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Bellevue Bankruptcy

Get Out From Under Debt With Bellevue Bankruptcy Lawyers

Bellevue residents are looking at a period of great financial uncertainty and rising costs. This can wreak havoc with personal finances, and even now 14% of Washington residents have some kind of delinquent debt. Unfortunately, things won’t get better anytime soon as the entire country, and neighboring nations, face new geopolitical turbulence. Because of this, residents can land in the middle of a financial crisis through no fault of their own. Periods of unpredictability like this can hit anyone hard financially with little to no warning.

As a result, it’s not a surprise that some people get into financial trouble and need some serious help getting debt relief. Here’s where our financial law attorneys can help. We have over 30 years of combined legal experience assisting people all over Washington State. We help people come to terms with their debt and manage it. Our bankruptcy attorneys in Bellevue are here and ready to help anyone needing legal and financial guidance.

Don’t assume that only rich people can get help from a bankruptcy or debt relief lawyer in Bellevue. We provide free consultations to anyone who asks, assessing their circumstances and seeing what we can do to help. We are knowledgeable and empathetic, and our goal is to make things right.

Bankruptcy Attorneys Help You Manage Debt

With our experienced team of bankruptcy attorneys, we know how to solve an array of financial problems. We’ll help you understand, analyze, and eventually resolve your debts. Our team can provide solutions for a range of different financial issues like:

  • Bankruptcy petition filing
  • Ending creditor harassment
  • Stopping wage garnishment
  • Stopping foreclosures
  • Getting a stay on repossessions
  • Negotiating debt settlements
  • Protecting critical assets
  • Finding and discharging eligible debts
  • Stopping bank account levies
  • Representation in bankruptcy court
  • Handling debt collection lawsuits
  • Providing guidance on debt relief

Of course, once a debt problem is solved, that’s only the first journey. Our King County bankruptcy attorneys can guide you past debt relief and put you on the path of financial recovery and staying out of debt forever. We can guide clients in reorganizing and rebuilding their financial structure to shape the future the way they want.

How Many Debt Solutions Are There?

Just like every person is unique and has individual characteristics, it’s the same thing with financial problems. Anyone in any tax bracket can be affected by debt. Our King County debt attorneys can discuss your debt issue, evaluate it, and help you look at the debt relief options available, such as:

Our team of bankruptcy lawyers will assess your financial situation to formulate a customized plan that handles your specific needs with the solution that works best.

Do You Need Bankruptcy Relief In Washington State?

Most people have the sense that bankruptcy is something that happens to people in debt, but not everyone qualifies for it. There are financial and legal requirements at both the state and Federal levels to qualify for bankruptcy. Here are the requirements for those people considering bankruptcy as a solution to their own debt-related struggles.

Bellevue Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Requirements
  • Your income is below the state median for your size of household. It’s still possible for people slightly above this to qualify if specific expenses are deducted.
  • You haven’t already filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy within the last eight years.
  • You must take and complete an approved credit counseling course within 180 days of filing
Bellevue Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Requirements
  • You need to be able to prove you have a reliable source of income that is capable of handling monthly payments for a payment plan.
  • Any secured debt you have must fall under the described debt limits for the Chapter of bankruptcy you are filing for. Unsecured debts have no limitations.
  • You must have previously filed tax returns that you can provide for the four years before you file for bankruptcy.
  • Like the Chapter 7 filing, you must attend and complete an approved credit counseling course within 180 days before filing.
How Does Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Work? Bellevue Bankruptcy Attorneys Explain

Most Bellevue residents are probably aware that bankruptcy status only applies to people with large amounts of debt compared to their personal financial situation. If your finances have escalated into unmanageable debt, and there’s no path to easily paying it back, you may need to start over. Filing for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy can be the start of that journey.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is occasionally referred to as “liquidation bankruptcy because it’s a more drastic method of handling unsecured debt, which are loans with no collateral backing. The liquidation process can be quite aggressive but Washington State law can afford some legal protection. For example, certain exemptions can be made to protect critical belongings like a home, vehicle, or other personal assets. Our King County bankruptcy lawyers can assess your situation, look through eligibility requirements, and run a means test to see whether you qualify.

You Should File For Chapter 7 Bankruptcy If
  • Your disposable income is greatly reduced, and debt payments are beyond your means
  • Creditors may be already moving in to repossess assets or are trying to garnish your wages
  • The majority of your debt is unsecured, such as credit card debt or medical bills
  • You don’t have any major assets that could be sold to cover your debt payments.
The Other Alternative: Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Some people who have accrued debt are fortunate enough to have a steady job with a regular salary or some other means of receiving a recurring, reliable source of revenue. If that’s you, then Chapter 13 Bankruptcy could be a better solution to cover your debts. This is sometimes called a “wage earner’s plan” because it has a greater amount of flexibility but is only available to people who draw a salary.

