Bankruptcy Law Firm in Biloxi
If you are considering bankruptcy, you need an experienced and knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney to explain your options and help ensure you come out on the other side in the best financial position possible. Along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, the Gardner Law Firm has helped many individuals, families, and small businesses overcome financial hardship and enjoy a fresh start. We work patiently with our clients to understand each individual situation before recommending a bankruptcy filing process.
Is Bankruptcy the Right Option?
You may decide to file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. In any case many people think of bankruptcy as a last resort. However, it can be the solution to even the most daunting financial problems, and it is your right under federal law. Many individuals, families, and businesses have experienced similar difficulties, from the threat of foreclosure to wage garnishment, and have taken advantage of the many benefits bankruptcy has to offer, such as:
- A fresh financial start
- Credit card debt discharge
- Medical bill discharge
- Signature loan discharge
- Consolidating debt
- Preventing foreclosure
- Stopping creditor harassment
One of the first benefits you’ll realize after filing for bankruptcy is the “automatic stay,” which prevents creditors from taking action to collect on debts, including calling you, suing you, or sending you letters. Once you are under the protection of the bankruptcy court, you will most likely only have to deal with the court and your designated bankruptcy trustee, rather than the creditors themselves.
Stopping Wage Garnishment with Bankruptcy
Another troubling aspect of overwhelming debt is when your creditors threaten to garnish your wages. The fear of losing a large percentage of your income translates to accepting a diminished standard of living, which can present hardships for your family and small children. While there’s no way to stop wage garnishment to collect on child support, back taxes, or student loans, other creditors can be stopped from directly taking your paycheck. If you are currently having your wages garnished by a credit card company or other consumer debt lender, our Mississippi bankruptcy attorneys will fight to get your full paycheck back!
Repairing Your Credit after Bankruptcy
While it’s true that a bankruptcy filing will remain on your credit report for up to 10 years, many people begin improving their credit rating soon after filing for bankruptcy. That’s because many debts are discharged in bankruptcy, and when lenders determine whether or not to lend you money, they examine your debt to income ratio. If you have no debt, you are potentially a good candidate for credit. With diligence and care, a better financial future is possible for you and your family.
Contact Us Today & Take the First Step toward a Fresh Start
If you’re thinking about filing for bankruptcy, you may be tempted to try and file the petition on your own (known in the legal world as filing “pro se”). You might even think that, under the circumstances, it would be financially irresponsible to hire an attorney to handle your petition. However, errors in these documents can lead the court to reject your petition or issue stiff penalties for failing to include all accounts and creditors.
Completion of the initial bankruptcy petition requires some understanding of the rules and laws of bankruptcy court, as well as long-term financial implications of including or excluding various assets. It is critically important that you assign an accurate value to your assets, as well.
If you are facing financial difficulties and mounting debt, the Gardner Law Firm can help restore you to positive financial health. Please contact our attorneys in Biloxi, Pascagoula, or Hattiesburg for a free initial consultation to discuss your options under bankruptcy law.