Daniel Edward Mueller

We represent individuals and business owners in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, civil litigation, debt settlement, debtor defense, foreclosure defense, mortgage modification, business law, and intellectual property. Our goal is to find the right solution for each client.

In addition, we represent clients in several areas of consumer law, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and other federal and state statutes intended to protect consumers from abusive debt collectors, creditors, and scammers.

Our business practice includes business formation, strategic planning, contracts, business debt negotiation, regulatory compliance, trademarks, copyrights, and outside general counsel services.

We represent clients throughout Pennsylvania and Washington DC. (Offices located in Center City in Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.)*

Not all services are available in all locations.

• Debt Settlement

• Free Consultation
  We offer a free debt consultation to individuals in our geographic practice area. See our website for details.
• Credit Cards Accepted
  We accept most major credit cards. (Bankruptcy clients may pay via debt card.)
• Contingent Fees
  Representation in some non-bankruptcy matters is available on a contingency fee basis.

Pennsylvania

Since 2007

South Carolina

1994-1998

Washington

Since 1996

Senior Partner

Harborstone Law LLP

2006 - Current

The primary focus of this practice is Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, debt negotiation, intellectual property, and business law. (Formerly, Harbrostone Law Group.)

CEO

Flying Dart Productions

2002 - 2006

Documentary film production company producing videos for non-profits and advocacy organizations.

Attorney

Groff Murphy, Lawyers

1999 - 2002

Practice focused on complex commercial litiation.

Principal Attorney

Mueller Law Firm

1996 - 1999

Primary focus of practice was on bankruptcy and civil litigation.

Attorney

Suggs & Kelly, Lawyers

1993 - 1996

Primary focus of practice was on complex civil litigtion, including product liability, insurance bad faith, medical malpractice, and ERISA.

University of South Carolina - Columbia

J.D. | Law

1990 - 1993

Honors: Associate Editor in Chief of the SC Environmental Law Journal. Dean's List.

Activities: Pro Bono Program. Trial Competition. Faculty Research Assistant. Faculty Research Supervisor.

Furman University

B.A. (1986) | History

1986

Honors: Cum Laude, Deans List

Activities: Congressional intern, Municipal Intern, Various Volunteer Activities,

National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys

Member

2009 - Current

Pennsylvania Bar Association

Member

2007 - Current

Washington State Bar

Member

1996 - Current

High-Income Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: Crossing the Threshold

Philadelphia Bankruptcy Attorney Blog

November, 2010

Senior Citizens and Bankruptcy: When the Wolf is at Grandma's Door

Charleston Bankruptcy Blog

October, 2010

Q. If I'm being sued for,more than the maximum amount that a court of common pleas can give what happens?

November 7, 2023

A: You may be thinking of the Magisterial or Municipal courts. The jurisdictional limit in the Magistrates and Municipal Courts (small claims divisions) in Pennsylvania is $12,000, including attorney's fees. (It does not include post-filing interest and court costs.) If the case is over $12,000, the plaintiff can waive some of the damages to keep it under the $12,000 limit. Otherwise, the judge may dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction.

There is no upper jurisdictional limit in the Court of Common Pleas. However, cases under $50,000 filed in Common Pleas court will typically be referred to mandatory arbitration. Either party can appeal the arbitrator's award to the Common Pleas Court. ... Read More

Q. My wife received an oral deposition notice from a law firm via certified mail looking to collect a +10 year old debt

May 10, 2023

A: It is possible that a creditor sued your wife on a debt, and, for whatever reason, she was never properly served. This might happen, for example, if the creditor cannot find the defendant and obtains permission for alternate service by mail or publication. If there is no response, the creditor might obtain a default judgment. (Note that depending on the court, older cases can be challenging to find on the docket. You may want to call the court clerk or prothonotary for help locating it.)

Generally, once a creditor has a judgment in Pennsylvania, it has twenty years to collect against the debtor's personal property. The judgment also becomes a lien on the debtor's real property. (Although judgments may fall off credit reports after seven years, it does not affect collectability.)

Your wife should speak to a debtor defense attorney right away. If she was never served, it may be possible to reopen the judgment and raise any defenses she would have had. (However, ten years is a long time.) In the alternative, an attorney may be able to help her protect her assets and settle the matter.

The other possibility is that it is a scam. There are several scams going around where the scammer impersonates a lawyer, law firm, court, or law enforcement. However, you may wish to seek counsel either way. Certainly, do not deal directly with the sender unless you are sure you are dealing with a legitimate law firm. ... Read More

Q. How long a Bank can collect on a judgment in PA? Judgment was on my credit report for 7 years but not sure when Status

February 14, 2023

A: Credit reporting does not affect the time in which a creditor can collect a judgment. A creditor with a money judgment in Pennsylvania can collect against the debtor's personal property, including money in bank accounts, for up to 20 years. In addition, as my colleague noted, judgments become liens on real property and can be transferred between counties. (Note that Magisterial Court judgments generally do not become liens on real property and have other collections limitations unless transferred to Common Pleas Court.)

You may want to discuss the matter with an attorney who handles debtor defense and debt settlement to discuss your options. Even if there is no defense to collection of the judgment, an attorney can often negotiate a settlement of the judgment for significantly less than the balance. ... Read More