5 Tips on Filing Atlanta Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

What is Chapter 7 bankruptcy? Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a reasonable option for Atlanta residents with high credit card debt, numerous unpaid bills, and who have no way out of financial hardship. You may have lost your job, or someone close had a medical emergency, or perhaps you made a bad investment and are in the “red” with your finances.

The True Definition of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy for Atlanta Residents

Chapter 7 bankrupt is a liquidation proceeding where debts are discharged. It does not discharge all debts, such as alimony or taxes, but it can discharge medical, credit card, and mortgage debts. However, this is a liquidation proceeding where nonexempt items of yours can be sold to pay back creditors. In most cases, debtors lose nothing to creditors.

Before You File Atlanta Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
You must first make sure you’re eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If you make too much, you may be forced to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy under new federal laws. Depending on your income, assets, and debt burden, you may have to file Atlanta Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Also, if you filed bankruptcy 6-8 years ago, depending on what type of bankruptcy, you may not be eligible to file any bankruptcy.
Once you research limits, you also should research hiring an Atlanta bankruptcy attorney; you can find many online.

Filing Atlanta Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
You will need to file a petition with the bankruptcy court in your area when filing bankruptcy. After, you need to show schedules of assets and liabilities, info on current income and expenses, a statement of financial affairs, and a schedule of executory contracts and unexpired leases. You also need to supply your prior year tax return.

There other documents you must file if you’re an individual debtor filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Don’t worry–an Atlanta bankruptcy attorney can help you handle credit counseling debt repayment plan, evidence of payment from employers, a statement of monthly net income and potential changes in income and expenses after filing bankruptcy, and show a record of state or federal education accounts.

Sound hard?

Hiring an Atlanta Bankruptcy Attorney
An Atlanta bankruptcy attorney will help you with everything–if you choose the right one. Hiring lawyers can be difficult, but in most cases, you actually save money, assets, and time by hiring a professional bankruptcy attorney. He or she can advise you on bankruptcy law, walk you through all the steps of filing, and handle the court date.

If you need an Atlanta bankruptcy lawyer, you can find dozens online. Be sure to query experience, rates, and how busy they are. You want an attorney experienced in Atlanta law,  who fits your budget, and won’t put you on a huge list of clients for a small law firm.


Incomes Flat, Unemployment Unchanged, Did Someone Say This Recession Was Over?

Treasury Secretary Tim Geitner and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke have been saying that the numbers show that the recession is over and that the economy is on the upswing. Little comfort in Georgia, where according to a report in today’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution, unemployment seems to be pegged at 10.1 percent and incomes remained flat.

People are still struggling to pay their bills and keep their heads above water here in Atlanta. (Now that we have had some rain we can talk about being underwater again.)

Most experts will tell you that recovery in the numbers that show the economy is improving precede the recovery in incomes for most families by 6-9 months. That means that Georgia families will continue to struggle to pay their credit card bills and keep up on mortgage payments.

Clearing unsecured debt and getting a fresh start can take part of the burden off you and your family. Schedule a free consultation to see how filing bankruptcy can help.

Filed under: Economic News — Tags: , — admin @ 2:21 pm

Atlanta Bankruptcy – What is involved?

Bankruptcy is a legal filing that allows a person who is unable to pay their debts to rewrite their financial future.  Bankruptcies are managed by the federal bankruptcy court. 

In Atlanta, bankruptcy is handled by the Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia.  If you are considering choosing to file for bankruptcy in the Atlanta area, your first course of action should be to contact an Atlanta bankruptcy attorney

This professional can assist you in reviewing your own financial situation and help you determine if filing for bankruptcy is the best decision for you.  A qualified Atlanta bankruptcy lawyer can also discuss which chapter of bankruptcy is best for you to file based on your unique situation and can guide you in every step of the bankruptcy filing process. 

Remember that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and its officials are prohibited from giving any advice that may be construed as legal advice.  The only person who can offer advice on your bankruptcy filing is a licensed attorney. 

Once you and your representative determine the best course of action in your particular case, they will file a bankruptcy petition on your behalf.  Once this petition is filed, your creditors will be notified of the filing, the case number, the trustee that will oversee your case, the date assigned to the Meeting of Creditors and the deadline they must meet for filing any objections to the debts or debtors identified in your filing. 

Additionally, the creditors will be advised on their options in this case and will receive instructions regarding the process for filing an objection in this case.  If no objections are filed in your case within the time period specified, the court will proceed with the bankruptcy. 

In a chapter 7 bankruptcy, the court will issue a discharge order, non-exempt assets will be liquidated, and their proceeds will be distributed to the appropriate creditors. 

In a chapter 13 case, payments will be made to creditors as outlined in the court-approved payment plan.  Regardless of chapter, once all payments have been made, the bankruptcy case will be closed.


Bankruptcy Rate Climbs 36 Percent In First Quarter

After posting the highest number of bankruptcy filings in a year last year, the first quarter numbers in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s Northern Georgia District, which includes the Atlanta Metro area, rose almost 36 percent in the first quarter. 

The total number of bankruptcies filed rose to 12,059 in January, February and March of 2009, up from 8,878 in the same time period in 2008.

The jump is seen mostly in Chapter 7 cases, which grew 61 percent, according to court records.

Filed under: Bankruptcy News — Tags: , — admin @ 7:52 am

Georgia tops bankruptcy rankings

Georgia ranks number three in U.S. bankruptcy filings, according to Elizabeth Warren, a professor at Havard Law School and the chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel created to oversee the Troubled Assets Relief Program.

Are you considering bankruptcy, too? Whether this is your initial search for information or you have already done your bankruptcy homework, one great resource for state-specific information is the State Bar of Georgia. It offers a consumer pamphlet series, including an overview of Georgia bankruptcy laws designed to answer general questions about the bankruptcy process. “Anyone considering bankruptcy should speak with an attorney who is familiar with or specializes in bankruptcy for specifics and a greater explanation of the law,” the pamphlet advises.

Our attorneys will help you select the best bankruptcy option for your situation, and ensure that all of your creditors are included in the debt relief settlement. They will guide you through the complexities of this difficult decision, including mapping out every step you must take to qualify for bankruptcy protection and appearing with you in court.

Federal law requires that your debts are a financial hardship beyond control. Common situations that create such circumstances include:

  • Loss of employment,
  • Medical bills,
  • Stopping foreclosure on your home, or
  • Divorce.

We understand that your situation is unique, and you may be experiencing any number of the common or other financial hardships. We are here to help you change your situation and gain control of your debt.

To learn more about Elizabeth Warren’s research on bankruptcy, debt, and the current financial crisis in the United States, view her bibliography.




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