Westchester County Bankruptcy Lawyers
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Contact Our Affordable Bankruptcy Lawyer In Columbus Ohio
During your initial free consultation, we take the time to sit down with you so we can clearly explain the process, thoroughly review your options and answer your questions. We want you to know what to expect. Though filing a bankruptcy may seem intimidating at first, we believe it is our responsibility to ease your concerns while we provide you with excellent legal representation.
Representing New Jersey Consumers Facing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
When an individual faces overwhelming debt and a bleak financial future, they may need a way to right their financial ship. Though a person may think that there is no recovery, bankruptcy is there to help. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the simplest form known to most. It allows a person to walk away from unsecured debts by liquidating assets. Simply put, you could get a fresh start after selling your assets that are not exempt. Many people shy away from bankruptcy because of an unjust stigma and the fear that they would lose their home. Many people are able to keep their homes and other possessions. The reality is, bankruptcy is regularly used by responsible people who have found themselves drowning in debt that was unforeseen, including medical bills, divorce costs, and more. If you need an attorney to guide you through the process of filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy, contact Underwood & Micklin for a consultation.
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Your Bankruptcy Trustee Can Also Tell You When You Can Avoid Bankruptcy
Licensed Insolvency Trustees are professionals who have a strict code of ethics and are regulated by the Canadian government.
Licensed Insolvency Trustees fees are also controlled by the government.
Our Licensed Insolvency Trustees are well trained professional debt consultants who must pass a bankruptcy course, have a university degree and must pass an RCMP investigation before they can receive their trustee license.
These friendly and licensed debt professionals are here to help you in any way they can.
Rules For Bankruptcy Petition Preparer Practice
As a debt relief agency, you are liable to your customers if you are negligent in performing the services required by the bankruptcy law or other services you have agreed to provide.
Specific Bankruptcy Petition Preparer Requirements:
As a BPP you must: sign and print your name, address and social security number on documents you prepare provide your customers with an official notice explaining that you are not an attorney and cant practice law or provide legal advice provide your customers with copies of the documents to be filed, and file an official document with the bankruptcy court disclosing your fees.
The new law specifically prohibits BPPs from:
1) providing customers with information or advice about bankruptcy, including:
Whether to file bankruptcy What type of bankruptcy to file What debts will be cancelled What property can be retained Tax consequences of filing bankruptcy Whether tax claims can be cancelled About repayment options About the nature of the customers debts, and About bankruptcy procedures and rights.
2) using the word legal in advertising
3) advertising under any category that includes the word legal
4) handling customers bankruptcy court filing fees
5) charging a fee higher than the maximum allowed by the court in which the documents will be filed.
6) advising a customer to exclude assets or income that must be included on applicable forms
7) advising a customer to use a false Social Security account number
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California Locations: Roseville Ca Auburn Folsom Yuba City And More
Bankruptcy attorney Seth Hanson practices before all divisions of the bankruptcy court for the Eastern and Northern districts of California and is among the top echelon of California bankruptcy attorneys. We have convenient locations throughout the region, including Sacramento and Roseville. Contact California bankruptcy attorney Seth Hanson today at 780-7005 and schedule your FREE consultation to discuss your debt relief options.
Average Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney Fees
Most Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorneys will base their fees on how complicated your case is and what other attorneys in the area would charge for a similar bankruptcy. If you have a lot of assets or debt, you might pay more than an unemployed person with no assets.
In general, attorney fees for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy range from $1,000 to $3,500 depending on the complexity of the case. Larger firms with more advertising and overhead costs sometimes charge more than a solo practitioner, but not always. Some larger operations offer low fees and count on a higher volume of cases. Also, you might find a solo practitioner will cost more but offer more personalized service. It will depend on the office.
You can expect a newer attorney to charge less than a more experienced lawyer, and if your case is a simple Chapter 7, you might not need an attorney with years of experience. Keep in mind, however, that bankruptcy is a specialized area of law and that most attorneys who don’t regularly practice bankruptcy won’t accept a bankruptcy case.
When shopping around for a bankruptcy lawyer, call at least a few attorneys in your area. Compare their fees and ask if bankruptcy is an area they specialize in, as well as the number of cases they file each month.
Find out more in What to Look for in a Bankruptcy Lawyer.
