Ostrander Law Office - Western Massachusetts Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

The attorneys at Ostrander Law Office offer thoroughly professional advice and representation to persons and businesses considering bankruptcy in a an atmosphere that 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-office consultation in Northampton.

Since the new bankruptcy amendments went into effect in October 2005, the bankruptcy process involves a few more steps than it did previously. Although they vary from Chapter 7 to Chapter 13, if you're considering bankruptcy, you can expect the following when you work with the Northampton bankruptcy attorneys at Ostrander Law Office:

• A thorough review of your debt situation and debt relief options in or out of bankruptcy
• Receiving required credit counseling before you file for bankruptcy
• If bankruptcy seems likely, determining your eligibility for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 relief
• Gathering the information necessary to prepare the bankruptcy petition and your schedules of assets, debts, and exempt property
• 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.

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 even applies to the IRS.

About a month after filing for bankruptcy, the debtor appears at a meeting of creditors. In most cases, this is the one and only appearance the debtor needs to make, and 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 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.

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

Western Massachusetts Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyers at Ostrander Law Office advise individuals, families, and small businesses about filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy relief and Chapter 13 debt adjustment plans. Hampshire County Chapter 13 attorneys David Ostrander and Denise Shear represent clients in Hampshire County, Franklin County, Hampden County, Berkshire County, and Worcester County, including Springfield, Pittsfield, Chicopee, Easthampton, Amherst, Holyoke, Greenfield, Westfield, North Adams, Deerfield, Great Barrington, South Hadley, and Longmeadow MA.