it. The lienholder would be the employer.

Method 2: Other bankruptcy courts require the 401K loan deduction to be listed on Schedule I since it is being paid through payroll deduction. The 401K is still listed on Schedule B as an asset but no lien is attached to it since this information appears on Schedule I.

Because both methods 1 and 2 are allowable, if this is your first time working for an attorney, you may want to use Method 2. Then, make a note on the Attorney Cover Sheet and let the attorney know that you did not list the employer as a lien holder on Schedule B. Instead, it is shown on Schedule I because the payment is made through payroll deduction. If the attorney wants you to add the employer as a lien holder on Schedule B, follow their decision.

-The 713 Training Team
www.713Training.com

Disclaimer: We at 713Training.com are not attorneys and any information provided by 713 Training should not be considered legal advice.  The information in this article, and any other materials provided by 713 Training, whether delivered verbally, written or via any other means, including electronic/digital delivery and storage, is for training purposes only, and is intended for individuals who work under the direction of a licensed attorney.

Not every jurisdiction allows the deduction and each jurisdiction has differing expectations about how to make the claim on the means test.  The reference point for this expense is found in the Internal Revenue Manual, Financial Analysis Handbook in Part 5, Chapter 8, § 5.8.5.5.2(3).

Vehicles present two expenses that can be claimed, ownership and operating.  The operating expense is claimed on line 27a and the ownership expense is claimed on line 28 (first vehicle) and line 29 (second vehicle).  The ownership expense takes into consideration the monthly lease or installment payments made by a debtor on a financed vehicle.

Until early 2011, about half of the jurisdictions across the country allowed debtors to claim this deduction even if the vehicle was not financed or leased.  In January 2011 the US Supreme Court ruled, however, that this expense can only be claimed if the vehicle is indeed financed or leased.  Ransom v. FIA Card Services, 131 S.Ct. 716 (2011).  After this decision, debtor’s access to the older vehicle expense became very important.

PRACTICE TIP:  For those debtors who own their vehicle outright, the older vehicle expense can usually be claimed on line 27a.  The $200 would be added to the operating expense already appearing on that line.  You will want to research your jurisdiction to be certain whether the claim is available in your jurisdiction and how to present it in the means test.  For example, in Utah, the claim is available, but it must be made on Line 60 as a special expense with a description of the vehicle appearing on that line.  In Montana, for example, the expense is claimed on line 27a.

For those of you who enjoy compelling reading, here is some of the current case law addressing the older vehicle expense including the case we argued in Utah establishing access to the expense.

In re Carlin, 348 B.R. 795 (Bankr. D. Or. 2006),  In re Byrn, Bankr. D. Montana, 08-60513-13,  In re McGuire, 342 BR 608 – Bankr. Court, WD Missouri (2006) (acknowledged expense was available but not used by debtor), In re Wilson, 383 BR 729 – Bankr. Appellate Panel, 8^th Circuit (2008) (recognized US Trustee had supported expense in Amicus Brief, See Footnote 4.). In re May, 390 BR 338 – Bankr. Court, SD Ohio (2008) (recognized the US Trustee had supported expense for the case at bar.  See Footnote 13.), In re Wieland, 382 BR at 798-99, In re Slusher, 359 BR 290, 310 Bankr. D. Nev. (2007), Fokkena v. Hartwick, 373 BR 645 – Dist. Court, Minnesota (2007), In re Hargis, 10-36861 (Utah).

For help determining whether the expense is available in your jurisdiction and how to enter it in the means test, feel free to contact us and we’ll get you on the right track.

Sincerely,

The 713 Training Team
www.713Training.com

Disclaimer: We at 713Training.com are not attorneys and any information provided by 713 Training should not be considered legal advice.  The information in this article, and any other materials provided by 713 Training, whether delivered verbally, written or via any other means, including electronic/digital delivery and storage, is for training purposes only, and is intended for individuals who work under the direction of a licensed attorney.

First a little info about Heath:

Heath is an attorney who has been filing consumer bankruptcies since 1996.  During his career, he has worked as corporate counsel for Intermountain Health Care, Alltel and CellularOne.  He owns MyBankruptcyTeam, which is not only a law firm but a VBA firm as well.  His VBA Firm services more than 20 law firms outside of Utah and 6 firms in the state.  At the seminar, Heath will share the unique attorney perspective that will make your VBA or Law Practice more competitive and better positioned to serve your clients.

