GINA MICALIZIO

ATTORNEY AT LAW PC

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GINA MICALIZIO

ATTORNEY AT LAW PC

As the owner and principal attorney of her firm, Gina recognizes that what is most important is that her clients be fully heard and understood, and she has dedicated herself to ensuring that everyone she helps receives the dedicated, personalized service that they deserve. For over thirty years, Gina Micalizio has been providing families and individuals with personalized legal services to guide them through some of life’s most challenging encounters.  After graduating from the University of Central Florida, Gina went on to pursue her long-held desire to practice law, attending law school at Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. Upon graduation, and having been admitted to practice in both the state of Georgia as well as Florida, Gina was hired as a staff attorney for a general practice firm where she was first exposed to those areas that would later define her practice: estate planning, bankruptcy, and debt collection.

A short time after she began working, Gina was noticed and recruited by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). She joined the organization as an associate counsel. Her responsibilities included liquidating the assets of failed financial institutions, assessing claims against those institutions, and evaluating deposit insurance coverage. She was lead counsel for several FDIC receiverships in the state of Florida and Georgia.

After ten years with the FDIC, Gina made the decision to start her own practice based in the Atlanta, GA area, and after twenty years is grateful for the opportunities she has had to help her clients and their families navigate the often confusing and ever-complex challenges that life has thrown their way.

PRACTICE AREAS

Estate Planning

What is Estate Planning?

Estate planning is the important – and often overlooked – act of making a plan, in advance, of what will happen to your possessions after you pass away. Estate planning may at times mean little more than writing a simple will, but regardless of the complexity of your personal situation it’s absolutely necessary that you obtain qualified legal guidance from an estate planning lawyer when crafting estate planning documents such as wills and trusts. Even a small mistake made by following a “do it yourself” website can have tremendous consequences down the road, and are easily avoided by consulting with an attorney.

Does everyone really need an estate plan?

Absolutely. Estate planning isn’t just for those fortunate enough to call themselves retired, nor is it only for the rich and famous. Good estate planning often means the most to those families with a modest amount of assets: those who are least able to bear the burden of time, tax, and legal wrangling

Proper estate planning is about the preservation of those things you worked so hard to obtain.

I wrote my will and left it in my spouse’s possession – that’s all I needed to do, right?

It’s important to understand that while a will provides your instructions, it does not avoid the probate process. Probate is the state-driven process of distributing payments to creditors, and dividing up assets after death.  If a loved one has passed, this process is critical to transferring assets to those you have designated in your will.  Any assets or belongings with your name in the title (with a few noteworthy exceptions), even if they are directed by your will, won’t be distributed to your heirs until they are first processed by your state’s probate court.

Another option besides a will is to organize what’s called a revocable living trust. It is an estate-planning tool avoids the probate process.  There are drawbacks to this which I can discuss more fully with the client.  Assets, once placed into your trust, may be ordered to remain there under the management of a trustee that you select, until the beneficiaries whom you wish to receive the fruits of your earthly labor reach the age that you decide. Proper estate planning is about the preservation of those things you worked so hard to obtain.

 

Other Items to Consider in an Estate Plan

Durable Power of Attorney for Asset Management – This is a legally binding document that allows another person either complete or partial authority to sign documents in your name on your behalf when you are absent. It remains valid should you become incapacitated, ending only upon death. This is what people generally mean when they talk about “power of attorney”. Please note Georgia has a new Power of Attorney law as of July 2017 which made significant changes to the existing law.

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care – This is a legally binding document that allows another person to make health care decisions on your behalf in the event that you can’t do so on your own. This is what people mean when they talk about “medical power of attorney”.

Living Will – A written document that indicates your desire to be kept alive or not kept alive by life support if you are rendered non-responsive by terminal illness or injury.

Bankruptcy

What is Bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy is a legal process that allows you as an individual or business to rid yourself of a debt that you cannot pay back, through the power and protection of the federal bankruptcy court. There are several different types of bankruptcy, but the two most common and most frequently employed are called Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.

Did I read that right? You mean my debt will just go away?

The purpose of bankruptcy is to wipe the slate clean and offer a fresh start to debtors, and while there is a process that must be followed, as well as rules and regulations that must be adhered to, that’s essentially correct – your debt will be discharged, or forgiven, and disappear upon the successful completion of a bankruptcy filing. You’ll have to understand though that bankruptcy is not a “fix-all” to every type of debt out there. Some types of debt, like student loans, child support, and alimony payments cannot be discharged through bankruptcy.

How can I figure out if I’m eligible for bankruptcy?

Every case is different, so it’s really important that you consult with a qualified bankruptcy lawyer like Gina to find out exactly how your debt load can be improved and/or removed. That said, the type of bankruptcy most appropriate for you is typically determined by three things:

  • Is your income above or below that of the median income in the state of Georgia?
  • Do you have enough disposable income to repay some debts?
  • Do you own your car and/or home?

Once again, the type of bankruptcy that is right for you may be very different than the type of bankruptcy that’s right for your neighbor. It’s vital that you enlist the services of a qualified attorney to determine what the right next step for your situation is, and come up with a plan to get you out of debt.

