Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Naples, Florida

Find the right Bankruptcy attorney in Naples, FL

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In Naples, Florida, 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.

Therefore, it is a good idea to talk with an experienced bankruptcy lawyer in Naples, Florida. They will be able to advise you on the likely legal and financial consequences of filing for bankruptcy, and help you determine if it's the right option for your. Because this determination depends heavily on the facts of each individual case, the counsel of a Naples bankruptcy attorney cannot be replaced.

Types of Bankruptcy in Naples, Florida

There are three basic bankruptcy schemes that are most commonly used in Naples: Chapters 7, 13, and 11. Bankruptcy is a creation of federal law, so the process for filing for bankruptcy in Naples, Florida will be roughly the same as it would be anywhere else in the U.S. 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 numerous 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 form of bankruptcy most commonly used in Naples is Chapter 13. It allows a person to pay off their debt over a longer period of time, often consolidating it into one periodic payment. In this system, the amount of money the debtor owes is not actually reduced, but the payment of the debt is made far more manageable. This gives the debtor some breathing room, allowing him to continue to earn a living while slowly paying down his debts, and gives some security to creditors that they will eventually collect all or most of what they're owed. 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 Naples Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

The decision to file for bankruptcy in Naples is not one to be made easily, and it definitely should not be made without first obtaining the advice of an experienced Naples bankruptcy attorney.

Talk to a Bankruptcy & Finances Law Attorney now!

Life in Naples

Naples may remind some of Europe, however Naples is also a city in Collier County, Florida. It is a very small city, with a population of about 21,650 people.

The economy largely thrives off of tourism. Naples is a popular vacation spot because it is known as "the Paradise Coast." Alongside tourism, the largest employer is the Fortune 1000 company Health Management Associates. Other top employers include Arthrex and INgage Networks. With such a variety of employers, Naples residents are able to sufficiently provide for themselves. In fact, Napes was ranked amongst the tenth priciest cities.

Popular attractions include the Everglades National Park, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Picayune Strand Forest, and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

Naples is also filled with many small law offices. Attorneys focus on providing personalized legal services, and are very capable of providing their clients with excellent legal services.