The holidays can make it especially easy to overspend, but the financial consequences can follow you well into the new year. Bankruptcy attorney Ashley Morgan joins Steve to discuss how families can enjoy the season while making more intentional decisions about their spending, from setting realistic priorities and planning ahead for holiday expenses to reviewing recurring costs and finding room in the budget. In the interview, Ashley recommends starting early rather than allowing gifts, travel, celebrations, and other expenses to hit all at once.
Ashley also explains what to do when debt has already become difficult to manage. She breaks down the differences between debt consolidation and debt settlement, the potential risks of using home equity to consolidate unsecured debt, and why some debt-settlement programs can leave consumers facing lawsuits, fees, or tax consequences. She also walks listeners through the basics of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy and explains why talking with a bankruptcy attorney before a financial crisis can help people better understand the options available to them.
Ashley F. Morgan is the founder of Ashley F. Morgan Law, PC, a Northern Virginia law firm focused on bankruptcy, debt relief, and tax resolution.
She is licensed to practice law in Virginia and is admitted to the U.S. District Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Much of Ashley’s legal career has focused on helping individuals and small businesses navigate financial challenges, including Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, creditor settlements, tax issues, and other alternatives for managing debt.
She is fluent in English and Spanish and is committed to making debt-relief options understandable and accessible to the clients and communities her firm serves.
Ashley is active in the bankruptcy-law community and has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, named to Virginia Business Legal Elite, and included among Northern Virginia Magazine’s Top Lawyers.
Her commentary on consumer debt and personal finance has appeared in national publications including Fortune, Newsweek, and MarketWatch.
For those who want to learn more about the bankruptcy process, Ashley F. Morgan Law also offers a bankruptcy resource center covering the basics of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, eligibility, the filing process, and what to expect.