Posts Tagged ‘Bankruptcy Attorney’

Dont Lose Your Home! Contact a Bankruptcy Attorney Today!

Sunday, March 28th, 2010

The decision to file bankruptcy is a serious decision but it is a decision that can give you a fresh start if there is no other way out. Bankruptcy is a legal way to discharge unsecured debt that can provide an overwhelmed debtor with a new beginning. It may be possible to keep your present home and your car after filing bankruptcy. A law firm such as the Malaise Law Firm, with attorneys skilled in San Antonio baenkruptcy law can help you decide if bankruptcy is the correct decision for your particular situation. If the decision is made to file bankruptcy, they will explain to you the pros and cons of the two types of bankruptcy available to individuals, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.

Chapter 7 is what most people usually think of as bankruptcy. In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a debtors non-exempt assets are liquidated or sold with the proceeds used to pay toward unsecured debts such as credit cards, loans, and medical bills. In the majority of bankruptcy cases people do not lose any property and the unsecured creditors get nothing. Several months after filing bankruptcy the unsecured debts are discharged and the creditors can never collect on the debt. A secured creditor may still enforce a lien to recover property secured by the lien.

Chapter 13 is a debt reorganization or consolidation bankruptcy. If a debtor has regular monthly income, their debts including mortgage arrears, car payments, credit card bills, medical bills, loans, student loans, etc. are combined into one low monthly payment. Since the debtor is paying back their creditors through a repayment plan, the debtor does not risk losing their assets as they may under Chapter 7 bankruptcy laws. During the repayment plan creditors are prevented from contacting the debtor without first going through the debtors bankruptcy attorney and the court.

Millions of people declared bankruptcy in 2007 to get the fresh start they needed. Contrary to popular belief, your credit is not permanently damaged and it is still possible to get credit after filing bankruptcy. At the Malaise Law Firm, our San Antonio bankruptcy attorneys have over 40 years experience helping people file bankruptcy, with two board certified attorneys. We put our emphasis on helping our clients do what is in their best interest and our clients needs always come first.

The Malaise Law Firm serves the residents of San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Brownsville, and McAllen, Texas with all of their legal needs including bankruptcy. If you would like to see what we can do to help you please contact The Malaise Law firm today at http://www.malaiselawfirm.com/contactus or call 1-800-BANKRUPT for immediate assistance. or call 1-800-BANKRUPT for immediate assistance.

Bankruptcy Attorney: Questions To Ask

Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

If you have tried every way imaginable to avoid bankruptcy but find that you have no other way out of the situation, the first step you should take before filing is to consult with a bankruptcy attorney. A bankruptcy attorney can be hired or appointed by the court systems to help you through the court proceedings. If you decide to select your own attorney, make sure to select someone with previous experience in bankruptcy law, preferably someone who works specifically with bankruptcy.

No matter which bankruptcy attorney you select, you should always be prepared to ask the attorney questions regarding your own case. Here is a list of questions you should always ask your attorney to make yourself more aware of your bankruptcy proceedings:

* What type of bankruptcy is right for me?

Keep in mind that the Federal court system in the United States has eight different types of bankruptcy filing available. Of course the two most popular are Chapter 13 and Chapter 7, but there are a variety of different details and rules that apply to each type of filing. A good bankruptcy attorney will be able to sift through your financial difficulties and recommend the best type of bankruptcy for you.

* How do I file for bankruptcy?

Filing for bankruptcy will need to be done in the state where you currently live. If you plan to remain represented by a bankruptcy attorney, their legal staff can help to prepare all of the paperwork that is necessary to present to the court system. If you simply want to use the bankruptcy attorney for a consultation, make sure you dont leave the attorneys office without the necessary paperwork to begin the bankruptcy process.

* What type of fees will I owe?

This is important to ask in regards to your bankruptcy attorney as well as the court system. Most bankruptcy attorneys will give a free consultation but any remaining time on the proceeding or in court will cost a fee. Some attorneys charge by the hour while others charge a flat fee for bankruptcy services. As well, the court systems usually charge a court fee connected with filing the case, administrative charges and extra Chapter 7 fees to pay a trustee in charge of the bankrupt account.

* Where do I go to file my bankruptcy claim?

Bankruptcy cases are handled by the federal court systems in every state. This usually means that the bankrupt party will need to give the bankruptcy paperwork to the state courthouse, usually in a states capitol city. Your bankruptcy attorney should know the address and rules regarding whether or not paperwork can be sent by mail or if paperwork needs to be given in person.

* What happens after filing for bankruptcy?

Immediately after filing for bankruptcy, the court system will send out notification to creditors of the pending bankruptcy case. From this point on, creditors are considered to have a “restraining order” by the debtor and are not allowed to contact the debtor requesting payment. Depending on the type of bankruptcy, a hearing will be scheduled and deadlines will be set for creditors to file a claim and attend the hearing. Of course, all of the proceedings from here are dependent on the type of bankruptcy filed, so it is important to be in contact with your bankruptcy attorney who can more readily answer these questions.