Bankruptcy
Providing affordable personal bankruptcy services throughout Wexford and surrounding counties.
Stop harassing phone calls, end wage garnishment, and prevent foreclosure:
Personal Bankruptcy
Facing bankruptcy is a difficult, emotional and complex experience. We are here to help you understand the bankruptcy process and advise you with your specific individual situation. These types of serious financial circumstances require a great deal of expertise, knowledge and first-hand experience. If a bankruptcy is necessary, we will be your guide from the beginning of the process through the filing.
Specializing in both major forms of personal bankruptcy*:
Specializing in both major forms of personal bankruptcy*:
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 13
Understanding Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a major financial decision that needs to be made with a full understanding of the process. In difficult financial times, it can oftentimes be overwhelming to understand the options and determine the right course of action. Contact the Hines Law Office by clicking here or call 775-8513 for a free initial phone consultation. The following frequently asked questions are provided as a basic primer on personal bankruptcies:
Q. Who can declare bankruptcy?
Determining eligibility for a bankruptcy under the Federal Bankruptcy Code starts with a means test that determines if your income is low enough to file for bankruptcy. This is meant to discourage high income individuals from declaring bankruptcy. Most debtors in Wexford county pass this test -- although even If you don't, you may still have an option to declare a Chapter 13 bankruptcy (see below). The Hines Law Office can help you understand during the free initial phone consultation if you are eligible to file for bankruptcy.
Q. What are the different types of bankrutpcy?
There are two main types of personal bankruptcy under Federal law:
Chapter 7
Chapter 7 (which is more commonly referred to as 'straight bankruptcy') involves the liquidation of all non-exempt assets. Examples of property that may be considered exempt might include automobiles, work-related tools and basic household furnishings. Usually, however, the Wexford Bankruptcy Clinic has allowed debtors to be able to retain all of their property in a Chapter 7 (Some exceptions may apply). A person is only able to receive a discharge of their debts once every eight years.
Chapter 13
Chapter 13 allows individuals with a steady income to keep their property (such as a mortgaged house or car) that they otherwise might lose. With this type of bankruptcy, the court approves a repayment plan that allows use of future income to pay off debts during a three to five year period. After all payments have been made under this plan, the individual would receive a discharge of their debts.
Q. Which is right for me?
The bankruptcy code is complex, and you should proceed only with the counsel of an experienced bankruptcy attorney. An improperly executed bankruptcy can cause serious financial harm. We highly discourage the use of low-cost online offers to file for bankruptcy, as mistakes made during the bankruptcy proceedings can be made without the proper experience and understanding of the Federal Bankruptcy Code.
Q. Can I keep my car/house/other possessions?
We will work with you to help you understand your options. In most cases, we have allowed debtors to be able to retain all of their property in a bankruptcy.
Q. Who can declare bankruptcy?
Determining eligibility for a bankruptcy under the Federal Bankruptcy Code starts with a means test that determines if your income is low enough to file for bankruptcy. This is meant to discourage high income individuals from declaring bankruptcy. Most debtors in Wexford county pass this test -- although even If you don't, you may still have an option to declare a Chapter 13 bankruptcy (see below). The Hines Law Office can help you understand during the free initial phone consultation if you are eligible to file for bankruptcy.
Q. What are the different types of bankrutpcy?
There are two main types of personal bankruptcy under Federal law:
Chapter 7
Chapter 7 (which is more commonly referred to as 'straight bankruptcy') involves the liquidation of all non-exempt assets. Examples of property that may be considered exempt might include automobiles, work-related tools and basic household furnishings. Usually, however, the Wexford Bankruptcy Clinic has allowed debtors to be able to retain all of their property in a Chapter 7 (Some exceptions may apply). A person is only able to receive a discharge of their debts once every eight years.
Chapter 13
Chapter 13 allows individuals with a steady income to keep their property (such as a mortgaged house or car) that they otherwise might lose. With this type of bankruptcy, the court approves a repayment plan that allows use of future income to pay off debts during a three to five year period. After all payments have been made under this plan, the individual would receive a discharge of their debts.
Q. Which is right for me?
The bankruptcy code is complex, and you should proceed only with the counsel of an experienced bankruptcy attorney. An improperly executed bankruptcy can cause serious financial harm. We highly discourage the use of low-cost online offers to file for bankruptcy, as mistakes made during the bankruptcy proceedings can be made without the proper experience and understanding of the Federal Bankruptcy Code.
Q. Can I keep my car/house/other possessions?
We will work with you to help you understand your options. In most cases, we have allowed debtors to be able to retain all of their property in a bankruptcy.
Fees
What are the costs of filing bankruptcy?
There are a number of fees associated with a proper bankruptcy filing:
The Hines Law Office is set up to offer quality bankruptcy services that are set up specifically to offer very low fees.
The quote you receive will be your full cost of filing bankruptcy and includes all filing fees. Be wary of other low initial offers that may not initially disclose all of the fees and costs associated with a bankruptcy.
How do I pay you?
Understanding that financial distress is what is causing the need to file bankruptcy in the first place, we can work with you on payment arrangements that work best for you.
There are a number of fees associated with a proper bankruptcy filing:
- Required federal court filing fees
- Attorney costs for preparing the bankruptcy filing and representing you during the bankruptcy proceedings
- Credit report fees
The Hines Law Office is set up to offer quality bankruptcy services that are set up specifically to offer very low fees.
The quote you receive will be your full cost of filing bankruptcy and includes all filing fees. Be wary of other low initial offers that may not initially disclose all of the fees and costs associated with a bankruptcy.
How do I pay you?
Understanding that financial distress is what is causing the need to file bankruptcy in the first place, we can work with you on payment arrangements that work best for you.
To get started, click here or call 775-8513
*We are a debt relief agency. We help you file for protection under the Bankruptcy Code
