Law Offices of Cecille Doan

10/17/2026

A Form 1099-C can be alarming, but it doesn’t automatically mean you owe tax on the full amount shown.

When a creditor cancels, forgives, or writes off $600 or more of debt, it may issue Form 1099-C. The IRS may treat canceled debt as taxable income. But there are important exceptions: debt discharged in a bankruptcy case is generally excluded from income and is typically reported on Form 982. If you were insolvent (your debts exceeded the value of what you owned) before the cancellation, that may also reduce or eliminate taxable income. The rules depend on your specific circumstances.

If you receive a 1099-C, don’t ignore it. Keep your bankruptcy discharge order and case documents, make sure the correct forms are filed with your tax return, and consult a qualified tax professional. The timing and type of a bankruptcy filing can matter, so coordinating with a tax advisor early can be a helpful part of planning.

If this notice has you worried, take a breath and get advice before deciding what it means for you. You don’t have to sort it out alone. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.

10/16/2026

If you paid for help rebuilding your credit and later learned the promises weren’t what they seemed, you’re not alone, and you deserve clear information, not blame.

The CFPB has set aside an additional $117 million for a second round of payments to consumers harmed by Lexington Law and CreditRepair.com. Checks are mailing through October 2026. For eligibility and payment details, please check the CFPB’s official information.

Be cautious of credit-repair services that demand large upfront fees before delivering results, promise to remove accurate information or guarantee score increases, pressure you to keep paying month after month, won’t clearly explain in writing what they’ll do, or make claims that sound too good to be true.

You can dispute inaccurate information yourself for free: get your credit reports, identify errors, dispute them in writing with the credit bureau and the creditor or furnisher, and keep copies, a paper trail, and proof of mailing.

This is especially worth knowing if you’re rebuilding after debt trouble or bankruptcy. Honest, legitimate help does exist, and you deserve to understand your options.

You don’t have to navigate a difficult moment alone. This is general information, not legal advice.

Build a better future by fixing your credit today! Build a better future by fixing your credit today. Get started today—complete the form and start your credit repair journey.

10/15/2026

MYTH: Student loans can never be discharged in bankruptcy. That’s not accurate, and carrying student loan debt is nothing to be ashamed of.

To qualify for a discharge, borrowers generally must prove “undue hardship,” a demanding standard often associated with the Brunner test. A recent analysis of In re Newman highlights how some courts are considering equitable, case-specific relief, including a partial discharge instead of an all-or-nothing result.

That does not mean student loans are automatically discharged. The standard remains difficult, courts may differ, and outcomes depend on the facts of each case. No one can promise a particular result.

If you’re exploring your options, start by gathering your loan records from your servicer and StudentAid.gov. Review your income and necessary expenses, and consider alternatives such as income-driven repayment, rehabilitation, or consolidation. Then speak with qualified counsel about advice tailored to your situation.

Looking into your options isn’t failure. It’s a step toward understanding your choices and taking control.

This is general information, not legal advice.

10/14/2026

A credit score error can affect more than a number. It may influence loan approvals and interest rates, security deposits, insurance, and rental applications.

Equifax agreed to a $100 million settlement over a 2022 coding error that reportedly misreported credit scores for roughly 4 million Americans. Eligible consumers may qualify for payments estimated at about $95–$280. The deadline to file a claim is December 28, 2026. Check the official settlement website for eligibility details. Be cautious of anyone charging you a fee to file a claim.

You also have the right to dispute inaccurate information on your credit reports for free, outside of any settlement. Get your reports, identify errors, and dispute them in writing with both the credit bureau and the creditor or other company that supplied the information. Keep copies of everything and proof of mailing.

If you’re dealing with a credit report error, you don’t have to navigate it alone. This is general information, not legal advice.

10/13/2026

A judgment doesn’t last forever, and a missed renewal deadline may matter if your wages are being garnished or your bank account is frozen.

On September 23, 2026, a federal court in Washington state ruled that two collection companies violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act by garnishing wages based on a judgment that had lapsed and was never renewed. This was a decision in a particular case, not a nationwide rule. Judgment deadlines and renewal requirements vary by state, and this area of law is developing.

If a collector is taking money, consider checking:
• When the judgment was entered and when it expires
• The court docket for any renewal or revival
• Every garnishment notice, letter, and court paper, keep copies and act promptly on deadlines

Before paying or agreeing to anything, get advice about your specific case. A judgment doesn’t have to hang over you forever. Defenses may be available, and bankruptcy may provide relief from the underlying debt and stop collection when appropriate.

You deserve clear answers and support. This is general information, not legal advice.

10/10/2026

Worried that bankruptcy will keep you from qualifying for your next apartment? Please know this: a fresh start is about your future, not a permanent label. 💛

Landlords typically review credit and background checks, income verification, references, and rental history. A bankruptcy filing may appear in public records and on your credit report, but many landlords also care deeply about steady income and whether your current payments are made on time.

