Thomas H. Rossback Bankruptcy Attorney

09/20/2022

Is Bankruptcy right for you? This is a simple question with a complex answer. Much of it depends on how much debt you have, how much income you have, and your assets. Here in Aberdeen and Hoquiam Wa, income levels are a bit lower, and job opportunities are less than other places like Olympia. If you think you might need a bankruptcy, give me a call. I find about 1 in 5 people who meet with me either have other options that are better, or would loose more by filing than they would gain. My Bankruptcy consultations are free, so if you're thinking about filing give me a call and set up a free consultation. (360) 799-4100

09/19/2022

YES we are actually in Aberdeen Washington! 😁

Are you wondering why there are so few Bankruptcy Attorneys in the Grays Harbor County area? It is really simple. The Federal Courthouses are in Tacoma and Seattle, and attorneys tend to like to be close to the courthouse. That's really about all there is to it.

I often times get people asking, right out of the gate on the phone, "are you actually in Aberdeen?" The reason this happens is mainly because of Google Ads. The google ads above local search results can be from anywhere, and local residents can quickly find themselves talking to somebody in Seattle when they thought they were calling a local business. So yes, I am in Aberdeen, and I am happy to serve All of Grays Harbor and Pacific County for filing Chapter 7, and Chapter 13 Bankruptcies.

07/07/2022

Don't stick your head in the sand when you fall behind in your mortgage. The sooner you act, the more options you have available!

If you have received a Notice of Default, or Notice of Trustee Sale posted to your residence, give my office a call for a free consultation to discuss your options. Don't wait until the last minute to save your home!

06/14/2021

WE ARE MOVING! The building which housed my current office is going on the market for sale, and as such we have decided to relocate. Effective immediately, OUR NEW ADDRESS will be 110 West Market Street Suite 204A, Aberdeen, Wa 98520. Also known as the "Aberdeen Square" building. All other contact information shall remain the same. Same phone number, email address, and fax number.

12/23/2020

It is with a heavy heart I announce the passing of Attorney Edward Rossback, my brother, and the owner of The Rossback Law Firm PLLC in Tacoma Washington. Edward passed away after losing his battle with colon cancer at age 40. Two years prior, Edward and I lost our Father Attorney Kenneth E. Rossback. As such, I am the last remaining Rossback practicing law in Washington State. I will do my very best to continue their legacy of dedication to client needs, serving the legal needs of the community, and the administration of justice in Washington. Rest in peace my dear brother.

10/01/2020

Things are getting back to normal..... for creditors at least. Many Creditors can and now are filing lawsuits to collect on debts not paid before, and during the COVID shutdown. However many people still haven't recovered from the COVID shutdown. Many are now facing bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy can stop almost all of these law suits. If you are thinking about needing to file a Bankruptcy, give me a call, and set up a FREE consultation. If Bankruptcy is a good option for you I can help. 360-799-4100

06/16/2020

FDCPA, or the Fair Debts Collection Practices Act.

Know your rights when it comes to collectors. All collectors are given a brief education in the FDCPA and often times are trained to walk the line, or even outright violate the act.

Specifically I would recommend being familiar with sections 804-809, and 813-814. The link is below. Many times just informing the collector that you are familiar with the FDCPA will help to keep them in line, and strengthen your position to successfully negotiate a reasonable repayment of your debts

The official website of the Federal Trade Commission, protecting America’s consumers for over 100 years.

04/24/2020

https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/081516/how-many-mortgage-payments-can-i-miss-foreclosure.asp

The status of your lender and the condition of your local housing market are some of the factors that determine how many payments you can miss.

04/24/2020

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/guide-coronavirus-mortgage-relief-options/

If you can’t make your mortgage payments because of the coronavirus, start by understanding your options and reaching out for help.

04/24/2020

https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr748/BILLS-116hr748eas.pdf

04/24/2020

https://www.natlawreview.com/article/cares-act-section-4022-forbearance-and-foreclosure-moratorium

Borrower-initiated forbearance and a foreclosure moratorium for any federally-backed mortgage loan are parts of the major financial relief available to borrowers under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and

04/24/2020

At a time like this many are taking advantage of the moratoriums on eviction and mortgage foreclosure. However as with most things in life there's a catch.

The moratorium on evictions will end soon, and, it only delays eviction. The moratorium does require the landlord to first offer a "reasonable" repayment plan before proceeding with eviction. However, "Reasonable" does not appear to be defined. Furthermore if you were struggling to make your rent payments before COVID 19, you will now have to find a way to pay back the unpaid rent in a "reasonable" repayment plan. Such a repayment will necessarily get more expensive with each missed rent payment.

The foreclosure moratorium is only 60 days under the CARES Act, but offers a required Forbearance to borrowers with Federally back loans (See section 4022 of the CARES Act). However, Forbearance does not mean forgiveness. You will have to repay those missed months. How that is to happen is unaddressed in the Act. Unpaid loans will, of course, be foreclosed on. It's more likely than not that you'll have to either make additional payments on your mortgage, or modify your loan with the lender. Modification is a process I am familiar with as a bankruptcy practitioner

In short these "relief" programs only appear to delay payments. How these delayed payments will be handled is being left up to negotiations between the landlord and tenant, and the lender and borrower. In truth, this is a recipe for disaster.

Landlords with loans of their own, and lenders with huge overhead and thousands of employees, can't wait forever for regular monthly payments. The pressure to pay their bills will make them less likely to work with tenants and borrowers. Tenants and Borrowers are going to be recovering from lost income, and may not have the ability to increase their monthly expenses to pay back missed rent. In the end, Landlords and Tenants, and Lenders and Borrowers who are unable to reach agreements will revert to their default remedies. In other words, Eviction and Foreclosures.

The only general advice I can give is simple. IF YOU CAN MAKE YOUR RENT OR MORTGAGE PAYMENTS MAKE THEM! It is almost certain that you will have to make them anyways. If you can't, then work with your landlord or lender to be sure to mitigate the problem. It is almost always lest costly to be proactive and address the problem sooner than later.

Finally because I am attorney here is a disclaimer to wrap things up.

This communication is not legal advice, the communication is not intended to, and does not create an attorney client relationship. The office of Attorney Thomas H. Rossback is a debt relief organization as defined by the bankruptcy code.