Chapter 13 Attorneys in Woodland Hills
Overrun by Debt? It Doesn’t Have to Be Like This.
If you do not qualify for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be an option for you. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy you slowly pay off your debts over time. By restructuring your debt into manageable monthly payments, you can satisfy your outstanding debt obligations by adhering to your repayment plan during the course of three to five years. Importantly, Chapter 13 doesn’t require any asset liquidation. This means you can hold on to your belongings and even stop a foreclosure on your home.
Want a free consultation? Contact JM Law Firm, APC or call today. Our services are available in English, Spanish, and Farsi.
What Are the Benefits of Filing For Chapter 13?
Benefits of filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy include:
An automatic stay will be triggered immediately after you file, which means that all efforts to collect debt against you will be stopped. This also means that foreclosure will stop on your property. Any co-signers on loans will also be protected.
You will have time to develop a repayment plan.
Your assets will be protected from liquidation whether or not they are exempt from bankruptcy.
When the bankruptcy process has been completed a lot of your debt may be discharged.
You can keep your home, even if you’re behind on your mortgage
Your debt will be consolidated into one payment at a time that will be distributed by a trustee to all your creditors – lessening the risk of missing a payment due to a complex web of creditors.
Are You Eligible for Chapter 13?
If you are considering Chapter 13 as an option to reorganize your debt and eventually free yourself from your creditors, there are certain basic qualifications you must meet.
Chapter 13 eligibility requirements include:
Having a regular income
Unsecured debts (credit cards, personal loans, etc.) amounting to no more than around $420,000
Secured debts (vehicles, real estate, other property secured by collateral) amounting to no more than around $1.26 million
No bankruptcy case dismissals due to failure to appear or to comply with a court order within 180 days of filing a new case
No other Chapter 13 discharges within the past two years
No other discharges from other bankruptcies within the past four years
What Debts Are Not Dischargeable in Chapter 13?
Debts that are non-dischargeable in Chapter 13 include those that have certain long term obligations.
Some examples of debts that cannot be discharged are:
Debt from child or spousal support
Debts for student loans
Debts from death or injury caused by driving while intoxicated
Debts for a criminal fine that is included in the debtor’s sentence during conviction
Debts for restitution
Certain taxes
Contact JM Law Firm, APC For Help
JM Law Firm, APC’s Chapter 13 attorneys in Woodland Hills and Los Angeles can help you navigate this complicated legal process. While it may seem like a favorable option compared to Chapter 7, those who undergo Chapter 13 can owe substantial amounts of debt and must be prepared to commit to a repayment plan that could span half a decade. When you work with an experienced debt relief attorney from our firm, however, you will get the personalized attention and support you need during this process. We’ll help you work out a repayment plan that makes sense for your unique financial situation so you can feel more confident about building a more stable future.
Read on below to learn about the risks of filing for Chapter 13.
Reach out to our Chapter 13 attorneys in Los Angeles to discuss your debt matter. Your first consultation is free! Do not hesitate to contact us at 1 (888) 376-1550.
Risks for Filing Chapter 13
As you are most likely aware, bankruptcy is a legal action that can positively impact your financial situation but comes with certain consequences of its own. Review some of these risks below and reach out to our Chapter 13 attorneys in Woodland Hills if you have more questions about what you can get out of reorganizing your debt.
Risks of filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy include:
Strict adherence to your payment plan – any deviation not approved by the court can cause a dismissal and lead to loss of assets you sought to protect
Your credit can be severely impacted by bankruptcy, which can make it difficult to seek new credit
Housing options may be more limited for as long as a bankruptcy appears on your credit report (in the case of a Chapter 13, up to seven years)
How Chapter 13 Affects Your Credit
Although Chapter 13 bankruptcy can appear on your credit report for up to a decade, it is still the better choice than doing nothing at all. Missing debt payments, property repossessions, and lawsuits would also hurt your credit and are more difficult to explain to future lenders. They are more understanding of bankruptcy. And although you will lose your credit cards, you will still be able to obtain new lines of credit within 1 to 3 years after filing.
Declaring bankruptcy sooner will allow you to get on the road to rebuilding your credit sooner too.
For more information about whether you are eligible, reach out to our firm by calling or contacting us online.
Take the First Step in Achieving Peace of Mind
Schedule a free consultation with us today to discuss your unique situation. We aim to find the best solution for you.
Going Above & Beyond Your Expectations
What Makes Us Different
Client-Focused Representation
Free Consultations
Spanish & Farsi Speaking Services Available
Over 25 Years of Experience
Reach out to JM Law Firm, APC for Help!
Our firm offers prospective clients a free initial consultation to have a chance to meet with one of our attorneys. During this meeting, we will discuss your situation and offer next-step options for how our Chapter 13 attorneys in Woodland Hills and Los Angeles can help you find a path toward financial freedom.
Contact us online to schedule your complimentary consultation. We offer the possibility of same-day appointments as well as availability after normal business hours and on weekends
Hear from Our Clients
“In 2017, we had the unfortunate task of filing for a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, but the very fortunate luck in receiving Allan Williams as our attorney. Going through this process only comes after months ...”
- Shane R.