Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Griffin, Georgia

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In Griffin, Georgia, 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). 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 truly unable to pay off their debts. Because bankruptcy is not without negative consequences (such as a heavily damaged credit rating for many years afterward), it should be viewed as an option of last resort.

Accordingly, it might be a good idea to consult with a Griffin, Georgia bankruptcy attorney. Your lawyer will be able to counsel you about your options, including alternatives to bankruptcy, if such alternatives exist in your case. Whatever the result, it is often difficult to foresee the long-term consequences of any bankruptcy-related decisions, so the advice of a bankruptcy in Griffin could prove invaluable.

Types of Bankruptcy in Griffin, Georgia

There are three basic bankruptcy schemes that are most commonly used in Griffin: Chapters 7, 13, and 11. Bankruptcy is a creation of federal law, so the process for filing for bankruptcy in Griffin, Georgia will be roughly the same as it would be 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 funds 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 Griffin, 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. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is almost always used by businesses, but there is nothing that legally prevents it from being used by individuals, and its use by individuals is very rare. Chapter 11 bankruptcy requires the debtor to come up with a restructuring plan - telling the court how they propose to cut costs, fix their operations, and pay down their debts. The plan has to be approved by a majority vote of participating creditors.

One advantage of Chapter 11 bankruptcy is that it allows a business going through it to continue operating, and to trade its stock.

How Can a Griffin Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

Filing for bankrtuptcy in Griffin is a major decision with costs and benefits that must be weighed carefully. Before filing, it would be a good idea to speak with a seasoned Griffin bankruptcy attorney.

Talk to a Bankruptcy & Finances Law Attorney now!

Life in Griffin

Griffin is the county seat of Spalding County in the state of Georgia. It has a population of about 23,000 and prides itself in preserving its rich history revolving around early American colonial life.

Griffin is also known as "the Iris City" and is famous for being the birthplace of Wild West gunslinger Doc Holliday, who was a friend of the legendary Wyatt Earp. The city has several museums which showcase artifacts and relics dating back to the 1800's. These include the Griffin Museum and the Doc Holliday Museum.

Popular places to visit in Griffin are the Sam Bailey Building, the Old Medical College Historical Area, and Hawkes Library. The city holds many events year-round such as the Fourth of July Parade, the November Chili Cook-off, the April Arts and Crafts Festival, and the Annual Chamber of Commerce Dinner.

Downtown Griffin is unique in that it incorporates what is known as the "Main Street Four-Point Approach". This is a strategy that focuses on the distinct areas of Design, Promotion, Organization, and Economic Restructuring.

Lawyers in Griffin, Georgia typically file their cases at the Griffin Municipal Court. More advanced claims are heard at the Spalding County Superior Court. Griffin lawyers generally handle a wide variety of legal claims and issues. The Spalding County Courthouse was also an historical landmark in Georgia.