Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers in Gastonia, North Carolina

Find the right Consumer Bankruptcy attorney in Gastonia, NC

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Bankruptcy is a court proceeding which lets a person or business have some or all of their debts discharged. It should usually only be considered as an option of last resort, because it can have significant long-term consequences, even if it can stave off financial disaster. This means that the costs and benefits need to be carefully considered before filing. Bankruptcy is controlled by federal law and handled in federal courts, so the procedural and substantive rules involved in North Carolina are often the identical as everywhere else in the U.S. However, individual bankruptcy courts have slightly different rules for items such as exemptions, so it would be a good idea to consult with a local Gastonia, North Carolina bankruptcy Attorney beforehand.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Gastonia, North Carolina

There are 2 common forms of bankruptcy in Gastonia, North Carolina. They are known as Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves a liquidation of some of the debtor's assets, which pays off part of his or her debt. Once this is done, the remaining debt is discharged. Fortunately for debtors, many forms of property are exempt from liquidation, including homes, vehicles, essential personal items, and retirement accounts.

Once all non-exempt assets are sold, and the money from the sales turned over to the creditors, most remaining debt is discharged. But some forms of debt cannot be discharged through Chapter 7 bankruptcy. These include child support payments, student loans, and criminal fines, among others. If most of your Gastonia, North Carolina debts are not dischargeable, you may want to consider options other than bankruptcy.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Gastonia, North Carolina

In Gastonia, North Carolina, Chapter 13 is quite different from Chapter 7. Chapter 13 may or may not be the best choice for you; this depends on the facts of your particular situation. Chapter 13 bankruptcy does not discharge debt. Instead, it restructures it. This involves the bankruptcy court coming up with a new payment plan that supersedes the terms of the agreements that gave rise to the debt in the first place. This results in a new payment plan that the debtor should find manageable, if he or she can make a few sacrifices.

Which Type of Consumer Bankruptcy Should I File in Gastonia, North Carolina

Which Bankruptcy type to file under depends strongly on the facts of each individual case. If you have a stable stream of income (enough to make a payment plan manageable), and a large amount of non-exempt property that you don't want to part with, Chapter 13 may be best for you. If you don't have a stable income or large amounts of non-exempt property, you may be better off filing for Chapter 7.

In any case, it would be a good idea to consult a local bankruptcy Lawyer in Gastonia, North Carolina. Your Lawyer can make an educated judgment as to what your best option is, and advise you accordingly (of course, the choice to file for bankruptcy is ultimately yours).

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Life in Gastonia

Gastonia is home to around 70,000 people and is North Carolina's thirteenth largest city.

Some major employers which have helped boost Gastonia's economy include Freightliner LLC, Danaher Tool Group, Curtiss-Wright Controls Engineered Systems and Radici Group, and Advance Auto Parts. The legal industry also has a presence due to the many small law firms and law offices, where competent attorneys devote their day to providing excellent legal services.

Some famous past residents include many NBA players, such as James Worthy, Darrell Armstrong, Eric Floyd, and Hassan Whiteside. Other famous residents have included Evan Karagias, Clyde Caldwell, Thomas Sowell, and Gilly James.