This is completely normal; after all, you’re an expert in the way you earn a living (likely, not bankruptcy law.)  Fortunately, you can get good advice from a qualified bankruptcy attorney.

Here are 15 Things You Need to Know about Bankruptcy

1. Nearly 2 million Americans file bankruptcy each year (individuals and married couples.)
2. Most people who file bankruptcy don’t lose assets.
3. If you can afford to make past and future payments on your house and/or car, you can, likely, keep them.
4. The timing of your bankruptcy filing is important.
5. As soon as your bankruptcy filing is accepted by the court, all creditor attempts to collect must stop, immediately.  This means phone calls, letters, wage garnishments, and lawsuits cease.
6. There is more than one way to meet the Chapter 7 means test.  Don’t give up, if you don’t meet the first test.
7. The bankruptcy trustee takes seriously letters from ex-spouses, former friends, and former business partners.  Always be 100% honest on your bankruptcy filings.  State all income; state all debts.
8. You can’t be put in jail for not paying your bills.
9. You can’t lose your bankruptcy case if you follow the rules.
10.   Don’t spend down your retirement before filing bankruptcy.
11.   HOA fees are NOT discharged in bankruptcy.
12.  But for taxes, student loans, alimony, and child support, your unsecured debts are completely discharged in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
13. You can renegotiate what you have to pay on your car if your car is worth less than you owe on it.
14.  In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, contracts are renegotiated so you get more favorable terms.
15. Bankruptcy is a Constitutional right.

Where to Get Help

Consult with a qualified attorney when considering bankruptcy or if you have any questions about bankruptcy.  Bankruptcy is a very specialized area of law; be sure your attorney focuses his or her practice on bankruptcy and helping people like you.

We focus our practice on bankruptcy law and you can reach us at 513-793-6555 or Thomasjr@geygan.com.

We will gently walk you through the process, answer your questions, analyze your case, and aggressively fight for your legal rights.

Your next step is to contact our Ohio bankruptcy lawyers.  We look forward to hearing from you. If you would like more information about bankruptcy please fill out this form below and we will email you additional information related to filing bankruptcy in Ohio.

Scam artists are sending emails falsely claiming that the recipient won the Green Card lottery or Diversity Visa lottery and instructing him or her to mail or wire money.  It is a scam.  This is NOT how you get a green card.

Do NOT mail or wire money to anyone other than your immigration attorney or at your attorney’s direction.  Never ever.

Examples of Scam Artist Email Addresses

Although scam artists can use hundreds of different email addresses, here are some that are known to have been used as reported on the USCIS website:

@kccdv.org, @greencard-org.com, @usafis-org.com, @usa-dv-gov.org, @diplomats.com, @usa.com, @usa-lottery-gov.org, @visa-gov-us.org, @post.com, @dv-state.com

These email addresses are all fake; they do not belong to any governmental agency.  All governmental agencies use email addresses, ending in “gov” such as the USCIS’s website address, www.uscis.gov/

Don’t be Fooled by Official Looking Emails

These scam artists know how to create a really good fake email.  Be careful, the heading says “Department of State,” it’s a fake.  They use fake titles, colors, and logos.

It this email, potential victims are asked to wire (Western Union) $879 per person to someone in London.  If you receive a similar email, do NOT follow the directions or you’ll lose your money and be no closer to receiving a Green Card.

Do Not Fax Any Information

The USCIS reported in October 2011 that the scam artists had expanded their scheme to request that victims fax a copy of their Western Union receipt to +44 207 691 7968.

Never fax any information to any other than your immigration attorney or to someone at the explicit direction of your attorney.  Your attorney is on your side; no one else is.  There are no short cuts to getting a Green Card or Diversity Visa.

To Keep Safe, Remember

To keep safe, keep these tips in mind:

• Any website or email from the government, always ends in “gov”
• The USCIS, State Department, or any other government entity will NEVER email you requesting “processing fees”
• Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission
• Always work with a qualified immigration attorney and if you receive any emails or letters, ask your attorney if they are legitimate.

Where to Get Help with Immigration Issues

We focus our practice on immigration law and help people just like you every day.  We will listen to your concerns and answer your questions; you are not alone.

