Plain-English guides on DC bankruptcy law, consumer protection, and creditor violations, by Steven C. Fraser, Esq.
101 articles
Repaying a parent, sibling, or friend before you file feels like the honorable thing to do, but federal bankruptcy law treats it as a preference the trustee can take back from the person you paid. Relatives are insiders, so the look-back is a full year, and gifts or below-value transfers reach back two years. Here is how the rules work in a DC case and what to do instead.
October 10, 2026If you moved to the District from Maryland, Virginia, or anywhere else within the last two years, DC's exemptions may not be the ones that protect your property in bankruptcy. Federal law looks back 730 days to decide which jurisdiction's exemptions apply, and a separate 180-day rule decides where you file. Here is how both rules work and why they so often point in different directions.
October 8, 2026A tax refund you are owed on the day you file Chapter 7 belongs to the bankruptcy estate, and so does part of next year's refund. Whether the trustee actually collects it depends on its size, your exemptions, and when you file. Here is how DC filers handle federal and District refunds without losing them or creating a problem.
October 6, 2026For District of Columbia borrowers: The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) opened July 1, 2026, and SAVE borrowers are now being told to pick a new plan. RAP is usually cheaper for borrowers earning under about $80,000 or supporting dependents. IBR usually wins at higher incomes and forgives in 20 or 25 years instead of 30. And the move is one-way: RAP months do not count toward IBR forgiveness. Here is the side-by-side, and what it means for a DC bankruptcy budget.
October 4, 2026A registered representative who files bankruptcy does not lose the Series 7, the Series 66, or the District's securities registration. What happens instead is a 30-day Form U4 amendment, a ten-year BrokerCheck disclosure, and a conversation with compliance. Here is what FINRA (formerly NASD) actually requires, what the firm can and cannot do, and why a debt settlement is disclosed the same way a bankruptcy is.
September 26, 2026DC residents own timeshares in Williamsburg, Orlando, Ocean City, and the Shenandoah, and the annual maintenance fee is often the bill that pushes a household into a bankruptcy consultation. Chapter 7 discharges the loan and the past-due fees. The fees that accrue after filing keep coming until the deed leaves your name. Here is how to surrender a timeshare cleanly.
September 24, 2026The District of Columbia recognizes tenancy by the entirety, and a home titled that way is beyond the reach of one spouse's individual creditors. In a bankruptcy filed by one spouse alone, that protection carries over through 11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(3)(B) and can shelter equity the homestead exemption never has to touch. Here is when it works, when it fails, and the joint-debt trap.
September 22, 2026Buy now, pay later loans are unsecured consumer debt and are discharged in Chapter 7 like a credit card. The catch is timing: purchases in the 90 days before filing can be presumed fraudulent, and the autopay on a linked debit card does not know you filed. Here is how to schedule BNPL debt correctly in a District of Columbia case.
September 20, 2026Child support is never discharged, and DC's Child Support Services Division keeps collecting while a bankruptcy is pending. But a Chapter 13 plan turns a contempt-and-jail problem into a 36 to 60 month catch-up schedule that the family court, the other parent, and CSSD all have to respect. Here is how support arrears are handled in a District of Columbia Chapter 13.
September 18, 2026DC issues more automated traffic and parking tickets per resident than any city in the country, and unpaid tickets double, then trigger a boot, a tow, and a registration hold. Chapter 7 does not discharge fines owed to the District. Chapter 13 does. Here is the difference, and what federal law says about getting your registration back.
September 16, 2026Most DC homeowners own a condominium, and condo assessments are the debt bankruptcy handles worst. Pre-filing arrears are discharged, post-filing assessments are not, and the association holds a six-month priority lien that outranks even the first mortgage. Here is how Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 each deal with it.
September 14, 2026The federal fiscal year ends September 30, and DC's federal workforce has lived through a 43-day shutdown within the last twelve months. A furlough does not end a Chapter 13 case, and it does not make you ineligible for Chapter 7. Here is what to do with a plan payment you cannot make, how a furlough changes the means test, and what to say to creditors in the meantime.