Read Also: When To File Bankruptcy Chapter 13
Where To Find A Bankruptcy Lawyer In Your Area
You donât have to hire an attorney to file bankruptcy, but having an attorney on your side to give you legal advice and handle creditorsâ phone calls may be helpful. It may also be helpful if you have a complicated bankruptcy case with many non-dischargeable debts or lots of assets that arenât covered by exemptions. If you want to hire a bankruptcy lawyer to help with your case, you have a few options:
If you hire a law firm, avoid bankruptcy mills. It’s hard to establish a meaningful attorney-client relationship when working with a bankruptcy mill, as you may not see the same person twice. Also, avoid hiring a paralegal to help you with your case. They can’t give you legal advice, and the state bar or bankruptcy court may not even allow them to assist with your bankruptcy filing. Donât hesitate to schedule consultations with a few attorneys and to ask questions about how they can help. You want to choose the right bankruptcy attorney for you.
How Do You Find A Bankruptcy Attorney
Youll need to conduct a little bit of research to find the best bankruptcy lawyer for your situation. Start by pulling up a list of attorneys near you. Identify a few lawyers who have high ratings, mostly positive customer reviews and the required credentials in your state.
Once you have a list of three to five potential attorneys you can hire, figure out how much they charge. Ask for a free cost estimate and ask them to explain their fee schedule. Choose an attorney with a solid track record and reputation, fair pricing and the right credentials.
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Why File For Bankruptcy
People wind up filing for bankruptcy for many reasons, often involving outside forces or unforeseen expenses: Medical debt and unexpected health care costs can quickly spiral out of control, credit card debt can accrue due to business expenses or needing to use a credit card during periods of unemployment and low cash flow, investments in the stock market, real estate or other financial vehicles might suffer due to a financial crisis, or a supply chain shutdown can cause debt to cascade in times of pandemic or due to oil price fluctuations. In any of these situations, a bankruptcy attorney can help you find the best course of action.
You Don’t Need To Be Judged You Need To Be Helped
DebtStoppers is one of our countrys largest bankruptcy law firms. We’ve helped countless families stop foreclosure, garnishment and repossession, eliminate debt and hold on to their homes, vehicles and valued possessions. We offer sound debt advice, answer your questions and guide you through the bankruptcy process patiently and professionally. We will always treat you with the respect you deserve. We know how it feels to be overwhelmed by debt and we’ll take all the time needed to make sure we understand your situation and your wishes.
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Lawsuit Defense And Litigation
Where neither bankruptcy nor debt settlement is an option, and a lawsuit is filed by a creditor, we can provide an aggressive defense in court. In some cases, such as where the statute of limitations has expired, or where the creditor does not have the necessary documentation for the debt, litigation in court may be the best way to completely eliminate the debt.
What To Consider When Hiring A Lawyer
Whatever your particular legal needs might be, it is likely that many attorneys have the education,skill and experience to serve you effectively. However, finding the right fit might require youto review the credentials of several lawyers and examine several different considerations.
At the outset, you should take an honest look at your situation and determine if a legal solutionexists. If youre unsure, it might be worthwhile to take advantage of a free consultation withan attorney who handles that type of matter. Together, you can explore your options carefullybefore choosing a course of action.
Should you be engaged in a dispute or charged with a crime, its important to hire an attorneywho will work with you to identify the best way to achieve your desired result. Some lawyersare more comfortable advocating for their clients in court while others are better at negotiatingmutually acceptable agreements.
You should always ask for clear information about fees and the lawyers particular experiencewith situations such as yours. When youre already familiar with an attorneys basic credentialsthrough Lawyers.com, you can make the most of your initial consultation.
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Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome and Martindale-Hubbell accepts no responsibility for the content or accuracy of any review. For more information on Martindale-Hubbell Client Review Ratings, please visit our Client Review Page
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What Is Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation is the practice of taking out one large loan to pay off a bunch of smaller debts that are charging higher interest.
Debt consolidation may or may not be a good idea, depending on your situation. Lower interest is a good thing, but turning unsecured debts into secured debts can be a costly mistake if you eventually file bankruptcy anyway. Unsecured debts can often be eliminated in bankruptcy, while most secured debts cannot. If you can’t pay your secured debt — or if the payments are late — you may lose your home.
Also, the fees for setting up such loans can be expensive.
How To Find A Bankruptcy Attorney
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Your bankruptcy attorney will serve as your advocate and guide through what is a sometimes confusing process. Taking the time to contact a few lawyers and knowing what to look for can set you on the path toward successfully filing for bankruptcy.
