Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers in Federal Way, Washington

Find the right Consumer Bankruptcy attorney in Federal Way, WA

  • /10
  • Client Overall
    Satisfaction Rate*
*TrustPilot score as of 010118

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 Washington 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 Federal Way, Washington bankruptcy Lawyer beforehand.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Federal Way, Washington

In Federal Way, Washington, there are 2 common forms of commonly-used 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 all non-exempt assets are sold, and the money from the sales turned over to the creditors, most remaining debt is absolved. But some types 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 Federal Way, Washington debts are not dischargeable, you might want to consider options other than bankruptcy.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Federal Way, Washington

In Federal Way, Washington, Chapter 13 is very different from Chapter 7. Chapter 13 may or may not be the best choice for you; this depends on the facts of your individual 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 contracts that gave rise to the debt in the first place. This results in an altered 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 Federal Way, Washington

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.

Whatever your situation, you should speak with a local Federal Way, Washington bankruptcy Attorney. Your Lawyer will be able to advise you of your options and their likely outcomes, which will help you make a more educated decision.

Talk to a Bankruptcy & Finances Law Attorney now!

Life in Federal Way

Federal Way is a city in the state of Washington; specifically, it is located in King County. Federal Way is located between the cities of Seattle and Tacoma. Bordering areas include Puget Sound, Des Moines, Kent, Milton, and Fife.

The city's top employers include Weyerhaeuser, World Vision, St. Francis Hospital, Wild Waves Theme Park, ACS, Wal-Mart, and Coldwell Banker Danforth Associates. Federal Way is also home to many small law offices that cater to residents' legal needs in every area of practice.

Famous residents include Dan Spillner, Kyle Secor, Michael Dickerson, Roy Thomas, Travis Ishikawa, and Kelyn Rowe.

Overall, Federal Way is a city rich in history and definitely worth visiting when in Washington!