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Filing For Chapter 7 Bankruptcy In Ohio

At Kennel Zeigler LLC, our bankruptcy lawyers know and understand that financial distress can take over your life. If you are at a place in your life where you are considering bankruptcy, you are probably overwhelmed. However, by design, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy alleviates financial distress and provides you with a fresh start. If you need a Dayton Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer, our firm can help.

Our bankruptcy lawyers have years of experience helping individuals and families from all walks of life in Dayton and throughout Ohio. We want to help you evaluate your financial circumstances and options. With reassurance and compassion, our bankruptcy attorneys provide legal guidance to help you find lasting debt relief solutions.

How Can Filing For Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Give You A Fresh Start?

Our bankruptcy attorneys have seen firsthand how a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing can deliver impressive results. Filing for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy can:

Put an immediate stop to wage garnishment
Quickly halt sheriff’s sales
Promptly end harassing calls from creditors
Eliminate credit card debts, medical debts, personal loans and other unsecured debts
Find relief from stressful lawsuits over your debt

As soon as you file the paperwork for Chapter 7, an automatic stay will go into effect and freeze any ongoing debt collection efforts. This is a court order that stops creditor harassment, car repossession, wage garnishment and much more. An experienced Dayton bankruptcy attorney can help you evaluate your financial circumstances and assess whether you might be eligible to file for bankruptcy under Chapter 7.

Who Is Eligible To File For Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

There are different types of bankruptcy filings. To qualify for Chapter 7, courts use a means test. The bankruptcy means test compares your average monthly income over the six months before filing to the median income for a household of similar size in Ohio. If your income is below the median, you are eligible to file under Chapter 7.

But even if your income is higher than the median, you may still be eligible. First, we can examine your disposable income and subtract certain allowed expenses from your income. These expenses can include housing, living expenses and debt payments. If your remaining disposable income is low enough, you can still qualify for Chapter 7. A bankruptcy attorney who is experienced with bankruptcy filings in Ohio can help evaluate your eligibility and determine if Chapter 7 is better for you than a Chapter 13 filing.

What Are The Steps For Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

After we assess your financial situation to determine if Chapter 7 is the right option for you, we can help you take the next steps for filing. These include:

Gathering financial documents: First, you will need to gather the required documents. Necessary financial documents include income statements, bank statements, and a list of your assets and debts.
Completing bankruptcy forms and filing: Next, we will complete the required bankruptcy forms and file them with the bankruptcy court.
Credit counseling class: You will also need to complete a credit counseling course.
Creditors meeting: After you file the necessary paperwork, you will also need to attend a meeting with the creditors and a bankruptcy trustee.

Finally, if all goes well, the court will grant a discharge, which eliminates your eligible debts. The timing of your debt discharge will depend on the facts of your particular case. Usually, discharge occurs about three to four months after filing your case.

Are There Certain Debts That Cannot Be Discharged In A Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

While Chapter 7 bankruptcy can discharge many debts, some debts are not dischargeable. Common examples include certain tax obligations such as income taxes. Student loans are usually not dischargeable unless you can prove undue hardship. Child support and alimony payments cannot be discharged. Debts resulting from fraud or intentional wrongdoing also are not dischargeable. Additionally, debts for personal injury caused by driving under the influence are not dischargeable in bankruptcy. An experienced bankruptcy lawyer can help you better understand if any of your specific debts are not eligible for discharge.

Bankruptcy Relieves Financial Distress

Federal bankruptcy law exists because it is a vital part of our capitalist society. Without the ability to start fresh, too many people would crumble under the pressures of our economy. By declaring bankruptcy when you need to, you have the opportunity to open a new chapter. Also, you are never too young to declare bankruptcy. Young adults often wait too long to find relief.

Consult A Dayton Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer For Free

Our Dayton Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyers offer a free initial consultation. You can ask questions about your specific situation, and we can tell you more about your legal options. To schedule your free appointment at Kennel Zeigler LLC, call us at 937-576-9991. You can also send us a message through our website. Let us help you find relief in a matter of days!