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Considering Bankruptcy?
Call Attorney David A.
Casey
For Your Free Initial
Consultation
(619) 447-6780
We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for relief under the
Bankruptcy Code.
Personal
Bankruptcy and other options are available to you. Before we get into the other
options I will give you a short description of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13
and why so many people are utilizing this relief today.
Chapter
7 and Chapter 13 are the two main chapters under Title 11. This
is referred to by many as the Bankruptcy Code. A Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
is a liquidation of assets while a Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a
reorganization where the debtor creates a three to five year payment plan.
Under Chapter 7, you can still keep some assets and most of the time under
Chapter 13 you can keep all or just about all of them.
The primary
reasons for filing personal bankruptcy are general as follows:
(1) Unforeseen medical expenses;
(2) Excessive credit card debts;
These are usually caused from loss of
employment, reduction of work hours, divorce (very common), unable to get a
home loan or refinancing due to the value of the home having declined to
more than what the home is worth. Needless to say many of these events
create not only financial difficulty, but also a tremendous amount of
disruption and stress within the family. This makes it especially important that individuals consider
all available options and bankruptcy alternatives to make sure whatever
action they settle on is in their best long term interest.
For most individuals, bankruptcy is the only
option left.
I have seen many people who have tried to work with the creditors only to struggle for years
and end up owing more than when they started. To them, a bankruptcy may not
be the only option but the best option that makes any sense.
It helps relieve stress. You really do get a fresh start if you
file Chapter 7. Some may not be able to file Chapter 7 for a
number of reasons thus a Chapter 13 is another option that can help relieve the
pressures of a large debt payment and extremely high interest which only gets
you into deeper hot water.
For many borrowers who now find themselves unable to
borrow or repay accumulated obligations, bankruptcy protection will
eliminate past debts (school loans, taxes, and others remain unaffected),
but the negative repercussion is that it can linger for years. The good news
with so many individuals having to seek this relief in the last couple of
years it does not have the same effect on you as it did many years ago,
based on some well-known financial planners opinions.
Depending upon the state, bankruptcy can be on your
credit report for up to a decade and may limit the opportunities
available to those who file. But again if you are behind on your bills
that will remain on your credit report anyways.
For those suffering the most dire circumstances, bankruptcy is
necessary to safeguard you and guide you to a fresh start. For most, when they start
considering bankruptcy, it is already too late to recover without some legal
help. As a bankruptcy attorney, I want to help you through this
difficult period of time. I will review your case and provide you
with sound advice
so you can make the decision on what is your best option based on your
circumstances.
I will provide
you with the information you need "like it is". No candy-coated or
enticing line to get you to file for bankruptcy. I want you to be
able to be aware of both the "good" and the "bad" side of bankruptcy.
Again it is best to talk with a bankruptcy attorney
about your situation. I will discuss the
different programs – Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.
Each has their own advantages and drawbacks. If working with the creditors
is possible then we can try that first. I always believe
in keeping all options open and providing alternatives that work
best for you.
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What Are My Debt Relief Options?
Though recent media coverage of debt relief programs tends to put them all
together, there’s actually a great difference between the debt relief
options. The bankruptcy plan is often used to compare each of them to
debt settlement, to consumer credit counseling, and some other limited
government programs.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy should be considered when
it is the best option available. Years ago it was only used as a
"last resort". Today, it is used a lot more since the banks and other lending
institutions may have cut off funding.
The effect of filing for Bankruptcy protection can
be the breath of fresh air you and your family may need. It may be on your
credit report for up to 10 years in certain states. It is now
important to have an attorney filing the bankruptcy since the rules for
filing Bankruptcy have changed. Bankruptcy is up 30% over 2007!
Yes, it is harder than ever to “wipe the slate clean” in some cases. My
office can advise you on what options you have and how effective each of them
will be. Even if you cannot
wipe your slate completely clean you still might be able to get just about all of the
major debts relieved where you can easily make your bills again.
Can
Debt Settlement be an option? Yes.
