Law Offices of Vernon L. Ellicott
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Vern's Vlog

I Need Out of This Marriage!

6/18/2020

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What do you do when your marriage breaks down and you need out?  There are two things you should do immediately: protect yourself and get good legal advice.

How do you protect yourself?  First, remove yourself from violence or abuse.  That may mean getting a restraining order or moving out.  Second, gather all the financial records you can, copy them, preferably electronically, and keep the copies in a safe place your spouse cannot access.  Focus especially on tax returns, bank and investment statements.
I Need Out of This Marriage
I’m an attorney and of course you expect me to tell you to get good legal advice.  That’s because it’s true!  I can’t tell you how many times people have come to me in the middle of a case and it’s too late to fix major mistakes they made because they did not consult an attorney.  Don’t let that happen to you!

I am a certified family law specialist and am here to help.  I’ve handled thousands of cases so I can handle yours.  Start with a free 30 minute consultation.  (805) 446-6262  vle@vlelaw.com
Schedule Your Free 30 Minute Consultation
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Won't Bankruptcy Hurt My Credit?

4/29/2020

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I want to talk about bankruptcy and your credit scores.

You already have a financial problem if you are reading this blog.  That means your credit score is probably already pretty low.  Or, maybe you have been really good at juggling your credit card payments but time is running out and sooner or later, you know you won’t be able to pay them all.  Your credit score may be good now, but it won’t last.
Frankly, your credit score is the least of your worries if you need to file bankruptcy.  You need to be thinking about your rent or mortgage, your car payments, your job, and your family and that lawsuit you might be facing.  Those things are much more important than your credit score.
So, does bankruptcy hurt your credit?

The answer is . . . sometimes.  Sometimes credit scores go down when people file bankruptcy.  Other times, people find their credit scores go up because they can no longer go into debt and have no past due bills.

Most people who file bankruptcy have been struggling with debt for a long time.  They are depressed just to get the mail.  They can’t answer their phones because bill collectors keep calling.  Their marriages are in trouble because of the tension their financial problems cause.
Won't Bankruptcy Hurt My Credit Score?
Bankruptcy may hurt your credit score, but it may also save your life.  It may free you to live without fear again and allow you to start over with a new life and no financial stress.

Please call me at (805) 446-6262 and we will talk about how to deal with your credit score in a way that helps you the most.
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I Need A Restraining Order!

4/28/2020

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Hello, my name is Vernon L. Ellicott, and I am a domestic violence attorney. I help clients in times of personal legal crisis, like when you need a domestic violence restraining order.  Today, I want to talk about domestic violence and what you can do to get a restraining order.

Domestic violence is a very sensitive and difficult topic to discuss.  No one wants to admit they are a victim of domestic violence.  And yet, the statistics are alarming about the number of women who say they have been sexually or physically abused in a relationship.
I Need A Restraining Order
Has your husband or boyfriend (or wife or girlfriend) hit you, shove you, pulling your hair, thrown your cell phones and other things, and or threatened your life?  If so, you need to a domestic violence restraining order.

I’ve handled thousands of family law cases and one thing I’ve learned is that domestic violence victims often have trouble breaking free from a violent relationship.  A classic example is the man who abuses his wife or girlfriend, and then blames the victim for causing him to be violent.
After a while, the victim begins to believe it is her fault that he hits her!  And, ironically, she protects her abuser when the police or others try to break her free.
One of the most satisfying things I do is to help domestic violence victims go from a victim mentality to a victor mentality.  It’s not easy, but it’s worth it!

I will be happy to personally walk through an analysis of whether you have been a victim of domestic violence and how to change that.  Call me at (805) 446-6262 for a confidential conversation.
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Help! My Business is Failing ... What Can I Do?

4/22/2020

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I want to talk about what you can do if your business is failing.

You actually have a number of choices when your business begins to fail.  You can cut costs.  You can lay off employees.  You can cut down on advertising or increase advertising.  You can offer discounts to the public to bring in new business.
Those may or may not be good ideas, but what happens when none of those things work?  What happens if your business is shut down, like during the coronavirus pandemic?  What happens when you reopen but can’t catch up on the past due bills?
And, what happens if you, the owner, are personally liable for those bills?
Bankruptcy offers some real options for small businesses to keep operating and to allow the owner to keep earning an income from the business.  This is especially important if the owner is personally liable for the rent, utilities, and other payments, which is the case for most small businesses.

Business bankruptcies are complicated and require expertise in the law from your attorney.  But filing bankruptcy does not have to mean you go out of business.

Please call me at (805) 446-6262 and we will talk about how to keep your business in business.
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Ouch! You Hit Me!

