Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Berkeley, California

Find the right Bankruptcy attorney in Berkeley, CA

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In Berkeley, California, bankruptcy is a court procedure in which a person or business has some or all of their debts absolved (or "discharged"), theoretically allowing them to commence with a clean slate, and move on with their lives no longer drowning in debt (and hopefully having learned to better manage their use of credit in the process). Of course, one should never view bankruptcy as a "get out of debt free" card, allowing someone to be discharged of their requirement to pay their debts just because they don't want to. It is meant to serve as a lifeline, preventing uncontrollable debt from resulting in complete financial ruin. Accordingly, it is best treated as an option of last resort, because it can carry with it significant negative consequences, which must be weighed against the possible benefits. For example, filing for bankruptcy can heavily damage a person's credit rating.

Accordingly, it might be a good idea to consult with a Berkeley, California bankruptcy attorney. Your lawyer will be able to counsel you about your options, including alternatives to bankruptcy, if such alternatives exist in your case. Whatever the result, it is often challenging to anticipate the long-term consequences of any bankruptcy-related decisions, so the advice of a bankruptcy in Berkeley could prove invaluable.

Types of Bankruptcy in Berkeley, California

In Berkeley, California, there are 3 types of bankruptcy in common use: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11. Because bankruptcy is a result of federal law, the procedures governing bankruptcy in Berkeley, California will be similar everywhere else in the U.S. Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves liquidation of many of the debtor's assets in order to pay off as much of the debt as possible. This sounds harsh, but there is an upside: once the liquidation is complete, the debts are legally viewed as having been paid in full, whether or not the full amount was covered by the liquidation. Liquidation involves selling some personal property, and using the funds to pay off debt. Numerous types of property are exempt from liqudiation, and therefore may not need to be sold. They include homes, cars, and insurance policies, among others. You should know that some types of debt cannot be discharged in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, including taxes, student loans, and child support.

The other popular bankruptcy system in Berkeley 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 will find manageable, given his or her income, and that will result in the creditors being paid in a decent amount of time. When a repayment plan is authorized by a court, creditors are legally barred from trying to collect under the original terms of their arrangement with the debtor. Though applicable to individuals, Chapter 11 bankruptcy is typically 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 finalized, it is submitted to the participating creditors, who must approve it by a majority vote before it can be implemented.

During the Chapter 11 process, a business can typically continue its operations, and the stock can be traded, even if it is de-listed from a major stock exchange.

How Can a Berkeley Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

The need to examine all the options and consider the costs and benefits of applying for bankruptcy in Berkeley cannot be overstated. If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, it would be a good idea to speak with a Berkeley bankruptcy attorney beforehand.

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Life in Berkeley

Berkeley, California is a city in Alameda County, California. Its population is currently about 113,000 people. Berkeley, California is located on the Eastern shores of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Berkeley, California is known for being home to the University of California, Berkeley, which is considered one of the top public universities in the United States.

Berkeley is also known as being a major center of mostly-liberal social activism.

The economy of Berkeley, California is based almost entirely around the university. However, because UC Berkeley is a major center of scientific research, as well as the liberal arts, it employs a very large number of scientists and engineers, as well as noted luminaries in the liberal arts, such as lawyers and law professors.

The University of California, Berkeley School of Law is ranked as one of the top 5 law schools in the United States, and has produced some incredibly successful lawyers.

If you live in or near Berkeley, California and need legal advice, chances are good that a Berkeley, California attorney can help.