September 11, 2026A Florida couple's Social Security is being garnished over FEMA money they say they never received. The same Treasury offset machinery reaches DC residents. Here is how it works, the 15% cap and $750 floor, and how to fight a bad debt.
July 12, 2026Most people assume tax debt follows you forever. It does not. If a tax year clears the 3-year, 2-year, and 240-day tests, the unsecured portion can be discharged in Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Here is how the analysis works in DC and what to do this week.
July 4, 2026Federal student loan wage garnishment restarted in January 2026. About 5.5 million borrowers are in default. Here is how the 15% administrative garnishment works, how it differs from DC Superior Court garnishment, and the three ways out.
July 3, 2026Mortgage servicing mistakes during bankruptcy can involve payment misapplication, escrow errors, improper fees, payoff errors, or failure to respond to RESPA notices of error.
June 17, 2026Debt collector contact after a bankruptcy filing or discharge may violate the FDCPA, the automatic stay, the discharge injunction, or all three depending on timing and facts.
June 10, 2026Debt and bankruptcy problems can become privacy problems when collectors, furnishers, screening companies, or servicers disclose sensitive information to the wrong person or use it for the wrong purpose.
June 3, 2026When a DC employer, contractor, startup, nonprofit, or government vendor files bankruptcy, unpaid wages, severance, commissions, and benefits may receive priority treatment, but only within strict bankruptcy rules.
May 31, 2026Employment, tenant, and professional background checks can violate the FCRA when they use inaccurate bankruptcy, debt, criminal, or identity-mixed data without proper notice and investigation.
May 27, 20267.7 million federal borrowers are in default, oversight has been gutted, and AI voice cloning is supercharging fraud. Here's what to watch for, and where to get real help.
May 3, 2026If you live in DC and have federal student loans, the rules just changed in ways that can hit your paycheck within months. SAVE is permanently terminated, wage garnishment for defaulters has resumed, and inaction will produce automatic payment shock by October. Here is what to do.
May 1, 2026Bankruptcy guide for DC federal employees. How filing affects security clearance under Adjudicative Guideline F, TSP loans, FERS pension, and the means test for above-median locality pay.
April 25, 2026Calendar 18 is DC Superior Court's mass debt collection docket where over 80% of cases end in default judgment because defendants never respond. Learn how the docket works, why debt buyers rely on no-shows, and how bankruptcy or an Answer can change the outcome. Attorney Steven C. Fraser explains.
April 4, 2026A DC Superior Court summons demands a response within 21 days. Ignoring it leads to a default judgment giving creditors power to garnish wages, levy bank accounts, and seize property through the U.S. Marshal. Attorney Steven C. Fraser explains your options and defenses.
April 4, 2026Being judgment proof means a creditor can't collect even if they win in court. DC bankruptcy attorney Steven C. Fraser explains what qualifies, why collectors still sue, and when bankruptcy is the better path.
April 4, 2026LVNV Funding buys old debts and sues in DC Superior Court. Many of these debts are time-barred under DC's 3-year statute of limitations. DC bankruptcy attorney Steven C. Fraser, Esq. explains your defenses.
April 4, 2026Portfolio Recovery Associates (PRA) sued you in DC Superior Court. Yes, bankruptcy stops the lawsuit the same day you file. DC bankruptcy attorney Steven C. Fraser, Esq. explains your options, FCRA claims, and how to respond.
April 4, 2026Your wages can be protected. There are two paths to stop a wage garnishment in DC: a Claim of Exemption under DC Code 16-572 and bankruptcy under 11 U.S.C. 362. Attorney Steven C. Fraser explains both options, the timeline, and which path is right for your situation.
April 4, 2026Midland Credit Management sued you in DC Superior Court. You have options: bankruptcy stops the lawsuit instantly, FDCPA violations may entitle you to damages. DC bankruptcy attorney Steven C. Fraser, Esq. explains your defenses.
April 4, 2026American Samoa is the only populated U.S. territory without a federal court or bankruptcy court. Attorney Fraser explains the jurisdictional gap, how U.S. bankruptcy relief can be accessed, and why the D.D.C. is the right federal forum for American Samoan claims.
March 31, 2026DC has a unique dual federal court structure for bankruptcy. Attorney Fraser is licensed in both the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia -- full federal representation from filing through appeal.
