Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers in Portsmouth, Virginia

Find the right Consumer Bankruptcy attorney in Portsmouth, VA

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Bankruptcy allows an individual or business to get rid of some or all of its debt. Typically, bankruptcy should only be considered when the debt is completely unmanageable, impossible to pay off, and there are no other options. However, in some cases, the benefits of bankruptcy can substantially outweigh the costs. Bankruptcy is governed by federal law and handled in federal courts, so the procedural and substantive rules involved in Virginia are often the same as anywhere 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 Portsmouth, Virginia bankruptcy Lawyer beforehand.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Portsmouth, Virginia

In Portsmouth, Virginia, there are 2 commonly-used forms of consumer bankruptcy: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 involves liquidation of some of a debtor's assets. It requires that a certain percentage of the debtor's property to be sold to pay off as much debt as possible. The majority of property that most people own, however, is exempt. This normally includes homes, vehicles, retirement accounts, and others. These are not available to creditors.

Once qualified assets are sold, and the money turned over to the creditors, most remaining debt is absolved. However, there are certain types of debt that cannot be absolved in bankruptcy, including student loans, taxes, child support, and criminal fines. If most of your debt is non-dischargeable, it may not be a good idea to file for bankruptcy in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Portsmouth, Virginia

In Portsmouth, Virginia, chapter 13 is very different from Chapter 7, and may or may not be the best option for you, depending on your situation. Chapter 13 does not absolve debt, but restructures it instead. Normally, various debts are consolidated into a single monthly payment. This is designed to make the debt more manageable, giving the debtor the chance to pay off the debt over a longer period of time, without all of it coming due at once. This is normally manageable, as long as the debtor can make some sacrifices.

Which Type of Consumer Bankruptcy Should I File in Portsmouth, Virginia

Which Bankruptcy type to file under depends heavily on the facts of each particular case. If you have a steady 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 steady income or large amounts of non-exempt property, you may be better off filing for Chapter 7.

In any case, you should talk with a local Portsmouth, Virginia bankruptcy Attorney. Your Attorney can advise you of your options and inform you of their likely outcome. This will make it much easier for your to make an informed choice.

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Life in Portsmouth

Portsmouth, Virginia is an independent city (meaning it is not part of any county) in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia. Its population is about 95,000 people.

Portsmouth is home to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, a historic and still-active shipbuilding facility for the United States Navy. It was given the name "Norfolk" to avoid confusing it with the Naval shipyard that already existed in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

This shipyard employs thousands of people, and is one of the major economic drivers of Portsmouth, Virginia. The shipyard, and the associated military installations nearby, employ several Portsmouth, Virginia attorneys, both as military officers and civilians.

Because of its varied industries and large military presence, there are many lawyers in Portsmouth, Virginia practicing a wide variety of legal specialties. If you need legal advice, chances are good that you can find a Portsmouth, Virginia attorney who can help.