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How to Hire a Bankruptcy Attorney in New York

Friday, April 16th, 2010

If you are want to clear debts and  get a fresh start, Chapter 7 bankruptcy in New York can help. If you fear your home will go into foreclosure, you have many options with Chapter 13 bankruptcy and there are also alternatives to bankruptcy.

The first step in filing bankruptcy in New York is hiring a bankruptcy attorney. You must make this decision if you really want to file, and then who you’ll hire. This post will help.

Advantages of Bankruptcy

It was mentioned that alternatives to bankruptcy are often not as effective. Depending on how the courts treat your case, how much you owe, what assets you have, and what you make, filing bankruptcy has clear advantages
Chapter 13 Advantages: Save your home and property, and buy time to pay back bills
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Advantages: You can clear most credit card debt, and many other debts

How to Hire a Bankruptcy Attorney in New York
If you look online, you can see thousands of bankruptcy attorneys just in the state of New York. Across the country, there are tens of thousands. However, they are not all equal, can have varying skills, and most important charge different rates. You want to hire a bankruptcy attorney in New York who is not overloaded with work, but is trusted. Referrals can really help in this process.

Create a list of potential bankruptcy attorneys you’re interested in. Research the topic, ask for referrals, and look over websites. Then, query attorneys on years experience, how many bankruptcies they file for clients on  a monthly basis, and how much they actually charge you.

How Can They Help You File Bankruptcy?
If you want to hire a bankruptcy attorney in New York, they must be knowledgeable of all laws concerning bankruptcy. They should also be willing to take calls from your creditors during the proceeding; if creditors call you constantly, this gives you peace of mind. Also, with new laws for filing  bankruptcy in New York and across the country, filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and liquidating your assets isn’t always an option. Now more bankruptcies are being changed to Chapter 13 bankruptcies, where you have to pay back debts and not discharge them.

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How to Choose a Good Los Angeles Bankruptcy Attorney

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

Hiring Los Angeles bankruptcy attorneys is tough, right? In fact, with literally tens of thousands of attorneys and thousands of bankruptcy attorneys, it seems easy. You have many options. You can negotiate process. You can get the best one for the deal. Bankruptcy gives you a fresh start, but one of the most important choices you make is in hiring a good bankruptcy attorney.

However, not all Los Angeles bankruptcy attorneys are a good fit for you. First, some are dishonest and  overcharge you (over billing you on hours, for example). It should be said there are just as many if not more honest Los Angeles bankruptcy attorneys as there are good ones. It’s choosing between the two which is hard.

Making a List of Good Los Angeles Bankruptcy Attorneys
The best way to find bankruptcy attorneys in Los Angeles is to use the web. This saves time on cold calls. You can also work via referrals, as you may know someone who worked with a particularly good bankruptcy attorney. How many Los Angeles bankruptcy attorneys should you consider? There is no big rule on how many you can choose, but 5-10 in your initial list is good, as you can focus on the most experienced.

Initial Queries to Los Angeles Bankruptcy Attorneys
Once you have that list, you want to start making phone calls and sending emails, whichever is easier for you. You should confirm the attorney specializes in bankruptcy, knows federal laws, and can help you immediately.

Inquiring on Workload
You should also query the attorney on how much work they have, as well as who you will be working with directly. You don’t want to be one of 100 clients for one or two bankruptcy attorneys in a firm. You could ask them if they are overloaded, but just ask how much time they have to spend with you.

Asking on Fees for Bankruptcy Attorneys
Just as important as workload is affordability. Since not all Los Angeles bankruptcy attorneys are equal, have the same skills and degrees, you may not always want the cheapest or most expensive one. Choose an attorney who has helpful bankruptcy knowledge, can educate you on the process, has years experience, and does not charge a fortune. Hiring the first attorney you find may work out, but it rarely does; the same could be said of hiring the cheapest.

Hiring the Best Bankruptcy Attorney
Once you’ve made your list and inquiries, there will likely be a few standouts. You do want your attorney to be close so you can meet with him or her from time to time. Choosing may seem hard, but you don’t have to agonize over this. Be clear on rates, ask for references, and make an informed decision.

