Moak Law - March 2020

Can Debt Collectors Really Take My Paycheck? THE TRUTH ABOUT WAGE GARNISHMENT

Struggling with overwhelming debts is painful enough without more financial troubles hanging overhead. Unfortunately, debt collectors are more than happy to threaten to garnish someone’s wages or bank accounts if debtors aren’t able to pay their bills immediately. We have spoken with many folks who worried about having their wages garnished after an aggressive call from a debt collector. This month, we’re setting the record straight on debts and wage garnishment. 1. Debt collectors cannot garnish your wages without a court judgment. Though debt collectors like to threaten to garnish your wages, without a judgment, they cannot act on those threats. No matter what a debt collector claims on the phone, they cannot

served a lawsuit first. Avoiding or ignoring this is not an effective way to prevent wage garnishment, and it will hurt you in the long run. 2. Bankruptcy can stop wage garnishment. If you’ve reached the point where a creditor is willing to file a lawsuit against you, you can pursue a few options. First, you can offer to negotiate with the creditor to pay them less than the full balance of your debt, but most creditors would rather get more of the money they are owed by garnishing your wages. Also, at this stage, it’s usually too late for negotiation unless you are able to fully pay off your debt. Your best strategy is to chat with a bankruptcy attorney, and ask if bankruptcy is the right option for you. If it is, your attorney can help you file for bankruptcy in just a few days. Filing for bankruptcy will stop the wage garnishment in its tracks and give you time to take control of your situation. When you’re struggling with debts, wage garnishment is a very real threat, but it cannot happen overnight. Call 480-755-8000 to assess your situation and see what options are right for you.

call your bank or employer and start taking your money automatically. First, they have to file a lawsuit. At this point, if a judge determines that the debts against you are valid, they may enter a judgment that would give the creditor permission to garnish your paycheck or bank account.

The good news is that the process takes time, and it cannot happen without your knowledge. You have to be

Easy Irish Soda Bread

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Inspired by AllRecipes.com

Ingredients:

• • • • •

4 cups all-purpose flour 4 tbsp white sugar 1 tsp baking soda 1 tbsp baking powder

• • • •

1/2 cup margarine

1 1/4 cups buttermilk, divided

1 egg

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375 F, and lightly grease a large baking sheet. 2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and margarine. 3. Stir in 1 cup buttermilk and egg, and mix until dough comes together. 4. Knead dough on a lightly floured

5. In a small bowl, combine melted butter and remaining 1/4 cup buttermilk. 6. Brush the raw loaf with this mixture and cut an “X” into the top. 7. Bake loaf for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean after being inserted into center of loaf. You may need to continue brushing the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.

ARIES BLOOM BUD FLOWERS

GROWTH LUCKY MELT PUDDLE

RAIN REBIRTH SPRING SPROUT

surface. Form dough into a round before placing it on baking sheet.

who was injured in an accident? We can help!

480-755-8000 • 3

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