Realizing you are facing foreclosure can leave you paralyzed with fear. Where will you move to? How will you ever recover from this? It can be one of the scariest things you face as a homeowner. In fact, just the possibility of it might already have you looking for a way to save your home before you’re actually facing it. This is where bankruptcy comes in. Chapter 7 is designed to provide people with a way to get out from under their debt. But chapter 13 is designed to provide a pathway for you to keep your property by offering you a repayment plan.

It is important to understand that bankruptcy isn’t a quick fix. It is a legal process, requirements must be met, and there are post-bankruptcy consequences.

What is Foreclosure?

Foreclosure happens when a homeowner falls behind on their mortgage payments. Ultimately – after following the legal process – the lender is then able to sell the home at auction. Thankfully, this isn’t a process that happens overnight. It typically begins after several payments are missed. But in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are finding themselves unable to make their payments – putting them in this situation.

How Can Bankruptcy Help Me?

Most people’s desire is to stay in their homes for the foreseeable or even indefinite future. And with many people working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, maintain your current residence is likely even more important. Filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy will allow you to propose a repayment plan – typically lasting for five years. Over the length of this plan, you will be able to pay off your late unpaid payments. And assuming you make all required payments, you will be able to avoid foreclosure on your home.

Did you know that chapter 13 bankruptcy can even help with 2nd and 3rd mortgage payments? Of course, this is a bit more complicated, but it is possible based on certain circumstances.

Is Bankruptcy Right for Me?

The process of deciding if bankruptcy is right for you and which chapter you qualify for can be tricky. For example, with chapter 13 specifically, you will need to meet certain income requirements. As a bankruptcy attorney, we offer support in this area – giving you an ally from the very beginning.

As one of the highest ticket items in most people’s budget, it can be easy to fall behind on a mortgage payment. In some cases, a lender or mortgage company might be willing to work with you on a deal. This may include a short sale or loan modification. But unfortunately, more often than not, this isn’t the case. In most cases, the lender or mortgage company will begin the foreclosure process as laid out in the mortgage contract. This process involves the creditor repossessing the home and selling it.

Are you someone who has found yourself in this situation and now you’re hastily trying to figure out what to do?

Filing a chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy might be your relief you’re looking for.

When you took out a mortgage to buy your home, you assumed the responsibility of repaying that debt. And if you are unable to make your mortgage payment, you are not following through on that obligation. However, filing bankruptcy could offer you the opportunity you need to catch up. Look at it as temporary relief, because it will still take time and work.

What happens to my property after I file for bankruptcy?

Upon filing for bankruptcy, the court automatically issues an Order for Relief. An Order for Relief grants what it called an “automatic stay.” An automatic stay requires your creditors to stop collection attempts. Period.  Therefore, if foreclosure is ordered on your home, it will be postponed, by law. It is postponed until the bankruptcy filing is finalized, which generally takes three to four months.

What happens beyond this will depend on the chapter of bankruptcy you file. Filing for chapter 13 will allow you to set up a repayment plan to pay off the past due payments. To continue to avoid foreclosure, you will need to continue to make all required payments for the length of the repayment plan. If you file for chapter 7, all the debt secured by the home, including mortgages and home equity loans are forgiven. However, the relationship between chapter 7 bankruptcy and foreclosure is complex and comes with cautionary notes.

We recommend speaking with an experienced Atlanta bankruptcy attorney to learn more about both options and how they would impact your scenario.

Finding the right bankruptcy attorney near me.

The first step to finding debt relief through filing bankrupt is finding the right Atlanta bankruptcy lawyer to handle your case.

At The Wright Law Alliance, we are committed to providing each client with exceptional service, compassion, and respect.

We are here to help you.

I am affected by COVID 19, what options are there for me?

If you have been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, there are several solutions to help you get out of debt. The safety measures taken against the spread of COVID-19debt-relief-is-a-call-away-404-373-9933 were as crippling to Georgians as the virus itself.
Below are options you can consider in turning over a new leaf and starting over in these unprecedented times. The stay-at-home order and job layoffs forced many people into the unemployment lines. In trying to deal with the economic downturn, many people have turned towards debt. Some have resorted to borrowing from friends and family while others have resorted to bank loans and credit cards.
Georgia is likely affected by the increased dependence on debt. The 16.9% poverty rate in the state is likely to surge because of COVID19. If you are affected by COVID-19 here are some options available to you to get back on your feet and to turn over a new leaf.

Option A

If you have found yourself with mounting debt because of COVID-19, you aren’t alone. Many Americans have debt. While some debt is a result of overspending, other debts happen due to uncontrollable circumstances. Before you jump at filing bankruptcy.  let’s look at some of the options below to get a handle on your debt:

Cut down on your expenses

When it comes to getting your finances in order, figure out where your money is going. If we look hard enough, we can find money to pay off debt by determining areas where we are currently spending that are unnecessary. Create a list of all your expenses and cut where you can. Eating out anyone?

Prioritize your debts

In your list of expenses should also be a list of all your debts. Many people make the mistake of blindly paying off debt, but it is more efficient if you do it with a plan. There are apps and online programs you can use to organize and get a good picture of where all your coins are going.
 