Filing Bankruptcy in Los Angeles
Does the idea of filing bankruptcy scare you? The sad truth is that many just like you feel the same way. A good Los Angeles bankruptcy attorney can offer guidance on how to handle your finances, how to clear debt, how to stop creditor harassment, and how to get a fresh start.

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Before Bankruptcy – How to Manage Essential and Nonessential Debts

Friday, April 9th, 2010

To avoid filing bankruptcy, you can maintain your credit, pay bills on time, and build a savings.  Some debts should have priority over other debts. This guide will show you which debts should be given priority, which ones should be at the bottom of your list, and if you do have to file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, how planning ahead works wonders. Let’s begin.

Which Debts to Repay – Essential Debts
Essential debts are at the top of your list of bills, the ones with the most importance. Some of the consequences of not paying this will be pretty obvious. For example, without rent or mortgage payments, where do you expect to live? Without a car, how can you make it to work? Without utilities, where’s the power coming from?

Rent or mortgages are essential debts. If you rent a residence, and have nowhere else to go, that’s priority #1. On the other hand, before you file bankruptcy, if you own a home you’re paying a mortgage on, you might be able to sell the home and recoup some of your losses. Why would you sell? It just helps you avoid filing bankruptcy, and in some cases you might lose it anyway–so you can sell before you lose it. Certain homes might not sell for much of anything, especially if the housing market is bad. Weigh these pros and cons.

Child support is another essential debt. Why? You go to jail if you don’t pay them. And if you think not paying for a few months is okay, this will still show up as an unpaid bill–you have to pay it eventually. Bankruptcy does not cancel child support debt.

Cars aren’t always a must. You might have just lost your job and have access to many locations near your residence (like a grocery store). You might also sell your car before a bankruptcy to get enough money to pay other essential debts.

Lastly, taxes are a clear essential debt. You could lose your home and face stiff penalties if you do not pay your taxes every year.

Which Debts Are Secondary- Nonessential Debt
Nonessential debts have less priority, but will still be on your credit report for 7 years. Being a nonessential debt does not mean you won’t get in trouble for not paying, but if you have to choose between your house and paying back a friend, you have to make a choice. And though certain debts can be termed nonessential, such as gas, sometimes you just can’t go without paying the bills upfront.

Department stores are another nonessential debt. In this case you can be sued for not paying.

If you have a newspaper or magazine subscription, really you won’t owe that much. These are on the bottom of debts, but collection agencies can still harass you.

Legal and accounting come into play if you run a small business or regularly consult lawyers. These debts may be nonessential, but here again you can get sued for not paying.

Choosing Debts to Pay Before Bankruptcy
There are even more debts, including auto insurance, medical, credit cards, and student loans, which should be considered. So how do you follow a repayment plan for all of the bills one gets every month? How can you avoid bankruptcy? Create a list of expenses and budget yourself. Some of these debts are small in  terms of importance and price, but others could be quickly paid so you can focus. A debt repayment plan involves budgeting with this system: paying essential debts first, nonessential debts second, and always considering debts which can be both essential and nonessential in certain cases such as credit cards.

Before you file bankruptcy, you can budget. As bankruptcy isn’t for everyone and can be a life changing event, careful planning helps you get through this.

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Eligibility for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and How to Fund It

Monday, April 5th, 2010

If you need of time to pay back bills, if you face possible foreclosure, or if you’re considering Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you may in fact need to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in your state. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a good option for many individuals, but that’s the only people who can file Chapter 13, as businesses cannot file for it.

With bankruptcy law changes, if you make too much money you may be forced to file for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy repayment plan instead of filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If you’re unsure, hire a professional bankruptcy lawyer in your state today.

So when is Chapter 13 bankruptcy a good option? How are you eligible? And how can you fund the repayment plan? Let’s go over these questions.

When Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is a Good Option
Chapter 13 bankruptcy does have advantages over Chapter 7 bankruptcy, but clear disadvantages as well. This is again a case where professional counsel, a bankruptcy lawyer, can help.

