Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney San Diego

Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is meant to give you a fresh start. Stop the stressful debt cycle! Take control of your future today.  By filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy you are on your way to getting out of debt and building for your future. 

Break free from debt and take control of your finances with Chapter 7 Bankruptcy!

Say goodbye to stress, anxiety, worry and sleepless nights because of debt.  Getting out of debt is the opportunity to rebuild.  Improve your credit, plan for your future, provide for your family and move on with your life through filing bankruptcy.  You do not have to stay chained to your financial past.  Break free from debt and take control of your finances with Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy-The Most Common

By and large, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy cases are filed more than any other bankruptcy.  This is due primarily to the ability to wipe out debt without continuing payments to creditors eliminated in the bankruptcy case.  Importantly, creditors discharged in bankruptcy are legally forbidden from collecting money from you.    

Another reason is the ease of the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy process.  In fact, the entire process from start to finish is about three months.  And, credit begins rebuilding immediately upon completion of the bankruptcy.  

Filing bankruptcy is a big decision.  Our more than 12,000 Bankruptcy clients tell us filing bankruptcy was one of the best choices they ever made.  But you need an experienced San Diego Bankruptcy Attorney to make sure you qualify for Chapter 7, explain the process, take care of all of the paperwork and walk you through the process start to finish.

Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is a great solution to get rid of overwhelming debt.  If you answer YES to any of the following, contact our Bankruptcy Lawyers San Diego for your FREE financial evaluation.

• Cannot afford to pay more than minimum payments on credit cards.
• Without a job to pay your bills.
• Involved in a lawsuit because of unpaid debts.
• Taking money from one credit card to pay on another.
• Credit card payments are as much as or more than your housing expense.
• Struggling with personal loan payments.
• Owe large tax debt.
• Ordered to pay large child support payments reducing your monthly income.
• Late on mortgage payments.
• Falling behind with car payments.
• Involved in a divorce requiring you pay all or part of the marital debts.
• Have bad credit that is not getting better.
• Making credit card payments but never able to pay down the balances.
• Paying a large portion of your income toward your credit card payments.
• Liquidating retirement accounts to pay debt.
• Being hounded for payments by creditors.
• Unable to pursue additional education because you can’t get ahead on your credit card payments.
• Relying on your tax refund to pay down your debt.

What debt is wiped out in bankruptcy? 

Debts that go away in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy include:  credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, income taxes (that are at least three years old, were assessed more than two years ago and meet the 240-day assessment rule), attorney's fees, judgments, auto repossessions, foreclosure deficiencies, past due utilities, lawsuits and more.

To sum up, your balance owed on the above unsecured debts goes away.  You do not have to pay back these creditors.  Under the United States Bankruptcy Code, this is referred to as “discharge” of debt.

You can keep most, if not all your property in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, including:

• Equity in your home (primary residence) up to $600,000.
• Cars.
• Household goods: furniture, clothing, electronics, sports equipment, etc.
• Retirement accounts: 401k, Pension, 403b, IRAs and other IRS qualified accounts.
• Jewelry.
• Term life insurance policies.
• Whole Life Insurance policies with a limited cash value.
• Money in the bank.
• Tax refunds.
• And MORE!

Qualifying for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Before filing bankruptcy, you need to speak with our San Diego Bankruptcy Lawyer.  Without an experienced bankruptcy attorney representing you the  Chapter 7 process can be extremely difficult.  Specifically, the United States Bankruptcy Code is complex requiring an in-depth analysis of your household income and your assets including real and personal property.

The Bankruptcy Means Test

At the Law Offices of Mark L. Miller, our experienced bankruptcy lawyers will first analyze your income.  Part of your income analysis is confirming that you pass the bankruptcy "means test".  Passing the means test is required under the United States Bankruptcy Code.  If your income is below the median income for your household size the means test does not apply.  However, if you are above median income then the means test calculation must be performed.  Keep in mind that you may pass the means test even if your income is "above median."  However, you need an experienced bankruptcy attorney to analyze your pay and confirm you qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.

Protecting Your Property

Next, our bankruptcy attorneys we will analyze your assets to make sure none of your property is at risk if you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  As discussed in detail below, exemptions are used to protect property in a bankruptcy case.   Fortunately, exemptions are liberal for California residents.  But understanding and applying them is tricky.

File Chapter 7 Once Every 8 Years

Also, keep in mind that you can only file chapter 7 once every 8 years.  If you filed another chapter 7 case within the past 8 years you are not yet eligible to file.  That said you can consider filing chapter 13 if you need immediate bankruptcy protection.