In contrast to Chapter 7, this doesn’t liquidate your assets but instead works on structuring a debt repayment plan, typically lasting between 3-5 years. Of course, this doesn’t eliminate debt the way Chapter 7 does, but it allows you to get the debt back down to manageable levels. Like Chapter 7, it can also put a stop to other financial processes such as repossession or a home foreclosure. Our King County bankruptcy lawyers can see whether your situation is right for Chapter 13 bankruptcy under Washington State law.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy May Be For You If:

  • You can present proof of a salary or other revenue stream that can make monthly payments.
  • You are facing foreclosure and need time to make up missed mortgage payments.
  • Your income is over the requirements of the Chapter 7 bankruptcy means test.
  • Parts of your debt aren’t covered by a Chapter 7 filing, such as child support or tax debt.
Our Bellevue Bankruptcy Lawyers Are Here To Help

Washington State, and the USA as a whole, are entering turbulent times. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a lone wine and whiskey aficionado who frequents Civility & Unrest or a nature-loving family who regularly explores North Cascades, National Park, the struggle against debt can happen to anyone.

If you find yourself struggling with debt, you don’t have to do it alone. Our Bellevue financial law attorneys are ready to help and are available for free consultations.

Frequently Asked Questions For Our Bellevue Bankruptcy Lawyers

With over 30 years of experience in Washington State, our Bellevue bankruptcy attorneys have answered a lot of questions from people facing debt. Here are the more common questions people ask us:

Q: Can filing for bankruptcy halt foreclosures?

A: Yes. A bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay, which halts further proceedings, giving you more time to act.

Q: What happens to my car when I file for bankruptcy in King County?

A: It depends on the category. You may keep it if you create a new payment plan, but with Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the car may be sold to recover some debt.

Q: Can bankruptcy work for tax debt?

A: Older tax debts might be discharged, depending on the type of tax and situation with the IRS.

Q: What if I co-signed a loan and then filed for bankruptcy?

A: If you create a payment plan through a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, co-signers are protected; a Chapter 7 bankruptcy may leave co-signers vulnerable to your debt.

Q: What if a creditor sues me, and I file for bankruptcy?

A: Filing for bankruptcy in King County triggers an automatic stay and blocks further actions as the case is evaluated.

Q: How do I file for bankruptcy in King County?

A: Get together financial records, take a state-approved credit counseling course, and file the petition with the court.

Q: Can you only file for bankruptcy once?

A: Bankruptcy can be filed multiple times, but only after some time has passed. Chapter 7 bankruptcy can be filed every eight years, while Chapter 13 can be filed every two.

Q: How do I classify a payday loan debt?

A: Payday loans are unsecured debts that can be discharged by either a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing.

Q: How is medical debt handled?

A: Medical debt is also unsecured debt. A Chapter 7 filing can discharge it, or a Chapter 13 filing can incorporate it into a new payment plan.

Q: What happens to my credit rating after bankruptcy?

A: Your credit rating must be rebuilt. Alternative means of payment, such as a secured credit card, and monitoring your spending more closely are ways to start.


How To Handle Credit Card Debt In Bellevue

Any Bellevue resident who is now facing credit card debt is not alone. A lot of the country is facing rising debt, which includes credit cards. Unfortunately, that only looks to get worse because of incoming financial uncertainty. Factors like inflation, interest rate fluctuations, and fee hikes can rapidly change a debt situation to where things feel out of control. Fortunately, legal solutions are out there to help people get back on track. Our Bellevue bankruptcy lawyers are here to help you navigate through this situation.

Unfortunately, debt is not always a situation where you and you alone are in control. Outside groups can sometimes intervene, like debt collection agencies hired by debtors. These groups or people can resort to questionable or even upsetting tactics, but that doesn’t mean they’re allowed to. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is intended to protect your rights. Some Washington State statutes of limitations may also categorize some of your debt as unenforceable. With the help of Bellevue bankruptcy attorneys who know the ins and outs of financial law, we can stop harassment or even challenge debt collection to give you a chance to recover financially.

King County Foreclosure Attorneys Can Help You Keep Your House

For most Bellevue residents, a home is the most important and valuable asset in their lives, which is why it’s a special kind of nightmare when it can be taken away. Unfortunately, foreclosures do happen, but King County foreclosure lawyers can fight this, even when foreclosure actions are in progress. Legal actions like filing for bankruptcy, loan modifications, and other methods can delay foreclosures and protect homeownership. Washington State also has laws in place restricting lenders to certain procedures during foreclosures. Our team of Bellevue financial lawyers can mediate with these and other groups to protect your rights and fight to keep your home.