In essence, Chapter 13 bankruptcy does not liquidate your assets and discharge certain debts like Chapter 7 bankruptcy does. You are not free and clear a few months after filing. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is about getting more time to pay back debts; it’s often a solution for those who earn a lot of money but still cannot pay all their bills. Also, rich or not, if you fear your house will go into foreclosure, Chapter 13 bankruptcy and the court can grant you an “Automatic Stay” to buy you several months time. You still have to make your initial mortgage payment, but the repayment plan grants you several years to catch up in a fair way.

Eligibility for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
As noted earlier, businesses are not eligible to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Businesses typically file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. However, business owners can file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy as an individual.

For individuals, the key to Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing is to show the court you have enough disposable income for the repayment plan. This means that after your allowed expenses and secured debts, you can still have enough money to complete the 3-5 year repayment plan. Your repayment plan must show how you will pay all these debts back in full, or the court will deny the filing.

Funds You Can Use for Repayment Plan
There is a variety of income you can use to fund your Chapter 13 plan. These can get complex, and that’s where professional bankruptcy lawyers can help you. You can definitely use regular wages or income from self employment, for example, and also Social Security benefits.

Other Rules of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
You cannot owe too much money and file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. The number changes every few years, but if you have over one million dollars in debt you might have too much to file. You also must be current on income tax filings.

Hiring Counsel
Hiring a professional bankruptcy lawyer can help you navigate all these laws with ease, save your home from foreclosure, grant you time to pay back debts, and give you a fresh start.

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Mortgages, Taxes, and Bankruptcy Relief

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

From 2007 through 2012, taxpayers can exclude income from the discharge of debt on their residence. A discharge of debt is what occurs after a successful Chapter 7 bankruptcy. It used to be you were responsible for some discharged debt even after Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Now, with the Mortgage Relief Act of 2007, you can exclude income made from certain debts discharged. The IRS website goes over how this works in detail, but lets ask general questions you likely have on how this effects you, your family, and your pocket book.

How Cancellation of Debt Occurs

When you borrow money money, and the debt is canceled or forgiven by the lender, you sometimes have to consider this canceled debt income for taxes. If you borrowed $50,000 dollars, and paid by half of that, $25,000 would be considered as income for tax purposes. So if you bought a home for that price, you can expect some of the resultant debts to show up after bankruptcy.

What is Cancellation of Debt?
If you borrow money from a commercial lender and the lender later cancels or forgives the debt, you may have to include the canceled amount in income for tax purposes, depending on the circumstances. When you borrowed the money you were not required to include the loan proceeds in income because you had an obligation to repay the lender. When that obligation is subsequently forgiven, the amount you received as loan proceeds is normally reportable as income because you no longer have an obligation to repay the lender. The lender is usually required to report the amount of the canceled debt to you and the IRS on a Form 1099-C, Cancellation of Debt.

Here’s a very simplified example. You borrow $10,000 and default on the loan after paying back $2,000. If the lender is unable to collect the remaining debt from you, there is a cancellation of debt of $8,000, which generally is taxable income to you.

More Info on The Cancellation of Debt and Taxes
This income isn’t always taxable. The most important part of the Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 was how it applied to homeowners; if you have a qualified principal residence which went into foreclosure or where the debt was forgiven, you do not have to pay taxes on the forgiven debt.

Also, debts discharged through bankruptcy are not considered taxable income by the IRS. There are other ways your canceled debt may not be taxable, but let’s focus on the Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 and how it applies to debtors and home owners.

How the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 Works
If you have debt reduced by mortgage restructuring or by foreclosure, you qualify for the relief. If on the other hand you are going into bankruptcy, your debts are not forgivable in most cases. That does not mean that you’ll lose your home, but mortgage debt isn’t part of Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If you are earnest in wanting to keep your home, Chapter 13 bankruptcy can buy you time to pay back the loan. If you on the other hand are considering foreclosure, you may consider the Mortgage Act of 2007 as a means of relieving debt.

