Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Los Angeles

Are you thinking about filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Los Angeles? If so, you will need to consider looking for qualified bankruptcy lawyers to ensure you are protected throughout the process.

In this article, you will learn how to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Los Angeles.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Los Angeles | SFVBA Attorney Referral Service

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Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Los Angeles

Filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a complicated process, so it’s important for you to consider seeking professional legal help. An experienced bankruptcy attorney will be able to guide you through the process and ensure the best results.

So, where can you find a qualified attorney near you?

The SFVBA Attorney Referral Service is certified by the State Bar of California and meets the American Bar Association standards for lawyer referral. With a comprehensive membership of over 150 well-established attorneys in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, we can help connect you with the right bankruptcy lawyer for your needs.

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What is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

A Chapter 7 Bankruptcy allows for many or all of your debts to be canceled. However, it also means that some of your property might be sold or liquidated to pay any creditors you may have. This type of bankruptcy is designed to give you a “fresh start.”

Specific criteria need to be met to qualify for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. For instance, under a means test, you must have income low enough to file for this type of bankruptcy. The means test ensures that those filing for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy truly cannot pay their debts.

To meet the means test, it must first be determined whether your income is more or less than the median income in California. If you earn more than this, you must determine whether enough income will be left over, after subtracting some expenses, to repay some of your debt. This is also known as ‘monthly disposable income’. The higher this disposable income, the less likely you will be allowed to file for a Chapter 7. The means test applies only to those who have primarily consumer debts.

The Criteria

Like most legal matters, filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a complex process. For this reason, we encourage you to work with experienced bankruptcy Chapter 7 lawyers.

Here are the criteria for filing:

  • Not receiving a bankruptcy discharge in the last 6 – 8 years
  • Being eligible for a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy based on income, expenses, and debt burden

To file for a Chapter 7, you must fill out a petition along with a number of other forms that will be filed with your local bankruptcy court. The forms will ask about your property, current income and living expenses, debts, the property you are allowed to keep under the law (exempt property), property owned and money spent during the last two years, and property sold or given away in the past two years.

When you file for a Chapter 7, an “Order for Relief” is automatically put into effect. This is also known as an automatic stay. The automatic stay means that most creditors will be stopped from trying to collect what you may owe them.

For example, creditors will be unable to:

  • Garnish wages
  • Empty your bank accounts
  • Repossess your car
  • Foreclose on your house
  • Take other property you own
  • Cut off utility services
  • Take away welfare benefits

Related: Foreclosure Alternatives

How a Bankruptcy Lawyer Can Help

Filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is a complicated process because so much information is needed for the forms that must be filed.

Additionally, after filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, you might be required to meet with creditors who will ask you questions. A bankruptcy attorney can prepare you for the creditors’ meeting and give you an idea of what may be asked.

Creditors may also challenge whether your debt can be discharged, allege that you committed fraud, or allege some other type of illegal action. An attorney will be able to assist with disputes between you and your creditors and will help you form defenses against any allegations of misconduct.

A professional bankruptcy attorney is also experienced in helping clients file for different types of bankruptcy and will be able to explain your options, the process involved in each, and what the consequences of each are.

Conclusion

If you are filing for any type of bankruptcy, a bankruptcy attorney is essential. An attorney who has experience in this specific area of law will know the complexities involved. If you are specifically filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, securing legal counsel with experience in this field is imperative.

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