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Bridgeport Law Blog

Dischargeability of tax debts in bankruptcy

On behalf of The Law Office of Russell Gary Small, P.C. posted in Bankruptcy on Friday, January 11, 2019.

Bankruptcy is an option for people in Connecticut who are struggling to pay off their debts, but there are certain types of debts that may not be discharged. Tax debts are not dischargeable unless they meet special requirements. Generally speaking, tax debts cannot be discharged if they are withholding trust fund taxes for which the person is liable, associated with a tax liability for which the person did not file a return or associated with a frivolous or fraudulent return.

Additionally, if the person willfully tried to evade liability for the taxes or the tax debts are tied to returns that were filed late within two years prior to the bankruptcy filing, they will generally not be dischargeable. In order for a tax debt to be eliminated in bankruptcy, it must be related to a return that was due three years or more before the bankruptcy filing and filed two years or more before the bankruptcy filing. These taxes must have been assessed 240 days or more prior to filing for bankruptcy.

Options for dividing a home in a divorce

On behalf of The Law Office of Russell Gary Small, P.C. posted in divorce on Friday, December 28, 2018.

When people in Connecticut get a divorce, they may have to decide what to do with the home they own. Some couples might agree to sell the house, but this often comes at the order of a judge rather than through negotiations.

If one spouse takes the home, that person should make sure that the mortgage, taxes and other upkeep is affordable. Another common error spouses make is not removing the one who no longer owns the home from the deed even if they refinance the mortgage. While this can be a way to reduce paperwork, it also means the couple remains linked financially. If an amicable divorce stops being amicable, this could create problems.

Divorce and finances

On behalf of The Law Office of Russell Gary Small, P.C. posted in divorce on Thursday, December 13, 2018.

Many issues can cause a marriage to fail, including finances. However, Connecticut couples can make sure that financial problems do not contribute to the end of their marriage.

Experts state that the divorce rate in the United States ranges from 40 to 50 percent. According to one 2017 study, 59 percent of couples reported that financial problems had a role in the end of their marriage. Twenty percent stated that financial problems contributed substantially to their divorce, while another 26 percent report that the credit score of their spouse was a cause of anxiety in the marriage.

What to do in a divorce if one parent drinks too much

On behalf of The Law Office of Russell Gary Small, P.C. posted in Child Custody on Thursday, November 29, 2018.

Many problems can arise when Connecticut parents are going through a divorce. While most issues can be resolved through negotiation and compromise, situations can be much worse if one parent has a problem with alcohol. For example, there may be justifiable concerns with a parent drinking and driving with a child in the car.

A parent could potentially get emergency custody if there is evidence showing that the child is in danger. Unfortunately, without a police report or another kind of proof, it could be difficult for the parent to demonstrate this. Child care providers or other witnesses might be able to provide testimony. However, alcohol abuse may be particularly difficult to prove.

Tips for keeping credit card debt manageable over the holidays

On behalf of The Law Office of Russell Gary Small, P.C. posted in Bankruptcy on Monday, November 19, 2018.

With Black Friday coming soon, many people are getting ready for their holiday shopping. One thing people may want to include in these preparations are plans on how to financially handle the holiday spending.

It is fairly common for consumers to use credit cards in connection to holiday shopping. In a recent survey, nearly three out of four shoppers said they plan on buying holiday presents with a credit card this year.