Retirement Accounts: They are not always property of the estate.

If you’re working on a case where the debtor has a large trust or retirement account, you will want to be aware of how to manage the accounts in regards to schedule Schedule B.  Many debtors will worry about jeopardizing their retirement money when they file bankruptcy.  In several states the exemptions do not cover cash on hand and bank accounts.  In these states, attorneys will coach their clients to convert cash into exempt property before filing.

Trustees will often ask if the debtor has a retirement account like an IRA or 401k.  They may also ask about trust accounts where the debtor is a beneficiary.  Here’s how the federal law applies to these assets.

401k’s and IRA’s

In 1992, the US Supreme Court ruled that ERISA qualified retirement accounts are not property of the bankruptcy estate.  Patterson v. Shumate, 504 U.S. 753.   What does this mean for you?  Technically, you don’t need to even mention the account on Schedule B of the bankruptcy petition.  However, if a trustee asks and finds out the account exists, he or she will likely become accusatory and suspicious of the remainder of the case thinking assets have been hidden.

PRACTICE TIP:  Many attorneys have adopted the practice of listing a 401k or IRA on Schedule B but including some language similar to this:

Pursuant to Patterson v. Shumate, this account is ERISA qualified and is not property of the estate. Disclosure is made in the event of a change in the law.

Then on Schedule C, many practitioners will still claim the state law exemption but add the same language above in the explanation section.

Use Federal Exemption & State Exemption

Many states do not allow the use of the federal exemptions.  However, the 2005 changes to the bankruptcy law allow debtors in all states to use the retirement account exemption found in 11 U.S.C. 522(b)(3)(c).  Good practitioners will mention the accounts and then use both the state and federal exemptions protecting the entire amount.  In re Braulick, 360 B.R. 327.

State Statutes and 12 Month Contributions

In several states, statutes exist that specifically indicate the contributions a debtor makes to a 401k account during the year prior to filing are not exempt and are available to the bankruptcy trustee.  This can be overcome and the contributions should not be jeopardized.  For example, a debtor with $40,000 in a 401k may have made $50 contributions from each of his paychecks during the prior year.  That would add up to $1,200.  In Vermont and Utah these statutes are in place.  However in Vermont, for example, the bankruptcy courts ruled that the statute is not enforceable and the money is not available to the trustee.  In re Leahy, 370 B.R. 620.

In Heath’s next newsletter, watch for discussions about trust accounts and how to determine if they can be protected in bankruptcy.

For more information on the Upcoming Seminar or to sign up call 713Training or click on the following link:  http://www.713training.com/categories/Seminars/

We hope to see to see you there.

Sincerely,

-The 713 Training Team
Phone: 1-800-535-9984
www.713Training.com

Disclaimer: We at 713Training.com are not attorneys; any information provided by 713 Training should not be considered legal advice.  The information in this article, and any other materials provided by 713 Training, whether delivered verbally, written or via any other means, including electronic/digital delivery and storage, is for training purposes only, and is intended for individuals who work under the direction of a licensed attorney.

Whether you are just getting started in your VBA training, or have finished the NAVBA.org certification and ready to start marketing your services, now is a good time to start building your website. You can do this by either building the website yourself or hire a web designer.

Build a Website Yourself
In today’s Internet you don’t have to be a techie or programming guru, and can quickly have your own website using the many options available. If you want to do it on your own you can minimize the costs to simply the price of a domain name (generally $7-$10 annually) and the price of hosting ($5-$10 monthly). You can use any domain registrar and hosting company you like, but if you want to go with whom we recommend then check out GoDaddy.com for your domain name, and BlueHost.com for your hosting company.

After you have settled on a domain name and setup your hosting, you will find several free options for setting up a website in just a few moments. You will need to use a Content Management System (CMS) that makes it easy to edit your website and customize it just the way you like. Check out WordPress.org and Joomla, which are both great CMS options that will have you up and running in no time flat. If you are using Bluehost.com as your hosting company you will find these CMS options available in your “cPanel” dashboard.

Once you have selected and installed the CMS of your choice you can either use the included template for your website, create your own template, or use one of the thousands of free templates available online. After you have implemented your template it is just a matter of putting in the content you need to describe your services. With your site built and content in place now it is just a matter of promoting your website. At that point you can start implementing the numerous marketing tips in previous newsletters and in our materials about marketing available on 713Training.com.

