Jenni Klock Morel is a writer, nonprofit leader, and Social Justice Law Scholar. For years she practiced consumer bankruptcy law exclusively as a debtor's attorney, helping individuals and families file for Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy protection. Jenni left the practice of law to wield the power of the pen and pursue a career in the nonprofit sector. She has a background in grant writing, development, and years of experience in legal writing for law firms around the nation. Jenni is a research consultant for global NGOs, a contributing writer for Upsolve, and a cat mom.
Articles written by Attorney Jenni Klock Morel
Can You File Bankruptcy on Payday Loan?
Written by Attorney Jenni Klock Morel. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated August 8, 2025
Payday loans can provide quick cash but often come with extremely high costs that trap borrowers in a cycle of debt. When payments are missed, aggressive collection tactics may follow—but federal laws like the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protect you from harassment. While options like refinancing exist, they often make the debt more expensive. For many, bankruptcy offers a more permanent solution by stopping collections and potentially erasing payday loan balances. Understanding your rights and exploring all debt relief options can help you break free from payday loan debt for good.
Read More →When To Stop Using Credit Cards Before Filing Chapter 7
Written by Attorney Jenni Klock Morel. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated August 7, 2025
Once you’ve decided to file bankruptcy, it’s a good idea to stop using your credit cards as soon as possible. Many experts suggest avoiding new charges at least 90 days before filing. Using credit cards too close to filing can create problems, especially if the court thinks you made charges knowing you wouldn’t pay them back. Stopping early can help make the process smoother and protect your path to a fresh start.
Read More →What Is a Reaffirmation Agreement and How Do You Use One?
Written by Attorney Jenni Klock Morel. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated August 7, 2025
People who file bankruptcy are often concerned about what's going to happen to their car. Signing a reaffirmation agreement is one option that lets you keep your car and continue making the payments, but it's not the only option and might not be the best option in your situation. Read on to learn about how reaffirmations work and factors to consider when deciding whether to sign a reaffirmation agreement.
Read More →How Much Does It Cost To File Bankruptcy?
Written by Attorney Jenni Klock Morel. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated August 6, 2025
It can cost as little as $400 to file for bankruptcy or up to as much as $3,000 or more if you hire a bankruptcy lawyer. Bankruptcy costs include court filing fees, credit counseling course fees, and attorney fees if you hire a bankruptcy lawyer. The total cost will largely depend on your financial situation, the complexity of your case, and whether you file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Read More →What Happens After You File for Bankruptcy?
Written by Attorney Jenni Klock Morel. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated July 29, 2025
After you file for bankruptcy, the court immediately issues an automatic stay, which stops most collection actions. Your case is assigned to a trustee who reviews your financial situation and oversees the sale of non-exempt assets in Chapter 7 cases. You'll attend a meeting of creditors, where you answer questions under oath about your finances. If your filing is approved, your eligible debts are discharged, meaning you don’t have to repay them.
Read More →Bankruptcy Amendments: How To Correct or Update Your Forms
Written by Attorney Jenni Klock Morel. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated July 23, 2025
If you make a mistake or accidentally leave information out of your bankruptcy forms, you can almost always amend them after you file. The trustee in your bankruptcy case may also ask you to file an amendment after meeting with you in your 341 meeting. Be sure to fill out the amended forms carefully with the correct information and follow any local court rules to submit the amended forms. Most amended forms don't require a filing fee.
Read More →Can I Settle a Debt After a Lawsuit Has Been Filed?
Written by Attorney Jenni Klock Morel. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated July 22, 2025
Yes, you can settle a debt even if a lawsuit has already been filed against you. Some lenders may allow you to pay off your debt through either a repayment plan or partial lump-sum settlement. Either way, ignoring a debt is not a good option. It will only create more issues in the future. It can feel overwhelming to be served with a debt lawsuit. But remember, you’re not alone and you have options.
Read More →Judgments: How Long Do They Last and Will Bankruptcy Help?
Written by Attorney Jenni Klock Morel. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated July 22, 2025
If a creditor sues you for an unpaid debt and wins, the court issues a judgment against you. This gives the creditor the legal right to take serious collection actions like wage garnishment or bank levies. How long a judgment lasts depends on your state — some expire after five years, while others can remain in effect for up to 20 years. Many states also allow creditors to renew judgments. If you can’t afford to pay a judgment, filing for bankruptcy may help eliminate it.
Read More →How To Pass the Chapter 7 Means Test
Written by Attorney Jenni Klock Morel. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated May 22, 2025
To qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you need to pass a means test. In the test, you compare your income with the median income of a similar size household in your state. If your income is lower, you pass the test. If it’s higher, you have to move on to the next step in the means test, which takes your expenses and disposable income into account.
Read More →Do You Have to Go To Court to File Bankruptcy?
Written by Attorney Jenni Klock Morel. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated April 24, 2025
Most bankruptcy filers don’t have to attend any formal court proceedings before a judge. There are some rare exceptions to this, but most of the time you’ll only go to court to file your paperwork with the clerk. You'll have to attend a meeting of creditors, but this won’t be held in a courtroom or before a judge. Some of these meetings are held outside the courthouse or virtually.
Read More →Judgments and Judgment Liens in New York State
Written by Attorney Jenni Klock Morel. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated April 21, 2025
If you have an unpaid debt, a creditor can sue you to get a judgment against you. This allows them to garnish your wages, levy your bank account, or file a judgment lien against your home or car. Judgments and judgment liens in New York are very powerful. Money judgments can be enforced for up to 20 years in New York.
Read More →Wage Garnishment in Kansas
Written by Attorney Jenni Klock Morel.
Updated May 22, 2025
A wage garnishment order allows creditors to take money directly from your paycheck. Most of the time, this is only possible after a court has entered a judgment. Here's how Kansas regulates wage garnishments.
Wage Garnishment in Utah
Written by Attorney Jenni Klock Morel.
Updated May 22, 2025
A wage garnishment order allows creditors to take money directly from your paycheck. Most of the time, this is only possible after a court has entered a judgment. Here's how Utah regulates wage garnishments.
Wage Garnishment in Alabama
Written by Attorney Jenni Klock Morel.
Updated May 22, 2025
A wage garnishment order allows creditors to take money directly from your paycheck. Most of the time, this is only possible after a court has entered a judgment. Here's how Alabama regulates wage garnishments.
