Bankruptcy law is generally federal law under the United States Bankruptcy Code. This is largely true in the state of Washington, although residents of this state have the option to choose between federal and Washington bankruptcy exemptions.
The bankruptcy process can be complex and hard to understand. Although technically you can represent yourself in federal bankruptcy court in Washington, it is a good idea to have an experienced bankruptcy lawyer to represent you through the process.
At Stone Rose Law, our bankruptcy lawyers represent Washington state residents in all forms of bankruptcy, including Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
If you’re considering bankruptcy, call us at (480) 630-2765 or use our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Washington-licensed bankruptcy lawyer.
At Stone Rose Law, our bankruptcy Attorney provide legal advice and representation for all your debt relief needs.
This is perhaps the most well-known form of bankruptcy, also known as “liquidation bankruptcy.” If your income is not enough to keep up with your monthly payments, or you have lost your source of income, Chapter 7 may be a good choice for you.
In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, upon discharge, most of your unsecured debts will be eliminated. You will still be subject to liens attached to your secured debts and possible repossession of or foreclosure on secured property, although the debt payment obligation will be eliminated.
Another signature characteristic of Chapter 7 is that the trustee in bankruptcy is authorized to sell or liquidate non-exempt assets of your bankruptcy estate. Washington state law allows you to choose between federal bankruptcy exemptions or Washington’s exemptions. Your bankruptcy attorney can help you decide which set of exemptions is best for you.
A Chapter 7 generally only takes four to six months to complete through discharge.
A Chapter 13 bankruptcy is also known as a reorganization bankruptcy. Unlike a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the trustee will not seek to sell non-exempt assets. You can keep your property. Instead, you will work with your creditors to create a debt repayment plan. This plan typically takes between three and five years to complete. When the payment plan is complete, your outstanding debts will be discharged.
A Chapter 13 is often a good choice if you have a stable income. Under the debt payment plan, you may pay off some debts completely and others partially, but the monthly plan payments will allow you to handle them without breaking your budget.
The prospect of bankruptcy can be intimidating and confusing. A Stone Rose Law bankruptcy attorney can make sure you are well-informed about your bankruptcy choices, how each applies to your situation, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
We will answer your questions about debt relief and bankruptcy promptly and clearly, so you can make an informed decision. Then we will represent you throughout the entire bankruptcy process, from gathering the necessary information to file for bankruptcy to staying with you until your bankruptcy case is discharged.
The Washington-licensed bankruptcy lawyers at Stone Rose Law are thoroughly experienced in all areas of personal and business bankruptcy law.
Filing for bankruptcy does not mean that you are a bad person. It does not make you a “failure.”
It is a tool that the federal government provides to help ordinary people like you get back on their feet in times of financial hardship that can occur due to matters beyond your control, such as medical bills, job loss, or other unexpected life events.
Having a Stone Rose Law bankruptcy lawyer on your side in the federal court bankruptcy process can help you to protect your legal rights, get a fresh start, and start rebuilding your credit. No matter what caused your financial situation to become one of crushing debt, our dedicated team of bankruptcy specialists is here to help.
Get started by calling our law firm at (480) 630-2765 to reach a Washington state-licensed bankruptcy lawyer and schedule a free case evaluation today.