Hire a Professional Web Designer
For many people building a website even with all the tools available is a task that requires time they just don’t have, or they want a better quality than they feel they could produce on their own. If you fall into this category there is the option of hiring a professional web designer. You may know a friend or family member who can help you do this for a relatively low price, but if you don’t, you are often left with having to turn to more expensive options.

When looking for a professional you need to find someone who has substantial experience and can show it through their portfolio of clients. You also want to make sure that they will offer you support even after your website is up and going, not leaving you hanging or nickel and diming you every time you need a little help. Most of all you need to look for someone who fits in your budget.

Just like the free do it yourself options we suggested above, 713Training.com has some good friends who do professional web design for a great price. In fact they even offer to build websites for as little as a few hundred dollars. That’s right, you could have a high quality website for promoting your virtual bankruptcy assistance business for a very low price without having to build it yourself.  Check them out at Rocket Web Design, and like their name says your web design will be ready to go in no time flat!

You will find that Rocket Web Design has numerous highly satisfied clients, incredible support, and prices that other designers just can’t compete with. Rocket Web Design also offers numerous online marketing packages where they will promote your business for you. With Rocket Web Design you will have a website that you will be proud of with all the ecommerce capabilities you need to offer your services online.

 To Contact Rocket Web Design
http://affiliate.rocketwebdesign.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=111

Conclusion
Whether you build a website yourself or hire a professional like Rocket Web Design, the time to get your Virtual Bankruptcy Assistance website is now. Don’t miss out on the great opportunity the Internet provides by thinking you can’t build a website or can’t afford to, because you can build one and you can afford it. There are many attorneys looking for your services online, you just need to be there for them to find you.

If you are interested in having Rocket Web Design build a site for you then call 713Training at 1-800-535-9984 for more info or follow the link below:
http://affiliate.rocketwebdesign.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=111

Also-Don’t forget to check out our Upcoming Live Seminar on March 30^th and 31^st
http://www.713training.com/categories/Seminars/

Sincerely,

-The 713 Training Team
www.713Training.com

Publish an article to all the websites provided below. Your first reaction may be that you do not know how to write an article. No problem, we’ve provided one below that you can personalize for your virtual bankruptcy assistant business.

But do not limit yourself to this one article. Feel free to read more from our blog at http://www.713bankruptcy.com and republish some of those. Eventually, if you will take the time to read articles and press releases that others write, you will be able to start writing your own. 

SAMPLE ARTICLE TO PUBLISH ONLINE
According to statistics, in 2010 there were more than 1.5 million bankruptcy petitions filed. However, due to the lack of proper training in the preparation of Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy petitions, many attorneys and their staff are required to learn these skills on the job. Due to this lack of proper training, errors are made. It is then left up to the bankruptcy court to spend a great deal of their time solving these problems which delays the bankruptcy petition. The debtor filing bankruptcy has no clue why it is taking so long and they suffer because of the stress and fear they feel on a day to day basis of losing their home or paying their bills.

“MyVBAsite.com” is working hard to change all this. Our staff has been professionally trained in the preparation of well-detailed Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy petitions by the industry leader, 713Training.Com. We work with attorneys nationwide so they can keep their overhead low, free up staff, reduce paperwork and increase their profits.

For more information about MyCompany.Com please view our website at “MyVBAsite.com”. Please send us an email when you visit and we will be happy to answer any questions.

WEBSITES TO PUBLISH TO 
The web address with a large list of free article submission sites is at:
http://www.avangate.com/articles/article-submission.htm

It will take some time to work through this list, but your patience will pay off! You normally will be required to sign up and get a username and password on most of them; however, once you sign up, you can continue submitting articles in the future.

Important note: Be sure to read all the submission information at each website so you can be assured your article is posted. If you do not follow the rules, the time you invested will be wasted.

WHERE CAN YOU GET FUTURE ARTICLES TO POST?
Just copy and use the articles we send to you or visit our blog at http://www.713bankruptcy.com. You have permission to reprint and use any of the articles we send you or publish on our blog as press releases to help your own virtual bankruptcy assistant business.

ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE 
If you don’t mind spending some money, there is a software program you can purchase. I have used it myself before and it does help to automate the process:
http://articlesubmitter.imwishlist.com/ 

Note: This company also has another software program called Directory Submit. It will submit your website to all the search engines. Before you purchase it, make sure you watch the video at:

http://directorysubmitter.imwishlist.com/

SUMMARY 
I sincerely hope you will utilize these techniques and build your virtual bankruptcy assistant business. As you work through these suggestions, keep your eyes open for other marketing opportunities. Pretty soon, you will begin to recognize that marketing on the internet can be a fun thing that you do every day. So get to work and build your company so that you will have a fantastic financial future in 2012. 

