Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Birmingham, Alabama Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer

Are you wondering whether you can get a fresh start by filing bankruptcy? Depending on how much you owe, the type of debts involved, and your income, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy (straight bankruptcy) may eliminate much of your debt.

We have included some information below about bankruptcy law. If you would like to discuss the possibility of filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy with a lawyer, contact our Birmingham office. There is no charge to sit down with an attorney and find out whether filing chapter 7 bankruptcy will help you.

At our law firm debt relief attorneys Matt Dunaway and Elizabeth Johnson focus their entire practice on helping individuals who:

• are being harassed by bill collectors
• are concerned about losing their homes to foreclosure
• are being sued for debt
• are involved in divorce-related bankruptcy

Bankruptcy allows the debtor to get a fresh start on his or her finances, without the burden of an overwhelming debt load. Typically a debtor will file bankruptcy when it appears he or she has little or no hope of ever being able to repay the debts incurred, considering the amount of income and assets involved.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, also known as consumer bankruptcy or straight bankruptcy, provides a way for debtors, both individuals and married couples to discharge some debts, bills and financial obligations. About thirty days after you file your hearing will be held, and usually the Court will order a Discharge about three months later.

If you file Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, you are able to keep some property through:

• homestead exemptions
• personal property exemptions
• exemptions for tools and uniforms you need for your employment
• exemptions for some insurance benefits and pensions

You may be able to keep some items that have loans against them, such as appliances or furniture, by making arrangements to continue payments.

Credit card debt and some other debt not secured by property may be discharged – you will not have to pay, and the creditor can no longer send you bills or call you in an attempt to collect. After our clients’ bankruptcies are final, we assist them in repairing incorrect credit reports.

Debts that can not be discharged through Chapter 7 include:

• recent taxes
• family support
• student loans
• drunk driving judgments
• criminal fines and restitutions
• debts incurred by fraud or intentional wrongdoing.

We offer free case evaluations at our office in Birmingham. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer will look at your bills, income, and assets, and explain whether bankruptcy is the best course for you.

Debt relief attorneys from our firm represent clients throughout Alabama, including Jefferson County, St. Clair County, Blount County, and Shelby County, and the communities of Birmingham, Oneonta, Ashville, Columbiana, Gardendale, Harpersville, Talladega, Fultondale, Hueytown, Bessemer, Vestavia Hills, Trussville, Tarrant City, Hoover, Moody, Leeds, Pelham, Alabaster, Mountain Brook, Pell City, Margaret, Trafford, Lincoln, and Irondale, Alabama.

For more information about Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, see:

• Bankruptcy Information Center
• Frequently Asked Questions about Bankruptcy  
• Bankruptcy and Real Estate
• Bankruptcy and Litigation