Filing for Bankruptcy - Northampton Bankruptcy Attorneys

Hampshire County Debt Consolidation Lawyers

The attorneys at Ostrander Law Office offer thoroughly professional advice and representation to persons and businesses considering bankruptcy. Our bankruptcy law firm's atmosphere emphasizes personal attention and prompt client service. To see how our experience and approach might help resolve your debt problems, call us to schedule a free in-person consultation at our office in Northampton. Please call toll free 866.552.2991.

Ostrander Law Office serves clients throughout central and western Massachusetts, including Hampshire, Franklin, Hampden, Berkshire and Worcester.

The bankruptcy process varies depending on whether you file under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. We will explain the differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy petitions and discuss possible bankruptcy alternatives as well as realistic consequences of bankruptcy.

If you choose to file bankruptcy and retain Ostrander Law Office to assist you, you can expect the following:

• A thorough review of your financial circumstances, including your debt situation and debt relief options in or out of bankruptcy
• Assistance in obtaining the required credit counseling before you file for bankruptcy
• Gathering the information necessary to prepare the bankruptcy petition including your schedules of assets, debts, and exempt property
• Advice about how to best protect "windfalls" like tax refunds before filing bankruptcy
• Filing the bankruptcy case by presenting the petition and schedules with the filing fee to the bankruptcy court
• Attending the meeting with the trustee in your case
• In general, guiding you through the process to conclusion

Protection Against Creditors Via the 'Automatic Stay'

From the time you file for bankruptcy, the automatic stay takes immediate effect. No creditor can do anything to collect on a debt without formal permission of a bankruptcy judge. That includes phone calls about credit card debts, lawsuits, garnishments, foreclosures, and any other attempt to enforce a claim or debt against you. The automatic stay covers businesses and consumers alike, and may even apply to the IRS and state taxing authorities such as the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

Timelines in Bankruptcy Cases

About a month after filing for bankruptcy, the debtor and his or her lawyer appear at a meeting of creditors. In most cases, this is the one and only appearance the debtor needs to make, and typically no creditors actually show up. The Chapter 7 trustee might ask you a few questions about particular debts or assets, but most of the time the meeting is over within ten minutes. Your Chapter 7 discharge goes into effect 60 days after the meeting, unless the trustee or a creditor files an objection within that time.

This summary differs from case to case, and Chapter 13 cases also involve a debt adjustment plan, where unsecured creditors receive a portion of their claims through monthly payments made by the debtor over a period of three to five years. For debtors with a regular income and a lot to lose, this can actually represent a powerful tool for keeping a house out of foreclosure, resolving tax obligations, or repairing damaged credit.

Learn more about Chapter 7 bankruptcy time frames and Chapter 13 bankruptcy time frames.

For further information about our ability to help you in bankruptcy, contact Ostrander Law Office in Northampton for a free, in-person consultation.

We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.