We will do our very best to protect you from Green Card and Diversity Visa Email scams, while helping your to reach your individual immigration goals.  Your next step is to contact our office (Ohio immigration Lawyers):  513-791-1673  or Thomasjr@geygan.com.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Family unity is the foundation for many of the U.S. immigration laws. It’s a high priority. Now, the government seeks to reduce the wait time for family reunification, work more efficiently, and to standardize the process.

Mr. Mayorka’s statement explains,

“Currently, children and spouses of U.S. citizens who have accrued a certain period of unlawful presence in the U.S., and have to leave the country in order to become a legal permanent resident of the U.S., are barred from returning to their families for as long as 3 or 10 years.  They can receive a waiver to allow them to return to their families before that period by showing that their U.S. citizen family member would face extreme hardship as a result of the separation.  But under current procedures, in order to obtain the waiver, these individuals must apply from outside the United States after they have been found inadmissible by a Department of State consular officer. This process can be lengthy and discourages individuals who are currently eligible for this waiver from applying.  To address this problem, the USCIS proposal would allow eligible immediate relatives of U.S. citizens to apply for and receive “provisional waivers” of unlawful presence before they leave the United States for consular processing of their immigrant visa applications, significantly reducing the time U.S. citizens are separated from their spouses, or children.”

Reunification Benefits Our Society

It is recognized that a separation of 3 to 10 years can cause a significant breakdown in the family and family support systems. It benefits the U.S. government and society, in general, if families are kept together. Families provide emotional and financial support that the government and taxpayers would otherwise bear the brunt of.

Where to Get Help Bringing Your Family Members to the United States

More details on the new immigration regulations will be published, likely this spring, in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Public comments will be welcome. If you need help, we focus our practice on immigration law and bringing children and spouses of American citizens to the U.S.

Your next step is to contact our office: 513-791-1673, the form below  or  Thomasjr@geygan.com. We will guide you and your loved ones through the immigration process and help you to reunify your family in the United States.

When it comes to waivers the stakes are to high not to go with an experienced lawyer. Our highly trained and experienced immigration lawyers will analysis your situation and draft a waiver application that proves eligibility.

We focus our practice on immigration law, current immigration policies, and helping people just like you, every day. We will listen to your concerns and answer your questions; you are not alone.

Your next step is to contact our office: 513-791-1673, Thomasjr@geygan.com or filling out the form below.

Employment Visa Preferences

The United States encourages and helps certain professionals qualify for employment based visas (E visas) because those who qualify add something needed to the U.S. economy or culture.

There are three preference categories, wherein it doesn’t matter your particular area of expertise. The higher preference you qualify for, the easier it is to obtain an employment based visa. Visas are available for those most qualified, who are needed by U.S. employers (who can’t find qualified American workers.)

First, Aliens with Extraordinary Abilities (Arts and Sciences only, NOT Business); Outstanding Professors and Researchers; Multi-National Executives and Managers

Second, Professionals with Advanced Degrees; Aliens of Exceptional Ability in Sciences, Arts, or Business with special handling for College and University Professors

Third, Professionals, Skilled Workers (special schedule for Nurses and Physical Therapists); Other Workers

There are two additional preferences for specific industries. The fourth preference is for religious workers and the fifth, investors.  (Please see our page for a more detailed description)

Employment Based Qualification Analysis

Your immigration lawyer will carefully analyze the best path for you or your employee. Can job certification be avoided? Should several applications, in the various categories, be filed? Is there a non-immigrant path to pursue until the Green Card becomes available?

Where to Get Help with an Employment Based Visa and Green Card

Would you, a loved one, or someone you know like to immigrate to or visit the United States. Our highly trained and experienced immigration lawyers can help find the most likely successful path for immigration.

We focus our practice on immigration law, current immigration policies, and helping people just like you, every day. We will listen to your concerns and answer your questions; you are not alone.

Your next step is to contact our office: 513-791-1673, Thomasjr@geygan.com or filling out the form below.

 We will gently walk you through your immigration issues, guiding you and your family, and even aggressively representing you in court and before the Department of State, as needed.