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Camarillo, CA—Bankruptcy attorney Brian Nomi knows how much a clean financial slate can mean to some people.

“There was one client in particular who had a second mortgage and a daycare business,” Nomi recalled in a recent interview with laws.com.  “She was not a wealthy woman at all.  We were able to wipe out all of her debts, including her second mortgage.  This woman didn't even speak English, just Spanish, and at the end of the case, she had no second mortgage, no credit card debts, and she was able to keep her house and run her business.  She was very grateful to me and I'm very pleased to have worked with her.”

While many people have talked about the bankruptcy reforms of 2005 changing the bankruptcy law landscape, Nomi says that this isn't his experience.  “I don't think the reforms have had that much of an impact—people who need to file bankruptcy can still file bankruptcy,” he says.  “There's just a few little hoops you have to jump through, in terms of getting credit counseling.  I don't think it's that huge at all, really.”

Today, the biggest challenge for bankruptcy attorneys may actually be the slightly improving economy.  Nomi says: “A lot of people in the last five years who have needed to file bankruptcy have already filed, so it's getting challenging to find new clients.  If you don't get the new clients, you're not going to get the business.  I've had a hundred cases a year for the last three years, but this year looks like it's going to be a little bit slower.”

According to Nomi, some changes in the bankruptcy code could make life substantially easier for debtors who need a second chance.  For example, student loan debts have become a bigger source of debt for Americans than credit cards.  “It's unfortunate, because they can't discharge student loan debt as a general rule,” he explains.  “I think there is a need for some reform in that area, because there are a lot of people stuck with a ton of student loan debt that they just can't get out from under.”

“The courts should provide easier ways for people to discharge student loans without having to show extreme hardship,” Nomi continues.  In the current bankruptcy code, only people who have become disabled and have no way of making income are typically granted relief from student loan debts.

While some people can use personal finance advice to avoid bankruptcy, Nomi says that for the majority of clients, that's just not enough.  “If you can avoid bankruptcy, that's great,” he says.  “Most of my clients have something unexpected happen to them in terms of becoming disabled or getting laid off from their job.  It's not something that can be avoided, for the most part.”

Once the bills pile up, Nomi believes that it's usually best to see an attorney and see what your options are.  “Don't be afraid of bankruptcy,” he cautions.  “Get the information and then make a decision.  Maybe bankruptcy is right for you, maybe it's not.  Just get the information and make a decision that makes sense for you.”

The Law Office of Brian Nomi is committed to providing the highest quality legal services at a reasonable price. Fees will be discussed up front and with full disclosure throughout the representation.