If I’m worried about losing my home – can bankruptcy help me?

The answer to this question depends on the details of your exact personal situation, but in many cases the answer is yes.  Bankruptcy laws will allow you to catch up on your mortgage payments if you are behind.

I’m ready to stop paying these debts – how do I know Gina is the right attorney for me?

Gina has been working tirelessly to help clients recover from burdensome financial situations and get a fresh start on building wealth. Having worked for the FDIC collecting debts for ten years means that she has knowledge and experience with both sides of the bankruptcy process – something that most other bankruptcy attorneys don’t have.

Debt Collection

What is debt collection?

Debt collection is the legal process of pursuing what’s rightfully owed to you by those for whom you’ve rendered service or product. If you’re a small to mid-sized company with accounts receivable that need to be addressed, an attorney like Gina who is experienced with collection matters is exactly what you need.

I’m not convinced – wouldn’t I be better off with a bigger collections firm?

Big collection firms are almost exclusively intended for giant corporate accounts, and the legions of attorneys they employ – not to mention the outrageous fees they charge – mean that anything they recover from your debtors will go directly into their pockets – not yours. Gina Micalizio has a career’s worth of experience on both sides of the debt collection process.

  • At the FDIC, Gina directed a team of attorneys to collect delinquent loans from failed banks.
  • As associate counsel for Hancock/Whitney Bank, Gina worked specifically on collection strategies in the face of bankruptcy and asset protection mechanisms.

Gina has the experience, ability and drive to fight for you, as well as the confidence to do so on a contingency basis. Call her to set up an appointment to recover what is owed to your business.

I’m impressed – but can you tell me more about what the collections process is like?

The truth is that every situation is unique; that’s why hiring a debt collections attorney like Gina is so important – she has the experience and insight to help you map out the best course of action for your business’ specific situation.

This sounds great, but it sounds like Gina’s experience is more than I can afford. Is that true?

Not at all! Her thirty-plus year career has exposed her to both sides of the negotiating table, and she understands how tight small business margins can be. Indeed, one of the reasons she started her solo practice was to make the services of an attorney like her available to a market in desperate need of such experience.

She strives to bring big-business legal representation to small-business clients that need it, and as a result her fee is 100% contingency based. She asks only that the client pay standard collection fees (filing fees, sheriff’s fees, etc.), and takes payment for herself only upon a successful recovery. Call her to setup an appointment, and let her help you craft a plan to get all of your business’ accounts back into the black.

What is Estate Planning?

Estate planning is the important – and often overlooked – act of making a plan, in advance, of what will happen to your possessions after you pass away. Estate planning may at times mean little more than writing a simple will, but regardless of the complexity of your personal situation it’s absolutely necessary that you obtain qualified legal guidance from an estate planning lawyer when crafting estate planning documents such as wills and trusts. Even a small mistake made by following a “do it yourself” website can have tremendous consequences down the road, and are easily avoided by consulting with an attorney.

Does everyone really need an estate plan?

Absolutely. Estate planning isn’t just for those fortunate enough to call themselves retired, nor is it only for the rich and famous. Good estate planning often means the most to those families with a modest amount of assets: those who are least able to bear the burden of time, tax, and legal wrangling

Proper estate planning is about the preservation of those things you worked so hard to obtain.

I wrote my will and left it in my spouse’s possession – that’s all I needed to do, right?

It’s important to understand that while a will provides your instructions, it does not avoid the probate process. Probate is the state-driven process of distributing payments to creditors, and dividing up assets after death.  If a loved one has passed, this process is critical to transferring assets to those you have designated in your will.  Any assets or belongings with your name in the title (with a few noteworthy exceptions), even if they are directed by your will, won’t be distributed to your heirs until they are first processed by your state’s probate court.

Another option besides a will is to organize what’s called a revocable living trust. It is an estate-planning tool avoids the probate process.  There are drawbacks to this which I can discuss more fully with the client.  Assets, once placed into your trust, may be ordered to remain there under the management of a trustee that you select, until the beneficiaries whom you wish to receive the fruits of your earthly labor reach the age that you decide. Proper estate planning is about the preservation of those things you worked so hard to obtain.

 

Other Items to Consider in an Estate Plan

Durable Power of Attorney for Asset Management – This is a legally binding document that allows another person either complete or partial authority to sign documents in your name on your behalf when you are absent. It remains valid should you become incapacitated, ending only upon death. This is what people generally mean when they talk about “power of attorney”. Please note Georgia has a new Power of Attorney law as of July 2017 which made significant changes to the existing law.

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care – This is a legally binding document that allows another person to make health care decisions on your behalf in the event that you can’t do so on your own. This is what people mean when they talk about “medical power of attorney”.

Living Will – A written document that indicates your desire to be kept alive or not kept alive by life support if you are rendered non-responsive by terminal illness or injury.

What is Bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy is a legal process that allows you as an individual or business to rid yourself of a debt that you cannot pay back, through the power and protection of the federal bankruptcy court. There are several different types of bankruptcy, but the two most common and most frequently employed are called Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.

Did I read that right? You mean my debt will just go away?