FOR MORE ON HOW TO MARKET YOUR VBA BUSINESS CHECK OUT 713TRAINING.COM
http://www.713training.com/categories/Marketing-Your-Business/

Sincerely,

-The 713 Training Team
www.713Training.com

Join our LinkedIn group: www.linkedin.com/companies/713training.com-llc

Follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/pages/713Trainingcom/112903945407672

Disclaimer: We at 713Training.com not attorneys; any information provided by 713 Training should not be considered legal advice.  The information in this article, and any other materials provided by 713 Training, whether delivered verbally, written or via any other means, including electronic/digital delivery and storage, is for training purposes only, and is intended for individuals who work under the direction of a licensed attorney.

Follow the Link to Sign Up: http://www.713training.com/categories/Seminars/

DATE:  Friday, March 30^th and Saturday 31^st, 2012

TIME:  9:00am – 5:00pm Each Day

LOCATION: Sandy, Utah 84070 (20 minutes from Airport)

With the knowledge you will learn at the exclusive and unique Ch7-CH13 Bankruptcy and Marketing Master Seminar and Chapter 13′s Made Easy seminar, you can immediately and confidently begin accepting and professionally completing bankruptcy work.

INSTUCTORS AND PRESENTERS:

Heath Isaacs, Bankruptcy Attorney
Ann Marie Bright, Bankruptcy Paralegal
Scott Simons, President, 713Training.com
Special Guest

SEMINAR TOPICS:

Friday – March 30, 2012

1.  Avoiding the “Gotchas” and Getting a Bankruptcy Case to Discharge (Chapter 7 and 13)

• Understand the “Deadly” Timelines/Deadlines
• How to Handle Cash Advances
• How to Handle Divorces / Court Ordered Debts
• How to Handle Child Support and Alimony
• Understand Cross Collateralization

2.      Utilizing Pre-Bankruptcy Planning to Avoid Post-Filling Headaches

• How to Determine When a Debt is or isn’t Dischargeable
• How to Manage Non-Exempt Assets
  • Income Tax Refunds
  • Property Settlements
  • Cash
  • Excess Vehicle Equity
• Moving Assets Prior to Filing
• Insider Tips and Tricks to Bank Accounts

3.     When Should a 7 Really be a 13?

• Learn to Recognize the Often Overlooked Advantages of a 13
• When Striping-2nd and 3rd Mortgages is possible
• Managing Mortgage Arrears
• Stopping Foreclosures and Keeping Modifications Alive
• Utilizing the Co-Debtor Stay
• Managing Non-Dischargeable Priority Debt

4.      Marketing

• Attorney’s-How to get more Clients
• VBA’s-How to get more Attorneys 

FREE GIFTS FOR ATTENDING Day One - Over $50 VALUE

• Timelines/Deadlines Spreadsheet
• And More

SEMINAR TOPICS:

Saturday - March 31, 2012

1.    Mastering Chapter 13

• How to Write and Confirm Chapter 13’s
• Learn each Step from Consultation to Confirmation
• How to Calculate a Chapter 13 Plan Payment like a Pro
• The Secrets to Quick Confirmation

2.   Mastering the Means Test

• Learn the Tricks that Satisfy the Trustee and Serve your Client
• Discover the Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid them

3.   How to Strip a Mortgage from Residential Real Estate

• Learn to Strip 2nd and 3rd Mortgages
• Add additional fees to be paid to the attorney from the plan
• Learn to research best practices in your jurisdiction
• How to draft the Motions, Pleadings and Letters

4.    Perform Real Time Drafting and Calculation of a Chapter 13 Plan

• You’ll not Only Learn the Skills, but Put them to the Test
• Analyze and perform each step in a complex sample Chapter 13
  • Intake – Drafting – Plan Calculation – Confirmation

5.    Learn Often Overlooked Chapter 13 Tricks

• Stripping 2^nd and 3^rd Mortgages
• Stripping liens on other collateral
• How to Keep a 3^rd Vehicle
• How to help Debtors keep Extra Real Estate
• Handling non-filing Spouse cases
• Much more!