When hiring an attorney to help you file your Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy case, look for expertise, a fair price and a communication style youre comfortable with.
To find a local bankruptcy attorney, seek personal referrals from friends or family or your own attorney. You can also find bankruptcy attorneys through the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.
Recommended Reading: How To File Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Yourself In Oregon
The Discharging Of Debts
If you are successful, most debts will be discharged. You can walk away with only the impact to your credit score. This is not the end of the road. With the right financial planning, you should be able to fully recover and even gain credit in the future. There are some debts that cannot be discharged, including student loans, child support, and most tax debts.
Bankruptcy Is About To Take Off
Bankruptcy attorneys are in demand, but to be clear, this doesnt mean every company that isnt Amazon is about to go bankrupt. Adam Silverman, managing partner of Chicago commercial insolvency and bankruptcy boutique, Adelman & Gettleman, explains that filing for a Chapter 11 is traditionally the last resort for our clients. Its incredibly expensive. We spend a lot of time trying to find alternatives to it.
I had long thought there was going to be a retail apocalypse, and this is likely to be the tipping point…
To that end, Ali Kelly suggests that, in the approaching Covid fallout, practically every single business loan will need some sort of modification. Restructurings, reorganisations and other repairs to the creditor-debtor relationship will all be key in preventing bankruptcies, but as the crisis threatens to rumble on and on, Adam Silverman sees a worsening situation for struggling businesses. I envision that banks are going to re-evaluate loans because they are thinking about the second wave of infection. Theyll want to get rid of the weak links in their loan portfolios.And in terms of which industries will likely be hit, Silverman saysretail establishments are easy targets to name. It is not difficult to speculate that once forbearance agreements and principal deferrals expire, banks will become more aggressive.
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Filing A Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Case Without An Attorney
As mentioned before, hiring a lawyer can be helpful, but itâs not legally required. In fact, many people file bankruptcy successfully without one every day. The Bankruptcy Code, which lays out bankruptcy laws, allows you to file your case on your own. This is also called filing pro se. If you want to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy to deal with overwhelming , we encourage you to see if you’re eligible to use Upsolve’s free filing tool. It will help you navigate thebankruptcy process without a lawyer.
What Does A Bankruptcy Lawyer Do If You Hire A Chapter 7 Or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorney Here’s What That Lawyer Should Do For You
Filing for bankruptcy is a great way to get out from under burdensome debt, and most people feel a tremendous sense of relief when their bankruptcy case is over. But understanding the process and filling out the bankruptcy forms can be daunting.
That’s where a bankruptcy lawyer comes in. Not only will you receive legal advice, but a bankruptcy attorney will handle the paperwork from start to finish. Below are some of the most common types of services you can expect from your bankruptcy lawyer.
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How Do I Choose A Bankruptcy Lawyer
Consider the following when contacting a law firm and determining which lawyer to work with:
- Comfort Level
- – Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information? How do you feel when speaking with the attorney?
- Credentials
- – How long has the lawyer offered legal advice to clients in bankruptcy cases? Has the lawyer handled cases before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court?
- Cost
- – Is the attorney affordable for your price range? Can the lawyer estimate the cost of your bankruptcy filing, including filing fee?
- City
Why Use Lawyerscom To Find A Lawyer
Lawyers.com is an excellent starting point as you look to find a successful resolution toyour legal challenge. We make it easy to search for attorneys by location and practice area and offer critical advantagesto simplify the process of selecting the correct attorney for you. In just a few moments, you can develop a detailedperspective on the firms that handle issues like yours and the qualifications of the lawyer who work there.
You can rely on Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings to see how colleagues who are familiarwith an attorneys work assess his or her ability and legal ethics. Our site also includes detailed ratings and commentsfrom clients who have been represented by a particular lawyer.
Building on a tradition lasting more than 150 years, Lawyers.com uses informationfrom official records and attorneys themselves to give users accurate profiles of the professionals who are qualifiedto help them.
Once youve narrowed down your choices, Lawyers.com allows you to compare multiple attorneys,side-by-side. Rather than searching through different firm websites to find the key information youre looking for,youre able to compare education, experience and other credentials on an even playing field. To make sure that thelargest amount of people are able to make informed judgments regarding legal counsel, our site publishes this datain English and Spanish.
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