Media
Attorneys Ashley Morgan and Arthur Rosatti work to educate the public. As experienced professionals, they serve as sources for local and national publications. When asked, they help media members understand often complex legal issues, so they can get the story right – every time!
For interviews, please call the office at 703-880-4881 or email each attorney directly at Ashley@AFMorganLaw.com or Arthur@AFMorganLaw.com
Ashley In The Media
What Is a Debt Collector, and What Do They Do?
Debt collectors are heroes or villains, depending on your point of view. If you own a business and are owed money, hiring a debt collector can help you get it back. If you are the person who owes money, you may be avoiding that confrontation from a debt collector.
16% of People Expect a Tax Refund of $3,000 or More — But That Might Not Be a Good Thing
In 2021, the average tax refund jumped to $2,775 from $2,495 the year before, an increase of more than 11% over 2020. But for some lucky taxpayers, refund time comes with a supersized payout that’s even bigger than average. But the size of your check isn’t decided by luck, and when it comes to refunds, bigger isn’t always better.
Can you buy a house after bankruptcy?
While it’s possible to get a mortgage after declaring bankruptcy, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Going through a bankruptcy means admitting that you’re unable to pay your bills and either restructuring or discharging your current debts.
That can mean a big drop in your credit score and a big negative point on your credit report. With bad credit, you’ll struggle to qualify for any new loans.
Why Americans Can’t Pay Off Their Car Loans — and How You Can Avoid This Struggle
In March, Fortune reported that severe delinquency rates reached their highest level in 17 years. It’s part of a one-two punch fueled by high inflation and the Fed’s action to tame it, coupled with lingering side effects from the pandemic’s impact on the auto industry. The end result is buyers borrowing more money for longer terms at higher rates to get behind the wheel.
What Do The New Student Loan Bankruptcy Guidelines Mean For Borrowers?
The U.S. Department of Justice issued new guidance regarding student loan bankruptcy in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education in November of last year.
9 ways to rebuild your credit after bankruptcy
Your credit score has more than likely taken a hit after filing for bankruptcy, and now it’s time to rebuild. Here are nine ways to build your credit back up, post-bankruptcy.
Why Declaring Bankruptcy Can Be Good, Actually
“When Clara*, 32, realized her debt was getting out of control, she chose to do something that is both a valid recourse for people in her position and also a totally stigmatized one: She filed for bankruptcy. “I’d been feeling the effects of not being able to pay all of my monthly obligations — that happened for almost two years,” she recalls. “
What Happens When Your Credit Card Company Sues You?
“IGNORING DEBT collection calls usually doesn’t make them go away. Ignore your credit card debt long enough, and your credit card company may sell your account to a collection agency or sue you in civil court for the balance. While it’s best to try to work with your credit card company before a lawsuit is filed, it’s also important to know what to expect if you receive a summons and how you can respond to it.”
How To Get A Credit Card When You Have Bad Credit
“Bad credit can happen to good people. A low credit score doesn’t mean you’re any less intelligent or important than someone with good credit. But it does often make life harder, whether you want to borrow money, rent an apartment or open a cellphone account.”
How Should I Respond to a Debt Settlement Offer?
“GETTING A DEBT settlement offer may feel like a lifeline if you’re drowning in unpaid bills. But if you settle for less than what you owe – perhaps much less – there are serious downsides, too. You may need to make an immediate payment in full and could face tax consequences. That’s why experts often recommend it as a last resort. Here’s what you should know if you’re considering a debt settlement offer.”
How To Handle Biden’s Disappointing Student Loan Forgiveness Plan
“Politicians love to make sweeping promises when it comes to forgiving all student loan debt, but their claims aren’t necessarily rooted in reality. In fact, the most recent proposals for student loan debt forgiveness would only wipe away a portion of debt for millions who qualify.”
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is often thought of as an embarrassing last resort, a duck-and-cover protection against chunks of falling sky. But it’s more helpful to think of bankruptcy as a legal tool to employ when you or your business cannot repay outstanding debts or obligations.
How To Use Stimulus Checks To Improve Your Credit
At least 18 states have delivered stimulus checks to qualifying residents or plan to through the remainder of the year to offset the impact of rising costs.
Experts: Here Are the Worst Ways To Pay For an Emergency
A recent GOBankingRates survey showed that roughly half the population has no emergency fund and many more have next to nothing socked away in savings for a rainy day.
If You’re Expecting a Tax Refund of $2,000 or More, Here’s What You’re Doing Wrong
“A study from GOBankingRates revealed that more than one in four people — 28%, to be exact — expect to receive a refund of $2,000 or more. With gas prices at record highs and inflation forcing just about everyone to dig deeper for just about everything, that’s a welcome chunk of change, for sure.”
