by Patrick Tang | May 28, 2026
Student loans can be discharged in bankruptcy in Illinois, but only if you prove “undue hardship.” That’s a harder standard than for most debts, but recent Department of Justice changes have made it more realistic than it’s been in decades. A...
by Patrick Tang | May 28, 2026
If you’re wondering how bankruptcy affects your spouse when you file alone in Illinois, the short answer is that Illinois law generally protects your spouse’s separate income and property. Your spouse’s credit isn’t directly hit. Your spouse...
by Patrick Tang | May 28, 2026
Yes, bankruptcy can clear judgment liens in Illinois, but not automatically and not in every situation. Bankruptcy exemptions Illinois residents are entitled to, combined with a federal tool called “lien avoidance” under 11 U.S.C. § 522(f), let you strip a...
by Patrick Tang | May 28, 2026
If a debt collector just threatened to sue you, take a breath. Don’t ignore it, but don’t panic either. The next few steps matter, and most people skip them because they’re scared or embarrassed. A wage garnishment attorney in Chicago can tell you...
by Patrick Tang | May 18, 2026
The honest debt settlement vs bankruptcy comparison in Illinois comes down to this: Debt settlement is a private negotiation where you pay a company to try to convince creditors to accept less than you owe, with no legal protection and no guarantee that anyone agrees....
by Patrick Tang | May 18, 2026
Most Illinois Chapter 7 cases take about four to six months from filing to discharge. The bulk of that time is spent waiting: first for the 341 meeting of creditors, then for the 60-day objection period that follows it. If you’re working with a Chapter 7...
