Walker Law Firm - Bankruptcy Lawyer in Dothan, Alabama
Have you lost your job or had your hours cut? Or does it seem that no matter how hard you work, you keep falling behind?
Are you worried about losing your home or vehicle because you’ve gotten behind on the payments? Have you gotten behind on your monthly bill payments and are now dealing with harassing phone calls and threatening letters from collection agencies? With times being tough, no one needs the additional stress of dealing with harassment from collection agencies. If you are dealing with any of these problems, you are legally entitled to seek debt relief through bankruptcy.
Filing for bankruptcy may help you keep your home or car while also relieving you from having to pay your other creditors. If you are not sure whether filing for bankruptcy would be right for you, a bankruptcy lawyer could help you decide.
There are two types individual bankruptcies, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.
Chapter 7
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is sometimes known as a “straight” bankruptcy or a liquidation of assets and is usually completed with within a short amount of time. It is usually simpler since it for the most part, does not involve a repayment of unsecured debts under the proceedings.Chapter 7 Bankruptcy usually allows for the discharge of most secured debt, allowing your to make a fresh start. A means test is used to determine whether you will have sell off any assets. An experienced bankruptcy attorney could offer you a good idea whether Chapter 7 would be right for you.
Chapter 13
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is designed for you keep your assets such as your home and car. Chapter 13 involves a repayment plan which is supervised by the Bankruptcy Trustee and usually lasts from 3 to 5 years. Chapter 13 Bankruptcy involves a debt repayment plan overseen by the Bankruptcy Court. The repayment plan can include your mortgage, even if you are in foreclosure. In some cases a bankruptcy filing can be converted from a Chapter 13 filing to a Chapter 7 filing or the other way around. Our lawyer can help you figure out which would be the best option for you. Chapter 13 also involves a meeting before the United States Bankruptcy Court to have your repayment plan approved. So while it is advisable to have a lawyer for any bankruptcy proceeding, it is especially important to have one for Chapter 13 since it is a more involved legal process.
The Walker Law Firm can help you figure out which option is best for you and advocate for your legal rights. Don't let yourself be overwhelmed when there could be a viable option. Contact our attorney, Clarke Walker today!
Questions You May Have About Filing For Bankruptcy Relief
Does Bankruptcy Mean I Lose Everything?
No, not at all. If anything, federal bankruptcy law is designed to allow you to keep your possessions while having your debt discharged or reorganized. Both Chapter 7 and 13 allow for certain assets to remain with you.
Depending on your circumstances or what type you file, you may be able to keep your home or car. In other cases all of your personal property could be considered exempt, or protected, from having to be sold to pay off unsecured debt. Both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies offer you a fresh start. - read more about bankruptcy law
Bankruptcy is a highly detailed process with deadlines from beginning to end and there is a considerable amount of paperwork involved. You need to report all of your assets, debts, and income in detail. Having an attorney experienced in bankruptcy law will make sure that there isn't any information that you might be missing. If missing information surfaces during the course of the proceedings, even if accidentally left out, it could be detrimental to your case or even result in your case being dismissed. Your lawyer will keep you up to date with all of the important dates and deadlines in your case.
Can I Stop Foreclosure or Repossession By Filing For Bankruptcy?
If you are facing foreclosure or are already in foreclosure, bankruptcy will temporarily halt the foreclosure proceedings against you. If this is the case, contact a bankruptcy lawyer right away, especially if you live in Alabama where foreclosures do not require the approval of a judge. Under Chapter 13 you can make repayment arrangements that would allow you to remain in your home following the discharge of your case. - read more about bankruptcy and foreclosure law in Alabama.
Bankruptcy can also temporarily stop any collection or repossession activities against you and your vehicle. You will have the choice to arrange to either keep your car and repay past due amounts or if you owe a lot more than your car is worth, you can surrender it and have any past due amounts, collection, or repossession fees discharged. - read more about bankruptcy and repossession
Credit Counseling & Debtor Education
In order to ensure your success as a petitioner, bankruptcy law requires that credit counseling and debtor education courses be taken before and after filing. - read more about credit counseling
Bankruptcy and Your Credit Score
While bankruptcy can offer a chance to get out from under crushing debt, it can also have a negative impact on your credit score when your case is filed. The damage is not however permanent and can offer you a chance to establish a more positive profile in the long run. - read more about bankruptcy and your credit score
What Is A 341 Meeting, Will My Bankruptcy Lawyer Be There?
