Struggling with Debt?

We are bankruptcy attorneys located in Eastgate, Ohio.  We specialize in Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 Bankruptcy filings.

Are you struggling with debt?  The ends just aren't meeting at the end of the month.  Expenses keep going up, wondering when will it ever end?  Making those minimum payments on your credit cards each month just to see a higher balance the next month?  The stack of bills in the mailbox can be overwhelming and you just don't know where to turn.  The piggy bank is broken and like humpty dumpty it can't be put back together again.

This is nothing new, people have been struggling with debt for centuries. The Statute of Bankrupts of 1542 was the first statute under English law dealing with bankruptcy or insolvency. Bankruptcy is also documented in East Asia. In ancient Greece if one could not pay their debts then the entire family would be put into debt slavery until the time that their debts were paid.  According to al-Maqrizi, the Yassa of Genghis Khan contained a provision that mandated the death penalty for anyone who became bankrupt three times.  

BUT THINGS ARE BETTER TODAY

In modern times we do not have to worry about slavery or death because if we have gotten in a little over our heads in debt bankruptcy is available to people going through hard times. It is usually not your fault that you cannot pay your debts, the credit card companies offer more and more credit, medical debt can add up quickly and there are things that are just needed to survive. Bankruptcy is there as a safety net when you hit those hard times and it does not mean that you are a bad person, you are just a good person going through bad times just like all of those other people throughout history.  You can fix your piggy bank and get a fresh financial start and more bright future.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

There are over a million bankruptcy filings in the United States each year.  People just like you file for federal protection from their debts.  Bankruptcy is nothing to be ashamed of.  Most of your friends and neighbors have had to file at some point in their lifetimes.

BANKRUPTCY CHAPTERS

There are several chapters of bankruptcy available, but most consumers will file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Chapter 7 is a total wipe out of all of your dischargeable debts.  This means that you will not have to pay back these debts at anytime at all.  There are very few debts which you cannot discharge through bankruptcy.  Of course secured debts, which you would want to keep such as your vehicle or home you would just keep making your payments and be able to keep these assets.  Most unsecured debts are able to be discharged through a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.  Even some IRS debts can be discharged.

Chapter 13 is a repayment plan.  This plan can reduce your debt, as you will only pay a percentage of your unsecured debts.  This chapter can also stop your home from foreclosure or your vehicle from repossession.

FREE CONSULTATION

Everyone's situation is unique.  We offer a free consultation where you can come and speak with an attorney about your current circumstances.

For more information check out our website at www.keeganandrade.com.

Contact our Eastgate, Ohio bankruptcy attorney today and end your struggle with debt!

Can Bankruptcy Help Me?

We are bankruptcy attorneys located in Eastgate, OH.  We specialize in chapter 7 bankruptcy and chapter 13 bankruptcy.

WHAT IS BANKRUPTCY?

This is the legal proceeding which relieves debtors from responsibility of debt payments who cannot meet them and also provides protection while attempting to repay the debts.

HOW CAN BANKRUPTCY HELP ME?

Filing bankruptcy could wipe out credit card debt and other unsecured debts. If filed, no creditor can legally collect of those debts.

Bankruptcy can stop creditor harassment, as in phone calls and harassing letters and could stop repossession of your car or foreclosure of your mortgage. You could still retain your home even if a foreclosure has already been filed.

Medical debt is discharged through bankruptcy. Overall, health care is the main reason in the U.S. for filing bankruptcy. Hospitals and ER services cannot refuse you service in the future, if you were to file.

You do NOT lose everything you own. Sometimes in a chapter 7, the trustee may take items and sell them to pay on your debts.

These are just some of the ways that a bankruptcy could help you.

WHICH BANKRUPTCY OPTION BEST FITS MY SITUATION?

The most common filings for bankruptcy are chapter 7 and chapter 13. Chapter 7 will wipe out all your unsecured debt (credit cards, medical fees, utilities, etc.). You can also keep your house and vehicle in chapter 7, as long as your current on payments. Chapter 7 is a straight bankruptcy, referred to as a liquidation bankruptcy. This will stop all collection proceedings including phone calls, mailings, garnishments and court proceedings. As many as 65% of consumer bankruptcy filings in the U.S. are chapter 7.

Chapter 13 is a repayment plan. It is referred to as a wage earner. You must have a reliable source of income so that you can repay all or a portion of your debt. Chapter 13 will stop a foreclosure or repossession as well. It is designed to help you retain your home or vehicle if your behind. You will repay 1% to 100% of your debt, depending on the individuals situation. This will last a minimum of three years and max of five years. During this time it will be up to the creditors to file claim in order to be paid during the case.

WHAT DEBTS WILL A BANKRUPTCY NOT ERASE?

Most of your debts can be discharged in a bankruptcy. Some debts are not dischargeable. They cannot be wiped out in a chapter 7 or at the end of a chapter 13. Some kinds of debt can never be discharged.

Student Loans - Most student loan debt is not dischargeable. In some situations a debtor can claim that student loan debt causes an extreme hardship and can obtain a discharge, but it is very difficult to persuade a Bankruptcy Court to discharge a student loan debt.

Taxes - Some income tax debt can be discharged in bankruptcy, but this varies, you should make an appointment for your free consultation to discuss your individual situation.

Alimony and Child Support - Back payments or arrearages for child support and for alimony are nondischargeable. Orders to pay attorney fees in child support and child custody cases are usually nondischargeable.

