South Florida Bankruptcy Lawyer in Deerfield Beach

Chapter 7 legal fees depend on the number of creditors, assets, prior transfers, business interests, lawsuits, and other issues that affect preparation. The court filing fee and required bankruptcy-course costs are separate from attorney fees. The firm explains the expected cost and any payment arrangements that are available before the case is filed. Call 561-265-1120.

Many Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 clients keep a home, vehicle, and retirement accounts when the property is protected by an exemption and required secured payments remain current. The result depends on equity, loan balances, payment status, exemption eligibility, and the chapter selected. A property review should occur before anything is filed or transferred. Call 561-265-1120.

Florida law can protect qualifying homestead value from many creditors, subject to acreage, ownership, residency, and federal bankruptcy timing rules. The protection is not automatic for every property or every debt, and mortgages, property taxes, and certain liens are treated differently. New Florida residents require a separate timing analysis before relying on the exemption. Call 561-265-1120.

The means test compares household income and permitted expenses to determine whether a Chapter 7 filing may be presumed abusive. Income above the state median does not automatically disqualify a person because the full calculation includes allowed deductions and special circumstances. A client who does not qualify for Chapter 7 may still have options under Chapter 13 or Chapter 11. Call 561-265-1120.

The 341 meeting is a required meeting conducted by the bankruptcy trustee rather than a trial before a judge. The debtor answers questions under oath about income, property, debts, transfers, and the filed schedules. Creditors may attend, although many routine consumer meetings involve only the trustee, the debtor, and counsel. Call 561-265-1120.

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy may remain on a credit report for up to 10 years, while Chapter 13 is commonly reported for up to seven years. Rebuilding can begin after filing by checking reports for errors, paying ongoing obligations on time, maintaining low balances, and avoiding unaffordable new debt. The effect on a credit score varies with the client’s complete credit history. Call 561-265-1120.

A bankruptcy filed before a completed foreclosure sale will generally trigger an automatic stay that stops the sale, subject to exceptions and repeat-filing rules. Chapter 13 may provide time to cure mortgage arrears while regular payments resume. Because a sale date creates an immediate deadline, the petition and required documents must be evaluated without delay. Call 561-265-1120.

A Chapter 11 debtor normally remains in possession and may continue operating while meeting reporting, insurance, tax, banking, and court requirements. Subchapter V can provide a streamlined process for an eligible small-business debtor and requires prompt work toward a reorganization plan. Continued operation depends on cash flow, collateral rights, compliance, and a workable restructuring strategy. Call 561-265-1120.

A merchant cash advance commonly uses daily or frequent withdrawals from business receipts and may be secured by a UCC filing or personal guaranty. Stacked advances can consume operating cash and lead to litigation, account restraints, or default remedies. Chapter 11 or Subchapter V may bring the obligation into a court-supervised restructuring, but cash-management and secured-creditor issues must be addressed immediately. Call 561-265-1120.

Common nondischargeable debts include many domestic-support obligations, certain recent taxes, criminal fines, and debts for death or personal injury caused by intoxicated driving. Most student loans require a separate hardship proceeding, and debts involving fraud or willful injury may be contested in an adversary case. Secured liens may also remain against collateral even when personal liability is discharged. Call 561-265-1120.