Woodland Bankruptcy Lawyer

Low-Cost Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

I have a reputation for charging less than many bankruptcy attorneys. In most cases, I charge a low flat fee and offer payment plans. For the flat fee, I provide the same level of service as any other local bankruptcy attorney. I draft the bankruptcy paperwork, electronically file the case to stop creditors, and represent clients at the meeting of creditors and throughout the case until the court files a discharge order eliminating debt.

Who Should File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

Speak with a bankruptcy attorney to decide if Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the best option. With that said, there are some commonalities between Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases. First, clients usually have unsecured debt like credit cards, medical bills, payday loans, or personal loans. Second, clients who qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy have low income over the past 6 months. Specifically, the client’s income for the past 6 months must be lower than the California median income for a household of their size. A bankruptcy attorney makes this determination either during the free consultation or after review of the client’s paychecks and income documentation. Lastly, clients do not own valuable property. In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, only certain assets up to specific values can be protected from forced sale by the Bankruptcy Trustee. So, it’s important to speak with a bankruptcy attorney before filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy to ensure all property will be protected from liquidation.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

People in Woodland usually file Chapter 7 bankruptcy because they have equity in their home or make too much money and can’t qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. In chapter 13 bankruptcy, homeowners can stop foreclosure and save their home through a 5-year repayment plan. Likewise, car owners can stop repossession and save their car through a 5-year chapter 13 repayment plan. As chapter 13 bankruptcy requires confirmation of a chapter 13 plan, nearly everyone who successfully files chapter 13 bankruptcy is represented by a bankruptcy attorney.

Stop Creditors, Foreclosure & Repossession

Filing for bankruptcy creates an automatic injunction against creditor collection actions. In other words, once a bankruptcy petition is filed, creditors cannot call, send letters, file a lawsuit, foreclose on a home, repossess a car, or garnish wages. This automatic injunction is known as the Automatic Stay in bankruptcy and arises under Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code. The Automatic Stay and the protection it offers our Woodland bankruptcy clients is one of the major advantages of bankruptcy.

Free Consultation

Filing for bankruptcy can eliminate debt and give our clients a fresh start, but it’s not right for everyone. To learn more about bankruptcy and find out if you qualify, call us for a free consultation.  Bankruptcy attorney Adam Garcia represents clients across Northern California, including Chico, Modesto, Fairfield, and Redding.  You can reach us at (916) 500-0704 Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM.