Should I Try To Pay A Creditor Before I File Bankruptcy?

While attempting to pay a creditor before you file bankruptcy may sound like a good idea, if you pay a creditor more than you are paying your other creditors, then that “favored” creditor may be required to give back that extra money so that it is shared among all the creditors.

The bankruptcy court will look at your debts and your rate of repayment. So it’s possible the creditor you were trying to keep out of your bankruptcy case may have to get involved. He or she may be asked by the court to return the money you paid for redistribution.  Payments to favored creditors become an issue when they are discovered after your bankruptcy is filed, so be sure to disclose all creditors to your bankruptcy attorney.

If you will need to file a bankruptcy, before you pay anything to a relative or any other kind of creditor, schedule a free consultation with a King and King experienced bankruptcy attorney. Call us at 404-524-6400 or visit us online at www.kingandkingattorneys.com.

Am I Eligible For Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

At King and King, we understand that most clients have never thought about bankruptcy proceedings before. We are here to explain the processes to you, not in legalese, but in terms you can understand. When you meet with your attorney, you will discuss in greater length which chapter of bankruptcy you should file.

Filing under Chapter 7 entails a liquidation of assets, with certain exemptions, in order to discharge debts such as loans, credit cards and medical bills. A Chapter 7 case is ideal for those who qualify and who are not in need of debt reorganization.

Filing under Chapter 13 is a form of debt consolidation over a longer period of time, while protecting you from any debt collection efforts by creditors. For those who desire to reorganize debt such as a mortgage or auto loan, or who do not qualify for Chapter 7, a Chapter 13 can be an efficient means of repaying debt over 36 or 60 months.

For more information on the different bankruptcy chapters, please feel free to contact King and King for a free consultation at 404-524-6400 or visit us at www.kingandkingattorneys.com

Can I get Fired For Filing Bankruptcy?

The Bankruptcy Code is clear on this question: "No private employer may terminate the employment of, or discriminate with respect to employment against, an individual who is or has been a debtor under this title, a debtor or bankrupt under the Bankruptcy Act, or an individual associated with such debtor.”

There you have it: employers are prohibited by federal law from discriminating against you for filing bankruptcy.  Filing bankruptcy can be a stressful experience; however, filing for bankruptcy has absolutely no bearing on a person’s job performance or capabilities.

The decision to file bankruptcy is an important one.  Our role at King and King is to guide you through the process, help you understand it, and represent you against your creditors.  We will be with you every step of the way to make sure that your questions are answered.  To learn more, schedule your free, confidential bankruptcy consultation by calling 404-524-6400 or visit us at www.kingandkingattorneys.com

Will I Need To Go Through Credit Counseling When I File Bankruptcy?

Since October 17, 2005, all consumer bankruptcy filers in Georgia have to complete and obtain a certificate from a state approved credit counselor before a bankruptcy case can be filed. Your credit counseling course is completed online right from our office to keep things simple.

Once your intake meeting has taken place and the contract is signed, the next step is to complete your consumer credit counseling.  It is a quick and easy process.  After your course is complete, we will start your Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing.

When you first start to plan filing for bankruptcy, it is important to find the right attorney. King and King offers free consultations to all prospective Georgia bankruptcy clients, so there is no risk in learning what options you have to control your debt. Visit us online at www.kingandkingattorneys.com or call 404-524-6400.

How Will Bankruptcy in Georgia Affect My Future Finances?

After your bankruptcy you have a fresh start. Your credit rating, which for most people who are filing bankruptcy was already low, will start to improve.

When you file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy your credit actually improves. Your creditors can no longer pursue you. A large part of your debt will most likely be discharged. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you will have time to work toward repaying your debt (usually just secured debt like mortgage arrears or a car payment). If you file Chapter 7, you will be ineligible to file another Chapter 7 for eight years.  These facts mean that you become less of a loan default risk than you were before your bankruptcy filing.

Generally, the more time that has elapsed since your bankruptcy discharge and the faster you establish a positive payment history, the quicker your credit score will improve.

Questions about rebuilding your credit? Call the bankruptcy attorneys at King and King for a free consultation. From establishing credit to obtaining a home loan after bankruptcy, they can answer your questions.  Call us at 404-524-6400 or visit www.kingandkingattorneys.com

Will Filing Bankruptcy in Georgia Stop My Creditors From Harassing Me?

When you are behind on credit card payments, medical bills, your mortgage or other bills, creditor phone calls become a daily aggravation. The good news is: filing for bankruptcy immediately stops creditors from all collections, lawsuits, garnishments and all other legal action or from even contacting you!  King and King can help.

When your bankruptcy is filed, an “automatic stay” is put into place by the court. The automatic stay provides immediate protection from creditors. It stops the calls and also helps in the following ways:

• Stops Car Repossession
• Stops Home Foreclosure
• Stops Lawsuits
• Stops Garnishment
• Stops Creditor Harassment

If you are looking for relief from harassing calls and letters from your creditors, we are here to help. We serve clients in Atlanta and throughout the state of Georgia. To schedule a free consultation, call King and King bankruptcy attorneys at 404-524-6400 or visit us at www.kingandkingattorneys.com

Can Bankruptcy Help With My Medical Bills?

Car accidents, ongoing illness, and medical conditions are situations that people are facing every day, and they aren’t really things that we can control. We understand your health and the health of your loved ones is a main priority. However, what do you do when you face the tough situation of getting medical bills every month that you can’t pay for? What happens when years later the bills are weighing you down and you can’t keep up?

The good news is, medical debt is very easily discharged in bankruptcy. It is also one of the most common reasons people file bankruptcy. If you are not current on installment payments, an insurance claim is pending or you are being garnished, medical debt collection stops as soon as you file your case.

Bankruptcy due to medical issues can become more of a necessity than an option. What kind of bankruptcy should you file for? How does bankruptcy work?

King and King can answer your questions during your free consultation. Call us at 404-524-6400 or visit us at www.kingandkingattorneys.com for more information.