The good news is that there is help available through a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, referred to as a fresh start bankruptcy. It may 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.
The seasoned Ohio debt-relief lawyers at Fesenmyer Cousino Weinzimmer know how to help you get out from under unmanageable debt. Most of our firm’s Chapter 7 bankruptcy clients are able to keep all of their assets while eliminating most if not all consumer debt.
We provide a free, no-obligation consultation and offer professional and supportive representation to protect our clients. We evaluate your individual situation and help you determine if filing for Chapter 7 is the right choice for you. To discuss your options for debt relief, call one of our offices at 614-228-4435 (Columbus), 937-222-7472 (Dayton), or 877-654-5297 (Cincinnati).
Understanding Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
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. The process is over in a few 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. After your debts are discharged in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, 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
Am I Eligible?
Not everyone is eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. Your income and debt will be subjected to something called a “means test” to determine if you qualify. If you are not eligible for Chapter 7, Chapter 13 bankruptcy is another form of relief.
Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy eliminates credit card debt, medical bills and unsecured loans; however, there are some debts that cannot be discharged. Those debts include child support, spousal support obligations, student loans, judgments for damages resulting from drunk driving accidents, and most unpaid taxes.
Additional Services Fesenmyer Cousino Weinzimmer Provides Clients
If you’re not sure whether Chapter 7 bankruptcy is right for you, you should know that part of our services includes assessing our clients’ needs to determine the best path forward for their particular situation. Other bankruptcy services we provide include:
- Chapter 7– As you can see, Chapter 7 is a powerful tool to get a fresh start. It is widely used by many debtors to stop the onslaught of creditor calls.
- Chapter 13 – In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, debtors can have their debt structured to make payments more manageable. It is commonly referred to as a “wage earner’s plan.”
- Bankruptcy for Self-Employed– Being self-employed comes with many opportunities and challenges. Fortunately, self-employed individuals have many ways to address the overwhelming debt they’re facing.
- Divorce Bankruptcy – Finances prove problematic for many couples, particularly when going through a divorce. However, with the proper guidance from an attorney, divorce and bankruptcy can be manageable.
- Tax Debt– The idea that tax debt can’t be addressed through bankruptcy is very misleading. In fact, bankruptcy can be a powerful way to alleviate the tax-related debt you’ve encountered.
- Student loan debt – Many people believe that student loan debt can’t be affected by bankruptcy, but the truth is far more complicated. In some cases, student loan debt can be addressed in bankruptcy, either directly or indirectly.
We know that everyone’s debt is different. Our goal is to provide clients with solutions. We offer many different tools to accomplish this goal. If you see one of the services above that you’d like to explore, or if you want to talk to our team about other options, don’t hesitate to contact Fesenmyer Cousino Weinzimmer today to get started.
Knowing the Essentials of Bankruptcy
Though we help clients through the entire process of debt management, we understand how knowing your rights and a little about the process can help alleviate concerns. If you want to know more about bankruptcy, we encourage everyone to know your rights! Find out…
- 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 difference between 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.
- FAQ about bankruptcy – Would you like to know how bankruptcy will affect your credit or how often you can file for bankruptcy? We answer some of the most common bankruptcy-related questions.
- Terms you should know – What is an automatic stay? What does the term “under-secured claim” mean? We break down some commonly used terms in the bankruptcy process.
Of course, you aren’t required to be an expert about bankruptcy to explore your options. Please feel free to contact Fesenmyer Cousino Weinzimmer at any time. If you want debt relief, call us today at 614-228-4435 (Columbus), 937-222-7472 (Dayton), or 877-654-5297 (Cincinnati).
What About Secured Debt?
Debts backed up by property, such as home mortgages or automobile loans, are secured debts. The debt will be discharged but the lender is entitled to recover the property used as security. If you want to keep the property, you do have alternatives. You can negotiate with the lender while in bankruptcy to alter the terms of the original loan. The lender might be willing to extend your loan so that the payments are more affordable or might offer a reduced principal balance on the loan. You also have the option of keeping the property if you pay its current value to your lender. Our experienced attorneys can review your individual situation and go over all of the options with you.
Considering Chapter 7? Here’s What You SHOULDN’T Do
Some people that are considering 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.
If you’re thinking about Chapter 7…
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 be thinking that you’re about to tackle your debt through bankruptcy, so what’s the harm in tacking 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 otherwise retained during bankruptcy.
Don’t rush a divorce to get it finalized before filing for bankruptcy. If at all 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 someone who knows the law can maximize your assets while minimizing the potential for any critical errors.
Contact Fesenmyer Cousino Weinzimmer Today
The longer you wait to explore your bankruptcy options, the more chances you have of getting deeper in debt, and the more stress and worry you will endure. Bankruptcy issues are complicated, but the 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 make sure you are aware of all your options and help you decide on the path to a brighter future that makes sense in your individual 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.
