Tori Bramble is a bankruptcy attorney with over 20 years of experience. She is licensed to practice in Maryland and Virginia and has helped over 1,500 clients discharge thousands of dollars and find debt relief by filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. A New York native, Tori got her J.D. from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University in 1996. She opened her own practice, Bramble Law Firm, in 2005. Tori’s also passionate about family law and is a CDC Certified Divorce Coach, helping to support fathers through the separation and divorce process. Outside of her work, Tori loves watching comedies and singing karaoke.
Articles written by Attorney Tori Bramble
IRS Payment Plan Installment Agreements
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated August 21, 2024
If you can't pay in full after filing your taxes, one of your options involves entering into an installment agreement from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Installment agreements are payment plans with the IRS that let you pay off your tax debt over a set timeframe. There are many installment agreement payment options available to taxpayers to settle tax debt. In this article, you'll learn about the different payment plans that can help you wipe out your tax debt.
Read More →Mortgage Laws: How Do They Protect Homeowners?
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated December 20, 2023
There are many loan options and costs to consider. Knowing available mortgage options can help you compare offers, understand closing and settlement costs, learn about insurance requirements, and avoid scams. Luckily there are many federal and state laws and regulations that help protect mortgage borrowers. In this article we’ll discuss mortgage types, mortgage disclosure laws and the frequency and type of information mortgage lenders must give to help you completely understand the terms and conditions of your mortgage loan. We’ll also talk about other laws addressing discrimination in mortgage lending.
Read More →Should You Change Your Student Loan Repayment Plan?
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated November 1, 2023
There are several federal student loan repayment plans, including the Standard Repayment Plan, four income-driven repayment plans, and the Extended (Graduated) Repayment Plan. After graduation, student loan borrowers are automatically placed on the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan, but you can switch to a different plan at any time.
Read More →6 Strategies To Negotiate Your Credit Card Debts
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated August 8, 2023
Whether you have a good credit score or a bad one, it’s possible to negotiate with credit card companies to lower your credit card debt. If you have a good credit score, creditors are usually not eager to help you negotiate your credit card debt because they think you can pay your debt. But if you’ve missed payments and the credit card issuer fears you may not pay them back in full, they may be willing to help you negotiate your balance. In this guide, you’ll learn how to negotiate credit card debt. We'll give actionable tips for folks who have a good credit score. Then we’ll provide credit card negotiation strategies that you can use if your credit score is not that good anymore.
Read More →4 Reasons Your Credit Score Is Low & What You Can Do About It
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated August 1, 2023
In this article, you’ll learn how to check your credit report for errors and how to deal with negative entries on your credit history, like judgments, bankruptcies, foreclosure, and repossession.
Read More →What Happens to Your Student Loan Debt When You Die?
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated August 1, 2023
When it comes to the fate of your student loan debt after you pass away, the outcome differs for federal and private student loans. Federal student loans are generally discharged upon death, relieving your estate and co-signers from the obligation. In the case of private student loans, some lenders may offer a death discharge policy, but it's not guaranteed.
Read More →5 Strategies To Pay Off Debt Fast
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated July 28, 2023
You may be able to get out of debt faster than you think! How? Here are five ways: - Focus on paying off high-interest debt first. - Find a side hustle to increase your income. - Reduce your biggest expenses like housing and transportation or see if you qualify for assistance programs. - Use a balance transfer to get a 0% APR period and pay your debt down aggressively - Discharge your debt through bankruptcy (yes, even if you have student loans!).
Read More →3 Things to Know About Acceleration Clauses
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated May 11, 2023
An acceleration clause means that if you break any terms of your mortgage contract, your lender can fast forward your mortgage payments and require you to pay your mortgage in full, all at once. In other words, the acceleration clause lets the bank demand the full balance due (plus late payments, interest payments, etc.) if you miss a certain number of mortgage payments. Here’s what real estate buyers and owners should know about a mortgage acceleration clause, including what starts it and how to avoid this scary situation from happening.
Read More →I Have a Judgment Against Me. What Happens Next?
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated May 11, 2023
If you’ve learned there’s a court judgment against you, you may be wondering what happens next and if there's anything you can do. There are different ways you can reduce the negative impact a judgment can have on you. This article will go into detail about what you can do if you have a judgment you can’t afford to pay, how creditors collect on debts, and property exemptions under federal and state law.
Read More →Partial Claim Loans for Overdue Mortgage Payments
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated May 11, 2023
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) may have programs to help if you have an FHA-insured mortgage and you're having trouble making your mortgage payments. In this article, we’ll talk about HUD’s programs for homeowners who are behind on their mortgage payments because of a job loss or COVID-related financial hardship. If you qualify for one of these programs, you may be able to save your home and prevent foreclosure.
