Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in El Monte, California
In El Monte, California, bankruptcy is a court procedure in which a person or business has some or all of their debts excused (or "discharged"), theoretically allowing them to start with a clean slate, and move on with their lives no longer drowning in debt (and hopefully having learned to better manage their use of credit in the process). Remember, though, that bankruptcy should not be viewed as a convenient way to get out of debt that you don't feel like paying back. It is meant to serve as an option of last resort for people and businesses faced with debt that they will probably never be able to pay back. The decision to file for bankruptcy can result in negative consequences, such as damaged credit ratings, which must be seriously weighed against the potential benefits.
Accordingly, you should speak with a good El Monte, California bankruptcy lawyer. Your El Monte bankruptcy lawyer can inform you of the costs and benefits of filing for bankruptcy, and give his or her professional opinion as to whether or not it's a good option, given your particular circumstances.
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Types of Bankruptcy in El Monte, California
In El Monte, California, there are 3 types of bankruptcy in common use: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11. Because bankruptcy is a creation of federal law, the procedures governing bankruptcy in El Monte, California will be similar anywhere else in the U.S. Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves liquidation of many of the debtor's assets in order to pay off as much of the debt as possible. This sounds harsh, but there is an upside: once the liquidation is complete, the debts are legally viewed as having been paid in full, whether or not the full amount was covered by the liquidation. Liquidation involves selling some personal property, and using the proceeds to pay off debt. Many types of property are exempt from liqudiation, and therefore may not need to be sold. They include homes, cars, and insurance policies, among others. You should know that some types of debt cannot be discharged in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, including taxes, student loans, and child support.
Under Chapter 13 bankruptcy in El Monte, most of the debtor's debt is not discharged. Instead, the bankruptcy court, working with the debtor and participating creditors, work out a payment plan that allows the debtor to pay off most of his or her debts over a longer period of time, thereby theoretically making the debt far more manageable. Once a payment plan is approved by the court, creditors are prohibited from attempting to collect payment under their original agreements that gave rise to the debt in the first place. Although it can be used by individuals, Chapter 11 bankruptcy is used almost exclusively by businesses. Not unlike Chapter 13, Chapter 11 focuses on restructuring of debt, rather than discharging it. Chapter 11 requries that the debtor come up with a reorganization plan designed to reduce debt and cut costs. Before being implemented, this plan must be approved by a majority vote of participating creditors.
One main advantage of Chapter 11 bankrutpcy is that it allows businesses to continue their operations while the process plays out. Furthermore, their stock can still be bought and sold.
How Can a El Monte Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?
One should not make the decision to file for bankruptcy in El Monte lightly. Before making any such decision, it would be highly adviseable to contact an experienced El Monte bankruptcy attorney.
There are 41 Bankruptcy, Banking and Credit cases posted in El Monte
Cases Posted to LegalMatch listed by ZIP Code:Bankruptcy Attorneys in the Largest CA Cities
Life in El Monte
El Monte is near Los Angeles, California and home to approximately 113,475 residents. It is known as a friendly area that lies in the San Gabriel Valley region of east Los Angeles.Popular attractions in El Monte are the American Heritage Park and Museum, Rose Hills Memorial Park, El Monte Historical Museum, Whittier Narrows Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, American Society of Military History, and The Rawhide Ponies.
Top employers in El Monte include Wells Fargo, Vons, Toyota, Lexus, Cathay Bank, and elementary and high school districts.
El Monte is home to many small law offices, with competent attorneys practicing in most areas of law. If need be, residents may look to larger firms located in Los Angeles as well. Overall, the legal force within and near El Monte, California is very strong and capable of handling all legal inquiries.
