Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Sammamish, Washington

Find the right Bankruptcy attorney in Sammamish, WA

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Bankruptcy in Sammamish, Washington is a court process which allows an individual or business who is drowning in debt to be relieved of their legal obligation to pay off some or all of their debt. Hopefully, this will allow both the debtor and creditors to move on with their lives. However, bankruptcy is not a free ride, allowing someone who simply doesn't feel like paying their debts to get out of that legal obligation. It is designed to prevent debt which has little chance of ever being paid back from ruining the life and finances of the debtor. It also carries significant long-term consequences, which must be carefully weighed against the potential benefits. For example, bankruptcy makes it very difficult for the debtor to obtain credit in the near future.

For that reason, it would be prudent to speak with a good Sammamish, Washington bankruptcy attorney. This attorney will be able to advise you as to whether or not filing for bankruptcy is a good idea, given your particular situation. This determination is highly dependent on the details of each individual case, so a Sammamish attorney's advice is truly indispensable.

Types of Bankruptcy in Sammamish, Washington

In Sammamish, Washington, there are three basic bankruptcy schemes that are most commonly used. They are known as Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11. Being a product of federal law, the procedural rules governing bankruptcy in Sammamish, Washington will be very similar to those in any other part of the United States. Chapter 7 bankruptcy requires the debtor to liquidate some of his or her property, and use the proceeds to pay creditors. While this doesn't sound like much of a relief at first glance, the upshot is that once the eligible property is sold, and the proceeds given to the creditors, all of the debtor's eligible debts are deemed paid in full, regardless of how much the creditors actually ended up getting. Not all of the debtor's property has to be sold off - the debtor will usually be allowed to keep things like a house, at least one car, some types of personal property, retirement accounts, and insurance policies. It should be noted that some debts are not dischargeable, and will have to be paid in full even if the debtor files for bankruptcy. This includes student loans, taxes, and criminal fines.

The other recognized bankruptcy scheme used by consumers in Sammamish is Chapter 13 bankruptcy. In this system, debt is not discharged. Instead, it is restructured. This allows the debtor to have the terms of the agreements that gave rise to their debts in the first place thrown out, and replaced with new terms that call for a structured repayment plan, designed to allow the debtor to survive on whatever income they have, and allowing the creditors to get paid back eventually. Once a payment plan is approved, creditors are not allowed to attempt to collect payment under the original agreements. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is primarily used by businesses, though it can be used by individuals (which is quite rare). Chapter 11 bankruptcy requires that the debtor come up with a reorganization plan - essentially telling the court how they propose to cut costs, streamline their operations, and pay their debts. This plan must be approved by the participating creditors through a simple majority vote.

A main advantage of Chapter 11 bankruptcy is that businesses can continue their operations while going through the process. Also, they can continue to buy and sell their stock.

How Can a Sammamish Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

Filing for bankruptcy in Sammamish is a very important decision, and should not be made lightly. Before filing, one should consult with a good Sammamish bankruptcy attorney for advice.

Talk to a Bankruptcy & Finances Law Attorney now!

Life in Sammamish

Sammamish, Washington is a city in King County. It is a suburb of Seattle, and has a population of about 40,000 people, as of a 2008 estimate by the Census Bureau of the Untied States.

Sammamish remained an unincorporated census-designated place for most of its existence. As with most cities in the Pacific Northwest, the area it occupies was inhabited by various Native American tribes for thousands of years before the arrival of European explorers. Settlers from back east arrived in the early 1800s, mainly for the purpose of logging and fur trading.

Modernly, Sammamish is a quiet residential community whose economy is boosted by the various industries (such as electronics, aerospace, software development, and tourism) in the Seattle area. It is also a destination in itself, thanks to several recreational opportunities that show off the area's natural beauty. These include Lake Sammamish State Park, Beaver Lake Park, and several other nature preserves, offering activities like swimming, hiking, bicycling, and rock climbing, among others.

If you live in Sammamish, Washington, and need some form of legal service, you're in luck. Thanks to the area's economic diversity, there is a thriving legal community in Sammamish. Sammamish, Washington lawyers are able to take just about any type of case a person is likely to face.