Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Cleveland, Ohio

Find the right Bankruptcy attorney in Cleveland, OH

  • /10
  • Client Overall
    Satisfaction Rate*
*TrustPilot score as of 010118

Bankruptcy in Cleveland, Ohio is a court procedure through which a person or business who is unable to pay their debt is able to have some of their debt legally cleared, or "discharged." This theoretically allows the debtor to move on with a clean slate. Bankruptcy should be treated as an option of last resort, and should not be viewed as a proper way to get out of debt that you just don't feel like paying. Bankruptcy can have severe consequences, including but not limited to damage to your credit rating. A bad credit score can impact your ability to acquire loans in the future, to rent an apartment, and possibly even your ability to get hired at some jobs (as some employers now run credit checks on prospective employees).

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

Types of Bankruptcy in Cleveland, Ohio

In Cleveland, Ohio, there are 3 types of bankruptcy in common use: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11. Because bankruptcy is a result of federal law, the procedures governing bankruptcy in Cleveland, Ohio will be similar everywhere else in the U.S. 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 popular bankruptcy system in Cleveland is Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Under this system, the debtor's debts are restructured, instead of discharged. This involves creating a new repayment plan that the debtor will find manageable, given his or her income, and that will result in the creditors being paid in a decent amount of time. When a repayment plan is authorized by a court, creditors are legally barred from trying to collect under the original terms of their contract with the debtor. 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 advantage of Chapter 11 bankruptcy is that it allows a business going through it to continue operating, and to trade its stock.

How Can a Cleveland Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

The need to consider all the options and consider the costs and benefits of applying for bankruptcy in Cleveland cannot be overstated. If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, it would be a good idea to speak with a Cleveland bankruptcy attorney beforehand.

Talk to a Bankruptcy & Finances Law Attorney now!

Life in Cleveland

Cleveland, or "The Forest City," is the county seat of Cuyahoga County and best known for playing host to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As the State of Ohio's second largest city, Cleveland's economy is highly reliant upon its central position and convenient access to local ports, waterways, and rail lines. The Cuyahoga River, Lake Eerie, as well as the Ohio and Eerie Canals make up the main access routes by ship. Cleveland is a major producer and exporter of steel and other mass produced goods. The recent upturn in the Cleveland technology companies has attracted new major employers like Applied Industrial Technologies, KeyCorp, and the Glenn Research Center.

A few other notable businesses located in Cleveland include Sherwin Williams Company, NASA, and Forest City Enterprises. There are also a number of notable medical facilities like the Cleveland Clinic. The Cleveland Clinic is ranked in the best U.S. hospitals by U.S. News World Report. The American Public Transportation Association named the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority the best mass transit system in the United States. Guns n' Roses star Steven Addler, Price is Right host Drew Carey, Tracy Chapman, director Wes Craven, rapper Kid Cudi, author Toni Morrison, and gold medalist Jesse Owens are all Cleveland natives. Needless to say, it's a diverse city. One way the diversity has positively manifested is with the local cuisine. Cleveland plays host to some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the world. Chef Michael Symon who was named a Food Network Iron Chef.