Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Longview, Texas
In Longview, Texas, bankruptcy is a judicial process in which the debts of a person or business can be eliminated or restructured. This allows the debtor to climb out of a financial hole, and move on with a clean slate, which is sometimes more economically efficient than requiring the debtor to pay off everything they owe. Bankruptcy should be treated as an option of last resort, and should not be viewed as a convenient way to get out of debt that you just don't feel like paying. Bankruptcy can have severe consequences, including but not limited to damage to your credit rating. A bad credit score can impact your ability to obtain loans in the future, to rent an apartment, and possibly even your ability to get hired at some jobs (as some employers now run credit checks on prospective employees).
Therefore, it is prudent to consult with an experienced Longview, Texas bankruptcy attorney, who can advise you of the costs and benefits of bankruptcy. Because the decision to file for bankruptcy depends very heavily on the facts of each individual case, the advice of a Longview bankruptcy attorney cannot be substituted.
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Types of Bankruptcy in Longview, Texas
In Longview, Texas, 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 Longview, Texas will be similar anywhere else in the U.S. Chapter 7 bankruptcy requires the debtor to liquidate some of his or her assets in order to pay off as much debt as possible. Once the sale of the assets is complete, and the proceeds handed over to the creditors, the debt is viewed as discharged. Liquidation is basically selling assets to the highest bidder. Not all of the debtor's assets will need to be sold, and many types of property are totally or partially exempt, including homes, cars, retirement accounts, and insurance policies. This means that the debtor can keep them. It should be noted that some types of debts are not dischargeable in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, including student loans, criminal fines, taxes, and child support payments. Even when the bankruptcy process is complete, these debts will have to be paid in full.
The other popular bankruptcy system in Longview is Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Under this system, the debtor's debts are restructured, instead of discharged. This involves creating a new repayment plan that the debtor wil find manageable, given his or her income, and that will result in the creditors being paid in a reasonable amount of time. When a repayment plan is approved by a court, creditors are legally barred from attempting to collect under the orginal terms of their agreement with the debtor. Though available to individuals, Chapter 11 bankruptcy is mostly used by businesses. Like Chapter 13, Chapter 11 requires the restructuring of debts. Under this system, the debtor must come up with a plan to reduce debt, cut costs, and improve operations. Once this plan is proposed, it is submitted to the participating creditors, who must approve it by a majority vote before it can be implemented.
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 Longview Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?
The decision to file for bankruptcy in Longview is not one to be made lightly, and it certainly should not be made without first obtaining the advice of an experienced Longview bankruptcy attorney.
There are 42 Bankruptcy, Banking and Credit cases posted in Longview
Cases Posted to LegalMatch listed by ZIP Code:Bankruptcy Attorneys in the Largest TX Cities
Life in Longview
Longview is located in both Gregg and Harrison Counties, in the state of Texas. It has a population of around 80,500 people. Surrounding highways include Interstate 20, U.S. Highway 80, and U.S. Highway 259. The beautiful Sabine River is quite near!Most residents are employed by East Texas Oil Field, Kohl's, Starbucks, Target, and Wal-Mart. As evidence, the retail industry drives the economy. Some well-experienced lawyers who have wanted a break from the large firm scene have established small law offices in Longview. These attorneys are capable of handling any and every legal need.
Some famous poeple who have called Longview home include Rodney Carrington, Chris Davis, Evonne Hsu, Bill P. Keith, Malcolm Kelly, Linda Maxey, Mike Martin, Miranda Lambert, Ben Spies, James Street, Frank Steen and Bobby Taylor.
Overall, Longview is a great place to live or visit.