Debt Settlement is the fastest and least expensive way
to get out of debt. Often referred to as Debt Negotiation, Debt Settlement
is a direct and ambitious approach to debt reduction and it is best suited
for individuals that have considered filing for Bankruptcy
protection. But with the banks tightening their money due to their
own financial situations, they are not willing to release funds as they used to
or even relieve you of
your credit card debt like they used too. Even when the banks, lenders
and credit card companies have agreed to it, still, a very large percentage of
individuals end up filling a
Chapter 7.
Debt Consolidation -
Also called a Consolidation Loan, Debt Consolidation is the replacement of
multiple loans with a single loan, The purpose is to give you a
lower monthly payment and a longer repayment period. Unfortunately in
today's credit, markets have tightened to the point that even a very
high FICO credit score is not good enough. Many lenders
want FICO credit scores of at least 700 and you must have a high enough income
ration to your debt. Many are predicting that Debt Consolidation Loans are
going to be severely limited in the future.
Credit Counseling -
Consumer Credit Counseling companies are
organizations that operate nonprofit financial counseling programs.
Normally they will charge a fee for their services. They will then
try to work with your creditors in order to reduce your interest rates and your
minimum monthly payments. The problem here is that they normally will not
offer you anything substantial. Many of our clients started out this
way but tell us they need real relief now.
Do Nothing -
This is a common approach. Many debtors like you
have been struggling along while your creditors are turning up the
heat. They are now charging you late fees, penalties and
interest. These additional expenses make it impossible to keep your head above water any
longer. You are to the point of either giving them the money and not
having a roof over your head or doing nothing. That is when many
realize they really do need the relief and the fresh start of filing a
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or in some cases a Chapter 13. That’s why you started
looking for help and to make the tough decision. You also will
realize that this may be the only option for you. Another thing you
will realize that doing nothing is the worst thing you can do at this
point. You will only suffer more. If you are at this point,
don't wait any more. Please CALL the Law Office of David A Casey, at
619 447-6780. ASAP. Stop letting the
creditors harass you into a bigger mess. My office in most
cases can give you a way out and a fresh start. Also your
creditors know we speak for you and we will work in the direction you
desire. If you are reading this web page you know you need these
services now. Don't wait any longer! Get the process started by calling
the Law Office of David A. Casey at (619) 447-6780 as soon as possible.
Changes In Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Laws
Chapter 7 bankruptcy, For an individual there seems like there are a
lot of confusing forms and terms they never heard before. Bankruptcy
law can be complex at times and you really need an attorney to help you deal with
it. Any mistakes can require you to start the entire process all
over or even worse, dismiss or even have to wait 180 days before re-filing
We will help guide you through the entire process. It is very
important that all household assets are listed, including vehicles, furniture, entertainment systems, even treasured family
keepsakes. Also, you must make an honest estimate of their approximate value if
they have to be replaced with another used item. For most individuals, the
used possessions have little worth when calculated using this method.
Most debtors are allowed to maintain ownership under an exempt property
statute.
This was part of the new Chapter 7 bankruptcy laws. The value of these possessions, the monetary worth of
your personal properties are now calculated with regard to replacement
costs. That is the amount it would cost to purchase similar used items. In
some cases where there are a lot of valuable assets, it might be better to
file for Chapter 13 where the debt and interest could be set at a lower
rate.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Laws
Chapter 13 is an another option that is available under Title 11 of the
Bankruptcy Code.
After filing the petition for bankruptcy, a hearing will be scheduled. A judge
will
analyze the worthiness of the request.
With Chapter 13 bankruptcies, and
the new changes in the regulations, living expenses are now determined by amounts set
by the IRS should they earn more than their state's median income no
matter specific exceptions. The problem with this rule is that many
have
expenses greater than what the IRS deems reasonable. This happens when after one
period of bonuses or above-average overtime, the government
could misrepresent the filer's income well above actual earnings necessary
to qualify.
It's important to remember that even bankruptcies can fail. Most of
the time it is due to failing to list all of the debts or property or that the person had a
bankruptcy before and it has been too soon to file (within the last
seven years). Like all legal matters, Bankruptcy laws are there to help
the debtors and to protect the creditors from fraudulent attempt to
discharge debt. I will help guide you in making your choice as to
which one is
better for you, a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy or a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
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