“After taking business transactions apart in the courtroom for more than twenty years, clients (and opponents) began asking me to work on their transactions from the front and prevent the ten most common problems from ever occurring in the first place.”

________________________________________________________

James Montgomery

I am the San Antonio business lawyer who works with people in buying and selling businesses, planning for the future, and to get out of financial trouble.

For the last thirty years, I have tried cases for plaintiffs and defendants in State and Federal courts from California to Texas to Delaware. I have been the advocate for individuals and small companies as well as companies in the Fortune 100.  Those litigation cases have ranged from representing thousands of homeowners for broken plastic pipe in their homes to oil royalty disputes to breach of confidentiality agreements.

After literally taking business transactions apart in the courtroom for years, clients (and opponents) began asking me to work on the transactions from the beginning to try to prevent the problems from ever occurring.  In that stance, I have helped buyers and sellers in the sales of businesses ranging from large retail stores and manufacturing facilities to insurance agencies.  I have helped clients buy multi-million dollar, multi-story office buildings and and negotiate commercial lease agreements.

I work to improve the way my clients do business if that fits their goals.  I help design corporate structures and business transactions to increase profit, minimize taxes, and  make sure that assets are protected from lawsuits.  Having filed many suits and obtain judgments, I have learned where the potholes will be.

My business advice programs are based on regular review and meetings in order to get to know the client’s business and plans in more depth than is possible in the normal “hire a lawyer only when in trouble”.  It will cost a lot more for me to get you out of trouble than it would cost to keep you out of trouble in the first place.

Buy Sell Business -Business Planning

Family Wealth Planning | Wills | Trusts

Contact Us

Library

I have been named a SuperLawyer in Texas and featured in Texas Monthly.

My lawyer peers have granted me “AV” which is Martindale Hubbell’s (rating agency) highest peer rating for lawyers.

I have presented papers and spoken to audiences that range from service clubs to the State Bar of Texas Continuing Legal Education seminars. I was recently named Individual Finalist, San Antonio Ethics In Business Award, 2009 by the San Antonio Business Journal.

http://mashable.com/2010/02/24/social-media-trust/

Have you read the Referral of a Lifetime by Tim Templeton?

It has a roadmap to effective client contact
Buy your own copy here:

http://www.amazon.com/Referral-Lifetime-Networking-Bottom-Line-Blanchard/dp/1576753212/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267034307&sr=8-1

(I get no referral commission)

Experienced credit card debt negotiators will tell you that they deal with individuals who suffer from chronic stress almost every day. Chronic stress shows itself in a number of ways as physical symptoms, severe headache, churning stomach, sleeplessness, and even chest pain.

Settlement, credit card debt, is it feasible? Or is it really a myth circulated by scam debt settlement companies?

It is possible to settle credit card debt.

The financial reporting requirements for financial institutions and credit card companies require them to write off the defaulted debt which is an unsecured loan in 180 days. Now that does not mean that you do not owe the debt any longer. It simply means that the debt is now worthless on the books of the credit card company. That result does give opportunities for you to pay off debt at less than the full amount you owe.

If the debt is not collected in 180 days, most companies sell the debt for pennies on the dollar. When the sale occurs depends on the company. Some try to collect the debt themselves for up to a year and others sell the debt immediately. Experience tells one which company does what.

Once the debt goes to collection usually after three months, contact with the debtor accelerates. The contact can be demand letters, phone calls, etc. Some collectors even lie and tell the debtor that they are sending someone to do an asset investigation and that the debtor is required to produce documents. The range in collectors is very broad and unfortunately there are a few bad apples whose tactics are questionable, if not illegal.

Creditor calls come at any time of day if uncontrolled. Calls can be at home at early morning or during the evening or even on Saturday. Creditors even use automated calling systems to get an answer and then come on the line while the system is looking for another debtor.

What do you do? You can actually restrict contact by a letter to a creditor instructing the creditor not to call or contact you. There is specific language that should be used in the notice.

By restricting access, the stress of the collection process can be significantly reduced.

If you cannot deal with the pressure get someone in between you and the creditor, an experienced debt negotiator. By proper notice, all contact with the creditor will flow through the negotiator who will seek to settle credit card debt

Settlements depend on the company involved. Credit card debt settlement can range anywhere from 25 to 70% of the amount owed, if lump sum.

If you cannot do a lump sum, the settlement will need to be a higher amount.

Alternatively, you may not be in a position to pay even a percentage of the debt and you may need to consider credit card debt bankruptcy. The best advice is for you to seek out a good bankruptcy attorney and get advice on your particular situation.

