When you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you commit to a repayment plan that lasts three to five years, built around a strict budget. But what happens when groceries, gas, and utilities climb higher every month? For working families in Atlanta and Fulton County, inflation has turned tight budgets...
Bankruptcy Basics
If you're considering bankruptcy chances are you're under a lot of pressure. That can complicate the process of figuring out what's best for you.
We're here to help, with answers to common questions, and easy-to-follow discussions of the issues you need to pay attention to. If you find this helpful, or need some clarification feel free to get in touch with us.
Filing Chapter 13 in Atlanta? Don’t Skip Your Tax Returns
If you're dealing with wage garnishments, repossessions, or foreclosure in places like Atlanta or Marietta, you may already be considering Chapter 13 bankruptcy. But there's one very important requirement that's often overlooked. Before you can file for bankruptcy, the court requires you to have ...
Stop Foreclosure in Atlanta with Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Life happens. A job loss, medical emergency, or unexpected expense can push mortgage payments to the back burner. For families in the Greater Atlanta area, those missed payments add up fast, and foreclosure can suddenly feel inevitable. But falling behind doesn't automatically mean losing your ho...
How Atlanta Residents Can Use Chapter 13 to Reduce Credit Card Debt
Credit card debt can quietly drain your paycheck month after month. High interest rates, late fees, and minimum payments keep many working families stuck in a cycle that can feel impossible to break. If you're carrying significant credit card balances, especially while facing foreclosure or repos...
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy for Sole Proprietors in Atlanta, Marietta, and Northwest Georgia
Running a small business comes with plenty of challenges, especially when personal and business debts start to stack up. For business owners in Atlanta and throughout Northwest Georgia, overdue bills, creditor calls, and threats of garnishment or repossession can easily get in the way of growing ...
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Debt Consolidation for Northwest Georgia Families
When bills start piling up, it can feel like you'll never catch your breath. Credit cards, medical bills, car notes, mortgage arrears—each requires a separate payment, and before long, the numbers just don't add up. For families facing foreclosure, repossession, or wage garnishment, Chapter 13 ba...
Can Self-Employed People File Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Georgia?
How Chapter 13 Works for Self-Employed People Chapter 13 is called a “wage-earner's plan,” which can lead people to mistakenly believe that it only applies to those getting a paycheck. But Chapter 13 is designed for those with regular income, whether that comes from being on someone's payroll or...
Can Georgia’s Government Employees File Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
Government jobs in Atlanta, Marietta, Conyers, and throughout Northwest Georgia offer steady pay and great benefits, but no job offers immunity from financial struggles. Between mortgages, car loans, student debt, and unexpected expenses, you can find yourself falling behind. If you're facing for...
Chapter 13 and Wage Garnishment: Can You Recover Lost Paychecks?
For working families in the Atlanta area, a wage garnishment can be a devastating blow. You work hard for your paycheck, only to have it taken before it even hits your bank account. Whether the garnishment is from unpaid credit cards, medical bills, or a past judgment, the financial strain can qu...
The Wage-Earner’s Plan: How Chapter 13 Helps Atlanta Families
Earning a regular income doesn't free you from debt. In fact, for many residents of Atlanta and throughout Northwest Georgia, debt is a way of life. Whether you're behind on your mortgage, facing repossessions, or dealing with an onslaught of aggressive debt collection efforts, Chapter 13 bankrup...
Will Filing for Chapter 7 Freeze My Bank Account? Answers for Atlanta Residents
You're in deep debt, but you have money in the bank. That's fairly common. After all, a little cushion is necessary to tackle daily expenses. But if you're considering filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, it's only natural to be concerned about whether those funds will be seized. The Craig Black Law...
How to Pay Your Bills While in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
If you're having a tough time paying bills, bankruptcy could provide the relief you need. But as helpful as Chapter 13 can be, it comes with a repayment plan, and that plan brings an important question. How will you make those monthly payments, along with your regular bills, if you're struggling ...
Lost Your Job? How Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Can Offer a Fresh Start in Georgia
Losing your job is bad enough. Losing your job with a pile of unpaid bills can make you feel like there's no way out. But if you're in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, or one of many other towns in Northwest Georgia, Chapter 7 could be just the fresh start you need right now. The Craig Black Law Firm wor...
Why You Shouldn’t Repay Family Loans Before Filing Chapter 7
Borrowing money from friends and relatives is a common way to try to get out of debt. But when you start seriously considering filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, it's only natural to want to pay back those funds. However, as well-intentioned as the move might be, it can cause serious problems once ...
The Hidden Dangers of Credit Card Debt
Credit card debt can serve as a life raft when funds are tight. You can charge everyday expenses like groceries and fuel with the promise of paying it back later. But if you don't pay off that balance every month, your debt can quickly add up until, before you know it, you're paying out a fortune...
What Is Lien Stripping and How Can It Save Your Home?
Bankruptcy can be challenging, particularly if your finances are complicated. For those with second mortgages or home equity loans, it's only natural to wonder what will happen to that debt if you file. In some cases, you may be able to remove a second mortgage from your home in a process known a...
What Happens If You Miss a Chapter 13 Payment?
Filing for Chapter 13 can be a great way to get out from under overwhelming debt. But this type of bankruptcy requires you to make regular payments on a repayment plan in addition to your ongoing expenses like rent, groceries, and childcare. If your financial circumstances change, though, making...
What to Do If You Can’t Afford Your Chapter 13 Payments
Falling behind on your bills can cause problems, but falling behind on Chapter 13 payments can come with serious consequences. If you can't afford your repayment plan payments, you do have options, but it's important to be proactive to avoid derailing your debt discharge. The Craig Black Law Fir...
How Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Affects Business Inventory
As a business owner, you've worked hard to curate your product inventory. However, if you're filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, asset seizure is part of the process. Understanding how your inventory will be treated during the bankruptcy process can help you prepare to file. The Craig Black Law Fir...
Corporate Guarantees & Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: What Business Owners Need to Know
Chapter 7 bankruptcy can help businesses find relief by discharging all eligible debt and liquidating assets. But corporate guarantees can throw a wrench in the works, and in some cases, you may still be liable for that particular debt. The Craig Black Law Firm regularly helps businesses with ba...
Payday Loans and Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: What You Need to Know
Payday loans are a popular option for those who need quick cash to get out of a bind. However, for those filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, Payday loans can sometimes complicate things. It's important to fully understand how Payday loans will impact your filing before you proceed. The Craig Black ...
How Will Filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Affect Your Co-signers?
Struggling with debt and considering Chapter 13 bankruptcy? If you have a co-signer on a loan, you might be wondering how the process will impact them. Here's a breakdown of what to expect: Good News for Co-signers Chapter 13 offers significant advantages for co-signers compared to Chapter 7 li...
When Is the Best Time to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a big move, and you don't have to do it in a rush. In fact, you're often better off waiting until the right time to file. But the best time is unique to each filer. Before filing, there are a few things to keep in mind. The Craig Black Law Firm helps debtors co...
Is Unpaid Rent Dischargeable in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
Chapter 13 bankruptcy is designed to help consumers with overwhelming debt. Even once you're on a Chapter 13 repayment plan, though, you'll still be responsible for ongoing housing costs, whether that's mortgage payments or rent. If you've gotten behind on your rent payments, it's important to un...
Your Chapter 13 Is Discharged: Here’s What to Do Next
Reaching the end of Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a big accomplishment. You've successfully completed your repayment plan, and now it's time to discharge your debt. However, many bankruptcy filers find this part of the process a little confusing since little guidance is provided. The Craig Black Law ...