March 31, 2026The DC CPPA gives consumers treble damages or $1,500 per violation plus attorney's fees -- against any merchant, not just debt collectors. Attorney Fraser pursues CPPA, FDCPA, and bankruptcy stay violations simultaneously for DC consumers.
March 31, 2026The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibits abusive calls, false threats, and illegal collection tactics. DC and Florida debtors can recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus attorney's fees -- paid by the collector. Attorney Fraser actively pursues FDCPA violations in federal court.
March 31, 2026After bankruptcy discharge, creditors routinely continue reporting debts as active -- violating the FCRA. Three key cases (TransUnion v. Ramirez, Spokeo, Nelson v. Experian) now define whether you can sue. DC bankruptcy attorney Steven C. Fraser explains what debtors need to know.
March 30, 2026The DC Circuit and DC District Courts sit at the center of the most significant FCRA developments in the country -- including Dept. of Agriculture v. Kirtz (2024), a circuit split on the consumer definition, and a tightening standing standard. DC attorney Steven C. Fraser explains what Washington residents need to know.
March 30, 2026Florida is one of the most active FCRA litigation states in the country -- and the rules vary by district. Attorney Steven C. Fraser is licensed in all three Florida federal districts. Here is what you need to know heading into 2026.
March 30, 2026Filing bankruptcy triggers the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. section 362. When creditors violate it willfully, section 362(k) entitles you to actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees -- explained by DC bankruptcy attorney Steven C. Fraser, Esq.
March 29, 2026The 2026 DOJ median income figures for DC and how the Chapter 7 means test works under 11 U.S.C. section 707(b) -- by DC bankruptcy attorney Steven C. Fraser, Esq. (DC Bar No. 460026).
March 29, 2026How to choose between the federal section 522(d) homestead exemption ($31,575) and DC's unlimited homestead under D.C. Code section 15-501 -- and why the 1,215-day rule can protect all your home equity. By DC bankruptcy attorney Steven C. Fraser, Esq.
March 29, 2026Bankruptcy stops collections, eliminates debt, and protects your property. Attorney Fraser explains the real benefits of filing for DC residents overwhelmed by debt.
March 25, 2026Sued by Cavalry SPV, CACH LLC, or another debt buyer in DC? Attorney Fraser explains standing challenges, documentation gaps, and your legal options.
March 10, 2026Bankruptcy is the beginning of your fresh start. Attorney Fraser explains credit rebuilding, budgeting, housing, employment protections, and avoiding predatory offers in DC.
February 25, 2026Cryptocurrency must be disclosed in DC bankruptcy filings. Attorney Fraser covers valuation, exemptions, trustee liquidation, private keys, and consequences of non-disclosure.
February 10, 2026Two mandatory courses are required to file bankruptcy in DC. Attorney Fraser explains credit counseling, debtor education, deadlines, costs, and what happens if you skip them.
January 25, 2026Filing bankruptcy with a joint bank account in DC? Learn how trustees access shared funds, how to protect a non-filing spouse, and practical steps before filing.
January 10, 2026The 2026 federal holiday calendar, when the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia, the U.S. District Court for D.D.C., and the federal clerks' offices are closed, and what FRBP 9006(a) and FRCP 6(a) do automatically with deadlines that land on those days.
January 5, 2026DC tenants facing back rent and eviction can use bankruptcy to discharge debt and halt proceedings. Attorney Fraser explains the automatic stay and tenant protections.
December 25, 2025Sued by a debt collector in DC Superior Court? Attorney Fraser explains the 21-day answer deadline, affirmative defenses, and when bankruptcy may be the better option.
December 10, 2025Social Security income is fully exempt in bankruptcy and excluded from the means test. DC residents on SS, SSI, or SSDI have strong protections. Learn more.
November 25, 2025Some tax debts are dischargeable in bankruptcy if they meet the 3-year, 2-year, and 240-day rules. DC attorney Fraser explains IRS and DC income tax treatment.
November 10, 2025Bankruptcy protects DC residents from utility disconnection for unpaid bills. Learn how 11 USC 366 works with Pepco, Washington Gas, and DC Water obligations.
