Lee Legal

1. Eliminate Your Debts.

The entire goal of bankruptcy is to eliminate debt.  In bankruptcy terminology this is known as a “discharge” of debts.  Whether you file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, by the time your bankruptcy case is closed, all or most of your debts should be eliminated. 

2. Stop Foreclosure on Your Home.

If your mortgage company has sent you a Notice of Foreclosure Sale, you must act quickly.  In many cases it will be possible to save your home through a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.  Bankruptcy will not eliminate the missed mortgage payments, but you will be able to repay those payments over a three to five year period.  You will also buy some time to allow you to work out a refinance or mortgage modification with your lender.  We will work together to find a repayment plan that will work for your budget. 

3. Stop Creditor Harassment and Phone Calls. 

Creditors can be rude and relentless.  Now, with the advent of skip-tracing, collection agents will call your friends and family to ascertain your whereabouts.  Creditors will call you incessantly at work, at home, and on your cell phone.  Bankruptcy can put an immediate stop to creditor harassment. 

4. Loss of Employment.

Unemployment is the most common reason to file for for bankruptcy.  The loss of income is often devastating, sometimes even moreso to a two-income household.  Instead of exhausting your savings, filing for bankruptcy is often a much better strategic option. 

5. End Wage Garnishments.

Both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy will stop current or impending wage garnishments.  A garnishment can decrease your paycheck to levels that make it impossible to pay for basic necessities.  Bankruptcy eliminates the garnishment and lets you address your creditors on a more level playing field.

6. Prevent Repossession of Your Car or Truck.

Generally speaking, car companies are even more quick to repossess a car than mortgage companies are to foreclose on a house.  If you have missed payments on a vehicle, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy will allow you to make up the missed payments over a three to five year period.  Even if the company has already repossessed your car, we can force them to return it, but we must act quickly to get back the vehicle before it is sold at auction. 

7. Eliminate or Reduce High Medical Bills.

An unforeseen illness or accident can be ruinous to your finances.  Monthly payments often fall to the wayside when a family is faced with the choice of either paying a creditor or caring for a loved one.  Bankruptcy can often help you repair your finances from a sudden health problems. 

8. Establish Reasonable Repayment for Large Amounts of Student Loan Debt.

In most cases, student loans cannot be eliminated by bankrupcty.  Student loan companies will try to establish with you the highest monthly payment possible.  Bankruptcy can not only help you consolidate your student loan debt, but allow you to make a reasonable monthly payment based on your disposable income. 

9. Challenge Creditor Claims.

Sometimes creditors do not credit your account with payments you have made.  Sometimes creditors claim that you owe more than you actually do.  Bankruptcy allows you to challenge fraudulent claims, and creditors have to prove by detailed statements what you actually owe, which your bankruptcy attorney can scrutinize for accuracy.  In some cases, you will not be the only person that a creditor has defrauded.  Bankruptcy offers a robust opportunity to challenge creditors and force them to document their claims against you.

10. Prevent Your Utilities From Being Shut Off.

If you are facing foreclosure, then utility companies may also be threatening to shut off basic services.  Bankruptcy can help you keep the lights on and the water flowing.