When we hear talk of cities reopening, it’s the thought of our favorite cafe or restaurant or beauty salon that springs to mind, not courtrooms, and certainly not evictions. But yesterday’s onslaught of eviction proceedings at Shelby County Civil Court show that our slow return to normal will result in familiar hardships for some. 9,000 eviction hearings are set to restart in Memphis. As states continue to battle the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, Tennessee is among several states that have lifted the moratorium on eviction proceedings. According to local attorneys, Shelby County civil courts have roughly 9,000 eviction hearings set to restart. “We have an upcoming surge of evictions, we know that, because we know that filings of
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a critical lifeline that helps millions of Americans endure tough times and get back on their feet. Without this vital support system, those who cannot work because of a medical condition might otherwise fall through the cracks. SSDI covers a range of conditions, and not just physical ones. Mental illness is among the most common injuries that SSDI covers. It feels particularly urgent to highlight the support available to those struggling with mental illness during this moment. If you have been facing mental health challenges as America battles the coronavirus, you should know that you’re not alone. Last month, a Washington Post article highlighted the toll this crisis has taken on our collective mental
Tax Day may fall on a different date in 2020, but the way that it’s sneaking up on us is the same as any other year. As you probably know, the Treasury Department and the IRS officially extended the annual tax filing deadline from April 15th to July 15th due to the coronavirus pandemic. Many of us end up procrastinating on our taxes much more than we intend to. I’m afraid that the intensity of the past few weeks will inadvertently lead many of us to fall back on our procrastination tendencies. The sooner you file your taxes, the sooner you’ll know if you’re getting a refund. And if you are getting a refund, I would love to chat, because
To call these last few weeks overwhelming would be an understatement. I know that many of us are struggling to keep pace with the frequency of news updates. We all could use a breather, but the fact remains that the coronavirus pandemic is far from over. Recently released data reveals the heavy toll this virus has taken, and continues to take, on nursing home residents. According to new data from the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity and ABC News, as many as 43% of coronavirus fatalities occur at long-term care facilities. In at least 18 states, it’s over 50%. Here are several key statistics about coronavirus deaths and nursing homes. There have been over 37,600 coronavirus-related fatalities at America’s
We are in the midst of a financial crisis that many families simply weren’t prepared for. Throughout my career as a Memphis TN foreclosure lawyer, I’ve met so many people working tirelessly to give their children the opportunities they deserve. Even without a pandemic, it’s often an uphill battle to make ends meet. With a sudden job loss or medical emergency, it’s virtually impossible. Right now, the scale of unemployment in America is far beyond what anyone could have expected. We haven’t seen these rates since the Great Depression. More than 40 million people have filed for unemployment benefits in two and a half months. Inevitably, millions of people are struggling to pay their bills. Many folks are understandably worried
A critical lifeline for injured or ill workers, Social Security Disability benefits (SSDI) are as important as ever during these unprecedented and uncertain times. As an experienced Memphis SSDI application attorney, my goal is to ensure that anyone who qualifies receives the benefits they are entitled to. The often intimidating application process is complex. It can feel overwhelming. Many people qualify—more specifically, anyone who is medically unable to work and has a substantial enough employment history to get necessary credits. However, far fewer applicants get their application accepted. Establishing a medical condition is a critical first step, without which it’s impossible to move forward with your application. Your condition must meet the Social Security Administration’s established criteria. In order to
Right now, as America struggles to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the economic consequences of this crisis continue to snowball. Millions of newly unemployed Americans have been forced to make difficult choices just to put food on the table. Earlier this month, I wrote about the number of Americans struggling to make their car payments. Subprime car lenders have seen significant drop-offs in payments as people go into survival mode during the pandemic. Auto loans are merely a fraction of the picture. Here are some recent statistics that give insight into the true toll of this financial crisis. Americans fell behind on 18 million credit card and auto loan payments in April 14.7 million credit card accounts entered financial
The deep stigma attached to bankruptcy makes filing seem like an admission of failure. For that reason, many people avoid it for far too long. The thing is, there’s no reason to be ashamed, especially not now, when millions of Americans have had their finances turned upside down practically overnight. As a Memphis bankruptcy lawyer, I’m here to say that bankruptcy doesn’t have to be a last resort. In fact, it shouldn’t be—there can be serious consequences if you wait too long. So, why wait? You owe it to yourself and to your family to take steps towards a better life, a brighter future, today. Waiting almost always costs you in the long run. Many people don’t just sit around
Every year, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for children in the United States. According to the CDC, 12,000 kids and teens ages 19 and under die from unintentional injuries caused by burns, drowning, falls, poisoning, and road traffic. An additional 9.2 million visit emergency rooms for nonfatal injuries. As America grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, many of us have come to realize that safety isn’t all that simple. There’s no question that the shelter in place and stay at home orders adopted by cities, counties, and states across the country have protected our health, but they inevitably impact our mental health and even our physical safety, with all the time our children are spending inside. I’ve written
Personal Injury Lawyer Renting a Bird electric scooter can be a fun and convenient way to explore a downtown area with friends or get to a venue where parking might be difficult. However, despite the fun and adventure these scooters represent, they do not come without their dangers as well. Some people have experienced significant injuries on these devices, so if you use them often, it may be helpful to know what to do if you become involved in an accident. Stay at the Scene If you were struck by a vehicle or accidentally hit a car or a pedestrian while riding the scooter, stay at the scene and call the authorities. If you are injured, call 911 and wait