Contra Costa County Debt Relief Attorneys
When credit card debt, medical bills, utility bills, a mortgage and other financial obligations spiral out of control, you may be able to receive relief through a Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy.
Under Chapter 7 protection, eligible individuals can wipe away or discharge most unsecured debts while keeping most — if not all — of their household possessions. At The Cline Law Group, our Oakland Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorneys have handled Chapter 7 petitions exclusively for 38 years, which provides us with unique insights into your situation. We can evaluate your financial information and other factors to determine the best course of action.
Additionally, small-business owners have the option to file for Chapter 7 and stay in business, or file and close the business. Our lawyers understand the issues business owners face, and we can provide informed guidance tailored to your needs and goals.
Immediate Relief
Once you file for bankruptcy protection, an automatic stay takes effect, which prohibits creditors from contacting you and stops all legal action against you in the pursuit of collecting debts. The automatic stay essentially stops:
- Creditor harassment
- Wage garnishments
- Bank levies
- Lawsuits
- Automobile repossessions
Chapter 7 protection can also provide you with the opportunity to rebuild your credit. The bankruptcy process takes about four months. After you receive discharges, you can start over and may begin seeing an improvement in your credit score.
Exceptions to Discharge
You can discharge most unsecured debts with Chapter 7. However, the following can't be discharged:
- Most taxes
- Fraudulent debt
- Child and spousal support
- Intentional harm
- Fines
- Most student loans
- Drunk driving injury
- Criminal restitution
Our legal team will discuss the different regulations and exemptions to help you understand your options and possible outcomes.
Free Consultations
We invite you to contact us today at 510-338-4110 to discuss your situation with a team of qualified California bankruptcy lawyers. The Cline Law Group is across from the Federal Building and located in the same building as the bankruptcy courts for Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Hablamos español.
We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.
