Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Fall River, Massachusetts

Find the right Bankruptcy attorney in Fall River, MA

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In Fall River, Massachusetts, 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 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 really 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 advisable to consult with an experienced Fall River, Massachusetts bankruptcy attorney, who can advise you of the costs and benefits of bankruptcy. Because the decision to file for bankruptcy depends very heavily on the facts of each individual case, the advice of a Fall River bankruptcy attorney cannot be replaced.

Types of Bankruptcy in Fall River, Massachusetts

There are three basic bankruptcy schemes that are most commonly used in Fall River: Chapters 7, 13, and 11. Bankruptcy is a creation of federal law, so the process for filing for bankruptcy in Fall River, Massachusetts will be roughly the same as it would be anywhere else in the U.S. Chapter 7 bankruptcy requires the debtor to liquidate some of his or her property, and use the funds to pay creditors. While this doesn't sound like much of a relief at first glance, the upshot is that once the appropriate property is sold, and the proceeds directed to the creditors, all of the debtor's eligible debts are deemed paid in full, regardless of how much the creditors actually ended up getting. Not all of the debtor's property has to be sold off - the debtor will typically be allowed to keep things like a house, at least one car, some types of personal property, retirement accounts, and insurance policies. It should be noted that some debts are not dischargeable, and will have to be paid in full even if the debtor files for bankruptcy. This includes student loans, taxes, and criminal fines.

The other form of bankruptcy most frequently used in Fall River 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. 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.

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

How Can a Fall River Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

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

Talk to a Bankruptcy & Finances Law Attorney now!

Life in Fall River

Fall River is located in Bristol County, Massachusetts. It is located near Mount Hope Bay and the Tanton River. Interestingly, the city is known for its motto--"We'll Try."

There are many wonderful attractions in Fall River. Such sites include Battleship Cover, Fall River Heritage State Park, The Marine Museum at Fall River, Freetown-Fall River State Forest, New Harbour Mall, Columbia Street, and Old Colony Fal River Railroad Museum.

Many attorneys have established law offices and small firms. Therefore the legal needs of residents can be easily taken care of. For complex legal matters, residents can take advantage of Boston's superior legal force. Boston being 46 miles away, is home to many top tier law firms and ivy-league educated attorneys. Overall, residents need not fear because their legal matters will be taken care of.

Overall, Fall River is a wonderful place to live with a location rich in history and easily accessible to nearby Boston!