Law Offices of Cecille Doan

Law Offices of Cecille Doan Your dedicated lawyer for consumer and business bankruptcy solutions and civil litigation. Schedule your appointment today.

Cecille Doan is a seasoned attorney who prioritizes client needs quickly, thinks strategically, and fights for powerful results.

A bankruptcy discharge is more than a piece of paper: it is generally a court order that bars creditors from trying to c...
09/05/2026

A bankruptcy discharge is more than a piece of paper: it is generally a court order that bars creditors from trying to collect discharged debts from you personally.

But a discharge does not erase every obligation or every legal interest. Some debts may be excepted from discharge, and valid liens against property may survive. A reaffirmed debt or another obligation covered by your case documents may also require careful review.

If a creditor contacts you after discharge:

• Save every letter, text, email, voicemail, and account statement.
• Do not assume the contact is automatically a violation: or that it is harmless.
• Review your discharge order, schedules, reaffirmation agreements, and other case documents.
• Seek legal advice before responding or making a payment.

If collection efforts resume on a debt that was discharged, the discharge injunction may provide important protection. Understanding what was discharged and how the creditor is attempting to collect matters.

At the Law Offices of Cecille Doan, we believe consumers deserve clear answers and strong advocacy when their rights may be at stake. Contact us to discuss your situation and learn what options may be available.

This post provides general information, not legal advice. Every bankruptcy case and debt is different.

A creditor’s claim in bankruptcy is not automatically correct: or automatically enforceable.If a creditor wants to parti...
09/04/2026

A creditor’s claim in bankruptcy is not automatically correct: or automatically enforceable.

If a creditor wants to participate in distributions from a bankruptcy estate, it generally must file a proof of claim by the applicable deadline. Those deadlines and procedures can vary depending on the chapter of bankruptcy and the specific case, so court notices should never be ignored.

Debtors may be able to object to claims that are:
• Inaccurate or improperly calculated
• Already paid
• Duplicates
• Unsupported by sufficient documentation
• Otherwise not legally valid

Reviewing each claim carefully can help protect your rights and ensure that only legitimate debts are considered. If you receive a proof of claim or a notice about a bankruptcy deadline, discuss it promptly with experienced bankruptcy counsel.

At the Law Offices of Cecille Doan, we help clients understand their options and stand up for their rights throughout the bankruptcy process. Contact us for compassionate, strategic guidance.

This post provides general information only and is not legal advice.

A change in your income or expenses does not always mean you have to face your Chapter 13 plan alone. ❤️After a Chapter ...
09/03/2026

A change in your income or expenses does not always mean you have to face your Chapter 13 plan alone. ❤️

After a Chapter 13 plan is confirmed, circumstances may change. You may experience:

• Reduced income or job loss
• A serious illness
• Significant necessary medical, housing, or transportation expenses
• Other unexpected financial hardships

If your payment has become difficult to manage, contact your bankruptcy attorney promptly. Please do not simply stop making payments. Your attorney can review your situation and determine whether a plan modification or another form of available relief may be appropriate.

Court approval and eligibility requirements apply, and not every change will result in a lower payment. The right option depends on your individual circumstances and the requirements of your case.

You deserve clear answers and compassionate guidance: not judgment. If your financial situation has changed, the Law Offices of Cecille Doan is here to help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence. Contact us today.

This post provides general information only and is not legal advice. Every case is different.

A reaffirmation agreement is more than paperwork, it may keep you personally liable for a debt after your Chapter 7 bank...
09/02/2026

A reaffirmation agreement is more than paperwork, it may keep you personally liable for a debt after your Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Before signing, slow down and review the agreement carefully:
• Is the monthly payment affordable?
• What are the interest rate and total balance?
• Does the agreement accurately describe the vehicle or other collateral?
• Can your budget realistically support this obligation after bankruptcy?