Here are practical steps you can take this week:

• Gather pay stubs, benefit letters, bank statements, or other proof of income.
• Ask your employer for a letter confirming your position and income.
• Request a positive rental-history letter showing that you paid rent on time.
• Where allowed, consider offering a larger deposit or using a qualified co-signer.
• Prepare a short, honest explanation of your filing and the plan you are following now.
• Look beyond large apartment companies. Small property owners, individual landlords, and housing programs may not rely entirely on automated credit screening.

As you rebuild your credit and continue making payments on time, your housing options can steadily widen. Fair Housing rules and local renter protections may also apply, and requirements can vary by location and landlord.

If you feel nervous about housing after filing, you do not have to face the process alone. Reach out to our office: we would be honored to help you understand your options and move forward with hope. 🏡

10/09/2026

Finding a collection notice, lawsuit, or credit-report entry for an account you never opened can feel frightening, but please remember: identity theft is not your fault. Your strongest tool is a clear paper trail.

If you discover a fraudulent account:

1. Report the identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov.
2. File a police report where appropriate.
3. Send a written dispute to the creditor and to every credit bureau reporting the account. Keep proof of what you sent and when.
4. Complete the creditor’s fraud affidavit if requested.
5. Save copies of every letter, report, affidavit, credit-report page, lawsuit, collection notice, and delivery confirmation.

If bankruptcy is part of your situation, accurate and complete schedules matter. Tell your bankruptcy attorney about the fraudulent account, explain that you dispute responsibility, and provide your supporting records. A debt created through someone else’s identity theft is handled differently from a debt you knowingly agreed to, but the facts and documentation are important.

Do not let a lawsuit or collection notice sit unanswered. Deadlines can pass quietly, even when the debt is not yours.

If you’re dealing with a fraudulent account, you do not have to navigate this alone. Reach out: we’re here to help you understand your options and take the next step with care. 💛

10/08/2026

A debt collector’s letter can feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t recognize the debt. Take a breath. You generally have 30 days after receiving the written notice to dispute the debt and request verification.

Roughly 62% of consumer debt-collection complaints come from people who don’t know what the debt is or who is collecting it. Asking questions is reasonable, and lawful.

Your written validation request can ask for:
• The amount being claimed
• The name of the original creditor
• The account connected to the debt
• The collector’s authority to collect it

Send your request in writing. Keep a copy, note the date, and use a delivery method that gives you proof it was received. If you timely dispute the debt, the collector generally must pause collection efforts until verification is mailed to you.

Common mistakes include paying an unfamiliar debt just to stop the calls, agreeing to a payment plan over the phone, or ignoring the notice and losing the opportunity to respond within the 30-day window.

Requesting proof is not rude. It is not an admission that you owe. It is a normal step to make sure the debt, and the collector, are legitimate.

If you’ve received a notice about a debt you don’t recognize, reach out. You do not have to face it alone. 💛

10/07/2026

Default does not mean you’re out of options. And if you slipped into default after payments resumed, you are not alone or being judged.

The U.S. Department of Education and Treasury just launched the Defaulted Loans Support Center at StudentAid.gov/default-support/, replacing many mail- and fax-based steps with an online process. Borrowers may be able to apply for rehabilitation or consolidation, enroll in a repayment plan, upload documents, e-sign forms, and track progress in one place.

Nearly 9.3 million borrowers are currently in default on about $234 billion in federal student loans. Here’s a practical starting point:

• Rehabilitation may be a fit if your goal is to complete the required series of affordable, on-time payments and work toward removing the default status from your credit history. It generally takes longer.

• Consolidation may provide a faster path back to repayment, but the default history may remain on your credit report. Eligibility and repayment-plan requirements matter.

An active default can lead to wage garnishment, interception of certain tax refunds, collection activity, and serious credit consequences. A temporary 1% interest-rate reduction is available through December 31, 2026, for eligible borrowers who consolidate and enroll in auto-pay, confirm the current terms before relying on it.

If repayment is still impossible, a review of whether the bankruptcy undue-hardship standard may apply could be worth exploring with a qualified attorney.

Unsure whether you’re actually in default, or which path fits your situation? Reach out. You deserve clear answers and a plan forward. 💛

10/06/2026

If you’ve been thinking, “My debts are too large for bankruptcy,” this important update may give you a reason to ask questions instead of giving up hope.

The newly passed Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment Act of 2026 changes the eligibility limits:

• Chapter 13 now uses one combined debt limit of $2.75 million, rather than separate limits for secured and unsecured debts.

• The Subchapter V small-business debt limit is permanently restored to $7.5 million, with no sunset date.

In plain language, these higher limits may allow more families and small-business owners to explore a reorganization plan. Depending on your circumstances, that can mean keeping a home, vehicle, or business operating while paying eligible debts over time instead of facing immediate liquidation or the forced sale of important property.

This law does not automatically make every case eligible, and it does not erase the need for a workable repayment plan. Eligibility rules, feasibility requirements, the type of debt involved, and your complete financial picture still matter. Every situation requires careful, case-specific review.

If your debt feels “too big,” or your business is struggling but still has a future, please don’t assume you’re out of options. A question is a good place to start. We’re here to listen and help you understand what paths may be available. 💜