Free Bankruptcy & Debt Information Guide

How to stop repossession, foreclosure, garnishment, tax levies, creditor's calls & threats

... and still keep property you own!

Debt Problems � If you cannot pay a bill when it is due, creditors have many legal ways to collect. You have rights too. Page through descriptions of common financial problems and their solutions, or go directly to the page that interests you.  Calls & Threats � Repossession � Garnishment � Tax Liens & Levies � Home Foreclosure 

Debt Solutions � The way to a fresh start can be found under Federal law.

Protection from Creditors � There are two chapters Federal law designed to protect us from creditors.

Description of Chapter 7 & Chapter 13 � Chapter 7, Liquidation Bankruptcy, and Chapter 13, Debt Adjustment, give consumers two ways to handle debt.

Who is Eligible? � The requirements for Chapter 7 and 13 are different.

Secured Property � Your car, home and furniture may secure some debt. This section shows how secured property may be kept in Chapters 7 and 13.

Business Interests � If you own a business you will want to file the right chapter to keep from losing it.

Property You May Lose � Some things you own could be taken from you. See what property is at risk.

Debt Not Discharged � Not all debt goes away.  See what debt will not be discharged, and what things you do that could prevent you from getting a discharge.

Frequently Asked Questions � We get questions, and we answer them!  We put the ones we think may be of general interest here, arranging them by topic:  Stopping Creditors � When & Where to File � Debts Discharged � Child Support & Spousal Maintenance � Joint Debt - Cosigners & Spouses � Listing Creditors � Preference in Paying Creditors � Court Meeting � Property Lost in Bankruptcy � Tax Effect � Secured Debts � Changes and Chapter 13 Plans � Missed Chapter 13 Plan Payments � Dismissed Cases � Credit after Bankruptcy.

Dos & Don'ts Before Bankruptcy � If the wolves are circling, but you aren't sure that you will have to file bankruptcy, there are some things that you or want to do which may protect you or your property if you do eventually have to file.

Ten Stupid Things People Do to Mess Up Their Credit � If borrowing on your 401k plan, cosigning for a friend or leasing a car seem like good ideas, maybe you ought to look here. We'll tell you why you ought to think twice before doing these and seven other things.

New Bankruptcy Code Overview � Check out our Flowchart to a Fresh Start under the new Bankruptcy Code for a quick look of the steps which have to be taken to get a discharge in cases filed on and after October 17, 2005. 

You can also review the full text of provisions of the new Bankruptcy Code relating to consumer cases.

For a detailed look at the changes, review the previous legislation and a summary the changes under earlier versions, most of which were adopted.

What Your Attorney Can't Tell You! � The new bankruptcy code places certain restrictions on what an attorney can tell a client--even if what the attorney wants to say is legal, moral, and in the best interests of the client.

Possible Legislation Allowing Court to Reduce Mortgage Balance � President Obama has thrown his support behind legislation which will allow a Chapter 13 plan to reduce the balance on home mortgages under some circumstances.

Free Credit Reports Now Available � Thanks to a law amending the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the three major credit reporting agencies must give you a free annual credit report--if you request it.  We have the links to request your report on line, as well as information on how to request your free report by phone, and by mail.  Don't confuse these links with supposedly free credit report offers on the internet.  We'll get you to the sites where you really can get your credit report free free free!

Just for Our Clients � Information of interest to those going through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy--things like the questions that the trustee will ask at your meeting with him, and what he will ask you to bring with you.  We prepared this for our clients, but it's open for everyone to view for now.

Bankruptcy, Credit and Debt News � Occasionally Bankruptcy, Credit and Debt makes the headlines.  We've collected some articles which have piqued our interest.  Naturally, we've included news about theBankruptcy Code.

Bankruptcy Buzzwords � If you're underwater, do you need an Aqualung, or a short sale?  Some words may not mean what they seem to mean.  We have some definitions which may help clear things up.

The Cost of Credit � How much does your credit balance cost you? Enter your account balance, interest rate, and monthly payment on this page. Instantly, the page will calculate your monthly interest charge,  balance at the end of the year, and how much it will take to pay off the debt and how long it will take. If you have scheduled a free office conference with out attorneys, print the page and bring it with you for a free debt analysis showing the effect of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 on your bills.

Exempt Property � Some things you own may be protected from most creditors by state and Federal exemption statutes. This page lists exemptions which are available.

Bankruptcy Time Line � From before a case is filed until the debts are discharged, the Bankruptcy Code and court rules set a number of very important dates and deadlines. The Time Line lists and describes important dates.

Bankruptcy Basics � Excerpts from a public information pamphlet prepared by the Bankruptcy Judges Division, Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

Bankruptcy Quiz � Just for fun, see how much you know about debts and bankruptcy!  We'll give you an explanation with each answer, and tally your score. 

Locations and Maps � Where are we?  We just happen to have some addresses, maps, and phone numbers.  Our offices are freeway close to Apache Junction, Queen Creek, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Tempe, Guadalupe, Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Glendale, Anthem, Goodyear, Peoria, and Sun City.

Locations and Maps, Part II � What is the location of the Bankruptcy court where you should file if you live in--say, Cowlic, AZ?  (Yes, there is such a place.)  We have the addresses and maps for all counties and more than 500 Arizona communities--from Kingman and Bullhead City to Winslow and Holbrook, from Flagstaff, Prescott, Williams and Sedona, to Casa Grande, Yuma, and Tucson.

The Bankruptcy Code � The complete text of Chapters 7 and 13 of the U. S. Bankruptcy Code, related chapters, and selected court rules and state laws.

A Few Bankruptcy Cases � The code leaves more than a few matters for the courts to interpret.  Here are a few case summaries shedding a little light in a few areas.

Client Comments � We give our clients a comment sheet and ask them to tell us what they like and what they didn't like about our services. These are some comments which clients have given us permission to quote.

Fees & Costs � We can only tell you exactly how much your case would cost in a conference with an attorney (fees are specified in writing before a case is started), but we can tell you the fees and costs which apply in most cases.

Contact Us � Reach us by phone, E-mail, or snail mail. Talk with a real, live attorney free! 

Hire Us! � It's as easy as 1�2�3 to hire us to help you get a fresh start! 

Federal Holidays � The Bankruptcy Courts are closed on Federal holidays. We take the day off too. This listing of the dates on which the holidays are observed will also make a printable "Holiday Closed Sign" for your office.

Search This Site � Still haven't found what you're looking for?  Try our search page and look for the topic by key word on all of our pages.  If you still can't find what you're looking for, ask us. 

Work in Progress - Consumer Credit Law � We're working on adding selected United States Code sections dealing with consumer credit law.  It's not completely up yet, but you can check on our progress. 

For Professionals � We have compiled information which may be of interest to paralegals, document preparers, accountants, and other professionals.  This page contains links for free access to the Federal code, Arizona law, county recorders and other information which may be helpful to those dealing those that are financially troubled. 

We are working on the full text of the consumer sections of the code code as amended by The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005. Check on our progress putting the code with extensive links and optional redline version online at Bankruptcy Code.