Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Newark, Delaware

Find the right Bankruptcy attorney in Newark, DE

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In Newark, Delaware, bankruptcy is a court procedure in which a person or business has some or all of their debts excused (or "discharged"), theoretically allowing them to start 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). However, bankruptcy should not be treated as a way to avoid debt that one simply doesn't feel like paying. It is meant to be a safety net for people or businesses who are truly unable to pay off their debts. Because bankruptcy is not without negative consequences (such as a heavily damaged credit rating for many years afterward), it should be viewed as an option of last resort.

Accordingly, you should speak with a good Newark, Delaware bankruptcy lawyer. Your Newark bankruptcy lawyer can inform you of the costs and benefits of filing for bankruptcy, and give his or her professional opinion as to whether or not it's a good option, given your particular circumstances.

Types of Bankruptcy in Newark, Delaware

In Newark, Delaware, 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 Newark, Delaware will be very similar to those in any other part of the United States. Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves liquidation of part of the debtor's assets to pay off as much of his or her debt as possible. Once the liquidation is complete, and the proceeds given to the creditors, the rest of the debt is discharged. Liquidation is essentially selling assets to the highest bidder. Only some of the debtor's assets have to be sold, and various classes of property are exempt, meaning that the debtor can keep them, including homes, cars, insurance policies, and retirement accounts. It should be noted that certain types of debt cannot be discharged through Chapter 7 bankruptcy, including student loans, child support payments, criminal fines, and recent taxes.

The other typical bankruptcy scheme used by consumers in Newark 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 authorized, creditors are not allowed to attempt to collect payment under the original agreements. Though available to individuals, Chapter 11 bankruptcy is mostly 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 proposed, it is submitted to the participating creditors, who must approve it by a majority vote before it can be implemented.

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

How Can a Newark Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

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

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Life in Newark

Newark, Delaware is a city in New Castle County, and is located just miles away from Wilmington, the largest city in Delaware. As of a 2006 estimate by the Census Bureau, Newark has a population of just over 30,000 people.

Newark was founded by Scots-Irish and Welshsettlers in the late 1600s. However, the town was not officially chartered until 1758, when King George II issued a charter.

Throughout its history, Newark, Delaware has been a center for education, and educational institutions have played an important role in its development over the last few hundred years.

A grammar school was established in the town in 1765, as the Newark Academy. 3 signers of the Declaration of Independence were among the school's first graduates. Newark is also home to the University of Delaware, which was founded in 1833 as Newark College. Today, the University of Delaware is well regarded for many of its programs, particularly in the life sciences.

Newark, Delaware attorneys have to be ready to handle a wide variety of cases, given the unique demographics of the college town. Newark, Delaware has a large number of college students, as well as affluent families. The legal issues that these two groups are likely to face are very different from one another. Accordingly, Newark, Delaware lawyers have to be very well-rounded, making it very likely that they can handle just about any legal issue you might face.