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Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Help

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Let Us Help You Get a Fresh Start!

Are you struggling with debt? Did the Pandemic leave you in debt? Are you feeling overwhelmed and stressed with it all? You’re not alone. Life is expensive. Debt can happen to anyone… job loss, health issues, high interest rates, divorce, rising costs of living, to name a few reasons.

Good news! Lawyer Michael Johnson has helped hundreds and hundreds of people eliminate their debt and regain their lives by assisting them file a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Contact him today to see if bankruptcy is a good fit for you.

What is a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy is the process of submitting a packet of paperwork (“bankruptcy petition”) with your income, expenses, and assets to the bankruptcy court showing the court that you don’t have assets available to pay your debt and that based on your budget you don’t have the financial ability to pay off the debt. If your situation matches the court’s criteria then they will “discharge” or wipe out your debts! The bankruptcy process usually takes about 3 months to complete.

How Does it Work?

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  1. Contact Us to See if You Qualify.

    Before you can file bankruptcy, you need to contacts us to see if you qualify. “Qualify” means that we don’t want the court to unnecessarily reject your bankruptcy case because your income is too high based on your household size. Also, to help you keep your property such as your car, home, retirement accounts, and other assets. Yes, the law does let people keep a certain amount of equity in bank accounts, vehicles, and primary homes, but this must be evaluated before you file. Be prepared to fill out a questionnaire, provide paystubs and other income information.
  2. Retain Office & Prepare Documents.

    If it looks like you qualify to move forward with filing a bankruptcy then you will need to:
    • Documents.

      Provide documents such as your paystubs, tax returns, credit reports, etc. Click HERE for the full details for your “bankruptcy homework”.
    • Legal Fee.

      Sign a fee agreement and make arrangements to pay your legal fee. The court charges a filing fee of $338 which you can pay directly to the court on payments during the bankruptcy proceedings.
    • File Paperwork with Court.

      Once we have the draft of your petition completed you will sit down with Attorney Michael Johnson face to face to review every page of it for accuracy. During your meeting he will answer your questions and give you the support and encouragement needed to feel confident. Once your paperwork is completed and you have taken your first credit counseling class then it is filed with the court.
  3. Bankruptcy Process.

    Once your bankruptcy paperwork has been submitted to the court they will give you a case number and a court date for what is called a “341 meeting of creditors” where you are interviewed by a bankruptcy trustee and creditors have the right to appear. Our office will ensure that the trustee receives all of your paperwork and that you are prepared for the interview. Your interview is typically only 5 to 10 minutes long and your attorney sits with you to help you through it. The trustee’s job is to ensure that you are honest, verify your identity, and that you have completed your paperwork correctly. Most clients find the meeting simple and straightforward. Creditors are invited to the meeting, but they rarely appear unless you have committed fraud or abuse related to the debt.
  4. Debt Discharged.

    After the 341-court meeting and if there are no issues, then the court routinely grants what is called a “discharge” about 75 days later. The discharge means the court has made your qualified debts uncollectible by your creditors and they do not have the right to ever contact you again. Thus, the fear of harassing phone calls, lawsuits, judgements, and wage garnishments is gone! You are on a new financial path.

Are You Ready for a Fresh Start?

If you think that bankruptcy may be a good fit for you then contact us so we can help you get started. Don’t be embarrassed, as debt is just a part of life. We work with people from all walks of life. We offer non-judgmental, supportive and friendly service.