Unexpected medical bills is one of the leading reasons people file for bankruptcy protection, but according to local news sources, a Charlotte, North Carolina man, James Verone, told reporters from jail he robbed a bank of $1 in order to be sent to jail so he could get healthcare, thus avoiding bankruptcy. The 59 year old Verone, who has no job and a depleted bank account, also has a some kind of growth on his chest, two ruptured disks, and a problem with his left foot.

Without the financial sources to get medical help, he concocted the idea of going to the bank where he reportedly handed the teller a note saying he was robbing the bank, but only wanted one dollar. After receiving the dollar, he told the teller he would be sitting over by the window until the police arrived. Verone was reportedly not armed with any type of weapon when police found him sitting where he said he would.

While waiting trial, Verone told one news source from his jail cell his plan was to be sent to prison for 3 years until he reaches social security retirement age. He told the reporter since being in jail, he was now getting good healthcare, a roof over his head, and plenty to eat. It was further reported by yet another news source Verone claimed he planned on heading for the beach when he finished his jail sentence. He said he had already contacted a realtor on Myrtle Beach, South Carolina about a condominium.

You have probably heard the old adage about the better laid plans of mice and men, they dont always go as planned. Seems Verone, since he wasnt carrying a weapon, was not charged with robbery but larceny instead, which carries a lot lesser sentence. If it is his first time to be in trouble with the law, the man if convicted could possibly get parole with time already served, that is, if the judge handling the case doesnt require Verone to take tests for being mentally disturbed. Along with his bold move to put himself in jail and making the comments he thinks he can live at Myrtle Beach on the early retirement of social security may make him suspect to the judge on his rational thinking. If so, the judge could send the man to a mental hospital indefinitely for observation, and a worse case scenario would be that he could be committed.

In these tough economic times, people feel they are being forced into desperate measures. There is no doubt unexpected illnesses and the medical bills associated with them can ruin our financial status overnight. The traditional way to deal with these problems has been to get the medical help, then fight with the bill collectors for collection. Historically, when there is a loss of income and depleted banks accounts associated with an unexpected medical bills, most are forced into a bankruptcy protection situation.

The moment you file a bankruptcy, a judge will order all collecting actions to cease, an important feature called the automatic stay. The automatic stay, applicable to all types of bankruptcy filings, means that the mere request for bankruptcy protection automatically stops and brings to a cessation certain lawsuits, foreclosures, utility shut-offs, evictions, repossessions, garnishments, attachments, and debt collection harassment. That means all creditors will have to go through a US Bankruptcy Court trustee in order to deal with their debtors.

Any way you cut it, it is really not rational to rob a bank to get healthcare to deal with your medical expenses. Even if Verone is successful at getting himself convicted and put into prison for 3 years, he will come out of prison a felon which is far more of a problem than having a bankruptcy placed on his credit report for up to 10 years. He will be a felon for life.

Bankruptcy laws can be complicated, and common sense indicates you might need a bankruptcy lawyer in order to help you understand how these complex laws may apply in your particular situation. If you determine you are in need of relief from the stress associated with debt and you live in or around the metropolitan area of Columbia, South Carolina, contact us here today at . We will help you find a bankruptcy attorney in your area that will help you with any questions you may have on bankruptcy law.

 

 

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