Read More →Tax Relief: How To Get Rid Of Back Taxes
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated January 11, 2022
Many people have experienced financial hardship and have been unable to pay their taxes due to unemployment or reduced work hours during the pandemic, but getting tax relief is possible. This article will discuss whether it makes sense for you to hire someone to help you get tax relief, the kinds of programs the IRS offers to help taxpayers with back taxes, and how bankruptcy plays into tax debt. Read on to see how you may be able to get the tax relief you deserve.
Read More →A Second Chance at Car Ownership for Drivers With Bad Credit
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated November 29, 2021
If you have a shaky credit history and aren’t able to get an auto loan from a prime lender, you may be able to get a second chance auto loan to buy a car. These auto loans are designed for people with bad or poor credit, and they usually have high interest rates and additional fees. This article will explain some of the pros and cons of second chance auto loans and what to consider before you get one to purchase a vehicle.
Read More →The Ins and Outs of Subprime Auto Loans
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated November 26, 2021
When it comes time to buy a car, if you have a low credit score or limited credit history, you may be worried about getting turned down for an auto loan. But borrowers who have poor or bad credit scores can still qualify for subprime auto loans. These are also called second chance auto loans, and some auto lenders and dealerships specialize in them. Though these loans can help finance the purchase of a new car or used car, they also have some drawbacks. This article will explore the ins and outs of subprime auto loans, so you can decide if they’re right for you.
Read More →Consumers’ Rights – Repossession Notices
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated October 12, 2021
When you stop making payments on certain debts, creditors can repossess your property without giving you notice. In many states, the lender doesn’t even have to tell you it’s going to repossess. No matter how far behind you are on your payments, you have rights. This article will explain the repossession process, how it applies to different property, post-repossession notices, and how to get your property back after repossession.
Read More →What Is a Paid in Full Letter & How Does It Work?
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated October 11, 2021
If you send a paid in full letter to your creditor or debt collection agency, it informs them that you’re making your final payment. If they send one to you, they are confirming that the debt has been paid in full.
Read More →How Do Military and Veteran Debt Consolidation Loans Work?
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated October 8, 2021
Debt consolidation loans help borrowers roll all of their outstanding debts into one loan with a single payment. Some borrowers face challenges in getting these loans, but the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers some debt consolidation options to active duty servicemembers and veterans, including the VA Military Debt Consolidation loans. Borrowers who meet the requirements for this consolidation loan can borrow against the equity in their home. This comes with some pros and cons, which we’ll explore more in this article.
Read More →6 Popular Credit Repair Software Programs
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated September 17, 2021
It’s important to review your credit report for errors, but doing this on your own can be time-consuming and frustrating. This is where credit repair software can help. This user-friendly software can help you find mistakes on your report, generate dispute letters to get errors removed, and even simulate your future credit score based on paying off debt or having mistakes removed. Credit repair software can help you decide which debt to pay off to improve your credit score most quickly. But before you buy credit repair software or hire a credit repair company, let’s have a look at what credit repair software is and how it works.
Read More →Does Colorado Law Protect Me From Debt Collectors?
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated September 13, 2021
Collection agencies are required to follow federal and state laws when trying to collect a debt from you. Fortunately, all states are under the protection of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The FDCPA is a debt collection law that protects you from intrusive and predatory collection agency practices such as calling you late at night, cursing at you, and trying to collect a debt you don’t owe. Some states, including Colorado, also have laws that provide additional protections for consumers from debt collectors. Here we’ll discuss the consumer protections available to Colorado residents under the Colorado Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (CFDCPA).
Read More →Tax Lien: What is it and how do I stop one?
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated August 23, 2021
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can file federal liens against taxpayers who owe back taxes. The IRS' ability to freeze a taxpayer’s property is one of the most powerful weapons it uses to force people to pay their delinquent income taxes. Here’s how federal tax liens can affect you, along with some pointers for how to get rid of them.
Read More →What Is Form 656 And How Do I File One?
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated August 23, 2021
If you owe back taxes to the IRS, the offer in compromise (OIC) program could help you settle your tax debt by paying less than what you owe. You’ll have to fill out Form 656 to make an offer in compromise to the IRS, which will include the details of your repayment offer. This article will expand on eligibility requirements for OICs, benefits for low-income filers, how to fill out a Form 656, and what you need to send to the IRS along with the form.
Read More →Eviction Laws and Tenant Rights in Rhode Island
Written by Attorney Tori Bramble.
Updated January 12, 2022
Landlords in Rhode Island can’t just change the locks, toss your belongings out on the front yard, or shut down essential utilities. A landlord must follow the eviction process in order to have a tenant evicted for any reason. Here's an overview of what this means for tenants in Rhode Island.