Documentation and Credit Counseling

In addition, the United States Bankruptcy Code and the San Diego Bankruptcy Rules require documentation with a bankruptcy filing.  When you hire our experienced bankruptcy attorneys, we prepare and submit all of the required documentation on your behalf.  Lastly, you are required to complete pre-filing credit counseling through an approved credit counseling agency.  Upon completion of credit counseling you will be issued a certificate to file with the bankruptcy court.

Protect Your Property with Bankruptcy Exemptions

As has been noted, property is protected in bankruptcy using exemptions.  Above all, choosing the correct set of exemptions is the most important aspect of a bankruptcy filing.  Exemptions, and applying them is complicated.  The law requires the use of either Federal or State exemptions in a bankruptcy case.  In particular, California exemptions are especially generous compared to other states.  Still, they require careful analysis and application in a Bankruptcy filing.

Another key point is that the Bankruptcy Laws allow you to keep your San Diego residence.  Even if you have as much as $600,000 in equity in your primary residence!

However, protecting property when filing bankruptcy is complicated.  Without a skilled bankruptcy attorney who knows and understands how to apply exemptions, you risk losing some or all your property in a bankruptcy case.  Therefore, you need a qualified Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney San Diego. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Mark L. Miller have been handling bankruptcy cases for over 25 years. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Bankruptcy Automatic Stay-Stop Creditor Collection

Indeed, filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy initiates an “automatic stay” under the United States Bankruptcy Code.  The “automatic stay” acts as a stop sign preventing creditors from continuing collecting. For example, court ordered collections such as wage garnishments and bank levies stop.  Upon filing a bankruptcy case, foreclosure sales must be cancelled.  Furthermore, a creditor cannot repossess a car, truck, motorcycle, RV, boat or any other motor vehicle.

Nevertheless, there are procedures that must be followed to ensure the creditors are notified of a bankruptcy filing. For this reason, it is particularly important to consult with Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney San Diego with sufficient expertise.  Text (619) 574-0551 for a free consultation.

What Debts does Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Clear?

Filing bankruptcy gives you a fresh start by eliminating debt while allowing you to keep most of your property. In fact, most clients keep all their property and lose nothing but their debt! To begin with, Bankruptcy law is not meant to punish you. To this end, the law allows for property exemptions to keep your car, house, jewelry, clothing, and everything else. Unsecured debts like credit card balances, personal loans, money judgments, and certain taxes can be wiped out in Chapter 7.

What Debts Do Not Go Away in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

Examples of debts that do not go away in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy include spousal support, alimony, child support, student loans, court fines, government fees, parking citations, speeding tickets, restitution, criminal claims and taxes owed for the past three years.

How Long Does Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Take?

Generally, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy cases last about four months. First, we will file your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy petition with the United States Bankruptcy Court. Then you will attend a 341a meeting of creditors.  The Bankruptcy Court schedules your 341a meeting of creditors.  Typically it is held about 30 days later.

On this occasion, you will be accompanied by an experienced Chapter 7 Bankruptcy attorney from the Law Offices of Mark L. Miller.  Our attorneys are extremely qualified; they have attended thousands of 341a meetings.

Afterward, you will wait approximately three months for your discharge order to be entered by the Bankruptcy Court.  Finally, your bankruptcy case is final.  Then you are debt free!

Choose our Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney San Diego

While bankruptcy law is extremely powerful, it is equally complex. Navigating through the bankruptcy process can be overwhelming.  Therefore, it is most important that you speak with a skilled chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney.  Our process is different from many other bankruptcy firms.

We are Different from Other Bankruptcy Attorneys

For instance, our knowledgeable bankruptcy attorneys meet with every single client.  That means you get the knowledge, experience, compassion and detailed analysis from an attorney.  No high pressure sales tactics at our office!  The Law Offices of Mark L. Miller offers free consultations in person, by phone, or through video at your convenience.

Second, the attorney will give you an in-depth analysis of your individual situation.  With this in mind, there is no “one size fits all” bankruptcy. 

Third, we will explain the procedures, alternatives and risks associated with filing bankruptcy.  This means we will discuss several different options to get out of debt, including bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy options.

Lastly, we were voted #1 Bankruptcy Lawyers in San Diego five years in a row.   

Above all, our priority is for you to feel comfortable with your decision to file bankruptcy.  For this reason, the Law Offices of Mark L. Miller is here to guide you from beginning to end of your bankruptcy case. Get out of debt and get back to living life.  Contact us at the Law Offices of Mark L. Miller in San Diego. Talk with one of our experienced Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorneys so you know your rights and can get out of debt.