Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Visalia, California

Find the right Bankruptcy attorney in Visalia, CA

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In Visalia, California, bankruptcy is a court procedure in which a person or business has some or all of their debts cleared (or "discharged"), theoretically allowing them to begin 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). Remember, though, that bankruptcy should not be viewed as a proper way to get out of debt that you don't feel like paying back. It is meant to serve as an option of last resort for people and businesses faced with debt that they will probably never be able to pay back. The decision to file for bankruptcy can result in negative consequences, such as damaged credit ratings, which must be seriously weighed against the possible benefits.

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

Types of Bankruptcy in Visalia, California

In Visalia, California, 3 types of bankruptcy procedures are in common use: Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13. Being governed by federal law, the procedures involved in filing for bankruptcy in Visalia, California will be roughly the same as everywhere else in America. 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. Varied 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 frequent bankruptcy scheme used by consumers in Visalia 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 contracts 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 authorized, creditors are not allowed to attempt to collect payment under the original agreements. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is usually 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 - basically telling the court how they propose to cut costs, streamline their operations, and pay their debts. This plan must be authorized by the participating creditors through a simple majority vote.

One major advantage of Chapter 11 bankruptcy is that it allows businesses to continue their operations while the process plays out. Additionally, their stock can still be bought and sold.

How Can a Visalia Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

One should not make the decision to file for bankruptcy in Visalia easily. Before making any such decision, it would be highly advisable to contact an accomplished Visalia bankruptcy attorney.

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Life in Visalia

Visalia, California is a city in Tulare County, in California's central valley. It is also the largest city in Tulare County, with a population of about 125,000 people.

Human habitation of Visalia, California dates back several thousand years, with Native American tribes inhabiting the area. The first written European account of the area known as Visalia came in 1722, when Spanish explorer Pedro Fages explored the area.

Throughout most of its history, and to this day, the economy of Visalia is dominated by agriculture. Grapes, citrus, cotton, and olives are all grown in the area. Because of the presence of large numbers of migrant agricultural workers, the lawyers who practice in Visialia are particularly skilled in practice areas like immigration and labor law, but most Visalia, California lawyers can also handle other legal issues.

If you live in Visalia, California and are in need of legal services, there are several places you can turn, such as legal aid organizations. However, your best bet for competent and comprehensive legal advice is to seek the advice of a good Visalia, California attorney.