When creditors keep calling and debt keeps rising, bankruptcy can provide a legitimate path to relief. Attorney Patrick Thompson has been filing bankruptcy cases for Lake Mary, Sanford, and Central Florida residents since 2009.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 can erase dischargeable debts such as credit card bills, medical bills, payday loans, and personal guarantees on business debt. Filing puts an “automatic stay” into place immediately, stopping creditor harassment and wage garnishment.
You will not lose everything. Florida’s homestead exemption is unlimited, meaning you can typically keep all the equity in the home you live in, along with many other exempt assets. Qualifying for Chapter 7 requires passing the “means test,” which uses IRS standards to determine eligibility — numerous exceptions apply, so professional guidance matters.
Most Chapter 7 clients find us through a referral or their own research after searching for help — and in the majority of cases, the result is a full discharge of dischargeable debt, giving you a clean slate to move forward from.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Chapter 13 is a reorganization option that can help homeowners dealing with an underwater second mortgage or home equity loan — where the home is worth less than the balance of the first mortgage. This can prevent so-called “zombie second” foreclosures, where a dormant second mortgage resurfaces years later once home equity increases.
Chapter 13 also offers special treatment for student loan debt, with some borrowers eligible for partial or, in some cases, complete forgiveness through the reorganization process.
Like our Chapter 7 clients, most Chapter 13 clients come to us by referral, and are typically working to preserve an asset that matters to them — most often, their home. Depending on your circumstances, a Chapter 13 plan can also include a loan modification, a lien strip on an underwater second mortgage, or a mortgage cramdown.
Stopping Creditor Action Right Away
Filing bankruptcy puts the automatic stay to work for you immediately — stopping wage garnishment, releasing a bank levy, halting a scheduled foreclosure sale, and preventing repossession of your vehicle, often within days of filing.
Debt Relief We Handle
We help clients resolve credit card and medical debt, personal loans, deficiency judgments left over after a foreclosure, and past-due tax debt as part of a bankruptcy filing.
Mortgage & Loan Modification Help
You don’t have to file for bankruptcy to get our help with your mortgage — we actively handle standalone loan modification cases outside of bankruptcy as well. That includes preparing and negotiating your initial loan modification application, handling appeals after a lender denial, and working directly with private lenders on a workout.
Related services: Foreclosure Defense, Loan Modification, Short Sale Attorney, Stop Foreclosure Now, and Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure.
Protecting What You Have
Before you file, we help you understand exactly what you’ll be able to keep through exemption planning and pre-filing asset protection. When you want to keep a specific secured debt current — like a car loan — we also handle reaffirmation agreements.
Why Choose Our Firm Over a Petition Preparer or Mill Firm
Bankruptcy petition preparers, paralegal services, and large-volume mill firms inevitably make mistakes and are unable to cope with the complexities and personalities involved in a real bankruptcy case. We work directly with you, not a rotating cast of staff, so the details of your situation don’t get lost.
A Fresh Start, Not Something to Be Ashamed Of
One of the biggest misconceptions people have about bankruptcy is that it’s something shameful. It isn’t. Bankruptcy is a legal process built to give honest people a fresh financial start, and there’s no reason to face it alone or in silence.
We Are a Debt Relief Agency
We help people file for bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy Code, with affordable rates and flexible payment plans. Request a free initial consultation to discuss your situation.