Knoxville Bankruptcy Attorneys, Clark & Washington, Teach Lessons from Dorothy Dandridge Bankruptcy

NORCROSS, GA, January 17, 2013 (Press-News.org) The Knoxville bankruptcy experts at Clark & Washington know that almost anyone can fall victim to financial problems that eventually lead to bankruptcy. We only have to look to some of the most loved celebrities to see that it only takes one mistake to lose control of our finances.

The Cost of Fame
As Knoxville bankruptcy lawyers, Clark & Washington, acknowledge, Dorothy Dandridge was for many years one of America's most promising and popular singers and actresses. From her early days as a touring performer performing at such venues as the Cotton Club and Harlem's Apollo Theater, she cracked her way into Hollywood, starring in her first major role opposite Harry Belafonte in the 1952 movie Bright Road.

After Dandridge appeared in Otto Preminger's all black version of Carmen Jones in 1954, she became the first African-American to be nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards and only the third to be nominated in any category at all. Audiences and critics loved her, and Dandridge seemed set to become one of America's most cherished performers. However, despite the critical acclaim, her downfall had already been set in motion. In 1959, Dandridge discovered that her financial managers had swindled her out of $150,000, an enormous sum of money at the time, and she was on the hook for $139,000 in back taxes that she thought had been paid.

With movie roles drying up and not enough savings to clear her debt, Dandridge had to file for bankruptcy, put her mentally ill daughter into care and move into a small apartment in West Hollywood. She'd later suffer a nervous breakdown, and her career would never recover. Today, all that remains of her legacy is a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Lesson to Learn
As we've seen in this case, bankruptcy can happen to almost anyone, from blue-collar workers to Academy Award nominees at the peak of their fame. Knoxville bankruptcy attorneys, Clark & Washington, know that it only takes one little slip up to come off the rails, and in an economy such as ours today, our grip on our financial stability has never been more loose.

So what should you do if you find yourself in a similar situation? The first step is to contact a Knoxville bankruptcy attorney. You would need the help of experienced professionals who can advise you on the best way to bring your finances back under control.

The Knoxville bankruptcy lawyer professionals at Clark & Washington will look at your current financial situation and recommend the next steps. If it's possible to avoid filing for bankruptcy, they'll even help you with advice on how to do so and how to manage your current debt. If it's too late, they'll navigate the complex legal pathways to make your experience as smooth and painless as possible.

Bankruptcy can happen to anyone, but the ones who come through it and go on to success in the future are the ones who ask for a helping hand. To learn how you can get a helping hand, visit http://www.knoxvillebankruptcyattorney.com.

About Clark & Washington:

Established in 1983, Clark & Washington is now one of the leading bankruptcy filers in the Southeast. They have locations in Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. Clark & Washington specializes in personal chapter seven and 13 bankruptcy. They offer honest, helpful legal advice to those experiencing financial hardships.

For more information, visit http://www.knoxvillebankruptcyattorney.com.

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