Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Hobart, Indiana

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In Hobart, Indiana, bankruptcy is a legal proceeding in which a person or business has some or all of their debts legally cleared, when they are unable to pay them. This hopefully allows them to begin over with a clean slate and move on, after having learned to better manage their use of credit in the process. However, bankruptcy is not a free ride, allowing someone who simply doesn't feel like paying their debts to get out of that legal requirement. It is designed to prevent debt which has slight 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.

Accordingly, it might be a good idea to consult with a Hobart, Indiana 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 Hobart could prove invaluable.

Types of Bankruptcy in Hobart, Indiana

There are three basic bankruptcy schemes that are most commonly used in Hobart: Chapters 7, 13, and 11. Bankruptcy is a creation of federal law, so the process for filing for bankruptcy in Hobart, Indiana 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 done, 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 frequently used in Hobart is Chapter 13. It allows a person to pay off their debt over an extended 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. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is almost always used by businesses, but there is nothing that legally prevents it from being used by individuals, and its use by individuals is very rare. Chapter 11 bankruptcy requires the debtor to come up with a restructuring plan - telling the court how they propose to cut costs, fix their operations, and pay down their debts. The plan has to be approved by a majority vote of participating creditors.

While going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a business can continue operating, and its stock can continue to be traded.

How Can a Hobart Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

Filing for bankruptcy in Hobart is a very important decision, and should not be made easily. Before filing, one should consult with a seasoned Hobart bankruptcy attorney for assistance.

Talk to a Bankruptcy & Finances Law Attorney now!

Life in Hobart

If you're not from Hobart than you may like to know it's been dubbed "Ho-bert" by the 26,000 Lake County locals. The city covers 26.7 square miles of Indiana. Hobart is situated in the extreme northwest of the State of Indiana and is just a stone's throw from Lake Michigan. The city's close proximity to the lake makes it popular among residents and vacationers alike but also among professionals working in Chicago, Illinois. Hobart is 31 miles from downtown Chicago and provides a sanctuary for professionals seeking a suburban setting. It's also popular because the cost of living in Hobart and Indiana is much less than that of Chicago. Over half of the people living in Hobart reported they were married and the residents' median income is ,000 each year. A number of Hobart citizens are also lawyers by day. Hobart lawyers are experienced with local courts and different cases, they're well acquainted with many different areas of law.  

The city of Hobart offers a wide range of recreational opportunities. The two most popular outdoor attractions are Lake George and the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Lake George is a warmer and more low-key alternative to nearby Lake Michigan. Aside from fishing and bird watching, the lake also features live music and swimming areas.