If you are facing home foreclosure, mountains of credit card debt or constant phone calls from creditors, engaging the help of a knowledgeable and experienced consumer bankruptcy attorney can lift your debt-related stress and help you find a fresh start.
At the Virginia law firm of Copeland & Bieger, P.C., we have extensive experience guiding individuals and families through the consumer bankruptcy process. With 30 years of bankruptcy experience, attorney Robert T. Copeland serves as president of Virginia State Bar's bankruptcy section. In addition, he serves as secretary general counsel of a bank. This position gives him unique insight into how to best negotiate with banks to create effective debt-relief strategies for consumers and businesses.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Also called a "liquidation" bankruptcy, Chapter 7 allows debtors to erase or discharge unsecured debts, such as most medical bills and credit card debts. In addition, filing a bankruptcy petition puts an "automatic stay" into effect. This automatic stay puts an immediate halt on creditor harassment, collection efforts, wage garnishments and home foreclosure.
To qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, however, you must meet certain income restrictions. Your eligibility is determined by a "means test," which measures your income against the state's median average.
Changes to bankruptcy law in 2005 mean that debtors must play a more active role in order to effectively file a bankruptcy petition. By honestly disclosing your debt-related problems and providing our lawyers with the information they need in a timely manner, we can work together to help you find the financial relief you need.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Considered a "reorganization" bankruptcy, Chapter 13 enables debtors to create a structured repayment plan to repay a set portion of their debts over a three- to five-year period. Like Chapter 7, filing for Chapter 13 will put an immediate halt to home foreclosure, wage garnishments and other creditor actions.
Talk to Abingdon Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys With 30 Years Experience
To learn about the details of filing a Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy petition, call our Bristol, Virginia, personal bankruptcy attorneys at 800-591-4972 or contact us online. During your free initial consultation with one of our attorneys, we will help you decide what course of action is right for you and your family.
We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.