"I never thought I would file for bankruptcy." We hear this from potential clients every day. No one makes bankruptcy their goal. We wouldn't represent them if they did.
Clients often ask how they will know when it is time to consider a bankruptcy. Here are some simple questions to ask yourself:
- Is the stress of your debts keeping you awake at night?
- Afraid to answer your phone because you know it is probably a debt collector?
- Are you cutting back on things such as food or prescriptions so that you can pay your debts?
- Is your family becoming really good at managing the calls from your debt collectors?
- Are you in danger of losing your car or house?
- Are your wages about to be garnished?
- Are you afraid to get your mail?
- If the answer to any one of these questions is "yes," then it is time to explore what bankruptcy can do for you.
CALL OUR OFFICE AT 732-333-0681 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION. WE ARE CENTRALLY LOCATED AT 30 BROAD STREET, FREEHOLD, NEW JERSEY. OUR MONMOUTH COUNTY LOCATION ALLOWS US TO REPRESENT CLIENTS IN THE TRENTON, CAMDEN AND NEWARK BANKRUPTCY COURTS.
Fill out the bankruptcy questionnaire and gather the documents on the checklist, and call our Freehold, New Jersey, office at 732-333-0681 for an appointment.
With the information you supply, we can assess your situation and provide you with options.
For a Free Consultation, Call 732-333-0681 or 1-866-NJ-LAW-FIRM (1-866-655-29-3476) Today or Contact Us Online.
WHAT CAN BANKRUPTCY DO FOR ME?
This is the real question: Will bankruptcy help you? Bankruptcy can provide you with many options you don't have now, including simply time. Time to make decisions at your own pace, rather than under threat of foreclosure, repossession or garnishment by an aggressive creditor.
Some of the most common questions our clients ask us about what bankruptcy does are:
- What is an automatic stay? An automatic stay is a federal law that simply declares all collection efforts must stop the second a bankruptcy case is field, no ifs ands or buts. A creditor trying to collect has to go to the bankruptcy court to try and collect once the bankruptcy is field. Any attempt to collect, lawsuit, phone call, nasty note, without bankruptcy court permission is a violation of the law.
- Does a bankruptcy stop wage garnishments and levies? Yes. The automatic stay also stops wage garnishments and levies.
- Can I keep my house? Most people who want to keep their homes are able to do so with Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Our law firm has successfully helped many homeowners save their homes from foreclosure.
- Can I keep my car? In most cases, yes, you will be able to keep your car and stop any repossession proceedings.
- Will my employer find out I have filed bankruptcy? Generally, no, employers do not find out if an employee has filed bankruptcy. However, in some cases, it is possible that your employer will find out. For example, if your wages are being garnished, your employer will find out when he or she is told to stop the garnishment.
- Will my lifestyle change? Definitely. All those questions you just read about phone call, the mailbox, etc.? You won't have to answer them. Your days of being oppressed by creditors will be over. Many of our clients experience an almost immediate sense of relief after talking to us about their bankruptcy options. They find that while they are still able to do the things they once did, they are now able to do it with a budget, while remaining current on their essential bills such as their mortgage payment, car payment, phone bills, insurance payments and more. You will still have your house and your car. What changes is that you will no longer receive harassing phone calls, and you will no longer be afraid to check your mailbox.
- Can I buy a home after bankruptcy? Yes, you can. While you may need to wait a while, you will re-establish good credit and qualify for a mortgage.
- What are the differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy? Chapter 7 is debt liquidation. Chapter 13 is a repayment plan.
- Will my credit be ruined? The truth is, if you are having financial difficulties, your credit score is probably already low. By filing bankruptcy and getting a fresh start, you are given the opportunity to get back on track with your finances and start rebuilding your credit score.
- What is a "discharge?" Discharge is the final event in a bankruptcy case. It means that you are no longer legally obligated to pay the debts discharged by your bankruptcy filing. They must be listed in your credit report as discharged and may not be updated or altered.
We know that you have many more questions about bankruptcy, and we are happy to answer them.
CALL OUR OFFICE AT 732-333-0681 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION. WE ARE CENTRALLY LOCATED AT 30 BROAD STREET, FREEHOLD, NEW JERSEY. OUR MONMOUTH COUNTY LOCATION ALLOWS US TO REPRESENT CLIENTS IN THE TRENTON, CAMDEN AND NEWARK BANKRUPTCY COURTS.
Fill out the bankruptcy questionnaire and gather the documents on the checklist, and call our Freehold, New Jersey, office at 732-333-0681 for an appointment.
With the information you supply, we can assess your situation and provide you with options.
Tomes & Hanratty, P.C., offers free initial consultations. Contact our Freehold law firm online today.
Call 732-333-0681 or 1-866-NJ-LAW-FIRM (1-866-655-29-3476).
