Cleveland Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney
Helping Clients Get a Fresh Start. We Serve Akron, Canton, Elyria, &
Garfield Heights
As one of Northern Ohio's largest consumer bankruptcy law firms, we are
proud to focus solely on bankruptcy law and on helping our clients find
relief from daunting debt. If you or if someone you know is facing a devastating
financial crisis, there may be hope through filing a chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Contact us online or call (216) 450-6689 to schedule a free initial consultation.
Our Cleveland Chapter 7 lawyers can determine if this option is right for
you. Reach out today.
How to File for Chapter 7
To file for and complete a chapter 7 bankruptcy, you must do the following:
- File a petition with the bankruptcy court
- File a statement of financial affairs
- File other information about your creditors, income, assets, etc.
- File a schedule of the exempt property named under the law
- Provide all tax returns and tax-related documents
- Attend a creditors' meeting
Protecting Your Assets in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Case
Once you know that filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 is the best option
for you, the next step is knowing
when to file. Choosing the appropriate time to move forward with your case
is the best action you can take to protect your assets and will improve
the success of the filing. It is also important to determine whether your
specific debts are dischargeable in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case. In order
to find out what assets are protected from liquidation, we encourage you
to consult with our firm.
How to Qualify for Chapter 7
Not everyone will qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and you will need to
take the “Means Test” to determine whether you qualify. You
may be excluded from having to take it if your income is far below the
median for your family’s size.
The "means test" for Chapter 7 is meant to determine if you have
enough disposable income for repaying your debts. Your income, essential
expenses, and the size of your family are all taken into account when
determining your disposable income, as well as any recent or upcoming
changes that will affect your income. If your household income falls under
the state median income, you qualify for Chapter 7. To prove your disposable
income, you will need to provide documentation regarding your income from
the past six months.
Additional qualifications for Chapter 7 are:
- Completion of a credit counseling course approved by the U.S. Trustee Program
within 180 days of filing.
- No prior bankruptcy case was dismissed in the last 180 days.
-
No debt discharged from a previous filing.
- Chapter 7 within the last 8 years
- Chapter 13 within the last 6 years
- The bankruptcy court does not suspect you of creditor fraud.
Once it is determined that the individual qualifies, they can have all
debts discharged once the liquidation process is finalized. This will allow a “fresh
start” for debtors who need one. If Chapter 7 is not right for you,
we can help you discover the best fit for your financial situation, including
pursuing a
Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Choose One of Ohio's Largest Consumer Bankruptcy Law Firms
If you are facing financial distress, there may be hope for a future without
it! Imagine a life free from debt and the possibilities that could be
available to you and your family without the weight of constant contact
from creditors. Don't hesitate to call our Cleveland
bankruptcy lawyer at Knevel Law Co. LPA as soon as possible to learn more about how
we may be able to help you find this financial freedom.
We have
more than 45 years of combined legal experience in
foreclosure and
creditor harassment defense and have filed more than 18,000 bankruptcy cases on behalf of our clients
across Northern Ohio in Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Elyria, and Garfield Heights.
Call (216) 450-6689 now to schedule your
free consultation to speak with our Chapter 7 attorneys at Knevel Law Co. LPA.