4/21/2020

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Hello, my name is Vernon L. Ellicott, and I am a domestic violence attorney. I help clients in times of personal legal crisis, like when their significant other hit them.  Today, I want to talk about domestic violence and what you can do to protect yourself.

Domestic violence is a very sensitive and difficult topic to discuss.  No one wants to admit they are a victim of domestic violence.  And no one wants to be convicted of domestic violence.
Ouch! You Hit Me!
I’ve handled thousands of family law cases and one thing I’ve learned is that men and women often have different perspectives on what constitutes domestic violence. I have also found that culture makes a difference in defining it.

Domestic violence can be hard to define. Men tend to shout out of frustration and anger. Woman tend to be intimidated and frightened by men shouting in anger. We’ve all heard of mothers who could boss their NFL sized sons around no matter how old they were.
But, let’s face it, most men are bigger and stronger than most women. Shouting is sometimes enough to get a domestic violence restraining order.
Of course, actual violence will cause a judge to grant a domestic violence restraining order, too.  Hitting, shoving, pulling hair, throwing cell phones and other things, and even blocking exits are all domestic violence that will result in a domestic violence restraining order.

Another type of domestic violence is revenge porn. That happens where you share intimate photos of yourself and your ex publishes them to the world after you break up. It is possible to get a domestic violence restraining order to block the future publication of those photos and even to get the originals back.  See my blog on Revenge Porn for more information about this subject.

I will be happy to personally walk through an analysis of whether you have been a victim of domestic violence, or whether you need to defend yourself against domestic violence charges.  Call me at (805) 446-6262.
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Bankruptcy Can Save Your Life!

4/15/2020

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Hello, my name is Vernon L. Ellicott, and I am a bankruptcy attorney. I help clients in times of personal legal crisis, like when they can’t pay their bills.  Today, I want to talk about how bankruptcy can save your life.

I just heard of a man who lost his job and then committed suicide.  He couldn’t pay his bills and couldn’t face his family.  What a shame!  And bankruptcy could have saved him!
Bankruptcy can literally save lives.  People think of bankruptcy and think that it means their lives are over, but, in fact, just the opposite is true.

Most people who file bankruptcy have been struggling with debt for a long time.  They are depressed just to get the mail.  They can’t answer their phones because bill collectors keep calling.  Their marriages are in trouble because of the tension their financial problems cause at home.  Or they deal with substance abuse that destroys their lives and families.
Bankruptcy Can Save Your Life
Yes, bankruptcy may save your life.  It may free you to live without fear again and allow you to start over with a new life no financial stress. It may take away the financial tension in your marriage.  It may free you to breathe without that pain in your chest because of mounting bills you can’t pay.  It may take away the reason for that anger and frustration that makes bad choices even worse.

Please call me at (805) 446-6262 and let’s talk about how bankruptcy can save your life.
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Revenge Porn

4/14/2020

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Hello, my name is Vernon L. Ellicott, and I am a domestic violence attorney. I help clients in times of personal legal crisis, like when your ex is showing off intimate photos to others. Today, I want to talk about revenge porn and what you can do about it.

Revenge porn is a type of domestic violence. It happens where you share intimate photos of yourself and then your ex publishes them to the world after you break up. Photos you thought you were sharing with someone close to you are now being used to blackmail you, embarrass or harass you. And, it’s working!
Revenge Porn
Revenge porn is a relatively new area of the law. Not may attorneys know how to protect people who have been violated by revenge porn. Revenge porn victims have three ways to deal with the problem (four if you count doing nothing).

First, it is possible to get a domestic violence restraining order to block the future publication of those photos and even to get the originals back. I did that for actress Micha Barton.  But you don’t have to be someone famous to get protection.
Second, you can sue your ex or others who publish those intimate photos for civil damages.  I was involved in a case like that against the LAPD.  The case resulted in a seven-figure settlement.

Third, you can file a police report and the other person may be arrested.

I will be happy to personally talk with you about revenge porn and how we can help. 
Call me at (805) 446-6262 for a confidential conversation.
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Help! I Can't Pay My Mortgage

4/8/2020

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This blog is about what you can do if your mortgage or rent payments are behind.
Do you own or rent?  It does make a difference whether you rent or own your home.  If you rent, the landlord can get an eviction notice and evict you in just a few weeks.  If you own your home, that is, if you have a loan against it, the bank cannot foreclose for almost four months—110 days minimum. 
Mortgage Help
The reality is that landlords and banks rarely want to evict or foreclose.  They will frequently allow you to get several months behind before they take any action against you.  But, sooner or later, you either pay or move.

So, what can you do?
You can fight, which is usually a losing process and only delays eviction. 
You can move, but you will still owe the back rent and maybe the mortgage.
Or, you can file bankruptcy.