Please do not sign simply because you feel pressured or rushed. Federal law generally allows a reaffirmation agreement to be rescinded before discharge or within 60 days after it is filed with the court: whichever is later. However, exact deadlines and required procedures matter, and missing them can affect your rights.

If you have second thoughts, contact bankruptcy counsel promptly. You deserve informed consent and a clear understanding of what you are agreeing to. Our team at the Law Offices of Cecille Doan is here to help you review your options with compassion and care. Visit cecilledoan.com to connect with us.

This post is for general information only and is not legal advice. Every case is different.

Bankruptcy does not automatically erase tax debt, but in some situations, it may provide meaningful relief. 📄Certain old...
09/01/2026

Bankruptcy does not automatically erase tax debt, but in some situations, it may provide meaningful relief. 📄

Certain older income-tax debts may be eligible for discharge when several legal requirements are met. Generally, the tax return must have been due at least three years before filing, filed at least two years before filing, and assessed at least 240 days before filing. Fraud or willful tax evasion can change the analysis.

Recent income taxes, certain priority taxes, payroll or trust-fund taxes, fraud-related tax debts, taxes connected to unfiled or very late returns, and some other tax obligations may not be dischargeable.

Filing returns on time, and the age of the tax debt, can matter. But tax law and bankruptcy law are highly fact-specific. A tax lien may also create a separate issue: even when personal liability is discharged, a valid lien may continue affecting property.

Please don’t assume a tax debt is: or isn’t: dischargeable based on age alone. Have your tax records, filing history, assessments, and any liens reviewed by qualified bankruptcy counsel.

If tax debt is adding to your financial stress, the Law Offices of Cecille Doan can help you understand your options with compassion and clarity. Visit cecilledoan.com to get started.

This post is for general information only and is not legal or tax advice.

Filing for bankruptcy should not mean losing the essentials your family or business depends on. 💡Federal bankruptcy law ...
08/29/2026

Filing for bankruptcy should not mean losing the essentials your family or business depends on. 💡

Federal bankruptcy law generally protects utility service, including electricity, gas, water, and telephone service, when a case is filed. A utility cannot simply shut off service because a pre-petition bill went unpaid or because you filed bankruptcy.

There is an important 20-day rule: after filing, you generally have 20 days to provide “adequate assurance” that future utility bills will be paid. This may involve a deposit or another arrangement, depending on the circumstances. The trustee or bankruptcy court may also become involved, and the amount and type of assurance can vary.

This protection does not make future usage free. Pre-petition debt is addressed through the bankruptcy case, while post-petition utility service must be paid going forward. If adequate assurance is not provided, the utility may have additional rights under the law.

The goal is to keep the lights on while you work toward financial stability, not to leave you navigating this process alone. If a utility company is threatening disconnection or demanding a deposit after you file, please ask our firm how these protections may apply to your situation. We are here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. 🙏

Debt relief should never come with secrecy, pressure, or impossible promises. ⚠️A bankruptcy petition preparer (BPP) is ...
08/28/2026

Debt relief should never come with secrecy, pressure, or impossible promises. ⚠️

A bankruptcy petition preparer (BPP) is not an attorney. A BPP may prepare or type bankruptcy forms, but cannot give legal advice: such as recommending which chapter to file or advising you what property to protect.

Watch for these red flags:

🚩 “Guaranteed” bankruptcy outcomes or dramatic credit-score fixes
🚩 Pressure to pay upfront, excessive fees, or fees collected before filing without court approval
🚩 Refusal to sign the documents or identify themselves as the preparer
🚩 Suggestions to hide assets, income, or creditors
🚩 Unapproved or overpriced credit-counseling courses presented as “required”

These scams are not small or harmless. In an August 2026 action, the FTC moved against a sprawling credit-repair operation that allegedly took nearly $200 million from consumers through false promises, impersonation, and illegal upfront fees. It is a sobering reminder that aggressive operators target people when they are already under financial stress.

