Bankruptcy
Our firm handles Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy gives qualified individuals a fresh start by eliminating their debt. Often someone can file for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and still retain their home, vehicles, personal belongings, and even a portion of their cash on hand. It is important to consult with an experienced attorney to determine if you qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and whether you will be able to retain your property.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is a repayment plan that allows individuals to repay a all or a portion of their debt while getting caught up on delinquent mortgage payments or car payments. It can also be used to reinstate a suspended driver’s license due to unpaid parking tickets or tollways.
Chapter 13 can prevent a tax deed from being issued and allow an individual time to get caught up on delinquent real estate taxes over a period of 3 to 5 years. As long as you are the owner of the home, or have an ownership interest, such as an heir or spouse of the owner, you can file a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy petition and stop the tax sale process. It is important that you file before the expiration of your tax redemption date to avoid additional costs. However, even if a tax deed has been issued, you may be able to avoid the sale if the tax buyer did not pay fair market value for your property. It is important to contact an attorney to discuss your options.
If your automobile has been repossessed or impounded, you may file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy to regain possession of your vehicle. In addition, Chapter 13 can also be used to reinstate your driver’s license if it has been suspended for unpaid parking tickets or tollway fines.
For qualified individuals, we offer ZERO DOWN Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 attorney’s fees. You only need to pay for the filing fee and credit report.
HELPING YOU FILE CHAPTER 7 & 13 BANKRUPTCY IN THE CHICAGO AREA
If you have an unmanageable amount of debt, filing Chapter 7 & 13 bankruptcy is typically the fastest way to wipe out any unsecured debt and obtain a fresh financial start. At the Law Offices of Chad M.Hayward, P.C., in Chicago, our lawyers offer a free initial consultation to determine if Chapter 7 & 13 bankruptcy is the best solution for your debt problems.
We serve clients in the Chicago area and throughout northern Illinois.
Am I Eligible to File Chapter 7 & 13 Bankruptcy?
Under the new bankruptcy laws, you can file Chapter 7 bankruptcy as long as you don’t earn more than the median family income in Illinois. However, even if you earn more than the median income, you still may be able to qualify based on your disposable income after certain expenses.
If your income is too high to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy (or if you have filed for Chapter 7 and received a discharge in bankruptcy in the last eight years), you may be able to repay all or a portion of your debts under Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Will I Lose My Property if I File Chapter 7 & 13 Bankruptcy ?
In Illinois, you can protect up to $15,000 in equity in your primary residence (or up to $30,000 if you are married). You also have a wild card exemption that allows you to protect up to $4,000 per person (or $8,000 per couple) in other assets such as a car, artwork or furniture. Each individual has a vehicle exemption in the amount of $2,400 and you can also protect your 401(k) plan, pension plan and other qualified retirement plans.
What Kind of Debts Can Be Discharged by Filing Bankruptcy?
You can discharge most unsecured debts, including credit card debt, unpaid medical bills, unpaid utility bills, payday loans, personal loans, lawsuit judgments, and deficiency balances on repossessed property or foreclosed real estate. Certain income tax debt may be discharged or repaid through bankruptcy. You also may be able to discharge a portion of unpaid parking tickets or unpaid tollway fines through a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Filing bankruptcy does not eliminate obligations to pay child support, student loans, spousal maintenance or income tax debt that is less than three years old.
PROTECTING YOU FROM HOME FORECLOSURE IN THE CHICAGO AREA
Every year, hundreds of Chicago families lose their home to foreclosure. However, many of those homeowners could have stopped the foreclosure by filing bankruptcy.
At the Law Offices of Chad M. Hayward, P.C., in Chicago, our lawyers offer a free initial consultation to discuss your options if you are facing home foreclosure. Those options include bankruptcy, loan modification and short sales. We serve clients in the Chicago area and throughout northern Illinois.
HOW CAN I STOP A HOME FORECLOSURE?
You can stop a home foreclosure by filing bankruptcy as long as your house has not been sold in a sheriff’s or judicial sale.
Filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy will allow you to put your arrearages into a payment plan and pay them off over a three to five-year period. If your home mortgage is underwater, you may be able to eliminate junior mortgages.
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy will also eliminate any deficiency balance on foreclosed property.
TALK TO OUR BANKRUPTCY LAWYERS
To schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney, call 844-529-2423 or fill out the contact form on this Web site. Hayward Law Offices has locations throughout Chicagoland for your convenience.
We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.