How To Fix Medical Debt In Bellevue

The USA is fortunate enough to have some of the best medical care in the world, but for those without health insurance from an employer, the cost of such treatment is incredibly expensive, which can easily turn into medical debt. All it takes is one emergency, surgery, or a diagnosis of a new lifelong condition requiring treatment to devastate personal finances. Sometimes, facilities like Overlake Medical Center or Evergreen Signature Care will even contract collection agencies to collect unpaid bills, which can have a huge impact on your credit rating. If medical debt is a big, unwelcome problem for you, our team of Bellevue financial lawyers can help you with strategies like:

  • Negotiating a payment plan; a few hospitals offer financial assistance programs or are open to settlement.
  • Bankruptcy filing. A Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing can address medical debt in some situations.
  • Fight mistakes; billing errors and other mistakes can be fought and overturned through debt validation.
  • Bills you weren’t expecting: State and Federal laws exist to protect residents from surprise billing.
Bellevue Bankruptcy Attorneys Can Put An End To Payday Loan Woes

Banks aren’t the only ones who give loans; businesses like MoneyTree offer what are called “Payday Loans.” These seem great, with no credit checks and quick approvals, but that’s anchored to very high interest rates, and numerous fees can rapidly trap you in a debt cycle. As the cycle continues, the escalating expenses can sometimes eclipse the original loan amount and put people in huge amounts of debt. In some cases, people are trapped for years, watching paychecks vanish into more loans, fees, and overdraft fees that dominate personal finances. King County bankruptcy lawyers can break this cycle for people and help them get back on track.

Bellevue Bankruptcy Attorneys Can Challenge Repossessions

Falling too far behind on car loan payments can result in your car being taken back. Once that starts, that doesn’t mean you have no choice but to allow it. Bellevue bankruptcy attorneys, there are legal strategies available to keep a car, even after a repossession. If repossession is happening to you, or you’ve been warned it’s on the horizon, our team of Bellevue financial attorneys can help you fight for your car.

Protect Yourself & Your Rights From Creditor Harassment

There’s nothing wrong with a creditor seeking money that is owed, but some behavior to this effect is illegal. Unfortunately, collection agencies or agents commit illegal acts hoping the ignorance of victims will make them assume that if they did it, it must be legal. Be aware that you have rights even in this situation. Contact a Bellevue debt attorney immediately if you have experienced any of the following:

  • Aggressive constant calling at all hours, day or night
  • Implying police arrest or other legal action
  • Harassing friends, family members, or employers about your debt
  • Threatening violence or use of abusive language

Bellevue bankruptcy lawyers can protect you with cease and desist letters, undertaking lawsuits for damages, and other legal retaliation to make it clear illegal harassment will not be tolerated.

Challenging Lawsuits & Debt Collection In King County

Aside from trying to collect debt, creditors can also attempt to sue to try to recover money owed. Should this happen, a litigation attorney is not the best solution. Instead, talk to a financial law or bankruptcy attorney. Our experienced legal teams in King County can assist in:

  • Fielding an appropriate lawsuit response in King County Court
  • Protecting your rights laid out in the FDCPA
  • Mediating settlements
  • Filing for bankruptcy
  • Challenging breach of contract lawsuits

If a financial crisis has created more debt than you can handle, We’re here for you. Bellevue bankruptcy lawyers in King County have the experience, expertise, and empathy to help you overcome debt. Contact us today.

Struggling with Debt?

Are you struggling to make ends meet every month? Are you tired of creditors calling you, even harassing you?

At the Law Offices of Jason S. Newcombe, we help good people who have fallen on hard times. We can help you file for and successfully complete the bankruptcy process. If you are struggling with a mountain of debt and need a way out, our experienced Bellevue, WA bankruptcy lawyers are ready to help you get a fresh financial start.

When you work with us, we'll let you know all of your rights and options. We'll give you the facts about your case and work toward the best possible outcome–whether that is just getting rid of your debt, saving your home, or stopping your car's repossession.

We'll walk you through the bankruptcy process and answer your questions every step of the way. From the initial bankruptcy filing to life after bankruptcy, you can count on us to be there for you.

You don't have to struggle with debt any longer. We can help you find peace of mind.

Find out if bankruptcy is right for you: contact us at our Bellevue office today for a free consultation with one of our experienced and trusted bankruptcy attorneys. To make it easier for you, we offer a free consultation, with no obligation.

To learn more about bankruptcy, visit one of the pages below:

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