Hawaii Bankruptcy Attorney | Blake Goodman
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Proactive Approach to Bankruptcy

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Bankruptcy and Security Clearances

Can I Obtain a Security Clearance if I File Bankruptcy?

Our Hawaii Bankruptcy Attorney Provides Solutions

Security clearance is an essential qualification for a military career. Without it, promotion may be difficult and service members may be removed from their assignments if they are unable to achieve and maintain proper security clearance. Hawaii bankruptcy lawyer Blake Goodman assists military personnel with financial problems every day. If you have questions about military service, security clearances and debt, contact our office for confidential and candid legal advice from our security clearance lawyer.

Do Financial Difficulties Hinder a Security Clearance?

A 2006 memo with the subject “Implementation of Adjudicative Guidelines for Determining Eligibility for Access to Classified Information” from the Department of Defense outlines the reasons why financial difficulties may be cause for denial or revocation of security clearance:

“Failure or inability to…meet financial obligations may indicate poor self-control, lack of judgment or unwillingness to abide by rules and regulations, all of which can raise questions about an individual’s reliability. An individual who is financially overextended is at risk of having to engage in illegal acts to generate funds.”

The memo then proceeds to list financial factors that may pose obstacles to achieving clearance, including:

  • Inability or unwillingness to pay debts
  • Debt caused by irresponsible spending
  • A history of not meeting financial obligations
  • Embezzlement, theft and check fraud
  • Failure to file tax returns
  • Unexplained affluence
  • Evidence of gambling problems

Some factors that are not listed as concerns include:

  • Low credit scores
  • Debt negotiations
  • Bankruptcy

You read that correctly – debt negotiations or a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy is not a reason for denial of security clearance.

In fact, military personnel are more likely to be denied a security clearance if they have unmanageable debt and have done nothing to fix the problem. Servicemen and women who are honest about their debt situations and demonstrate efforts to fix the situation will be in a better position to achieve or maintain a security clearance than individuals do nothing to address their financial difficulties.

How Can I Address Those Financial Difficulties?

If you are in this situation and don’t know what to do then giving those of us at Blake Goodman a call might be what you need. Not only can we help you with your final decision, but we can give you peace of mind with your situation

The stress something like debt puts on the mind can be monumental. It does more than just impact your finances, but changes every decision you make in life. Grocery shopping? You wonder if you can afford what you are paying for. Car troubles? You worry that you are going to have to take out a loan that you can’t pay back. 

Nobody should have to deal with this kind of stress and that’s what we at Blake Goodman are here to help you with. We can help you erase that debt, take the necessary steps towards getting back into a positive financial situation, and eventually be in a situation where you feel great about your finances. For many, however, the first step is the most difficult and that is accepting they need to file for bankruptcy.

Far too many people wait too long to accept that they need to file for Bankruptcy and instead spend years in debt allowing that debt to cripple them. 

Bankruptcy will not ruin your life

A huge misconception about bankruptcy is that it will ruin your life. You will never receive a security clearance, you will never buy a house, and it will remain on your credit report forever. Absolutely none of this is true. 

As we already showed you earlier, bankruptcy does not have an impact on your ability to obtain a security clearance. Nor does a poor credit score or being involved in debt negotiations. This is because most of these not only go hand in hand but are a sign that you are attempting to solve your debt.

Through bankruptcy, the majority of your debts may be cleared from your name and allow you to take those first steps toward living a debt free life. This is the purpose of bankruptcy. To give you a second chance.

What about my credit score?

When you file for bankruptcy your credit score is going to take a hit, but considering you are in deep enough debt to where you have to file for bankruptcy your credit score was probably already not great. In fact, in a way, filing for bankruptcy can improve your credit score if you approach the steps afterward in the correct way.

Once your debts have been cleared you are going to have a chance to build up positive credit through options such as mortgage loans, credit card payments, and car payments. Yes, the interest rates on these are going to be high, but as long as you are paying everything off on time you shouldn’t have to worry about that. 

We Can Offer a Solution

The same DOD memo states that the individual under consideration should not be considered a risk if they have “received counseling for the problem…or given clear indication that the problem is being resolved or is under control”. It also worthwhile to note that filing for bankruptcy is a government-backed solution for overwhelming debt – the same government that currently employs you.

