Xenophon Peters, a founding partner at Las Vegas-based law firm Peters and Associates, has seen a roughly 20 percent increase in bankruptcy filings in the last couple of years.

Question: Between gifts, travel, and other holiday and living expenses, my credit card bill is astronomical, and I’m not sure how to get back on track for the new year. What should I do?

Question: I received a court summons for an unpaid credit card debt. I knew I was behind on my payments, but I thought I would have more time to figure it out before I’d be faced with anything like this. The court says I have to respond in 20 days. What do I do?

Question: I was expecting a bonus from work that didn’t come, and now I’m strapped for cash during the holidays. I’m thinking about taking out a payday loan. I know the interest rates are high, but I’m desperate and it would only be this one time. What should I do?

Question: A few years ago, an investment property of mine was foreclosed on. Since then, I’ve been focused on rebuilding my credit score and have been careful to avoid anything that would negatively affect my credit. Now, I want to refinance my primary home, but I’m worried it will be denied because of the past foreclosure. What are my options?

Question: I’m in my early 30s, and I feel like it’s time to get some of my important documents in order. I have a general folder that I use for things like my Social Security card, my children’s birth certificates and mortgage documents, but I’m wondering what else I need. Am I too young to create a will? Should I start

Question: My son broke his arm playing at a friend’s house. The other boy’s parents were very helpful — they called me immediately and took him to the emergency room for treatment. Unfortunately, our health insurance is limited and it won’t cover most of the claim. I like the other family but I’m frustrated with the situation and I’m not sure

Question: I’m new to the city and looking for a home to rent. What do I need to know about renters’ rights in Las Vegas before I sign a lease?

Question: My husband recently brought up the topic of “getting our affairs in order.” While it seems premature to me — we’re only in our 40s and are both in good health — we want to make sure our kids would be protected if anything were to happen. When is the right time to start this process? What documents do we

Question: Last week I was rear-ended during my drive to work. Immediately after the accident, the other driver and I pulled off to the side of the road to exchange information. The other driver told me that he did not have car insurance but would pay for my repairs out-of-pocket. Now, I have a quote from the auto body shop

Question: I’m new to Las Vegas, and one of the first things I noticed was a large number of legal advertising — magazines, billboards, radio, TV commercials, it goes on and on. What’s the deal with that? And how is one supposed to choose a lawyer when they actually need legal help?

Question: I was recently bitten by my neighbor’s dog, and I had to go to the emergency room for stitches. I’ve known the dog, and his owner, for many years. While I’ve seen him growl and act aggressively, I’m not sure he’s ever bitten anyone before. Because of this, I don’t necessarily want to get the police involved, but I

Question: I was road-tripping to Los Angeles last weekend and got into a car wreck. The driver who hit me was fine, but I got pretty banged up and had to be taken to a local hospital via ambulance. Now I’m back home in Las Vegas, but I have to sort it out with the insurance company in California. Can

Question: My bankruptcy was just discharged, and I feel like I’m finally able to start living again after many years stuck in debt. Unfortunately, my credit score is low and I’m considered a subprime borrower by the lenders. What can I do to start rebuilding my credit score?

Question: When I was growing up, no one taught me how to handle my finances and it got me into trouble as an adult. Now I’m a father, and I want to teach my children good money habits so they won’t face the same problems I did. How can I do this in a way they’ll understand?

Failing to pay the minimum on your credit card bill, or failing to pay altogether, can have a slew of serious consequences, both in the long and short term. There are many actions that can be taken against you, and they can get progressively worse the longer you’re unable to pay.

Question: I am an experienced rider. A few months ago, I was riding my motorcycle home from work, and as I crossed over into the left turn lane, my front tire hit an unmarked rut in the road. I was thrown from the bike and wound up in the hospital with several broken ribs and other injuries. My medical bills

For some people, personal finance is second nature. Some were taught by their parents. Others were taught in high school as part of a class called home economics— long before home ec turned into a baking class. For many people, though, understanding how to budget, plan for expenses, manage, leverage and avoid debt is a mystery.

Question: I took out a 10-year, interest-only mortgage to purchase a new home in 2006, and now it’s adjusting. I’ve never missed a payment, but the payment is about to go up from $550 to almost $1,400 per month. I’m underemployed, I can’t afford the new payment and I’m also underwater, so I can’t seem to qualify for refinancing. Is

Question: I’ve been getting calls lately from a company that is promising to settle my credit-card debt for a small percentage of what I owe, as long as I pay an up-front fee for their services. How does this work? Is this a legitimate way to settle my debt?

In the Aug. 28 edition of The Sunday, we went over the basics of tracking your spending. But understanding your spending is just the first step in creating a simple budget. I know “budget” is a scary word for some; it involves planning, math and discipline. But what is a budget? At the most basic level, budgeting means planning before

Question: There’s a bunch of stuff on my credit reports that isn’t right. Some of it isn’t even mine. I wrote letters questioning the incorrect line items, but almost everything came back as verified or accurate. I’m desperate, but I don’t know what to do. 

Student loan debt and the cost of higher education in the United States are hotly contested and pressing issues for consumers, educational institutions and lawmakers. Marketwatch reports there is $1.3 trillion owed in student loan debt in this country, making it the second-largest type of consumer debt behind only mortgages. Further, about 11.6 percent of that debt ($146 billion) is

In previous weeks, we’ve gone over tracking your expenses and creating a basic budget for essential spending. Once you’ve started with these skills and made appropriate adjustments to ensure you’re bringing in more money than you are spending, it’s time to start building an emergency fund. Imagine the last financial crisis you had. It was likely something you didn’t expect,

In a state as car-centric as Nevada, being a pedestrian or cyclist can leave you vulnerable, especially when fatality rates have seen such a dramatic rise. In 2015, there were 73 reported pedestrian fatalities, up from 36 in 2009. While these numbers on their own are alarming, they don’t account for the people injured when hit by a car. Knowing

In previous editions, we tackled budgeting for the essentials and setting up an emergency fund for the unexpected. Now, it’s time to talk about the most difficult part of personal finance: debt. Being in debt is no fun. Getting harassed by debt collectors because you’re behind is even worse. Fortunately, there are several avenues for getting out of debt. Once

How much do you really know about credit scores? If you’re like most people, you probably believe your score is a magic number that tells a bank whether it should let you buy a house or car, or issue you a credit card, and what interest rate banks will charge you when they lend you money. A common misconception is

Question: I was involved in a car accident that left me with substantial medical bills. I’m already getting calls from the insurance company about a settlement. I want to resolve the issue quickly, but I still have follow-up appointments with my doctor and I’m worried the settlement amount won’t cover the full cost of my expenses. What should I do?

Question: I’m in my 80s and have recently been hit with medical bills that are more than I’m able to pay on a monthly basis. My daughter suggested I take out a reverse mortgage to increase my cash flow. I need the money now and have plenty of equity in my home, but it seems risky. What would a reverse