Fines and Penalties - Most fines that are imposed by a court and most penalties that are assessed by a government agency are nondischargeable.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER BANKRUPTCY?

If you want to have credit, you will be surprised at the amount of credit offers you will receive once you file for bankruptcy protection. You can improve your credit after filing and being discharged. This gives people the opportunity to rebuild their credit because it eliminates the old debt.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information check out our website at www.keeganandrade.com

FREE CONSULTATION

Contact our office today in Eastgate, Ohio for your free consultation to see if bankruptcy will give you the financial relief you are looking for.

BANKRUPTCY OPTIONS

We are the law firm of Keegan & Andrade Co., LLC.  We are a bankruptcy firm with offices in Eastgate, Ohio and Middletown, Ohio.

Are your struggling with debt?  Credit card debt, medical debt and all types of other debts can become overwhelming.  Bankruptcy may provide you with the financial relief you are looking for.

Many reasons contribute to a person struggling with debt.  Job loss, medical issues, loss of a spouse or even in today's economy the increase of health insurance costs will play a major factor.  Every year in the United States thousands of people file for bankruptcy protection, bankruptcy can too help you to get a fresh financial start.

FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION

The first step if you are thinking of filing for bankruptcy is to sit down with an experienced bankruptcy attorney to discuss your options.  At our firm we offer a free consultation, at this consultation you will be able to sit down with one of our attorneys and discuss your individual situation.  The attorney would then be able to advise you on your best financial options.

If you decide to proceed with the process of bankruptcy, you will then put down a small down payment and we will accept monthly payments until your paid we then will file your case.

In the meantime we will be gathering information from you.  It is crucial that you are honest as to all your debts, assets, income and expenses, you may feel that it is personal, but bankruptcy is a personal issue.  Of course there could be small things that you forget, but when you sign your documentation you will be given a chance to review all of your information and you will sign that all information is "complete and accurate", to the best of your knowledge.  Filing your signature on this final page of your bankruptcy petition is basically your signature under oath.  Deliberate omission of requested information could lead to serious repercussions.  A few oversights or errors probably will not ruin your petition and you will likely be given a change to correct them, however, double-check all the information before filing to be sure you did not omit any of your assets or debts.

REPORTING DEBTS

You must list all of your creditors on your case.  There may be creditors you do not wish to list on your bankruptcy filing, including friends or business owners that you have a relationship with.  Although your motives may be well intended, remember that any omission could be considered bankruptcy fraud.  You must list all creditors who you carry a balance with.

You may have debts reporting on your credit that you dispute, these debts also will need to be listed in your case.  If you dispute the debt this is one way to make sure it gets off of your credit.

BANKRUPTCY FILING

Once your case is signed we will then file your case.  You will have a court date, which is called a 341 Meeting of Creditors in 4-6 weeks, we will appear at this meeting with you.  This meeting gives creditors a chance to object to your bankruptcy filing, however, most of the time creditors do not show up at these meetings.  They must have good reason to dispute your discharge.

A discharge is the document you will receive which will deem all of your debts listed on the case uncollectable, and creditors will not be able to contact you regarding these debts in any form.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information check out our website at www.keeganandrade.com

FREE CONSULTATION

Contact our office today for your free consultation to see if bankruptcy will give you the financial relief you are looking for.

BANKRUPTCY LAWS

We are bankruptcy attorneys located in Eastgate, Ohio.

Job loss, divorce, a medical emergency or other catostrophic event can make it hard to keep on top of debt.  Millions of people have used U.S. bankruptcy laws to get a fresh start.

BANKRUPTCY WILL RUIN MY CREDIT FOREVER

It is true that bankruptcy stays on your credit reports for up to 10 years, but once the slate is essentially clean after a successful bankruptcy filing, people can instantly start re-building their credit.  In fact, many people even gain stronger credit scores after filing and their old debt is gone and they can start a fresh start.  Think about it, your credit probably isn't that great to begin with.  Bankruptcy is designed to clear debt and give people  a fresh financial start.

If additional credit is what you desire, you will be surprised at the amount of credit card offers you will receive after your bankruptcy filing.  Creditors know that you cannot file again and that you are debt free, so they are wiling to extend credit to you once again.

I WILL BE LOOKED DOWN UPON

Everyday people just like you decide to file for bankruptcy.  With the economy, bankruptcy does not hold that old stigma it may have a decade ago.  Most of us are struggling with debt, and many have lost jobs, making bankruptcy more common than most realize.  Your neighbor or best friend may have filed.  Bankruptcy filings do not get published in your local newspaper it will not be common knowledge that you filed for protection.  Bankruptcy has helped millions of Americans get out of debt and can help you to.

BANKRUPTCY IS EXPENSIVE

Many people believe that bankruptcy will be too expensive for them to file.  Bankruptcy is not free or course, but the fee is small compared to the amount of debt you will be discharging.  We offer a free consultation, where you will be able to sit down with an experienced attorney and discuss your situation.  The attorney will go over all of your options and quote you a fee.  If you decide to move forward a small retainer will get things started and then you can make monthly payments on your case.  Your monthly payment can be what you can afford, we just wont file your case until your fees are paid in full.

MORE INFORMATION

Fore more information check out our website at www.keeganandrade.com

Call today for your free bankruptcy consultation at our Eastgate, Ohio Bankruptcy firm.