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What a Credit Counseling Agency Does and How to Choose One – Alternatives to Bankruptcy

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Credit counseling agencies are for people who have problems paying debts. If you can’t pay bills on time, have outstanding credit card debt, and want advice on money management, credit counseling agencies can help and are in some cases an alternative to filing bankruptcy.

Credit counseling services include:
-Money management education for debtors
-Budget and debt counseling
-House counseling
-Referrals

The Debt Management Plan
A DMP  is where the credit counseling agency negotiates with your credit card companies and other creditors. Typically, the credit counseling agencies goal is to negotiate for lower interest rates and monthly payments to your creditors. You will make a large payment to the agency, and they’ll send separate payments to all your creditors.

The Price
While some credit counseling agencies come at no cost, some do charge a fee (usually small). Also, you should be weary of using a credit repair clinic, who sometimes trick individuals into their services. In essence, credit repair clinics only do what you could easily do for yourself. They offer to fix your credit with services available to everyone. It’s best to avoid any company offering to repair your credit for free; most are scams.

Choosing A Credit Counseling Agency
There are a variety of ways to make sure you get the right services for your situation. Just as you shouldn’t hire the first bankruptcy attorney you find, you should research credit counseling agencies and compare them. Here are some notes on what you should look for.

-They must me a registered nonprofit (accredited nonprofit)
-Are a member of the NFCC or AICCCA
-Employ certified, professional counselors
-Provide counseling and education
-Offer more than one debt management option
-Are upfront about all fees
-Have a clean business record
Let’s go over some of these in more detail.

Certified Counselors
Credit counselor should have not only completed a training program within the company, but also passed a certification exam; the certification exam tests for understanding in counseling, budgeting, credit and consumer law, debt management, and bankruptcy law. You want this exam for your counselors to be done by an outside, independent agency such as Financial Counseling and Planning Education.

Counseling and Education
You want to go over all the details on your current economic status in person, by phone, or on  the web. It usually takes about an hour and you’ll go over income, expenses, debt, why you’re in a tough situation, and your future goals. After this session, you should get a budget plan, a list of steps and to begin, and notes on your options.

Fees
You should never pay more than $50 to establish your work with the the credit counseling agency, and future monthly payments should never exceed $50. Also, the agency must be made aware if you cannot afford these fees, and should waive them.

When Filing Bankruptcy
In some cases, you might want to actually file bankruptcy, whether it’s Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Sometimes you simply cannot pay back all these fees. In any case, you have nothing to lose and a lot to gain when working with debt counseling agencies.

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Bankruptcy Decisions – When it Makes Sense to File for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Monday, March 29th, 2010

It’s often depressing to look at your finances, see you’re in debt over your head, and admit you have to file bankruptcy. While in many cases alternatives to bankruptcy do exist, whether it’s Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 personal bankruptcy, it’s often clear filing bankruptcy is your best option. Does that mean your house will go into foreclosure? How bad will it be?

In many cases, filing bankruptcy is a logical, if somewhat scary decision you make when you’re out of options. If you are financially in trouble when it comes to your home, job, health insurance, and credit card debt, filing bankruptcy is wise.

This needs to be said because many individuals and families struggle for far too long before they admit they need to file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. It’s almost considered giving up. By the time you do make the decision, you’ve lost a lot already and you’re worse than you would have been if you’d made the decision earlier. That goes against why bankruptcy was created–for helping individuals rebound from tough economic times, joblessness, and outstanding debts.

So when do you make the decision? Instead of blaming yourself, file early and take advantage of the law. “You can use Chapter 7, the most popular type, only once in eight years, so draw up a ‘no kidding’ plan for living on your income when you’re finally clear,” says Jane Bryant Quinn for Newsweek.

When to file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy:
-When you still have assets to protect but you’re financially stuck
-Before you decide to pay back huge bills
-When tap IRAs and 401(k)s
-When you have outstanding medical bills (which can be canceled by bankruptcy)

Speaking of IRAs and 401Ks, you should never use these as an alternative to filing bankruptcy. After all, these are your future, and are meant to provide for you later, not now. These are mainly protected by bankruptcy, so ask your bankruptcy attorney about them.

