Transcript:

Yes. Hello. Good afternoon, Richard Shea here with Sawin and Shea. As you are aware, due to COVID-19, there had been a lot of moratoriums on place regarding debt collection and especially related to utilities. Well, as noted in the Indianapolis Star, just yesterday, those moratoriums are starting to come to an end.

So let’s talk a little bit about what to do if you’re in a situation where you are behind in your utilities and you’re facing potential shut off or termination of your utilities. The first step is of course, to try to contact the utility, either IPL or the gas company, to try to work out some payment arrangements that’s satisfactory to you and them that will allow you to maintain utility service. But at the same time, if that doesn’t happen and they are shutting off your utilities, or you have already been shut off, bankruptcy may be an option to help you there. With a bankruptcy filing the utility is required by law to reinstate your service or to stop from terminating your service. At that point in time, we can use the bankruptcy code to then set up a reasonable security deposit, or have a hearing to determine what that security deposit should be moving forward. There are caveats and restrictions you must meet to maintain those services, but at least get your utilities back on. Keep your lights on, keep your water on, keep your gas on so that you can still live a comfortable life.

If you have questions or need help, please feel free to give us a call. Thank you much.