Determine which debts have the highest interest rate and mark those as a top priority. From there, make the smallest payment on all other debts and put as much as you can toward those top priority debts.
 

debt-relief-call-it-in-wright-law-allianceNegotiate with creditors

Did you know you can negotiate with your creditor? There is no guarantee anything will change, but it is worth a try. Contact your creditors as soon as you realize you are struggling. Ask if they can reduce your interest rate, change the payment terms or reduce your fees.
 

Option B: Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

 
If there is an economic downturn in any economy, you can expect job losses to follow. This can lead to an uptick in the number of people filing for bankruptcy due to their inability to address their debts. Add a pandemic like COVID19, and we are in uncharted territory.
 
It is a fact there have been more job losses in 2020 than any other time since the Great Depression, the number of people who filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy dropped from the previous year. This could be because there is a moratorium in place as of this post being published but that may end soon.
 
If you are being helped by the moratorium what are your plans once it ends? The Cares Act was an attempt to help Americans but it does not look to be enough to help individuals and small businesses who continue to be affected by COVID-19.
 
Chapter 7, sometimes called liquidation bankruptcy, involves selling off most of your property to pay off debt. This form of bankruptcy is generally reserved for individuals with limited income who cannot pay back their debt. If you’re drowning in debt because of COVID-19, it makes sense to contact an experienced lawyer like The Wright Law Alliance.
 

Option C: Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

 
Chapter 13 is the more common option for individuals who have enough income to qualify for a repayment plan. It is a reorganization bankruptcy. As a result of this, you might get to keep some ofroad-to-recovery-wright-law-alliance your property.
 
The repayment plan allows you to pay back a part of the debt you owe over a designated time. After that, any remaining unsecured debts might be “discharged”.  A few examples of unsecured debts include medical bills and credit cards. And in this case, discharged means you are not required to pay them back.
 
Why You Can Benefit From Hiring A Bankruptcy Attorney
 
Filing a bankruptcy can be a cumbersome process. A mistake during this process can further complicate things and stifle the chances of a reset or plan to help you get back on your feet.  Getting professional advice and support from an experienced bankruptcy attorney is a crucial part of turning over a new leaf.
 
25+ years later The Wright Law Alliance continues to help Georgia residents with bankruptcy. Whether it’s through simple and complex situations we can help. We‘d like to help you also; to make that happen.  we’ll need to learn. what you’re facing.
so we can come up with a custom game plan. Whether it is for a personal or business bankruptcy.  we look to set you on the “Wright” path to financial freedom.
There is no question that the coronavirus pandemic has changed our lives in more ways than one. And finances are definitely one of those ways.

While you might not be financially impacted to the degree that others are, your community might still be taking a hit. And for some, the financial burden might not be as obvious to you.

But as an experienced bankruptcy law firm we have seen just how hard this pandemic has hit some families’ budgets. Below are several visible issues affecting our local community.

Lost or Reduced Wagesbankruptcy-lawyer-wright-law-alliance

Unemployment is a reason your neighbor might be threatened by foreclosure. When the pandemic happened businesses contracted and employees felt the brunt of the effects. Some people have saved up for rainy days but many haven’t but we’re about providing solutions to your problems.  Some Georgia residents have lost their job entirely, while others just experienced a decrease in hours or pay. Either way, both scenarios include a financial impact of some sort.

Food Costs are Increasing

With more money in the local economy inflation naturally will cause prices to increase for Georgians. How does one adjust for this? If you’re eating out it is advisable learn to cook more and fire up the stove more often.

It is a supply and demand situation. This is a result of the pandemic that is affecting everyone – even if it doesn’t hurt your budget, you aren’t exempt from this impact.

Back to school, uptick in cases, back to home

Initially, for kids, the pandemic almost seemed like an extended summer vacation. Exciting, right?

But for parents – most of whom are working from home now – it just sounds like “cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-ching” as they spend more on streaming services and at-home activities to keep everyone occupied.

Now that cases are increasing there is pressure on what to do next. Looking back at the pandemic in the 1800’s we know wearing masks was a notable factor in reducing the Spanish flu and it only makes sense to be considerate to fellow Americans and wear a mask as a way of saying we want COVID-19 gone.

A Way to Manage Your Debt During COVID-19

Whether you have found yourself unemployed or just on an even tighter budget than when the pandemic started, the stress might be building. If you have found yourself in a situation that seems hopeless, it is time to explore your options.

Bankruptcy, while it may sound scary, can be the solution to help you save your house or walk away gracefully. Our goal is to help you overcome the financial strain put on you and your family by this pandemic. By wiping away debt the Wright Law Alliance wants to help you get back on track in a manageable way.

Working with a bankruptcy attorney near me

Finding a reputable bankruptcy attorney in your area is important to your case. And finding one with a comprehensive knowledge of georgia bankruptcy laws is the best way to avoid costly mistakes. 

With over 20 years of experience in bankruptcy law, our team has the Atlanta bankruptcy attorney for you.

Schedule your complimentary consultation with us today: 404-373-9933 or book it online. 

Schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation with us today to learn more.

Whether you are facing foreclosure, are scared you might face foreclosure or just want to learn more about bankruptcy options, we’d love to speak with you.