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Bankruptcy Help

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Let Us Help You Get a Fresh Start!

Bankruptcy attorney Michael Johnson has successfully worked with hundreds of people to file bankruptcy and to get a fresh start.  Bankruptcy lawyer Michael Johnson is known in Elk Grove, Galt and Lodi as not just one of the leading bankruptcy attorneys in the region, but as an attorney that is kind, helpful, and supportive throughout the process. That’s why people from Sacramento, Natomas Roseville, Rancho Cordova make the short trip to work with him for their bankruptcy case!

Get your Free Consultation in the Office, on the Web, or by Phone

Don’t be embarrassed.  Debt is just a part of life.  Chances are you have a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or family member who filed bankruptcy and you don’t even know it have worked with a Sacramento bankruptcy lawyer. Non-judgmental and friendly service.

Everyone has a different reason as to why they have debt such as job loss, moving, health issues, divorce, failed business, and cost of living increases.  The overwhelming majority of people who file bankruptcy are honest, hard working people who just don’t have enough money at the end of the day to pay back their debt in a reasonable manner.

We Will Guide You Through the Steps

1.  Determine if You Qualify.  The first step to see if you are allowed to wipe out your debts in a chapter 7 bankruptcy is to see if you qualify.  Thus, you will talk directly with lawyer Michael Johnson who is knowledgeable and experienced with hundreds and hundreds of chapter 7 cases.  Your bankruptcy consultation will be directly with a bankruptcy attorney, not with a paralegal or intake person.   During the consultation a review will be done of you income, expenses, debts, assets, and financial affairs.  If you qualify, then you will begin to work on gathering your paperwork.

2.  Prepare Documents.  After you provide our office with your paperwork we will work with you to prepare your bankruptcy petition.  Together we will review, explain, and sign your bankruptcy paperwork.  Also, you will take a short credit counseling class on the computer or on the phone.  Once your petition is prepared and you have satisfied your credit counseling requirements you will be in a position to submit your paperwork to the court. When your paperwork is filed with the court it creates a bankruptcy “automatic stay” which stops creditors from calling and contacting you.  It also stops wage garnishments, bank levies, and foreclosures.  The chapter 7 bankruptcy process takes on the average about 3 1/2 months to go through.

3.  Take You Through the Process.  Once your bankruptcy paperwork has been submitted then you will have formally started the chapter 7 bankruptcy process.  You will be expected to take a second credit counseling class on the computer or phone.  Also, Attorney Michael Johnson will accompany you to a court hearing called a “341 meeting of creditors” where you are interviewed by a bankruptcy trustee.  The trustee is responsible to review and to ensure that you have completed your paperwork correctly, disclosed all of your assets, and verify your identity. Creditors are invited to attend the meeting but rarely attend unless there has been fraud or abuse.

4   Discharge Your Debt.   Approximately 75 days after you attend your court hearing, if there aren’t any issues, the bankruptcy court grants you a discharge of your debts.  Your qualified debts are then wiped out and you are off to a fresh start!

More Information on Personal Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy – Learn more.  

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy is commonly referred to as a liquidation bankruptcy. It is a fast and straight forward process. To qualify for a Chapter 7 your income and expenses must meet certain criteria and you must have relatively low asset value. However, people regularly keep their cars, homes, and retirement accounts when they file bankruptcy.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy – Learn more.

A Chapter 13 is for higher income earners who don’t qualify for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and who submit a “plan” to the bankruptcy court to repay part or all of their debt.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”32″][/vc_column][/vc_row]