Houston Bankruptcy Attorneys Help Erase Your Debt

Bankruptcy is your legal right

Falling deeper and deeper into debt can feel like falling off a cliff. Fortunately, there is a legal safety net ready to catch you. Bankruptcy is the process by which people and businesses can find relief from creditors through discharge or repayment of their debt. If you find yourself in dire financial circumstances, bankruptcy can help you get back on track. At the Law Office of David A. Fernandez, P.C., in Houston, we help people find debt relief through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Our bankruptcy attorneys draw on decades of experience guiding Texans through these processes so they can regain a firm financial footing.

Skilled Texas lawyers counsel clients deep in debt

If you’re struggling financially, our firm can advise you on whether bankruptcy is an option. There are many reasons why clients turn to us for help. They may be facing:

• Home foreclosure
• Utility shutoff
• Car repossession
• Job loss
• Mounting medical expenses
• Divorce
• Harassment from debt collectors

It’s easy to become overwhelmed in any of these circumstances. Our attorneys will take the time to thoroughly investigate your financial situation so we can advise whether bankruptcy is the right choice to offer you the relief you need.

Established counselors guide clients through consumer bankruptcy

There are two types of personal bankruptcy that can help you get your life back on track:

• Chapter 7 bankruptcy — Sometimes referred to as “straight” bankruptcy, Chapter 7 allows the court to liquidate your assets. Nearly all of your unsecured debt, such as credit cards, medical bills and personal loans, is discharged while some of your personal property is sold to pay back creditors. To qualify for Chapter 7, however, you must pass the means test to prove that your income falls below the median amount for a household of the same size in Texas.
• Chapter 13 bankruptcy — If you have a steady income and wish to keep your home or your income exceeds the means test level for Chapter 7, Chapter 13 debt reorganization could be the better option. In Chapter 13, you arrange a three- to five-year repayment plan to pay back all or some of your debts. At the end of the period, your remaining debts are discharged.

Whether you file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, an automatic stay is issued, which immediately prohibits creditors from harassing you. This alone can bring some much-needed relief.

Why it’s important to be represented by an attorney

While it is possible to file for bankruptcy on your own, an experienced bankruptcy attorney who not only knows the law but is also familiar with the procedures and rules of the court often leads people to achieve better outcomes. If you’re filing Chapter 7, even if you have a fairly simple estate, you may qualify for exemptions that allow you to keep certain property. An attorney can identify these and help you complete the means test, calculate allowable expenses and handle related tasks. If you’re filing Chapter 13, which is a more complex process, a lawyer will help you create a workable repayment plan and file it with the bankruptcy court. A lawyer can also assist you with actions involving second mortgages and car loans. These are adversarial proceedings that happen in court against a creditor, so you’ll want an attorney representing you.

Contact our Houston bankruptcy law firm for a free consultation

The Law Office of David C. Fernandez, P.C. in Houston represents Texans in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings. Please call 713-893-8509 or contact us online to schedule a free initial phone consultation to learn how we can help you get relief from overwhelming debt.