October 25, 2025DC bankruptcy exemptions determine what property you keep. Learn the full DC exemption list under DC Code 15-501 and how exemptions affect Ch. 7 and Ch. 13.
October 10, 2025Bankruptcy is not the only option for DC residents in debt. Compare debt settlement, consolidation, hardship programs, and judgment-proof status before filing.
September 25, 2025Repeat bankruptcy filings are allowed but subject to strict waiting periods. Learn the time limits between Ch. 7 and Ch. 13 filings and automatic stay rules.
September 10, 2025Filing for bankruptcy in DC costs $338 (Ch. 7) or $313 (Ch. 13). Low-income filers may qualify for fee waivers or installment plans. Here is what to expect.
August 25, 2025DC residents have strong protections against debt collector abuse under the FDCPA and DC Consumer Protection Act. Learn your rights and how to fight back.
August 10, 2025Sued and lost in DC? A bankruptcy filing can stop enforcement of a judgment, discharge the debt, and remove liens. DC attorney Fraser explains your options.
July 25, 2025Understand how bankruptcy treats secured vs. unsecured debt in DC. Learn about reaffirmation, redemption, cramdown, priority debts, and discharge rules.
July 10, 2025Learn what a bankruptcy trustee does in DC cases. Attorney Fraser explains Chapter 7 trustees, Chapter 13 trustees, the US Trustee, and what they look for.
June 25, 2025Facing foreclosure, garnishment, or eviction in DC? An emergency bankruptcy filing stops collection immediately. Learn the process, deadlines, and risks.
June 10, 2025Social Security, VA benefits, SNAP, and other government benefits are protected in DC bankruptcy. Attorney Fraser explains the exemptions and anti-discrimination rules.
May 25, 2025Rebuild your credit after bankruptcy in DC with proven strategies. Attorney Fraser explains secured cards, credit-builder loans, timelines, and common pitfalls.
May 10, 2025What happens to your co-signer when you file bankruptcy in DC? Learn about Chapter 7 liability, Chapter 13 co-debtor stay, and strategic planning options.
April 25, 2025DC bans payday lending, but online lenders still target residents. Learn how bankruptcy discharges payday loan debt and stops predatory collection in DC.
April 10, 2025Filing bankruptcy as a DC tenant? Learn how the automatic stay, lease assumption, and DC tenant protections interact. Attorney Fraser explains your rights.
March 25, 2025Learn which property DC bankruptcy filers can keep. Attorney Fraser explains DC and federal exemptions for homes, vehicles, retirement accounts, and household goods.
March 10, 2025A Chapter 13 plan takes three to five years to complete. DC attorney Fraser explains plan payments, modifications, hardship discharge, and life events.
February 25, 2025A Chapter 7 case in DC typically takes about four months from filing to discharge. Attorney Fraser walks through each phase of the timeline step by step.
February 10, 2025DC small business owners have several bankruptcy options including Subchapter V. Attorney Fraser explains Chapter 7, 11, and Subchapter V for DC businesses.
January 25, 2025Filing bankruptcy before or after divorce affects property division, debt allocation, and support obligations. DC attorney Fraser covers the strategic timing.
January 10, 2025Not all debts are eliminated in bankruptcy. DC attorney Fraser explains which debts survive under 11 USC 523(a) and when creditors must file adversary actions.
December 25, 2024Bankruptcy impacts your credit score but rebuilding starts immediately. DC attorney Fraser explains the timeline, score recovery, and credit repair strategies.
December 10, 2024Reaffirmation agreements let you keep a car or home in bankruptcy -- but carry serious risks. DC attorney Fraser explains alternatives and court approval.
November 25, 2024The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for DC has local rules on filing, scheduling, and motions. DC attorney Fraser covers what every filer must know before filing.
November 10, 2024Credit card debt is fully dischargeable in Chapter 7 bankruptcy -- with limited exceptions. DC attorney Fraser explains the luxury goods and cash advance rules.
October 25, 2024Medical debt is fully dischargeable in DC bankruptcy with no special treatment required. Attorney Fraser explains Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 options for medical bills.