How to pay off debt in retirement
“According to data from the New York Federal Reserve, Americans between the ages of 50 and 70 account for $376 billion in credit card debt. Compare that to younger Americans between the ages of 30 and 50 who have a combined credit card debt total of $348 billion.”
Wage Garnishment: What Is It and How Can It Impact Your Income?
IF YOU’RE behind on any debts, the last thing you want to worry about is having a court mandate that part of your earnings be withheld and sent directly to the creditor or person to whom you owe money until your debt is resolved. But there’s a silver lining: If your wages are about to be garnished because you’re behind on a credit card, student loan or other debt, it likely won’t be a surprise.
9 ways to rebuild your credit after bankruptcy
“If you’re like most people, you’ve realized Chapter 7 bankruptcy is not the end of the road but the start of a long and positive journey.
After discharging your debts in court, you have the unique opportunity to reestablish your credit without an overwhelming financial burden weighing you down.”
Millennial Credit Scores Aren’t Great—Here’s Why
“We know, everyone already harps on millennials. So, we hate to give bashers any more ammo, but… millennial credit scores aren’t great. They’re not good, either. They’re actually just “fair,” according to data from Experian, a consumer credit reporting agency.“
How to find the right bankruptcy lawyer for your needs
“If you’re looking for a bankruptcy lawyer, there are a variety of resources available to help you find the right one for your particular situation.“
Credit Cards After Bankruptcy? It’s Not Impossible
“You just filed for bankruptcy and your credit card providers closed your accounts. Not you don’t have access to credit at all. An with bankruptcy filing on your credit report, you’ll struggle to convince banks or credit unions to send you replacement cards.“
Getting Credit Cards After Bankruptcy
“FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY can feel like the ultimate catastrophe. Some of your assets may be wiped out, your credit score takes a major blow and lenders no longer want your business. So if you need to get credit cards after bankruptcy, a few challenges stand in your way.”
Getting a mortgage after bankruptcy: What to know
“Bankruptcy can give you a fresh financial start, but it can also hurt your credit — and that can make it difficult to get a mortgage. Here’s what is involved in getting a mortgage after bankruptcy, and how to increase your chances of qualifying for a loan.”
Debt Doom: Fix Your Finances to Save Your Clearance Before It’s Too Late
“For clearance holders, a sudden downturn can mean more than a bad year. Unpaid bills can kill a livelihood. ‘During security clearance background checks, debt is looked at for a variety of reasons…’”
Arthur In The Media
What You Need to Know About Tax Identity Theft This Tax Season
Although this type of identity theft may sound like a rare occurrence, it actually affects more people than you might think. In fact, according to Fraud.org, “tax identity theft was the single biggest type of identity theft complaints to the Federal Trade Commission in 2014. Conservative estimates put the cost of this fraud to the nation’s taxpayers at $5.2 billion annually.”
Your Tax Refund Is Lower Than Expected: Now What?
There are several reasons your tax refund could look different in 2023 based on your 2022 tax filing, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS.gov) laid out a few of them this past November.
9 Tax Deductions That Are Gone In 2018 (And What To Claim Instead)
“The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which passed in December 2017, involved some of the most sweeping changes to the U.S. tax system in more than 30 years. And Americans will experience the effects of those changes when they file taxes for 2018.”
State Tax Lien vs. Federal Tax Lien
“If you owe taxes to the state or the IRS, keep in mind that your options to settle federal debt may not be the same when dealing with state tax debt. “Tax liens are very different between the federal government and each individual state,” said Arthur Rosatti, Esq., an attorney with Ashley F. Morgan Law, PC.”
What is an Offer in Compromise? (And How to Get it Approved)
The IRS has something called an offer in compromise (OIC). How can that help? It can let you settle your tax debt for a lot less than you owe. If you’ve never heard of an offer in compromise, here are some things you need to know to settle with the IRS.
Tax Experts Reveal How to Survive a Tax Audit
Most tax audits have relatively smooth processes. The nightmare stories of tax audits from hell come from the few cases where taxpayers were unprepared. Lack of preparation leads to a weak defense and a growing mountain of IRS debt.
State Tax Lien vs. Federal Tax Lien: How to Remove Them
“Learn the difference between a state and federal tax lien and how to stop and remove them from your record.”
What You Need to Know About Tax Identity Theft This Tax Season
“Although this type of identity theft may sound like a rare occurrence, it actually affects more people than you might think. In fact, according to Fraud.org, “tax identity theft was the single biggest type of identity theft complaints to the Federal Trade Commission in 2014. Conservative estimates put the cost of this fraud to the nation’s taxpayers at $5.2 billion annually.””
If You’re Expecting a Tax Refund of $2,000 or More, Here’s What You’re Doing Wrong
“[Y]ou should receive as small a refund as possible … This means you are maximizing your take-home pay during the year and not providing a loan to the government while overpaying your income taxes throughout the year.”
