CHAPTER 7 SOLUTIONSFREEDOM FROM DEBT
A Chapter 7 Attorney Can Help Eliminate Debt
An Affordable Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney Can Make the Difference
Are you struggling with layoffs and downsizing, overwhelming medical and credit card bills, and other mounting debts? Are you being harassed by creditors and facing the possibility of foreclosure or repossession?
When times are tough, bills rapidly pile up; before you know it, you, your family, or your small business can face a financial disaster. The good news is that there is help available through a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, referred to as a fresh start bankruptcy. Bankruptcy, a legal way to have many debts forgiven, can put you on the road to financial recovery. It can discharge unsecured debts, including credit cards, medical bills, and installment loans. It stops, prevents, or resolves collections, loan deficiencies, repossessions, wage garnishment, and civil judgments. It can help you eliminate the bills you cannot afford, while allowing you to keep assets such as your car and your house.
How do you know if bankruptcy is right for you? The affordable Chapter 7 Ohio bankruptcy attorneys at Fesenmyer Cousino Weinzimmer can help. We understand that financial problems can happen to even the most well-intentioned people, and we are here to take the burden off you. We offer a free consultation to evaluate your financial situation and can help by looking at your income, debts, and goals and coming up with a plan that’s best for you. We have helped thousands of families across the state and can do the same for you.
When you call us, we can review your case, explain your options, and help you decide which direction to go in.
To learn more about your opportunity to make a fresh start, call a skilled Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer at Fesenmyer Cousino Weinzimmer.
Call us now at 614-228-4435 (Columbus), 937-222-7472 (Dayton), or 877-654-5297 (Cincinnati).
Why Choose Our Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyers?
Our Affordable Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney Can Make the Difference
The bankruptcy process is complex, and making mistakes can result in complications that can make your situation worse. While there are many attorneys out there, it is important to find one you not only feel comfortable with but who has the experience and track record necessary to see you through your bankruptcy successfully. Here are some reasons why we believe you should choose our FCW Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyers:
- We are experienced – Founding attorney Tom Fesenmyer has been practicing law since 2001 and has personally filed several thousand cases to help people get out of financial difficulty. Our firm focuses solely on bankruptcy, debt relief, and related matters.
- We are affordable. We understand that you are already having financial problems, so we strive not only to keep our fees low but, if necessary, to work with you to arrange affordable plans for payment prior to filing. By efficiently analyzing your situation and your options, we can prevent you from making mistakes that can wind up costing you more in the long run.
- We are compassionate. Our attorneys show deep compassion and respect for our clients, and we understand that even the most responsible and hardworking individuals can find themselves in debt despite their best efforts.
- We know how to negotiate with your creditors and try to get them to slow down their collection attempts to allow you time to obtain the funds you need to file.
- We provide trusted advice. We understand the distinctions between the various types of bankruptcy and can provide the best legal advice to help you decide which is the best way to protect your assets and get back on the road to financial freedom.
- We are thorough. We make sure everything is done correctly so that there will be no delays in getting you the debt relief you need.
- We are available to answer your questions and concerns and have the backup staff, paraprofessionals, and legal assistants prepare your case properly. To learn more about our legal team, read our attorney bios.
- We are certified by the American Board of Certification.
- We offer free, confidential, and personalized consultations to discuss your individual situation and determine the best way to help.
When you hire Fesenmyer Cousino Weinzimmer, an Ohio Chapter 7 lawyer will sit down with you, explain the law, help you get your documents in order, and file a petition on your behalf with the bankruptcy court. We evaluate your individual situation and help you determine whether filing for Chapter 7 is the right choice for you, and we will walk beside you every step of the process.
You don’t have to feel discouraged or hopeless about debt. There is a solution. Call us today 614-228-4435 (Columbus), 937-222-7472 (Dayton), or 877-654-5297 (Cincinnati).
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyers Explain Ohio Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 bankruptcy is often suitable for people with a lot of unsecured debt but not much income. Often referred to as liquidation bankruptcy, Chapter 7 can allow you to stay in your home while discharging credit card, medical and other debt.
If your income is too low to pay credit card bills, medical bills, utilities, payday loans, or personal loans, Chapter 7 may be the best option. Chapter 7 is an organized way to liquidate debt and some assets you do not want to keep, putting you on a firmer financial footing to move forward.
The process is over quickly – usually within four to six months, so you can begin rebuilding credit quickly. Upon discharge of your Chapter 7, you will have little or no debt remaining, and lenders may feel that you will be better able to repay your debts in the future. Many people finance vehicles and receive solicitations for unsecured credit within months. In addition, you may be eligible to purchase a home within two years of your bankruptcy discharge.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Can Protect You From:
- Creditor harassment
- Vehicle repossession debt
- Wage garnishment
- Civil lawsuits
- Unpaid cosigned debts.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and the Ohio Means Test
Not everyone is eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. Your income and debt will be subjected to something called a “means test” to determine whether you qualify. The means test assesses whether your household income falls below the median for Ohio. If you are not eligible for Chapter 7, Chapter 13 bankruptcy is another form of relief we can discuss.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorneys Answer FAQs
If you are faced with filing for bankruptcy, you probably have many questions and concerns. These are best addressed in your free consultation, but to get you started, here are some answers to questions our Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyers are often asked.
