Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Seattle Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney

Discharge Your Debts Using the Federal Bankruptcy Code

At the Law Office of Andrew Gebelt, we will help you protect and exercise your rights by filing for protection under Chapter 7 of the federal bankruptcy laws. Contact our offices for a free initial consultation.

Your Rights under Chapter 7

With a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you get to wipe out most debts. If you qualify to file under Chapter 7, your unsecured debts will be discharged forever. In most Chapter 7 cases, you can keep your home and car if you can afford to keep making the payments. Otherwise, you can turn them over to the lender and owe nothing.

While the bankruptcy laws changed in 2005, many people still qualify for bankruptcy protection. Now, you must submit to a "means test" to determine whether you have the ability to repay your creditors. If the court concludes that you do, you will be better suited to a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Generally, the requirements for filing under Chapter 7 are that

• you have not gone through any kind of bankruptcy within the last eight years
• you do not have some very valuable asset like a non-IRA/401k stock portfolio, or more than $125,000 in home equity (401k's/IRA's cannot be seized in bankruptcy)
• you can show that your regular net income is less than or barely exceeds your ordinary monthly expenses, and
• your total household yearly gross income was less than the median income for a household of its size calculated using only the most recent full six months.

We'll help you determine whether you qualify for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. We'll also make certain you understand which debts, such as student loans, child support arrearages and some taxes, cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. We will verify that exempt assets, including principal residence and vehicle, are excluded from sale in the bankruptcy.

The maximum yearly gross income permissible under a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing is based on the number of persons in the household:

• One person $48,030
• Two people $60,252
• Three people $68,139
• Four people $77,280
• Five people $84,180

Affordable Bankruptcy Lawyer

For a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, we charge

• $525 if you are single ($475 service and $50 for a certificate of credit counseling)
• $570 if you are married ($520 service and $50 for a certificate of credit counseling)

All Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy filings have a $299 filing fee and a $17.50 certificate fee, which can be paid in three installments after the bankruptcy has already been filed.

We will help you obtain your pre-filing certificates of credit counseling easily from http://www.cccsatl.org/

For experienced and affordable representation in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing, contact us to set up a free initial consultation. We work with individuals at all ends of the financial spectrum, whether your debts have just become unmanageable or you have nothing left. Our prices are generally about half of what other law firms will charge you.

The Law Office of Andrew Gebelt
Toll Free: 1-800-573-2778

At the Law Office of Andrew Gebelt, we represent clients throughout the Puget Sound and the Seattle Metro area, including the communities of Everett, Snohomish, Monroe, Kenmore, Bothell, Redmond, Kirkland, Woodinville, Issaquah, Lake, Forest Park, Lynnwood, Shoreline, Mukilteo, Martha Lake, Mill Creek and Marysville; and in King County, Snohomish County and Skagit County.

We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.