Never wait for medical treatment–dental, eye, or otherwise–because you are out of money. These can be part of your Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing, or paid back in a reasonable amount of time with Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Since you can use Chapter 7 bankruptcy once every 8 years, it’s a clear alternative to tapping into funds your future depends on.

So how do you make the decision between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy? With new bankruptcy laws, Chapter 7 bankruptcy is off the table for many. Now, people are being told to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. In short, Chapter 7 bankruptcy clears the majority of your debt, from mortgages, to medical bills, to credit cards. There are some nonexempt items which you may lose here.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is less about canceling debt and  more about creating a longer time frame for repayment. If you make too much money, you may be forced to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy instead of Chapter 7.

Choosing between the two calls for 1) research and 2) professional counsel. Hiring a professional bankruptcy attorney ensures your financial future will be safe.

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How Bankruptcy Can Eliminate Tax Debt

Friday, March 26th, 2010

If you’ve fallen behind in tax payments and have no chance of paying back the debt, it used to be you had few options. However, with the bankruptcy laws changing in recent years, you can now eliminate tax debt anywhere in the US with Chapter 7 bankruptcy. And with Chapter 13 bankruptcy you can pay in installments.

There is some fine print to those statements. The best thing you can do is a contact a professional bankruptcy attorney in your state who can consult with you on options. A bankruptcy attorney can tell you restrictions and requirements on eliminating tax debt by filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The attorney can also explain how Chapter 13 bankruptcy is now much more common than ever before.

Let’s go over the 5 requirements you have to meet in order to eliminate tax debt.

1-Your tax return must have been due at least three years ago. That means, if you file behind one year or two years ago, you cannot get the tax debt discharged yet.

2-The return then must have been filed at least two years ago with the IRS.

3-The tax debt must have been assessed a minimum of 240 days ago. The IRS must recognize the tax debt at a minimum of 240 days ago, in other words.  So if you file for bankruptcy and want the tax debt eliminated, the debt needs to have been present for 240 days or longer, and the IRS must have in some way recognized this debt.

4-The tax return itself must be completely truthful. If there are errors, intended or not, the tax return is fraudulent in many respects, and the debt cannot be discharged.

5-Last, you cannot be guilty of tax evasion.

As you can see it can get complicated. However, in a nutshell, all you really have to worry about is the time frame, that the  IRS recognizes the debt, that the tax return is correct, and you’re not guilty of tax evasion. That likely keeps most options on the table.

What a Bankruptcy Attorney Can Do
There are some more footnotes to this discussion.  You should at a minimum consult with bankruptcy attorneys. While it’s true you can discharge your tax debt completely with Chapter 7 bankruptcy, in some cases home owners may have to pay back in other ways. This is because you cannot discharge a federal tax debt. If the IRS reported a tax lien on your home, you may have to pay back that lien before you can sell it.

A professional bankruptcy attorney knows how to handle not only situations in the courtroom, but all the paperwork involved in handling back taxes. This can be quite complex. You may try and do it yourself, but a few mistakes and you may be in trouble.

But if you successfully file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you can expect major debts to be eliminated. If you file for chapter 13 bankruptcy, debts like taxes can be paid over a more reasonable time frame. Choosing between the two is a discussion between you and your bankruptcy attorney.

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Student Loan Debt Help – From Types of Loans to Attorneys

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Student loan debts vary in terms of repayment plans. For the purposes of this article, we’ll discuss the more common federal student loans, how you can handle repayment, and what happens if you cannot pay or file for bankruptcy.

Kinds of Federal Loans
The two kinds of federal loans are FFEL(Federal Family Education Loans) and Federal Direct Loans. FFEL loans are made by private lenders and guaranteed by the government. In this case, if you default or file bankruptcy, the lender is reimbursed by the government. “Federal Direct Loans” pretty much speak itself: they are direct loans from the U.S. government.

