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Resnik Hayes Moradi LLP 510 W. 6th Street, Suite 1220, Los Angeles, CA
I take pride in my practice and I really enjoy helping my clients through an unfamiliar road. I consider myself a tourguide or a counselor, guiding them and keeping them on the safe path, keeping their assets safe, keeping the assets of their fam...
Sanaz Bereliani is a California Bar certified bankruptcy specialist. She strives to provide her clients with high quality bankruptcy representation and alternatives to bankruptcy including foreclosure defense, debt settlement, and creditor violati...
Attorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are open during this time are marked "Open for business" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Virtual Consultation
Virtual Consultation
Attorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are available for a phone or video consultation have "Virtual Consultation" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Michael Chekian 445 South Figueroa Street, 31st Floor, Los Angeles, CA
I’m a student loan lawyer who has helped thousands of federal and private student loan borrowers lower their payments, negotiate settlements, get out of default, and qualify for loan forgiveness programs. My practice includes defending student loa...
A partner at Woolf & Nachimson, LLP, Ben’s practice focuses on representing individuals and small businesses in Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 cases. Prior to joining Woolf & Nachimson, LLP, Ben represented Bank of America’s Dealer Financial Services, H...
We have handled 15,000 bankruptcy cases, with offices in Long Beach and Los Angeles, CA.
I am a Certified Specialist in Bankruptcy Law by the State Bar of California. I am passionate about the practice of bankruptcy because it provides an amazin...
I grew up in various parts of Los Angeles, but mostly in the San Fernando Valley. In the summers, I would drive over Kanan Road or Topanga Canyon to surf Gladstones, Topanga, or Malibu. I majored in English Literature at UCLA, then went to UCLA ...
My law firm of BAYER, WISHMAN & LEOTTA has handled 15,000 Los Angeles bankruptcy cases since 1989. I am a Los Angeles Bankruptcy lawyer with almost 40 years of experience. The Los Angeles Bankruptcy Attorneys in my firm are ready to help you. Plea...
Attorney Natella Royzman has worked with clients in the many different areas and industries, including professional services, entertainment, real estate, advertising, retail, beauty, health and wellness, medical, veterinary, art, fashion, hospital...
Wesley H. Avery, Esq. received his B.A., with highest honors in Economics from the University of California, Davis in 1980, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. He received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1984 and h...
Jonathan Hayes concentrates focuses his efforts on assisting clients with bankruptcy and corporate business litigation. Mr. Hayes is a Certified Bankruptcy Specialist who represented many Chapter 11 debtors, businesses, and individuals. Mr. Hayes ...
My primary professional endeavor has been as a bankruptcy attorney and bankruptcy litigator. In law practice since 1989, I was formerly the Managing Partner of Slate & Leoni, APC, and joined Bayer, Wishman and Leotta in 2001.
I became a Cer...
BANKRUPTCY IN LOS ANGELES
How Bankruptcy Works
Bankruptcy provides a safety net for people struggling to pay debt. Once filed, debt collectors and other creditors must stop sending harassing letters, making calls, and pursuing collection lawsuits. The bankruptcy process involves a review of the debtor’s financial situation, including income and property value, to determine whether creditors will receive some portion of what’s owed. Most bankruptcy cases end with the court issuing a debt discharge wiping out qualifying debt.
Types of Bankruptcies
Chapter 7
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy provides a fresh start by erasing credit card balances, medical bills, personal loans, and other qualifying debt. It’s quick—taking about four months to complete—and the filer doesn’t repay creditors through a repayment plan. Chapter 7 filers keep property needed to work and live, such as a modest car and household furnishings. The bankruptcy trustee sells nonessential property for the benefit of creditors.
Chapter 13
Wage earners with enough steady income to repay creditors some portion of what they owe file for Chapter 13. This chapter offers valuable benefits not available in Chapter 7, such as allowing filers to keep all of their property. Filers can also save a home from foreclosure or a car from repossession by catching up on missed payments through the repayment plan. Once complete, the debt discharge erases remaining balances on qualifying debt.
Chapter 11
Chapter 11 helps income-generating companies stay in business, as well as high-earning individuals whose debts are too high to qualify for Chapter 13. In Chapter 11, the filer and creditors create a restructured debt plan the company can afford by agreeing to new terms or reducing amounts owed. Many small businesses and individuals can take advantage of the relaxed, cost-saving Chapter 11, sub-V procedures created especially for them.
Cost of Bankruptcy
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy in California tends to cost $1,650, but it might be more in large metro areas like Los Angeles. The average Chapter 13 case costs $3,500.
Bankruptcy Pros and Cons
Wiping out qualifying debt can help filers live within their means.
Filers start rebuilding credit immediately after receiving a bankruptcy discharge.
Filers can save a home from foreclosure or a car from repossession, and in some cases, wipe out an underwater residential junior mortgage or reduce secured debt to the value of the collateral.
A business owner can restructure debt and save a failing business or, after a business closure, wipe out personal liability for business debt.
A bankruptcy discharge doesn’t wipe out recently incurred tax balances, domestic support obligations, student loans, and other nondischargeable debts.
The bankruptcy filing will impact the filer’s credit score temporarily and will remain on a credit report for up to ten years.
Bankruptcy filers pay higher interest rates on most credit purchases after bankruptcy.
Filers will find it difficult to lease property for a year or two after bankruptcy.
For more on bankruptcy in California, and questions asked in Los Angeles, see our free legal advice page.
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