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy can stay on your credit report for 7 to 10 years from the date the bankruptcy was filed. After this time, the bankruptcy will automatically fall off your credit report.
Ohio bankruptcy exemptions are state laws that articulate which and/or how much of your assets are “exempt,” and outside the reach of creditors when you’re filing bankruptcy. According to Ohio law (Title 23, Section 2329.66), you may exempt a portion of a property that falls into categories that include such as real estate, disability benefits, tools of the trade, life insurance policy or proceeds, and others. Allowable amounts for exemptions change periodically and are listed here.
Debts backed up by property, such as home mortgages or automobile loans, are secured debts. The debt will be discharged in bankruptcy, but the lender is entitled to recover the property used as security. If you want to keep the property, you do have alternatives, such as negotiating with the lender to make payments more affordable. You also may keep the property if you pay its current value to your lender. Our experienced Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorneys can go over all the options with you.
Under U.S. bankruptcy law, there are some types of debts that are not dischargeable. These include:
- Alimony
- Child support
- Student loans (except in rare cases)
- Some taxes
- Debt incurred through fraud
- Financial penalties imposed for DUI arrests.
Our affordable Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer can determine whether your particular debts can be discharged through bankruptcy.
The only options for removing a lien on a second mortgage are paying the mortgage in full or settling it. A common strategy for settling a second mortgage after Chapter 7 is making a settlement offer to the lender to remove the lien on your second mortgage. The lender may agree, because it is not usually cost-effective to foreclose since that involves paying off the first mortgage and legal costs. Second mortgages are usually settled for between 5 and 20 percent of the second mortgage loan balance.
Attorney fees vary based on factors such as how complicated your case is or if there are special issues that require spending more time to resolve. At Fesenmyer Cousino Weinzimmer, we pride ourselves on keeping our costs low and not piling up add-on fees. Because we are highly experienced and focus on bankruptcy, we offer a streamlined approach that is very affordable and can save you money in the long run.
Essentials of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Our Chapter 7 Attorney Helps You Understand Your Rights
Though we help clients through the entire process of debt management, knowing a little more about the process can help alleviate concerns. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Ohio has a lot of moving parts. We encourage everyone to know their rights! Following is some important information:
- What you can keep – Bankruptcy can be used to protect valuable assets. Find out what you can and can’t keep while filing for bankruptcy.
- How to stop collections – Debt collections are a major burden for debtors, but they can be stopped through certain processes.
- The different filing statuses – When it comes to tackling debt, couples have many options available. Find out some of the key differences between common bankruptcy filing statuses.
- Alternatives to bankruptcy – Bankruptcy is a lifesaver for many debtors, but it’s one of many tools that debtors might consider.
- Terms you should know – What is an automatic stay? What does the term “under-secured claim” mean? We break down some terms commonly used in the bankruptcy process.
Chapter 7 Dos and Don’ts
Some people who consider filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy make critical errors during or before the filing process. Many do this to try to outsmart the system, but others do so simply because they don’t realize that their actions could have a detrimental impact on their filing. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind:
- Talk to a skilled Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer before making big decisions or taking action with your debt. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to debt solutions.
- Do gather all of your documents together to get a real-time assessment of how much debt you have. Gather in one place all credit card statements, medical bills, mortgage or lease documents, car payment info, personal loan paperwork, and other debt information so you can get a true snapshot of your situation. You will need to provide these to your Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney.
- Don’t attempt to pay off certain types of debt at the expense of others. Often, this takes the form of paying off debt to friends or family members, but it creates many problems in the bankruptcy filing process.
- Don’t rack up new debt. You might think that you’re about to tackle your debt through bankruptcy, so what’s the harm in taking on a bit more before you buckle down? This is yet another way to create serious financial and legal concerns in your case.
- Don’t take your time in the process. You should get the process started as quickly as possible. Otherwise, you might lose resources you could have retained during bankruptcy.
- Don’t rush a divorce to get it finalized before filing for bankruptcy. If possible, the process will be simpler if you can file for divorce after your bankruptcy.
Make sure you talk to an experienced Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer when considering your options. There are plenty of pitfalls and opportunities for filers. Consulting with our Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyers can maximize your assets while minimizing the potential for any critical errors.
Call Our Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney Today
The longer you wait to explore your bankruptcy options, the more chances you have of getting deeper into debt and the more stress and worry you will endure. Bankruptcy issues are complicated, but the Ohio bankruptcy attorneys at Fesenmyer Cousino Weinzimmer understand the issues and the difficult decisions involved.
We will provide you with a personalized case evaluation and counsel you regarding debt relief options, including but not limited to Chapter 7 bankruptcy. We work with you to ensure you are aware of all your options and help you decide on the path to a brighter future that makes sense in your case. We understand what you are going through and will walk you through the process.
Don’t delay! Call Fesenmyer Cousino Weinzimmer at one of our conveniently located office branches at 614-228-4435 (Columbus), 937-222-7472 (Dayton), or 877-654-5297 (Cincinnati) or email for a free consultation so we can determine what debt relief solutions will work best for you.