The purpose of bankruptcy is to wipe the slate clean and offer a fresh start to debtors, and while there is a process that must be followed, as well as rules and regulations that must be adhered to, that’s essentially correct – your debt will be discharged, or forgiven, and disappear upon the successful completion of a bankruptcy filing. You’ll have to understand though that bankruptcy is not a “fix-all” to every type of debt out there. Some types of debt, like student loans, child support, and alimony payments cannot be discharged through bankruptcy.

How can I figure out if I’m eligible for bankruptcy?

Every case is different, so it’s really important that you consult with a qualified bankruptcy lawyer like Gina to find out exactly how your debt load can be improved and/or removed. That said, the type of bankruptcy most appropriate for you is typically determined by three things:

  • Is your income above or below that of the median income in the state of Georgia?
  • Do you have enough disposable income to repay some debts?
  • Do you own your car and/or home?

Once again, the type of bankruptcy that is right for you may be very different than the type of bankruptcy that’s right for your neighbor. It’s vital that you enlist the services of a qualified attorney to determine what the right next step for your situation is, and come up with a plan to get you out of debt.

If I’m worried about losing my home – can bankruptcy help me?

The answer to this question depends on the details of your exact personal situation, but in many cases the answer is yes.  Bankruptcy laws will allow you to catch up on your mortgage payments if you are behind.

I’m ready to stop paying these debts – how do I know Gina is the right attorney for me?

Gina has been working tirelessly to help clients recover from burdensome financial situations and get a fresh start on building wealth. Having worked for the FDIC collecting debts for ten years means that she has knowledge and experience with both sides of the bankruptcy process – something that most other bankruptcy attorneys don’t have.

What is debt collection?

Debt collection is the legal process of pursuing what’s rightfully owed to you by those for whom you’ve rendered service or product. If you’re a small to mid-sized company with accounts receivable that need to be addressed, an attorney like Gina who is experienced with collection matters is exactly what you need.

I’m not convinced – wouldn’t I be better off with a bigger collections firm?

Big collection firms are almost exclusively intended for giant corporate accounts, and the legions of attorneys they employ – not to mention the outrageous fees they charge – mean that anything they recover from your debtors will go directly into their pockets – not yours. Gina Micalizio has a career’s worth of experience on both sides of the debt collection process.

  • At the FDIC, Gina directed a team of attorneys to collect delinquent loans from failed banks.
  • As associate counsel for Hancock/Whitney Bank, Gina worked specifically on collection strategies in the face of bankruptcy and asset protection mechanisms.

Gina has the experience, ability and drive to fight for you, as well as the confidence to do so on a contingency basis. Call her to set up an appointment to recover what is owed to your business.

I’m impressed – but can you tell me more about what the collections process is like?

The truth is that every situation is unique; that’s why hiring a debt collections attorney like Gina is so important – she has the experience and insight to help you map out the best course of action for your business’ specific situation.

This sounds great, but it sounds like Gina’s experience is more than I can afford. Is that true?

Not at all! Her thirty-plus year career has exposed her to both sides of the negotiating table, and she understands how tight small business margins can be. Indeed, one of the reasons she started her solo practice was to make the services of an attorney like her available to a market in desperate need of such experience.

She strives to bring big-business legal representation to small-business clients that need it, and as a result her fee is 100% contingency based. She asks only that the client pay standard collection fees (filing fees, sheriff’s fees, etc.), and takes payment for herself only upon a successful recovery. Call her to setup an appointment, and let her help you craft a plan to get all of your business’ accounts back into the black.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

Gina is extremely approachable and down to earth. She assisted me with the preparation of my will. Gina asked enough questions to gain a an accurate understanding of my needs and wishes. She has the ability to explain things in layman’ s terms. Because of my excellent experience with her, I have referred several friends to her for preparation of their wills. The value of Gina’s services far exceed expectations. Connie M.

Very professional and friendly. Really felt a rapport and trust with her. Will definitely use her services again. Very impressed. Roz C.

Knowledgeable about the subject matter, good vibe when you are in her office and reasonable fee for the work. Hassan H.

From our 1st mtg, Gina was professional and respectful. She showed caring in understanding my circumstances and fully explained my options. I am grateful for her knowledge, attention to my case and securing an acceptable resolution. I feel her fee was more than reasonable. Marsha M.

Working with Gina was great. She quickly evaluated my situation and was able to help me come up with a plan of action to get my finances in order and file my Chapter 7 bankruptcy. I received my discharge papers recently and I’m now moving forward with a much better financial situation. Scott

CONTACT

“Taking care of what’s important to you is what’s important to me. Give me a call, and let’s work together to craft a legal plan that makes sense for you.” – Gina Micalizio

DUNWOODY OFFICE

1847 Peeler Rd.

Ste. C

Dunwoody, GA, 30338

CUMMING OFFICE

101 Pilgrim Village Dr.

Ste. 200

Cumming, GA, 30040

MARIETTA OFFICE

3101 Cobb Parkway

Ste 124

Atlanta, GA, 30339

FAYETTEVILLE OFFICE

210 Trilith Parkway

Ste 100

Fayetteville, GA, 30214