By seeking out bankruptcy you are actively seeking “counseling” for your debt. You are approaching a problem and attempting to solve it. As long as you are consistently working towards fixing the problem then your security clearance may remain safe. If you are still worried about losing your security clearance because of your financial situation then speak with those of us at Blake Goodman. We may be able to help you seek alternative options. We want to help make sure you don’t lose that security clearance that is likely a huge part of your livelihood.

If you’re worried about losing your security clearance due to a bankruptcy, our security clearance lawyer can help. Filling out our questionnaire or calling 808-528-4274 can be the first step towards solving your financial problems and achieving and keeping your security clearance.

Honolulu

Address: 900 Fort Street Mall Suite 910, Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 528-4274

Kaneohe

Address: 46-005 Kawa Street #206
Kaneohe, HI 96744
Phone: (808) 528-4274

Aiea

Address: 498-211 Pali Momi St. #608
Aiea, HI 96701
Phone: (808) 528-4274

Maui

Address: 220 Imi Kala St suite 203 c
Wailuku, HI 96793
Phone: (808) 426-2004

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James Terry

James Terry is a 2017 graduate from the University of Hawai’i William S. Richardson School of Law in Honolulu. Upon graduation, he worked as a clerk in the State of Hawai’i Intermediate Court of Appeals before accepting the job at Blake Goodman, P.C. He is licensed in Hawai’i and admitted to the Federal Courts for the District of Hawai’i. James was born and raised in Hawai’i on the island of Oahu and attended Saint Louis High School and Hawai’i Pacific University prior to entering law school.

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Vianne Yang

Viane was born in California and eventually was drawn to the islands. With her degree in finance, she hopes to assist clients get out of debt and start a fresh new life. In her spare time, she enjoys running along the beach and catching beautiful sunsets.

Coronavirus – Our Firm’s Response
The health and safety of our staff and our clients is our first priority.
Staff will stay home if they are sick. And, we recommend that client’s do the same. We will
be happy to reschedule any office meetings.

For our potential clients and existing clients:

We will be happy to offer all of our services online.

You may even have your free consultation by phone.

After retaining our office, we can work with you via phone and emails. We can even file your
case electronically. Therefore, we can both perform our duties to keep the members of our
families and community safe from the spread of Covid-19.

We are prepared to do everything possible to be proactive and safe.
We believe that our actions today will safeguard the health of our clients and staff, while
continuing to serve you with unsurpassed professionalism and support.

Honolulu Office Parking

Free Parking Locations

Parking option #1 : Downtown municipal parking, 1052 Bethel Street.

Clients who are disabled or nursing should be aware that there are no elevators, only conveniently located stairs at the downtown Municipal Parking Lot.

Parking option #2 : Chinatown municipal parking, Marin tower 60 N., Nimitz Highway. Parking entrance on Smith Street.
Parking option #3 : Harbor Court Parking, 847 Bethel Street.

You can find our office in the heart of downtown Honolulu. The office is very easy to find, and we cover all parking costs, if you park in one of these three parking locations listed below. Please don’t park in our building at Pioneer Plaza. We don’t reimburse you for that cost.

Hawaii bankruptcy lawyer Blake Goodman is ready to help you and your family put your financial struggles behind you and begin the next chapter in your life. We can assist with your Chapter 13, Chapter 7 or debt settlement claim. You may also wish to contact our Windward Side-Kaneohe office.

Kaneohe Office Parking

There is ample free parking in front of and behind the building. We look forward to addressing your student loan, debt settlement, tax resolution or Hawaii bankruptcy concerns. There is no charge for your first consultation. You can also contact our Honolulu office.

Aiea Office Parking

Turn at the Big City Diner off Pali Momi Street. Free parking available in front of building.

Use the information to contact our Hawaii bankruptcy attorneys‘ Pearlridge – Pearl City – Aiea office. Someone from our office will be in touch shortly. We look forward to addressing your student loan, debt settlement, tax resolution or Hawaii bankruptcy concerns. There is no charge for your first consultation. You can also contact our Honolulu office or at our Windward Side-Kaneohe office.

Malia Conner

Born and raised on the island of Oahu, Malia Connor moved to California’s Bay Area to study dance at San Francisco State University, where she formed her own dance company, 25 years ago. She moved back to Oahu in 2017 to begin taking care of her aging parents.

Malia is excited for the opportunity to help Hawai’i residents get out of debt and is eager to apply her executive admin skills and creativity to the team of Blake Goodman.