6.   Marketing

• How to Start, Grow and Sell your VBA Business

Free Gifts For Attending Day Two- Over $200 Value

• Sample Pleadings
• Sample Affidavits
• Lien Stripping Package – Pleadings and Letters
• Case Management Software
• More!

For more information on the Seminar or to sign up call 713Training or click on the following link: http://www.713training.com/categories/Seminars/

We hope to see to see you there.

Sincerely,

-The 713 Training Team

www.713Training.com

Disclaimer: We at 713Training.com not attorneys; any information provided by 713 Training should not be considered legal advice.  The information in this article, and any other materials provided by 713 Training, whether delivered verbally, written or via any other means, including electronic/digital delivery and storage, is for training purposes only, and is intended for individuals who work under the direction of a licensed attorney.

Did you know that there are many virtual bankruptcy assistants earning more than $10,00 per month? Even if you were working for just 1 attorney, preparing 5 petitions per week, you could earn $10,000 a month. Working for 2 attorneys can easily bring you an income of $20,000 per month. Do not let another month pass you by because you lack the skill of marketing your services to attorneys. The work is there! All you need to know is how to get it.

This training session is a private consultation with the experts at 713Training.com, the developers of the virtual bankruptcy assistant industry. Back in 2001 when we developed the virtual bankruptcy assistant field we made a lot of mistakes; which is the best way to learn. Now, we will work with you by sharing our mistakes and successes, showing you what truly works and what you should avoid. Not only will we share marketing advice, but also this is an opportunity to get expert training in preparing petitions and running a successful virtual bankruptcy assistant business.

How The Process Works:

After your payment is processed you will receive a link to download an Appointment Form. Fill it out and email/fax back to 713Training.Com so we can immediately schedule your training session. We will contact you by phone and confirm the schedule and make the necessary plans for your training. We can even record the training session for later reference. This recording is confidential. It will not be shared with anyone and you can refer back to it again and again.

Before the end of the training session, both of you will put together a marketing plan specifically to fit your needs and goals. Do you want to work this business part time? Full time? All the time? Do you want to specialize in Chapter 7s? Chapter 13s? Both? What type of attorney should you seek out to work for that best matches your skills and personality? Most people do not think about this but it is a marketing skill you need to know; and much, much more.

After developing a specific marketing plan you can easily follow, you and your expert trainer will also do a mock interview. Your expert will portray the attorney and you will be the virtual bankruptcy assistant selling your services. Because our expert has marketed to a wide range of bankruptcy attorneys, they will be able to give you a real life experience during this mock interview. Then, in order to perfect your skills, your personal trainer will point out ways to improve your skills and suggest other methods that will aide you in your marketing approach.

The information you learn in this exclusive, personalized training session will not only be extremely beneficial when you market to bankruptcy attorneys by phone or at their office, but the skills will be useful in designing your postcards, brochures, web site and other marketing materials. In fact, you will learn more marketing skills in this session that when applied will almost guarantee you work from an attorney. Along with the marketing knowledge you gain, your expert trainer will help you advance your petition preparation skills and your overall business practices, so you can maximize the money you make as a virtual bankruptcy assistant. That is how powerful this training is, and we look forward to helping you accelerate your business to the fast lane of success.

Sign Up for Your Personalized Training Today
http://www.713training.com/categories/Personal-Training/

Sincerely,

-The 713 Training Team

www.713Training.com

Disclaimer: We at 713Training.com not attorneys; any information provided by 713 Training should not be considered legal advice.  The information in this article, and any other materials provided by 713 Training, whether delivered verbally, written or via any other means, including electronic/digital delivery and storage, is for training purposes only, and is intended for individuals who work under the direction of a licensed attorney.

Using the information below you will hopefully enhance your skills in preparation for when you begin your bankruptcy petitions.

Check whether the debtor resides in a community property state.

Item 16 on the Statement of Affairs provides you with a list of all the community property states. If a debtor is married and is filing a petition without their spouse, there could be a problem. In a community property state, everything the debtor owns belongs to their spouse as well. Additionally, any debts the debtor has, are also owed by their spouse. Therefore, if a debtor is filing a bankruptcy petition without their spouse, they need to be made aware that collectors will most likely attempt to collect from the non-filing spouse when the bankruptcy petition is filed.

So before you start working on a bankruptcy petition where the debtor resides in a community property state, make sure that both the husband and wife are filing together. If not, the attorney needs to prepare an Affidavit that is signed by both the husband and wife stating they understand creditors may collect from the non-filing spouse. This way, the attorney can be protected by providing verification they warned the debtor of this potential problem occurring and fulfill their due diligence.

