Cheryl Bergian Law Office

10/10/2025

The title of my presentation, as moderator: Divorce, Death, and Debt - Where Bankruptcy Meets Life’s Other Legal Challenges

10/03/2025

Status of student loan forgiveness or repayment plan processing.

The shutdown of the federal government could worsen the problems student loan borrowers are facing.

09/25/2025

Elder fraud? Be informed! Www.aarp.org/fraud

07/12/2025

Helpful guidance for the question of whether bankruptcy is the best option, when debt issues arise.

Think bankruptcy sounds extreme? These warning signs signal that it might be the best bet for your finances.

07/06/2025

This is a good article on current student loan repayment options, from a reliable source.

If you haven’t paid your federal student loan bills since October 2024, you might default this July or August. Here’s how to get your student loans back into good standing before it's too late.

06/02/2025

From the AARP April/May newsletter (yes, I'm a lifetime member of the AARP!): go to missingmoney.com to search 49 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico for unclaimed property that might be due you (Hawai'i unclaimed property is found by a link on the missingmoney.com website). This site is provided by the National Association of State Treasurers, and catalogs assets including uncashed checks from corporations, financial institutions, banks, insurance companies and municipalities, as well as contents of inactive brokerage accounts and unclaimed safe deposit boxes. More information is at: aarp.org/unclaimed.

From forgotten 401(k)s and bank accounts to safe deposit boxes, you could be entitled to a lot of cash

12/18/2024

This would be a very useful virtual class for caregivers - and it appears that it's provided at no cost:

Class Dates & Location Class Type: Virtual DateStart TimeEnd Time January 22, 202501:30 P03:00 PJanuary 29, 202501:30 P03:00 PFebruary 5, 202501:30 P03:00 PFebruary 12, 202501:30 P03:00 PFebruary 19, 202501:30 P03:00 PFebruary 26, 202501:30 P03:00 P Register Registration Contact Jane Strommen (jane....

09/08/2024

Business owners and executives - check out this one-day leadership conference on September 24th (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.). The topic is "Bouncing Back" - resiliency is foundational to success in business. Cost is $99.00, and content is exemplary!

03/16/2024

Deadline for applying for the North Dakota Primary Residence Credit ($500.00) is March 31st. If you're a homeowner in North Dakota, you qualify, and the online application is zippy quick.

The Primary Residence Credit page.

12/10/2023

https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/09/business/smiledirectclub-shutdown-bankruptcy/index.html

SmileDirectClub's advertising had a tag line: "Guaranteed for life. Your life." Hmmm. Guess not. They're even telling subscribers that they have to complete their contract payments, even though SmileDirectClub won't be fulfilling its side of the contract. Refunds? They're telling subscribers that refunds will depend on what happens in the bankruptcy case. Yep, continue to make payments for what you're not going to get & maybe you'll get a refund. Hmmm again.

SmileDirectClub, the direct-to-consumer dentistry and orthodonistry company that sold teeth aligners, has shut down its operations less than three months after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

12/08/2023

With the increase in the "gig" economy, I recommend that any 1099 independent contractor meet with, and review the finances of, their independent contractor income, whether the work is a "side hustle" or intended to be the main source of income. The ability to evaluate the real costs of 1099 independent contractor income, and do financial planning, both for the independent contractor income, and personal financial planning, throughout the year, is invaluable!