Anna Lisa Hughes

Anna Lisa Hughes received a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from San Francisco State University, and became fluent in both Spanish and Mandarin Chinese while studying and working abroad in Chile and China. Anna Lisa has nine years of paralegal experience in various areas of practice, including immigration, estate planning, civil rights, and bankruptcy law. Originally from Colorado, she moved to Hawaii for the cultural and ethnic diversity of the island of Oahu. Outside of the office, Anna Lisa has also had a career in music as a bassist and songwriter.

Joshua Humpries

Joshua Humphries is a 2008 graduate from the Widener University School of Law in Delaware. Upon graduation, he worked for a national law firm specializing in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies for several years before moving to a smaller firm where he continued he established the firm’s bankruptcy practice. During that time, he also represented claimants in workers compensation and social security disability claims. In 2013, he also began practicing in the areas of debt collection and general civil litigation. He is licensed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Hawaii and admitted to the Federal Courts for the District of New Jersey, Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania and the District of Hawaii.

Dora Casillas

Prior to coming to this beautiful island, Dora Casillas lived in Simi Valley, California where she worked in the legal field for 18 years. Dora finds bankruptcy law the most rewarding where at the end of the day, she knows she helped many obtain a fresh start leading to a less stressful life.

Born in Texas and raised in California, Dora is fluent in Spanish. She enjoys the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, along with the hiking trails and beaches. Dora is thrilled to be here and to have the opportunity to work with such a great team to serve the people of Hawaii.

Julia Oaten

I attended the University of Manchester, (UK) gaining a B.A. with Honors in Art History, before obtaining my J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Before moving to Hawaii and specializing in bankruptcy, I practiced criminal law as a Public Defender in Annapolis, MD.

While I am Cuban – Armenian, I grew up in England. My family and I moved to Hawaii in 2007 when my husband was offered a great job here. I stayed at home until we were all settled in and then responded to Blake’s job offer, and have been here ever since. I am the proud owner of an English bulldog and I enjoy fishing and hiking Oahu’s beautiful island with my husband and young son.

I really enjoy helping our clients achieve a fresh start and hopefully relieve them of some of the stress being in debt can cause while protecting them from creditors and helping them survive the bankruptcy process with their dignity intact.

Blanca Goodman

I’m Blake’s wife of 20 plus years. My job is very exciting – I deal with all our clients’ creditors, collections agencies and attorneys. I process all our client’s bills statements, warnings letters, and law suits. I’m the one who spends one hour or more on the phone finding the accounts or negotiating the best deal I can for our clients.

I’m from Mexico and I came to this country 20 years ago. I speak Spanish, and I would love to learn Japanese and Korean. We have two smart twin girls. One of my greatest enjoyments is to listen to audio self improvement books, and classical music.

I dance Kahiko and Auana hula, and wake up every morning to a Zumba exercise routine.

My purpose is to help our clients find debt freedom as soon possible, between 2 years or less. I do have constant communication with our clients about their case, and I want our clients to feel that I do care deeply from my heart.

Jeff Mulford

Jeff Mulford attended California Western School of Law in San Diego, California on a creative problem solving scholarship. When he first stated practicing in 2010, he represented numerous chapter 7 clients throughout Southern California during the height of the foreclosure crisis. He enjoys practicing bankruptcy law because it provides relief to people going through difficult times and puts them on a fresh start towards a brighter financial future.

Prior to law school, Jeff earned an M.B.A. with a concentration in finance from California State University, Long Beach and a B.A. from the University of California at Davis.

Jeff moved to Hawaii in 2016 because he loves the beauty of the islands and the slower pace of life. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and reading.

Blake Goodman

I received my law degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 1989 and have been exclusively practicing bankruptcy related law in Texas, New Mexico, and Hawaii ever since. In the past, I was a Certified Public Accountant, receiving my license from the State of Maryland in 1988. Today I am unlicensed, inactive and am not holding myself out as a CPA.

I specialize in providing solutions to a family’s debt burdens and tax problems. To date, I’ve helped over 8,000 individuals and families alleviate their financial setbacks caused by overwhelming debt problems. Our law firm is one of the largest bankruptcy filers in the entire state of Hawaii. I am a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association, the Federal Bankruptcy Law Section, the Tax Freedom Institute and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers. In addition to being a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, my article “The Often Overlooked 10-Year Tax Discharge Rule” was published in the ABI Journal.

I moved to Hawaii in 1999 with Blanca, my wife, who works with me at the office, because we wanted to live in tropical paradise. We now have twin daughters and have found Hawaii to be more than just a pretty place to live. It is the center of the universe for us.