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__TaxDebt

Can You Actually Wipe Out Tax Debt in Bankruptcy, or Is That Just a Myth?

By Bentz Holguin Law Firm, LLC |

Ask ten people whether bankruptcy can erase a tax bill, and you will probably get ten different answers. Some assume taxes always survive a bankruptcy filing no matter what. Others assume the opposite, that any debt, including IRS debt, disappears the moment a case is filed. The truth sits in between, and it depends… Read More »

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WG

Your Paycheck Just Got Smaller: How Fast Can Wage Garnishment Really Stop in Illinois?

By Bentz Holguin Law Firm, LLC |

It usually starts with a pay stub. A new line item appears, money vanishes before it ever reaches the bank, and one question takes over: how quickly can this end? Chicago wage garnishment attorneys hear that question constantly, and the honest answer depends on which tool is used and how soon it is used…. Read More »

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DebtCollectionCall

Can You Still Rent a Nice Apartment in Chicago After Bankruptcy?

By Bentz Holguin Law Firm, LLC |

If you recently filed for bankruptcy, you might be wondering whether your next lease application will end in a polite rejection. Will a property manager take one look at your credit report and move on to the next applicant? It’s a fair question, and thankfully, the answer is more encouraging than most people expect…. Read More »

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Student Loan Debt

Do Student Loans Disappear in Bankruptcy, or Are You Stuck With Them Forever?

By Bentz Holguin Law Firm, LLC |

Anyone drowning in student loan debt has probably wondered the same thing: can bankruptcy actually wipe this out? For decades, the answer felt like a flat no. But is that still true today, or has the landscape shifted? The Old Assumption About Student Loans and Bankruptcy Student loans have long been treated differently than… Read More »

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ThingsToKnow

Filing Bankruptcy When Married in Illinois: What You Need to Know

By Bentz Holguin Law Firm, LLC |

Debt doesn’t punch a time clock, and it rarely waits for a convenient moment to become overwhelming. When money troubles hit a married household, one of the first questions that comes up is whether both spouses need to file, or whether one spouse filing alone makes more sense. The answer depends on several factors,… Read More »

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_Process

Chicago Bankruptcy Timeline: How Long Does the Process Take

By Bentz Holguin Law Firm, LLC |

If you’re staring down a pile of bills and wondering whether bankruptcy will fix things by next Tuesday, we have some news. Bankruptcy is more marathon than sprint, but it’s a much shorter marathon than most people fear. So how long are we actually talking about? It depends heavily on which chapter fits your… Read More »

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BankruptcyPath

Bankruptcy vs Debt Settlement in Chicago: Which Path Actually Gets You Out of Debt?

By Bentz Holguin Law Firm, LLC |

If you’re staring down credit card statements and collection calls, you’ve probably heard two words tossed around as solutions: bankruptcy and debt settlement. They sound similar on the surface. Both promise a way to shrink what you owe. But they work in completely different ways, move on different timelines, and leave different marks on… Read More »

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Car Bankruptcy

Can You Keep Your Car in a Chicago Bankruptcy Case?

By Bentz Holguin Law Firm, LLC |

Worried about losing your vehicle if you file for bankruptcy? It’s one of the most common questions people ask before they even sit down for a consultation, and understandably so. A car isn’t just property. It’s how people get to work, pick up kids, and keep daily life running. The good news is that… Read More »

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Mortgage Arrears

Mortgage Arrears and Bankruptcy: What Chicago Homeowners Need to Know

By Bentz Holguin Law Firm, LLC |

Falling behind on mortgage payments is one of the most stressful financial situations a homeowner can face. Between missed payment notices, mounting late fees, and the looming threat of foreclosure, it can feel like there’s no way to catch up. But is bankruptcy actually a tool that can help you keep your home, or… Read More »

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Book

2026 Updates to Median Income Limits for Bankruptcy in Illinois

By Bentz Holguin Law Firm, LLC |

If you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy in Illinois, one of the first questions you may have is whether your income qualifies you for relief. That is where median income limits come into play. These limits are updated periodically, and the 2026 adjustments could impact your options. The median income figures are used… Read More »

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