Filing for Bankruptcy in Atlanta, GA
Overwhelming debt plus creditor harassment is a sure way for anyone to lose sleep. In such circumstances, peace would become a distant memory.
Some creditors could also obtain a court order that allows them to begin the process of wage garnishments against you. At this point, your already meager income would be further depleted, leaving you to struggle with the essential bills.
If this scenario sounds familiar, perhaps you would agree that the way out of the mountain of debt is to seek a fresh start. So, if you’re seeking debt relief in Atlanta, GA, you might consider filing for bankruptcy.
What Is Bankruptcy?
Filing bankruptcy is a legal process that helps you eliminate all your debts and start over. The bankruptcy process allows people or entities that are unable to repay their debts to creditors to seek relief from any or all of those obligations.
In most jurisdictions, the debtor usually voluntarily initiates bankruptcy proceedings, which are imposed by a court.
Types of Bankruptcy in Atlanta, GA
There are several types of bankruptcy under Georgia law, including:
- Chapter 7 bankruptcy: This type of bankruptcy is used when an individual’s debts are too high for them to pay off. Your valuable properties could be repossessed to discharge your debts in such an instance.
- Chapter 11 bankruptcy: This is mainly used for businesses with too much debt that they cannot pay off.
- Chapter 13 bankruptcy: This procedure is used when the person or business wants to pay its debts over time subject to a court-approved payment plan. You need to attend the creditors’ hearing, where the payment plan will be drawn up.
How Does Bankruptcy Work in Atlanta?
Filing for bankruptcy is a big decision, but it could be the right one for you. It releases you from both your secured and unsecured debts while allowing you to start afresh. The process of bankruptcy starts by filing a petition in the bankruptcy court. You would also need to submit financial documents and statements to prove your case.
Note that bankruptcy is not an opportunity to illegally hide from your creditors. Instead, when you file bankruptcy, you are forced to disclose all your assets and debts. If it is discovered that you are trying to defraud creditors during the bankruptcy process, your case may be thrown out. Whatever your reason for filing bankruptcy may be, seek legal assistance to ensure that you have proper guidance.
The Cost of Hiring Bankruptcy Attorneys
Attorneys generally charge clients based on their location, practice areas, size of their firm, the complexity of the case, and additional services the law firm provides you. Similarly, an Atlanta bankruptcy lawyer will charge you based on these factors.
If you choose to work with bankruptcy lawyers throughout the process, you would need to discuss fees during the initial consultation.
The good news is that some wage garnishments and bankruptcy lawyers can offer you a free consultation.
Do You Need a Lawyer to File for Bankruptcy?
You can file for bankruptcy on your own. Although this option might seem cheaper, consulting a bankruptcy lawyer is always a good idea. Bankruptcy laws are complicated, and there is the danger of losing some of your properties because you did something wrong or used the wrong procedure.
A bankruptcy attorney can help you navigate the court system and ensure you have the proper documentation.
So, if you’re dealing with high hospital bills, credit card debt, or wage garnishment, a bankruptcy lawyer can advise you and offer some insights from a professional perspective.
What Does a Bankruptcy Attorney Do?
Bankruptcy lawyers are legal professionals with extensive knowledge of the bankruptcy code and significant practice experience. They provide legal advice and represent clients in court for bankruptcy cases and related issues.
The process of filing for bankruptcy can be complicated and require a lot of time and money. Hiring a competent bankruptcy lawyer is crucial to ensure the process is as smooth as possible.
A bankruptcy lawyer can also help you if you’re dealing with:
- Credit card debts
- High medical bills
- Job loss
- Personal injury cases.
How a Bankruptcy Lawyer Can Help You
It can be challenging to decide what you need to do when you’re struggling with debt, and understanding bankruptcy is an excellent first step. Getting out of debt is easier when you hire a lawyer because of their experience. Their extensive experience with bankruptcy debt relief can help you in the several ways, including:
- Getting legal advice can enable you to decide if a bankruptcy filing is the right course of action. A bankruptcy lawyer can also guide you on the bankruptcy option that would be a good fit for you.
- All eligible debts can be eliminated with the help of a bankruptcy lawyer.
- Hiring a lawyer can save time because you do not have to deal with paperwork or filing procedures.
- Bankruptcy lawyers often establish relationships with judges, trustees, and the bankruptcy court, which is usually an advantage for you. Lawyers are also able to negotiate with creditors in certain circumstances.
- Creditors and collection agencies cannot harass you because they must first speak with your legal representation.
Overall, lawyers offer you peace of mind and protection from uncertainty. They deal with the nitty-gritty so that you don’t have to.
What to Ask Your Bankruptcy Attorneys
When faced with the prospects of bankruptcy, you should know the right questions to ask your attorney to get a clearer picture of the process and all that is required of you. For starters, you might want to find out the following:
- If there are bankruptcy alternatives that might suit your circumstances instead of filing for bankruptcy.
- The pros and cons of filing for bankruptcy.
- The difference between bankruptcy procedures under Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 and which is right for you.
- The estimated time frame within which bankruptcy proceedings are concluded.
- The cost of filing for bankruptcy, including attorney fees.
- How to stop creditor harassment.
Finding a Top-notch Bankruptcy Law Firm in Atlanta
There are many bankruptcy lawyers for Georgia residents to choose from. However, if you reside in Atlanta or the Sandy Springs Area, it might be better to establish an attorney-client relationship with a bankruptcy lawyer nearby. Working with an Atlanta law firm means you can easily reach your lawyer whenever you need to talk to them. This will help save traveling costs when you need to meet with your attorney physically.
Matthew Cherney is an experienced bankruptcy attorney with a thorough understanding of Atlanta bankruptcy law. He can help you if you feel that the bankruptcy process is too overwhelming or complicated for you.
Visit or call our law firm to take advantage of the free consultation we offer. Let us help you get back to financial freedom!