Check if the debtor has filed bankruptcy before.

Before you start working on a bankruptcy petition, do a check in PACER. This should be one of your very first tasks in preparing to do a petition. As a VBA if you miss this one detail and the attorney attempts to file the case, it will be rejected, wasting your time, the attorney’s time, and the client’s time and money. Doing this check is a good way to ensure that you start a case off right and maintain a good relationship with your attorney. Be sure to also check the Client Intake Forms and tax returns to see if the debtor has lived at any previous addresses. This will tell you whether you need to check in different jurisdictions other than where the debtor currently resides for previous bankruptcy filings. To further ensure the facts you have gathered are correct, do a background check for previous addresses. You may try this service: http://www.ussearch.com/

Check if the debtor is late on mortgage payments.

If debtors are greatly behind in their mortgage payment (6 months or more) you may have a problem if the debtors cannot qualify for a Chapter 13. If debtors are behind in their mortgage payment and file a Chapter 7, they are normally required to catch up all the back payments before the 341 Meeting. However, in some cases, the attorney will provide foreclosure mediation services to the debtor and either reduce, strip or negotiate the mortgage to the benefit of the debtor. If these negotiations occur, the attorney will provide you with the figures you need to enter on the bankruptcy petition before it is filed.

Or, if you have received advanced training in foreclosure mediation, the attorney may hire you to negotiate with the mortgage company on behalf of the debtor. (See the references below for training materials in foreclosure mediation.)

Check if the real property is due for a Sherriff’s sale.

If the client or attorney does not inform you of a Sheriff’s sale that is scheduled to occur, you can normally find the information when you do an online lawsuit check. You may also check the Real Estate page of the Client Intake Forms to see how many months the debtors are behind in mortgage payments. If there is a pending Sheriff’s sale and the debtors want to keep the house, you should clear your schedule and do everything to get the petition filed in order to protect the debtor’s home. It is moments like this that will show both the attorney and yourself how great your value is as a trained and professional Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant.

Summary

Being professional as a VBA starts in the preparation work you do before you start any petition. Remember that the work you do is to help people who are in need of your best efforts to make their bankruptcy a less difficult and stressful experience than it needs to be.

References

The Complete Foreclosure Mediation Kit
http://www.713training.com/shop/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=93

Introduction to Chapter 13 Concepts
http://www.713training.com/shop/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=101

Join the NAVBA and Save 10 Percent on All Products
http://navba.org/JoinNAVBA

Sincerely,

-The 713 Training Team

www.713Training.com

Disclaimer: We at 713Training.com not attorneys; any information provided by 713 Training should not be considered legal advice.  The information in this article, and any other materials provided by 713 Training, whether delivered verbally, written or via any other means, including electronic/digital delivery and storage, is for training purposes only, and is intended for individuals who work under the direction of a licensed attorney.

What Attorneys Are Saying

713Training.com receives numerous contacts by phone and email each month regarding both Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants and training on how to perform chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcies. Attorneys recognize, both new and veteran alike, that there is a large demand for bankruptcy service. Consumer bankruptcies are nearly double from where they were just five years ago, and are continuing to rise.

Many attorneys are seeking competent Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants and reach out to students of 713Training.com through the National Association of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants found online at NAVBA.org. There are attorneys who are in the process of totally converting their entire practice to bankruptcy because they see the ever-increasing amount of filings. Other attorneys who have never practiced bankruptcy before are opening new law firms and many of them are seeking to hire virtual assistants to keep their overhead costs low. The attorneys who are solely practicing bankruptcy are hiring more staff, looking for virtual assistants to use as their backup systems and gearing up for a large workload in the near future.

If attorneys are upgrading and expanding their practices, there is certainly no question that your job as a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant is more than secure. The only problem is that many of you do not have a lot of experience. You have purchased the training materials and learned the basics, but in order to improve on that knowledge you need bankruptcy petitions to work with and learn from. It’s kind of like a Catch 22 situation and we certainly understand your problem. However, it is up to each and every one of you to stand up, take the bull by the horns and put your knowledge to the test by working directly for bankruptcy attorneys.

