Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Port St. Lucie, Florida

Find the right Bankruptcy attorney in Port St. Lucie, FL

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In Port St. Lucie, Florida, bankruptcy is a court procedure in which a person or business has some or all of their debts absolved (or "discharged"), theoretically allowing them to commence 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). However, bankruptcy should not be treated as a way to avoid debt that one simply doesn't feel like paying. It is meant to be a safety net for people or businesses who are really unable to pay off their debts. Because bankruptcy is not without negative consequences (such as a severely damaged credit rating for many years afterward), it should be viewed as an option of last resort.

Therefore, it is a good idea to talk with an veteran bankruptcy lawyer in Port St. Lucie, Florida. They will be able to advise you on the likely legal and financial consequences of filing for bankruptcy, and help you determine if it's the right option for your. Because this determination depends heavily on the facts of each distinct case, the counsel of a Port St. Lucie bankruptcy attorney cannot be substituted.

Types of Bankruptcy in Port St. Lucie, Florida

There are three basic bankruptcy schemes that are most commonly used in Port St. Lucie: Chapters 7, 13, and 11. Bankruptcy is a creation of federal law, so the procedure for filing for bankruptcy in Port St. Lucie, Florida will be roughly the same as it would be anywhere else in the U.S. Chapter 7 bankruptcy requires the debtor to liquidate some of his or her property, and use the proceeds to pay creditors. While this doesn't sound like much of a relief at first glance, the upshot is that once the appropriate property is sold, and the proceeds given to the creditors, all of the debtor's eligible debts are deemed paid in full, regardless of how much the creditors actually ended up getting. Not all of the debtor's property has to be sold off - the debtor will typically be allowed to keep things like a house, at least one car, some types of personal property, retirement accounts, and insurance policies. It should be noted that some debts are not dischargeable, and will have to be paid in full even if the debtor files for bankruptcy. This includes student loans, taxes, and criminal fines.

The other form of bankruptcy most frequently used in Port St. Lucie is Chapter 13. It allows a person to pay off their debt over an extended period of time, often consolidating it into one periodic payment. In this system, the amount of money the debtor owes is not actually reduced, but the payment of the debt is made far more manageable. This gives the debtor some breathing room, allowing him to continue to earn a living while gradually paying down his debts, and gives some security to creditors that they will eventually collect all or most of what they're owed. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is generally used by businesses, though it can be used by individuals (which is quite rare). Chapter 11 bankruptcy requires that the debtor come up with a reorganization plan - typically telling the court how they propose to cut costs, streamline their operations, and pay their debts. This plan must be approved by the participating creditors through a simple majority vote.

During the Chapter 11 process, a business can typically continue its operations, and the stock can be traded, even if it is de-listed from a major stock exchange.

How Can a Port St. Lucie Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

Filing for bankruptcy in Port St. Lucie is a very important decision, and should not be made lightly. Before filing, one should consult with a good Port St. Lucie bankruptcy attorney for assistance.

Talk to a Bankruptcy & Finances Law Attorney now!

Life in Port St. Lucie

Port St. Lucie is major city in St. Lucie County, Florida. It is one of the fastest growing regions in the country. From the year 2000 to the year 2009, the population of Port St. Lucia, Florida grew from 88,000 to 155,000, making it one of the fastest growing cities in the country.

Tradition Square is one of Port St. Lucie's main residential communities and has been listed as one of America's top 100 communities. It is modeled in a 1950's style and serves as the center of Port St. Lucie. The city is host to an abundance of golf courses, including some top PGA courses. Port St. Lucie is sometimes called "Park St. Lucie", because the city maintains a large number of parks and entertainment centers.

Active development in the city of Port St. Lucie, Florida has also increased the number of employment opportunities in the area. In particular, the Florida Center of Innovation houses two biotech companies- the Vaccine Gene Therapy Institute and the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies. The Center is a major source of economic activity in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Lawyers in Port St. Lucie, Florida file many legal claims at the St. Lucie County Court ("West Annex Building"). Port St. Lucie lawyers offer legal assistance in a broad range of fields.