Do not sign forms you do not understand or share sensitive information with someone who will not answer your questions. Save contracts, texts, receipts, and voicemails.

Our consumer-protection team, including our experience with FDCPA violations, helps clients recognize deceptive conduct and fight back. If you are considering bankruptcy or a debt collector’s conduct feels wrong, ask us before you pay or sign. You deserve honest guidance, dignity, and a real path forward. We’re here to help. 🙏

If you’re considering bankruptcy while grieving the loss of a loved one, please know this: you do not have to navigate t...
08/27/2026

If you’re considering bankruptcy while grieving the loss of a loved one, please know this: you do not have to navigate the timing alone. ❤️

Under the federal 180-day rule, property you inherit: or become legally entitled to inherit: within 180 days after filing for bankruptcy may become part of the bankruptcy estate. This can apply when someone passes away within 180 days after your bankruptcy filing date.

The timing of your loved one’s passing in relation to your filing date matters. Depending on the circumstances, the bankruptcy trustee may have rights to the inherited property. Exemptions may sometimes protect all or part of an inheritance, but that depends on your specific situation and applicable law.

That’s why full disclosure is so important. Before filing, tell your attorney about any potential inheritance, an illness or situation involving a close family member, or an estate in which you may have an interest. Knowing the facts early allows your legal team to build a plan that accounts for them and helps prevent unexpected problems later.

Every family, estate, and bankruptcy case is different. If you’re facing financial hardship and are concerned about an inheritance, we’re here to help you understand your options with compassion and clarity. Reach out to the Law Offices of Cecille Doan( your questions deserve thoughtful answers.) ⚖️

Thinking about bankruptcy while waiting for a tax refund? The timing of your filing can matter: but this is not a decisi...
08/26/2026

Thinking about bankruptcy while waiting for a tax refund? The timing of your filing can matter: but this is not a decision to make alone.

In many cases, a tax refund for the year you file is treated as property of the bankruptcy estate, often based on the portion connected to income earned before filing. If you received a refund before filing, you may also need to disclose it. Tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, may sometimes receive protection under applicable exemptions or other laws: but the rules depend on your specific circumstances, your state, and your bankruptcy chapter.

Waiting to file can change what is included in your case. But delaying a filing to hide or spend a refund can create serious legal problems. The goal is thoughtful, honest planning: not guesswork.

A knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney can help you evaluate your refund, credits, debts, income, and timing so you can make an informed decision and protect what the law allows.

If you are facing financial pressure and wondering when to file, reach out to the Law Offices of Cecille Doan. You do not have to navigate this difficult season alone. We are here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Filing for bankruptcy comes with two required financial courses: and knowing when to take each one can help protect your...
08/25/2026

Filing for bankruptcy comes with two required financial courses: and knowing when to take each one can help protect your case.

1. Credit counseling
Complete this course with a U.S. Trustee Program-approved provider within 180 days before filing. It reviews your financial situation, bankruptcy alternatives, and budget. You’ll receive a certificate that is needed for filing. Missing this step can lead to serious problems, including dismissal, unless a limited exception applies.

2. Debtor education
This is a separate personal financial management course. Complete it after filing and before receiving your discharge. In Chapter 7, it is generally due within 60 days after the first date set for your meeting of creditors. In Chapter 13, it is generally due before your final plan payment.

Both courses are required steps in completing the bankruptcy process and obtaining a discharge.

Protect yourself from scams:
• Verify the provider on the official U.S. Trustee Program approved list.
• Make sure the two courses are separate.
• Fees should be disclosed before you begin and are typically modest. Ask about a waiver or reduction if you cannot afford the cost.
• Be cautious of hidden, unreasonable, or improper upfront fees: or anyone claiming a fee is federally mandated.

You do not have to navigate these requirements alone. If you have questions about timing, certificates, or a provider’s fees, contact our office. We’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. 💜

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72201

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