Kimberly Berson is an attorney with over twenty-five years of legal experience and a specialty in bankruptcy law and bankruptcy litigation. Additionally, Kim is an instructor in the paralegal certificate program at Hofstra Law School where she teaches Bankruptcy Law, Contracts Law and Legal Research and Writing. She has also served as an adjunct professor of legal studies at Frank G. Zarb Business School at Hofstra University. While in law school, Kim began her career in the bankruptcy field interning for a bankruptcy judge. After she graduated law school, Kim’s first position was working for a panel Chapter 7 trustee. Kim continued to focus her practice in bankruptcy law and has represented interests in all aspects of bankruptcy and insolvency-related cases and litigation. She has represented small business Chapter 11 debtors, consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 debtors, Chapter 7 panel trustees as well as secured and unsecured creditors. Kim also has significant litigation experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in bankruptcy-related matters. Kim earned a Juris Doctor at Touro Law Center and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Binghamton University.
Articles written by Attorney Kimberly Berson
What To Do if Debt Collectors Threaten You With Legal Papers
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated August 30, 2023
Has a debt collection agency threatened you with legal papers? They hope this will scare you into paying up as fast as you can but is this threat real? What can you do if you can't pay the debt? Federal law limits actions that a debt collector can take. This article discusses what you can do if a debt collector has promised to start a debt collection lawsuit.
Read More →Getting Out Of Medical Debt
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated August 10, 2023
Medical debt can sometimes seem overwhelming, but there are things you can do to resolve it. Learn how medical debt can affect you in the long run, how to negotiate and set up a repayment plan, and what forms of assistance could help you pay for medical costs. Also, find out if filing for bankruptcy could help you to discharge your medical debt.
Read More →What Does a Foreclosure Notice Mean?
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated August 1, 2023
If you miss several mortgage payments, you will be at risk of losing your home through a foreclosure sale. If you receive a notice of foreclosure, it’s a good idea to take steps to save your home. Learn more about foreclosures, what happens when you receive a foreclosure notice, and what steps you can take to save your home from a foreclosure sale.
Read More →Missed Mortgage Payments
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated July 28, 2023
Failing to make payments puts you at risk of losing your home. But we have good news. Help is available to you if you can’t pay for your mortgage. But, it is important to explore these options as soon as mortgage payments are missed. Quickly taking advantage of one of these options could help you to save your home.
Read More →Underwater on a Mortgage | What To Know
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated July 26, 2023
It is possible to owe more money on a house than what the house is actually worth. This is called being underwater on your mortgage. If you are underwater on your mortgage, there are things you should know about the risks and options you have for refinancing or selling your house.
Read More →Mortgage Forbearance Agreements
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated July 26, 2023
A forbearance agreement gives a borrower a pause from having to make mortgage payments for a short time. The lender then agrees to give up its rights to foreclose on the property during this pause. This article discusses what a mortgage forbearance agreement is and how it may be able to help homeowners facing challenging financial circumstances.
Read More →4 Things To Know About Defaulting on Your Mortgage
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated July 20, 2023
Typically, a mortgage default occurs if the borrower misses payments, fails to pay real estate taxes, or fails to pay for homeowner’s insurance. A mortgage default could occur if the borrower transfers the title to a new owner without the consent of the lender. Default terms vary depending on the loan type and mortgage contract.
Read More →Do You Have To Pay Back Unemployment?
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated April 7, 2023
In most situations, you do not need to pay back unemployment benefits. If you meet the eligibility requirements, those benefits are yours to keep. The exception to this is if an overpayment was issued. In that case, you will need to pay back only the amount that was overpaid to you. It’s also important to note that most unemployment benefits are taxable so your benefits will most likely show up on your federal taxes.
Read More →When Can Debt Collectors Call?
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated January 27, 2022
When you are getting calls from a debt collector, it is crucial to know your rights and what to do. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that prohibits third-party debt collectors from engaging in abusive, unfair, or deceptive debt collection practices when collecting consumer debts. Read more to learn what debt collection practices are illegal and what you can do to protect yourself.
Read More →Short Sales 101
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated November 26, 2021
Thinking about selling your home to avoid foreclosure? Worried because you owe more than the house is worth? You may be able to do a short sale. In a short sale, the sale price is not enough to pay off the balance due on the loan. So, you’ll need to have the short sale approved before you can sell the house and remove the lien.
Read More →Pros and Cons of Debt Consolidation Using Home Equity
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated October 8, 2021
Tapping into your home equity to consolidate your debt is an important financial decision. Borrowing from your home equity to consolidate your debt to one monthly payment at a lower interest rate may seem like a win-win situation. But, there are serious disadvantages too. If you run into trouble making the monthly payments on your home equity loan, you risk losing your home. So, before taking this step, review the pros and cons of a home equity loan to see if this is the best option for you.
Read More →What Happens If I Can’t Pay My Taxes?
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated October 1, 2021
Tax debt is a debt that keeps growing. The IRS has payment options available for those who are struggling. The quicker you resolve your issues with the IRS, the better off you will be. This article discusses the financial consequences of not paying taxes and tax payment options available to you if you can’t afford your tax bill right now.
Read More →How Maryland’s Debt Collection Laws Protect You
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated August 3, 2021
Debt collectors are allowed to collect, but they can’t do whatever they want to get you to pay. The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you against unfair harassment from debt collectors. Maryland state law provides you with even more safeguards. Maryland regulates the conduct of anyone who is seeking to collect a debt, not just those who are in the business of debt collecting. Read more to learn how the Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act can protect you from the abusive behaviors of debt collectors.
Read More →Know Your Rights Under Massachusetts Debt Collection Laws
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated July 30, 2021
Debt collection isn’t without limits. Federal laws and state laws protect consumers from abusive debt collection practices. Massachusetts debt collection laws offer significant protections to Massachusetts residents from the deceptive acts of debt collectors. This article outlines the rights of Massachusetts residents who are dealing with debt collectors.
Read More →What Happens If I Don’t File Tax Returns?
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated June 7, 2021
What happens if you can’t file tax returns by the filing deadline? This article discusses how failure to file tax returns by the filing deadline can create a costly tax situation. It will also offer guidance for those who have already missed a critical deadline.
Read More →Do Collection Agencies Ever Give Up on Debt Collection?
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated April 27, 2021
Professional debt collectors and collection agencies make money by collecting money. If they don’t collect, they don’t make money. So, they can be relentless and rarely give up. That’s why it’s important to know your rights if you are being pursued by a debt collector and to understand what options are available to you.
Read More →Wage Garnishments in New Hampshire
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated October 25, 2021
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 New Hampshire regulates wage garnishments.
Wage Garnishment in Rhode Island
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated October 21, 2021
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 Rhode Island regulates wage garnishments.
Wage Garnishments In Vermont
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated October 21, 2021
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 Vermont regulates wage garnishments.
Wage Garnishments in Connecticut
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated October 21, 2021
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 Connecticut regulates wage garnishments.
Wage Garnishment in New York
Written by Attorney Kimberly Berson.
Updated October 19, 2021
A wage garnishment is a legal process where a court order or government agency requires your employer to withhold a part of your earnings to pay back an unpaid debt. If you are a New Yorker who’s worried about wage garnishment, read this article to learn what wage garnishments are, how they work in New York, and what you can do about them.