Other Loans
There are also school federal loans, where the school issues a federal student loan. Repayment plans depend on the school. Lastly, there are private loans, which are made with federal funds and come with the least options for repayment. You typically need to discuss with the lender repayment options, along with what happens if you default or file bankruptcy.

If You Think You’ll Default on the Debts
If you do default, it’s best to find out in advance. For repayment plans, you don’t want to wait until you’re far behind on payments, as many of the following options will not be available to you. Also, you are not locked into any plan, typically being able to switch your plan once a year.

Repayment Plan Forms
Standard repayment plans are offered by your lender, where you make payments for up to 10 years. You pay less interest here, but your monthly payments are higher.

Graduated repayment plans are common too, mainly because you can start small (when you’re in school) and start paying more over time (as you get work).

An extended repayment plan allows you to pay smaller amounts for up to 25 years. You need to have a balance of more than $30,000.

Last, income-based repayment plans are unique in that, as it sounds, you can pay based on how much money you are making. If you had a job but lost it, the income would go down, and therefore the monthly payments would go down.

Default and Bankruptcy
If you think you’ll fall behind in payments and might default, it’s best to act early. If you fall far behind, the government can take money from your income tax return, garnish your wages, or even take back federal benefits (if you’re on social security, for example).

The best move is to hire professional counsel if you fall far behind and cannot catch up. In most cases, you cannot file Chapter 7 bankruptcy and get your student loans discharged. This is where a professional bankruptcy attorney can help you.

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Is Filing California Bankruptcy Right for You?

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Deciding if California bankruptcy is right for you is clearly one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. While bankruptcy can solve many problems, it’s not the only alternative. There are many other ways to get control of your finances.

You can learn more by hiring a professional California bankruptcy attorney to go over your case. Even a brief consultation with a lawyer could save you a lot of headaches.

Before deciding if bankruptcy is right for you, let’s go over the bankruptcy basics.

For individuals, you’re going to be filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 bankrupt has for years been the more popular one, but new bankruptcy code has made it difficult for many to file under Chapter 7 in California and across the nation. Now, Chapter 13 bankruptcy is often advised.

Chapter 7 bankrupt liquidates your assets, clears you of most debts, and does so within a matter of months. Chapter 13 bankruptcy pays back assets over time, and you usually don’t lose much if anything as long as you stay with the repayment plan. If you feel you cannot pay back outstanding debts, Chapter 7 bankruptcy is wise. If you don’t want to lose your home and have income coming in regularly, get with a Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney who can go over the advantages of Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Now let’s go over the decision making process of California bankruptcy.

Alternatives
There are many alternatives to actually filing bankruptcy, including working with debt counseling agencies. This is another point where professional counsel is valuable. You often have more options than you think.

Limits on Bankruptcy
Did you know that if you have enough income, you may be forced to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy? That’s what was alluded to earlier: sometimes you are forced away from Chapter 7. On the other hand, if you wanted to save your house or car, you might think Chapter 13 is the way to go. If your debts are too high and your income too low, you will likely have trouble filing. These are things you should really study as filing bankruptcy is not usually a quick fix.

Debts Canceled
Not all debts will be canceled, even if you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Some debts can be canceled but do not limit what the creditor can do to take back property. This is a called a secured debt, and  some items can be lost.

Credit Cards
There are many good things about filing bankruptcy, especially in times when you feel debts are piling up. You can, for example, wipe your credit card debts by filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This is perhaps the biggest benefit of filing bankruptcy, as credit card debts and interest rates sometimes only grow.

Keep All Your Property
One big advantage of Chapter 13 bankruptcy is the options you have the time you can buy. For instance, you might be falling behind on house payments, have other outstanding debts, but have a good job about to start. You might be able to pay back all these debts, including your house payments, over an extended period of time. Chapter 13 bankruptcy typically gives you 3-5 years to pay these back. If you love your home, and would do anything to keep it, Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a good option.

Personal Life
Filing California bankruptcy is a way to clear debts, save property, and give you a fresh start. However, it will not make all your problems go away, nor will it be easy to file for. The best thing you can do is hire a California bankruptcy attorney who can help.

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