The COVID-19 pandemic has created a number of life-altering issues for individuals over the course of the past six months. With all of these concerns arising so unexpectedly and diverting focus to maintaining essential items such as housing and income, estate planning has likely not been a priority for most individuals recently. In light of the challenges presented by our…
Just because someone files for bankruptcy does not necessarily mean that he or she will not be in financial trouble in the future. Fortunately, it is possible for those who have filed for bankruptcy in the past to do so again in certain circumstances. There are, however, limitations to this rule, so if you filed for bankruptcy on a prior…
Congratulations to Charles L. Smith for being recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for his high quality work in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy. Inclusion in Best Lawyers is based on a rigorous peer-review survey of confidential evaluations by top attorneys. Mr. Smith has been recognized by his peers since…
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many aspects of our lives, including everything from our health to the economy. For instance, mandatory quarantine orders have caused many businesses to close their doors, resulting in millions of job losses across the country. Fortunately, those whose employment has been affected by COVID-19 are not without legal recourse, with many people qualifying for Chapter…
In Iowa, plaintiffs do not have an indefinite amount of time to file a personal injury claim after being involved in an accident. Instead, injured parties must file before a certain deadline that is known as a statute of limitations. For many plaintiffs, this means that they must initiate their lawsuit within two years of the date of the accident.…
While a number of industries have been affected by the spread of COVID-19, certain businesses have been particularly hard hit such as a meat packing plant, for instance. They have proven to be a particularly dangerous breeding ground for the disease, leaving thousands of employees and their families exposed to the dangerous virus, a trend that has largely been attributed…
Being bitten by a dog can result in devastating injuries, causing permanent scarring, disfigurement, and even disability. Fortunately, Iowa’s strict liability law means that dog bite victims are often able to recover compensation for related losses, including medical expenses and lost wages, so if you or a loved one were recently attacked by someone else’s dog, it is important to…
Recently, the American Farm Bureau Federation revealed that there was a 23 percent increase in farm bankruptcy filings for the 12 months period ending in March 2020, a figure that marks five consecutive years of such increases. Largely attributed to low commodity prices, natural disasters, and retaliatory tariffs, this increase could also be the result of the passage of the…
Many creditors, in an attempt to collect on a debt, garnish the borrower’s wages. In most, but not all cases, creditors must first get a court order before taking this step, unless the matter involves child support, taxes, or student loans. Fortunately, initiating bankruptcy proceedings can stop a creditor from continuing to garnish a person’s wages or from even seeking…
The global COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating consequences for the agricultural industry, with farmer sentiment decreasing by 47 points from February to March alone. Responding to concerns over the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on farm profitability and land values, Congress set aside $23.5 billion for agricultural relief in the U.S., $9.5 billion of which was earmarked specifically for hard-hit…