It is hard for to believe, but once you get out there and start working, you will discover that because you purchased training materials from 713Training.Com, you have more knowledge than most of the law firm staff. Why? Here are only two of the reasons: (1) Most debtor bankruptcy personnel are burned out after 2 years and bankruptcy law firms have high turnover rates when it comes to keeping employees; and (2) Most attorneys know the law but they do not know how to properly prepare a well-detailed bankruptcy petition, let alone a Chapter 13 Plan. This means that the law firm staff receives little or no training in preparing the actual petition.

If you have not purchased any training materials at this time, visit:
http://www.713training.com/categories/Training-Packages//

And get started working for attorneys as soon as possible!

Take Advantage of Training and Support

If you have not joined the NAVBA already, do it now. The NAVBA will give additional credibility to you and your services, and best of all it will be a place where attorneys can locate you. Many members of the NAVBA have stated that the only marketing they did was be a member. It may take longer than actively marketing to attorneys, but many members of the NAVBA have expressed their appreciation for the benefits to their service that the NAVBA provides.

To learn more about the NAVBA visit the site today! NAVBA.ORG 

Take Advantage of Training and Support 

We have spoken to many of you via phone and email, and many have stated that you are afraid to start marketing to attorneys, because you do not believe you have enough experience to do a petition. First of all, read the marketing book (see link above) because this will convince you to move forward. Secondly, We have developed a wide range of services that provide you with ongoing training and support so you cannot fail.

One excellent service is to provide you with a Bankruptcy Petition Review. This means that 713Training.Com will review your bankruptcy petition, correct any errors and teach you how to improve your skills. Then, when you return the first draft to your attorney, he or she will be pleased with your detail and accuracy. In other words, we make you look good. After a few times, you should pick up most of the skills and only need to contact us in the future when you encounter unique situations that need addressing. Until you get out there and start working as a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant you may not be able to understand how beneficial and crucial this service is for you. But keep in mind that 713Training.Com is here to help you. You are never alone. Now, get out there and start working for attorneys!

Bankruptcy Petition Review
http://www.713training.com/categories/Petition-Review-Service/

References:

http://www.713training.com
http://www.navba.org
http://www.vbacertification.com
http://www.713bankruptcy.com

Sincerely,

-The 713 Training Team

www.713Training.com

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Disclaimer: We at 713Training.com not attorneys; any information provided by 713 Training should not be considered legal advice.  The information in this article, and any other materials provided by 713 Training, whether delivered verbally, written or via any other means, including electronic/digital delivery and storage, is for training purposes only, and is intended for individuals who work under the direction of a licensed attorney.

Another Online Discovery method used by virtual bankruptcy assistants is performing background searches that often show up previous spouses as well as previous addresses. This information can be very important especially if a debtor has lived in another state and failed to tell the attorney about it. In one case, when a debtor was found who had previously lived in another state they were able to determine that she owed State taxes she did not reveal in her bankruptcy petition. Another case revealed spousal information that helped to find a current divorce preceding that was still being litigated.

Finally, another use of Online Discovery virtual bankruptcy assistants use is a criminal search. Often, debtors do not like to reveal a criminal past; especially a criminal offense of driving while intoxicated and causing the death of another person. However, the court made this type of debt non-dischargable when the bankruptcy law changed in 2005. Prior to the law change, most debts of this type were discharged in the bankruptcy.

In summary, virtual bankruptcy assistants utilize the Internet for a variety of Online Discovery purposes when they are preparing a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition. The Online Discovery method can be something as simple as looking up a Kelly Blue Book market value for a motor vehicle to discovering a criminal past. One virtual assistant even found a debtor who had 9 different social security numbers when she used Online Discovery methods. After reporting this fraudulent action to the attorney she was working for, the attorney did not represent the client; thus protecting himself as well as his law firm from potential sanctions as well as lost time and money.

For additional information about virtual bankruptcy assistants, download your free eBook: What is a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant at http://www.713training.com/products/FREE-EBOOK-%252d-How-to-Get-Started-as-a-Virtual-Bankruptcy-Assistant.html Also review the information on the National Association of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants at http://www.navba.org Feel free to contact us through either website with any comments or questions.

Sincerely,

-The 713 Training Team

www.713Training.com

Disclaimer: We at 713Training.com not attorneys; any information provided by 713 Training should not be considered legal advice.  The information in this article, and any other materials provided by 713 Training, whether delivered verbally, written or via any other means, including electronic/digital delivery and storage, is for training purposes only, and is intended for individuals who work under the direction of a licensed attorney.