You can learn more about settlement credit card debt and get a free report at Settlement Credit Card Debt

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Montgomery

Make sure you review the credit card interest rates on your account this billing period. We are finding that the companies have been raising their rates supposedly with disclosure.

We have spend a lot of time negotiating credit card settlements over the last nine months. The credit card companies are experiencing huge losses and it is clear that they see this new law as a way to recoup some of their losses. The reaction is to raise rates before the effective date.

Be very careful to review your account this month.

Next Newsletter I will address how you report violations of the Act. Questions, just let us know how we can be of service, 210-690-3700.

Don’t Get Identity Theft Protection
Go Ahead – Roll The Dice!

I don’t know whether or not you have real identity theft protection – the kind that will repair your credit not just notify you if something is reported. Don’t get identity theft protection unless you value your security. This program covers fixing your problem, not just alerting you like almost all the ones advertised (and for only about $35 per month). Makes a great employee benefit. Can be paid before taxes.

Click Here To Find Out How To Get Identity Theft Protection
_______________________________________________________________________

Time for a business security audit? – Call me 690-3700
_______________________________________________________________________

Interested in buying notes?
I am forming a group to buy to buy a note that will be secured by real estate and refinanced within one year. Total will be about $400,000 in $50,000 pieces. This notice is not an offer to participate. If you want to know more, call me at 690-3700.
_______________________________________________________________________

If you know someone who might want to read The Montgomery Letter – just go to my website, www.jamesmontgomerylaw.com and enter their name and email address in the subscription box on the right side of the page. Send them an email that you gave it to them. They will receive an email asking them to confirm the subscription.

1. Monitor your credit report

Many consumers don’t even realize their identity has been stolen until they are denied credit due to information provided on their credit reports.

2. Don’t give out personal information indiscriminately

Before you give any personal information by mail, internet or telephone, confirm you are dealing with a legitimate organization.

3. Be careful with your mail

Don’t use an unsecured mailbox when mailing anything that contains financial information. Mail sensitive materials from a post office collection box or your local post office. Remove mail from your own mailbox promptly. And, if you’re planning to be away from home, be sure to put a hold on your mail until you return.

4. Guard your trash

Identity thieves have been known to gather personal information from trash. Before throwing them away, be sure to tear or shred your charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, bank statements, and the credit card offers you get in the mail.

5. Only give your Social Security number when absolutely necessary

There are legitimate reasons you will be asked for your Social Security number. Your employer and financial institution may need it for wage and tax reporting, and it’s usually necessary whenever a credit check is required. Before giving out your number, be sure to ask why it’s needed and how it will be used

6. Pay attention to billing cycles

If your bills don’t arrive on time, follow up with creditors. A missing statement could mean an identity thief has taken over your account and changed your billing address.

7. Exercise caution online

Before making any purchase via your computer, look for the icon of a lock in the lower right-hand corner of your browser window. If it’s there, you’re dealing with a secure site. If not, you’ll be safer finding another merchant.

8. Remove personal information from old computers

If you delete sensitive files by using your keyboard or mouse, the files may remain on your computer’s hard drive where they can be easily retrieved. To make sure your files are unrecoverable, use a “wipe” utility program to overwrite the entire hard drive.

Following on that thought — it is not just old computers.

With free programs, the PASSWORDS on your computer are available RIGHT NOW to anyone who gets access to your web browser.

Here is information YOU MUST KNOW to protect the security on your computer – Read It Right Now. . .
Don’t Get Identity Theft Protection
Go Ahead – Roll The Dice!

I don’t know whether or not you have real identity theft protection – the kind that will repair your credit not just notify you if something is reported. Don’t get identity theft protection unless you value your security. This program covers fixing your problem, not just alerting you like almost all the ones advertised (and for only about $35 per month). Makes a great employee benefit. Can be paid before taxes.

Click Here To Find Out How To Get Identity Theft Protection

Time for a business security audit? – Call me 690-3700
_______________________________________________________________________

Know someone facing foreclosure? – they need to talk with me about their options
690-3700

Looking for a private investor that would be interested in buying out a client’s current investors on a $17k note. The client is offering 12% and 2 points for a 1 year note. It is on a current rental property that the client has owned for 4 years. If you or someone you know would like to know more, please email me at jemlaw@mac.com.
Interested in buying notes?
I am forming a group to buy to buy a note that will be secured by real estate and refinanced within one year. Total will be about $400,000 in $50,000 pieces. This notice is not an offer to participate. If you want to know more, call me at 690-3700.
_______________________________________________________________________
If you know someone who might want to read The Montgomery Letter – just go to my website, www.jamesmontgomerylaw.com and enter their name and email address in the subscription box on the right side of the page. Send them an email that you gave it to them. They will receive an email asking them to confirm the subscription.