Once you move, a Chapter 7 will discharge, a fancy word for get rid of, your back rent.  However, for most people, a Chapter 13 is better option.  It allows you to get back on your feet financially and to repay the back rent or mortgage over a five-year period.  And you can’t be kicked out while you do this.

Most people who are behind on their rent or mortgage are also behind on other bills, like credit cards or taxes.  Bankruptcy can help with those things, too.

Please call me at (805) 446-6262 and we will talk about how to keep you in your house.
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She Got A Restraining Order!

4/7/2020

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Hello, my name is Vernon L. Ellicott, and I am a domestic violence attorney. I help clients in times of personal legal crisis, like when someone got a domestic violence restraining order against you.  Today, I want to talk about domestic violence and what you can do to defend yourself against a restraining order.

Domestic violence is a very sensitive and difficult topic to discuss.  And no one wants to be convicted of domestic violence or have a domestic violence restraining order against them.
She Filed A Restraining Order!
Being convicted of domestic violence or having a domestic violence restraining order can follow you for many years.  It can affect your ability to work, where you can go, and what you can do.  Your personal rights are severely limited when you have a domestic violence restraining order or conviction.
 
Domestic violence accusations stop all visitation with your children.  You have to give up your weapons and may lose your job.  You could end up in jail or even prison!
What should you do if you’ve been accused of domestic violence?
The first thing you should do if you’ve been accused of domestic violence is get a good domestic violence attorney to defend you.  I don’t say that because I am a good domestic violence attorney.  I say that because it’s true!  I can’t tell you how many people try to defend themselves but end up losing because they do not know the law or the game to play in court.  Only good domestic violence attorneys—and prosecutors--do!

The second thing you should do after you get a good domestic violence attorney is to shut up! That’s right!
Stop talking to friends and family about what happened or what you are accused of doing.  And, don’t post your side of the story on social media. Nothing you say will help you and I guarantee it will hurt you.

Whatever you do, don’t contact your accuser!  And don’t have a friend contact your accuser either.  Getting arrested for violating a domestic violence restraining order will only make things much worse.

I will be happy to personally talk with you about domestic violence accusations and how to defend you. 
Call me at (805) 446-6262 for a confidential conversation.
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Do I Need to File for Bankruptcy?

4/1/2020

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I want to talk about bankruptcy and when you should file for bankruptcy.

Most people really do not know their financial situation.  They have not made a budget or added up their credit card debt.  When they do, they are surprised.

So how do you know if you can actually pay off your credit card debt, or if you should file bankruptcy to get rid of the credit card debt?

I have used a simple formula through the years to determine whether someone should file for bankruptcy or not.  Here it is: If your total credit card debt is 25% of your total annual income, you are in major financial trouble. You may be able to pay off the credit card debt if you incur no more debt and really buckle down on your expenses.
Use the percentage calculator:
Percentage Calculator
What is % of ? Answer:
is what percent of ? Answer: %
However, if your total credit card debt is 1/3 or more of your total annual income, I do not see any way that you will ever pay off your debt.  At this point, every spare penny you make is going to the minimum credit card payments. Every extra bill goes on a credit card.  The car needs tires—it goes on a credit card.  The refrigerator needs repairs—it goes on a credit card.

I do not see any way you can recover if your credit card debt us 1/3 or more of your total annual income.  Bankruptcy is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when.
Should I File for Bankruptcy
I will be happy to personally walk through an analysis of whether you have too much debt and need to file bankruptcy.  Call me at (805) 446-6262 and we can talk about whether you need to file for bankruptcy or not.
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    Vern L. Ellicott

    Vernon Ellicott has been practicing law for over 25 years and is admitted to the California and Texas State Bars.  He is a Certified Family Law Specialist

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Law Offices of Vernon L. Ellicott
Certified Family Law Specialist*
(*State Bar of California),
Also Licensed in Texas.

We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for Bankruptcy relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code.

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3435 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. #4361
Westlake Village, CA 91359

(805) 446-6262

VLE@VLELAW.COM
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  • Home
  • About
  • Bankruptcy
    • Chapter 7
    • Chapter 13
    • Chapter 11
    • Bankruptcy FAQs
  • Domestic Violence
    • Sexual Assault and Battery
  • Family Law
    • Child and Spousal Support
    • Custody
    • Divorce
    • Guardians and Conservatorships
    • Paternity
    • Property Division
    • Family Law FAQs
  • All Practice Areas
    • Bankruptcy
    • Criminal Law
    • Domestic Violence
    • Family Law
  • Ask Vern
  • Vern's Vlog
  • Contact