lnk
Times are tough. This economy has left many good, hard working people with more bills than they can handle. Layoffs, medical issues, and general bad luck have caused countless people to have to struggle to make ends meet. If your bills are piling up without any hope of paying them all, we can help! The law provides good people like yourself with an opportunity for a financial fresh start through bankruptcy. By filing bankruptcy, you can end those debt collections, stop wage garnishments, and get yourself free from the stress of stacks of bills. Call us today at (573) 334-5376 for a free consultation to find out more.
Will I lose all personal possessions I have?
No! Bankruptcy law provides certain exemptions that allow a debtor to keep certain amounts of property. For most of our clients, we are able to help them keep everything!
Will I lose my house?
Not if you don't want to. If you are up to date on your mortgage payments, then you may file a "reaffirmation agreement" where you agree to continue paying your mortgage, allowing you to keep your house. If you have past due mortgage payments, then you may still keep your house, but you will need to file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Will I lose my car?
Not if you don't want to. If you are up to date on your loan payments, you may enter a "reaffirmation agreement" to continue your payments. There are also instances where we may be able to negotiate lower payments and interest rates on your loan. If your vehicle is worth more than you owe on it, you may still be able to keep your vehicle, but you might be required to pay a certain amount to the bankruptcy trustee to keep it. Most of our clients do not need to pay any additional amount to keep their vehicle though.
Does your firm accept payment plans?
Yes! We understand that times are tough for a lot of folks these days, so we are willing to work with you on a payment schedule that fits your needs. We require a payment of $100, which is applied toward the total fee, to be considered retained and to speak with your creditors, so they stop contacting you. The rest of the fee may be paid in installments up to six months.
Will bankruptcy affect my credit score?
Yes, bankruptcy lowers a person's credit score by 100 points on average. However, this might actually be a better effect on your score than defaulting on loans and having numerous late payments, depending on your situation. Also, not having high debt amounts might help your credit score improve.
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes! Call us now at (573) 334-5376 to schedule an appointment for a free consultation. We would be happy to discuss your situation, whether you qualify for bankruptcy, and whether there are better options for you than filing bankruptcy.
Will bankruptcy make all of my debts go away?
Bankruptcy law allows most of a person's debts to be removed (discharged), so that they no longer have to pay them. Payday loans, credit cards, medical bills, past due rent, car loans (if you do not keep your vehicle, mortgages (if you do not keep your house), past due utility bills and personal loans can usually all be discharged! There are a few types of debts that cannot be discharged though, including child support, unfiled taxes or taxes filed in the past three years, student loans, and judgments based on fraud.
How much do you charge for filing a bankruptcy?
Our attorney fee for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is $693. There is also a court filing fee of $306, for a total charge of $999 that must be paid to us before we can file. You will also have to pay small fees for the required credit counseling and financial management courses, with total costs of around $50 for the two courses. Additional attorney fees may apply if lien avoidances or other non-standard court filings and appearances are required. Most of our clients do not incur any additional fees.
Our up-front attorney fee for filing a Chapter 13 is $500, plus a $281 filing fee required by the court. The additional part of our total fee (which is set by bankruptcy district rules, not us) is paid later as part of the repayment plan.
How long does it take to file bankruptcy?
A typical Chapter 7 bankruptcy takes 12-15 weeks for completion. The first step is to call us for a free consultation. After we have met with you and discussed your situation, we require that you fill out a workbook to make sure all of your debts are reported correctly and that you receive a successful bankruptcy. After you have completed your workbook, within one business day we can usually have the petition prepared and have you come back to sign your petition. After your signing appointment, we can usually get the petition filed within one business day. After your petition is filed, you will receive your date for the "meeting of creditors," also known as a 341 Hearing. After your 341 Hearing, it is another 8-12 weeks before your discharge is entered and your case is closed. In total, a typical bankruptcy takes 12-15 weeks after you complete your workbook
What do I have to do when filing?
You will be responsible for four primary things:
When will creditors stop calling me?
As soon as you retain our services, with a minimum payment of $100 which is applied toward the total fee, you can start informing all creditors that you have retained our firm and give them our contact information. Often they will then stop contacting you. By law, they are required to stop calling you once your bankruptcy is filed. They sometimes will continue contacting you, but if they do so they may be subject to penalties and we will quickly contact them to force them to stop.
Other Questions: If you have any other questions, we would be glad to help. Just give us a call at (573)334-5376 to speak to an attorney today.