October 10, 2024Student loans are difficult but not impossible to discharge in DC bankruptcy. Attorney Fraser explains the undue hardship standard, Brunner test, and recent DOJ changes.
September 25, 2024Filing bankruptcy in DC involves nine steps from credit counseling to discharge. Attorney Fraser walks through each stage of the process at the DC Bankruptcy Court.
September 10, 2024Choosing between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy in DC depends on income, assets, and debt type. Attorney Fraser breaks down the key differences for DC filers.
August 25, 2024DC bankruptcy filers can choose between DC Code 15-501 and federal 11 USC 522(d) exemptions. Attorney Fraser compares homestead, wildcard, and personal property limits.
August 10, 2024DC residents weighing debt consolidation against bankruptcy need to understand the real costs of each option. Attorney Fraser compares the approaches side by side.
July 25, 2024The 341 meeting of creditors is a required step in every DC bankruptcy case. Attorney Fraser explains what to expect, what to bring, and how to prepare.
July 10, 2024DC business owners can liquidate through Chapter 7 or restructure under Subchapter V. Attorney Fraser explains personal liability, priority claims, and alternatives.
June 25, 2024DC residents trapped by predatory lending can use bankruptcy to discharge abusive debts. Attorney Fraser explains TILA, DC consumer protection laws, and rescission rights.
June 10, 2024DC car repossession laws and bankruptcy options explained. Attorney Fraser covers self-help repo rules, the automatic stay, reaffirmation, cramdown, and the 910-day rule.
May 25, 2024Learn how bankruptcy can prevent or remove judgment liens in DC. Attorney Fraser explains lien avoidance under 11 USC 522(f), DC property recording, and timing.
May 10, 2024Bankruptcy fraud carries up to 5 years in prison. Attorney Fraser explains 18 USC 152, concealing assets, false statements, and why full disclosure protects you.
April 25, 2024Know your rights under the FDCPA. Attorney Fraser details prohibited debt collection practices, statutory damages, attorney fees, and protections for DC residents.
April 10, 2024Learn how mortgage cramdown works in Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Attorney Fraser explains the anti-modification rule, strip-off of junior liens, and DC property considerations.
March 25, 2024If a creditor froze your bank account in DC, learn your rights. Attorney Fraser explains bank levies, exempt funds, the automatic stay, and how to release funds.
March 10, 2024Understand how Chapter 13 plan payments are calculated in DC. Attorney Fraser explains the means test, disposable income, priority debts, and plan length rules.
February 25, 2024Avoid costly mistakes before filing bankruptcy in DC. Attorney Fraser covers fraudulent transfers, preference payments, new debt, retirement accounts, and asset concealment.
February 10, 2024Learn what debts bankruptcy eliminates and which it cannot discharge. DC attorney Fraser explains the automatic stay, exempt debts, and fresh start options.
January 25, 2024Complete pre-filing document checklist for a DC bankruptcy under 11 U.S.C. § 521(a). Pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, debt list, deeds, vehicle titles. Updated for 2026.
January 15, 2024Step-by-step guide to converting a Chapter 13 case to Chapter 7 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia under 11 U.S.C. § 1307(a). Forms, fees, and effects.
January 15, 2024Step-by-step guide to filing a Claim of Exemption in DC Superior Court to stop or reduce a wage garnishment under D.C. Code § 16-572. Forms, deadlines, and the protected income categories.
January 15, 2024Step-by-step guide to filling out Official Form 106C (Schedule C) in a DC bankruptcy. Choosing between DC Code § 15-501 unlimited homestead and federal § 522(d) exemptions. With examples.
January 15, 2024Step-by-step guide to vacating a default judgment in DC Superior Court under SCR-Civil Rules 55(c) and 60(b). Time limits, grounds, motion practice, and what to expect at the hearing.
January 15, 2024The automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362 stops all collection activity the moment you file bankruptcy in DC. Attorney Fraser explains what it covers, its exceptions, and how to enforce it.
January 10, 2024DC bankruptcy filers can protect personal injury awards using DC or federal exemptions. Attorney Fraser explains how 11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(11)(D) and DC Code § 15-501 apply to settlements and judgments.
January 10, 2024