Lakewood Law Blog

Couple is able to have $200,000 in student loans discharged

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.

Generally speaking, it is difficult to get student loans discharged in bankruptcy. That is because they are usually secured loans, or they are treated similarly to other debts that are difficult to have discharged, like tax debts or child support obligations.

Interestingly enough, a couple from Colorado were able to get their student loans discharged. Not only that, those loans were in an amount of around $200,000. How? A challenge to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and subsequent ruled in their favor.

Are your children being manipulated? The court can help

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery on Friday, August 28, 2020.

One of the things that many parents worry about is being alienated from their children. During a divorce, it's easy for conflicts to get out of hand and for children to get caught in the middle.

Sometimes, one parent will take steps to start influencing their children. They may offer them specific benefits if they come to live with them or if they refuse to see the other parent. These horrible actions lead to something known as parental alienation, which can have a negative impact on your relationship with your children.

Points that should become part of your parenting plan

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery on Wednesday, July 29, 2020.

If you and your spouse face a divorce, mediation or negotiation outside of court to determine your custody and parenting plan may save time, money and stress for everyone in the family.

Writing down your thoughts about child custody that you and the other parent will discuss is an important preliminary step. Here are topics to include in your plan.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be the answer to your debt problem

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery on Monday, July 6, 2020.

If you cannot file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection because your income is too high, consider Chapter 13 as an option for resolving your mounting debt.

The foundation for Chapter 13 is a monthly payment plan, and it offers advantages you may not have considered.

Does child support cover private schooling?

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery on Thursday, June 4, 2020.

The Denver metro area has its share of top-rated private schools. If your son or daughter attends St. Mary’s, Kent, Colorado Academy or any other private institution, you may have some concerns about paying tuition and other expenses after your marriage ends.

In Colorado, both parents have a legal obligation to support the particular educational needs of the child. If you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse cannot reach an agreement about child support, a judge is apt to order each parent to pay a percentage of adjusted gross income. When making child support orders, however, judges weigh many factors. Your child’s reasonable educational needs and continuity of education are two important ones.

Learning how to economize after filing for bankruptcy

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.

Perhaps filing bankruptcy became the wisest course of action following your divorce. With credit card bills, leftover medical debt and only one income instead of two, making ends meet was difficult.

Looking ahead, one of the main post-bankruptcy challenges you face is learning how to save money. To help you get started, here are a few suggestions on how to economize.

Recognizing signs of parental alienation

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

When you divorce your significant other, you may be able to disentangle your life from your former partner’s without too much trouble. If you divorce your significant other and the two of you share a child, though, you may find that disconnecting your life from your ex’s proves to be more challenging.

Co-parenting may be difficult even under the most favorable of circumstances. However, if the relationship that exists between you and your ex is especially ugly or spiteful, you may have valid concerns about parental alienation possibly occurring. Just what is parental alienation, and how might you recognize it when it takes place?

The 341 meeting is a key stop on your bankruptcy journey

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery on Monday, March 2, 2020.

The 341 meeting is also called the meeting of creditors because this is an opportunity for creditors to come face-to-face with debtors.

However, this meeting has an equally important purpose. This is where you will meet the trustee assigned to the administration of your bankruptcy case.

Relocation means big changes to child custody arrangements

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery on Monday, February 3, 2020.

You are grateful for a promotion at work, but it means moving from Colorado to Utah. Because you are the custodial parent for your daughter, she will go with you.

Obviously, relocation will disrupt the current child custody arrangements, and the family court will have to approve the move. What factors will the court consider?

Will you lose your dog in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing?

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery on Friday, January 3, 2020.

Colorado is the perfect place to raise a pup. After all, the climate in the Centennial State is favorable for your furry friend. Even better, with countless miles of hiking trails and dog parks seemingly everywhere, you have plenty of space to enjoy your pooch. If you have fallen in love with your dog, though, you may worry about losing him or her after declaring bankruptcy.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection is a good option for many Denver-area residents drowning in a sea of debt. If you have credit card balances, medical bills, automobile loans and other expenses you are struggling to pay, taking advantage of Chapter 7 may be the right approach. While you may lose some of your assets during your filing, you can probably keep your dog.