A 341 Meeting, also known as a Meeting of the Creditors, is a legal proceeding held by the trustee assigned to your case. The hearing is not a trial but it is a proceeding meant to verify your identity, your present and past income, and that all of the information and assets that you reported are accurate.
If you submitted a repayment plan, you will discuss the details with the trustee. You will have to swear under oath that all of the information you have provided is true so it is advisable that you have a your lawyer by your side. - read more about bankruptcy and your 341 meeting
Whether you file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, you will have to attend a 341 Meeting, otherwise known as the Meeting of the Creditors. While this meeting is not a trial, it is a legal proceeding and you will have to swear under oath that the information you provide and that the questions you answer are truthful and accurate to the best of your knowledge. A bankruptcy lawyer will help you prepare for this meeting and will be there with you as the trustee questions you. If you are filing for Chapter 13, after the Meeting of the Creditors a Confirmation Hearing will take place in which a judge will approve or reject your debt repayment plan. It would be in your best interest to be represented by an experienced attorney for this hearing.
Attorney Clarke Walker is one of the most experienced bankruptcy lawyers in the Dothan, Alabama area and can help you figure out your options. Before you try to file on your own, contact the Walker Law Firm today. The Walker Law Firm is a debt relief agency. If you have any questions regarding bankruptcy or want to find out if it would be right for you, our office is open and our attorney wants to hear your story! Contact us for a free consultation.
Hiring A Bankruptcy Attorney
Whether you're getting phone calls or letters threatening to "take legal action", sue you to collect the debt that you already can't pay, or to have your wages garnished, filing for relief under Federal Bankruptcy Law could stop ALL of the threatening phone calls and letters IMMEDIATELY! We are a Dothan, AL law firm and we can help! Our attorney can put a stop the collections right away.
Bankruptcy offers relief from crushing debt, and a chance to get out from under crushing debt and and to make a fresh start. It is a legal means of having much of your debt erased or restructured. Once you file for bankruptcy the Automatic Stay goes into effect. The Automatic Stay will stop all debt collection and actions against you including foreclosure, repossession, and wage garnishments. While you are not required to hire a lawyer to file for bankruptcy, there are many reasons why you would want to hire one whether you file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. If you feel that you may be a candidate for bankruptcy, you will need a lawyer that will never judge you, truly cares about your individual situation, and will take the time to listen and advise you on your options.
Do I Need A Bankruptcy Attorney To File?
Filing for bankruptcy can be complicated legal process and requires considerable detail and that deadlines be strictly met. An experienced bankruptcy attorney is familiar with bankruptcy law and help make sure that you provide all necessary information to the court, which could save you valuable time. Missing forms or information can result in a delay or even a dismissal of your case. Once your case is dismissed, all collection activity against you can resume.
Clarke Walker is an experienced Dothan, Alabama bankruptcy attorney who can put a stop to harassing phone calls and letters. The Walker Law Firm can help you discharge debt and give up assets such as property or cars that are worth much less than the amounts owed, known as upside down mortgages or loans, without having to pay the remaining balances or overdue fees.
If you are considering bankruptcy, we can answer any questions you may have. If you file through an attorney, your creditors can not contact you directly! When you have an attorney handling your case, they must contact your attorney and not you.
If you have a bankruptcy attorney working for you, creditors and debt collectors may not contact you for any debt collection purposes, including for credit cards or payday loans, after you file. That's right, they must deal directly with the law firm. Your attorney will be your representative to your creditors and to the United States Bankruptcy Court. Your attorney will submit all of your filings, debt schedules, and documents to the Bankruptcy Court. Our Dothan, AL attorney can answer any question you may have on the bankruptcy process. Since no two cases are the same, you need an attorney who will listen and understand the specifics of your situation. Contact us today for a free consultation!
If you are ignoring that growing stack of bills, avoiding phone calls, and the sight or sound of a tow-truck makes you nervous, it may be time to contact a qualified bankruptcy attorney. With over 10 years of experience The Walker Law Firm can help you navigate the process through every step, from your initial filing to the final discharge.
There is too much at stake when it comes to filing for bankruptcy. Having the right law firm work for you can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Don't let a missed deadline or a forgotten detail cause you to lose out on your chance for a fresh start. Contact us for a FREE consultation to see if bankruptcy can help you get the relief you need. We are a debt relief agency and we serve the greater Dothan, AL area so give our office a call today.
Contact the Walker Law Firm today!