Bankruptcy is a legal process allowing an individual or business to have some or all of their debt absolved. It is almost always considered as a last resort because it can have some negative long-term consequences which must be considered, even if you eventually decide that they are outweighed by the benefits. Bankruptcy is controlled by federal law and handled in federal courts, so the procedural and substantive rules involved in Oklahoma are often the identical as everywhere else in the U.S. However, individual bankruptcy courts have slightly different rules for items such as exemptions, so it would be a good idea to consult with a local Blackwell, Oklahoma bankruptcy attorney beforehand.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Blackwell, Oklahoma
There are 2 main types of consumer bankruptcy in Blackwell, Oklahoma: Chapter 7 and 13. Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves a liquidation of some of the debtor's assets, which pays off part of his or her debt. Once this is done, the remaining debt is absolved. Fortunately for debtors, many forms of property are exempt from liquidation, including homes, vehicles, basic personal items, and retirement accounts.
Once all non-exempt assets are sold, and the money from the sales turned over to the creditors, most remaining debt is absolved. But some forms of debt cannot be discharged through Chapter 7 bankruptcy. These include child support payments, student loans, and criminal fines, among others. If most of your Blackwell, Oklahoma debts are not dischargeable, you may want to consider options other than bankruptcy.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Blackwell, Oklahoma
In Blackwell, Oklahoma, Chapter 13 is very different from Chapter 7. Chapter 13 may or may not be the best choice for you; this depends on the facts of your individual situation. Chapter 13 does not excuse any debt, but it creates a new payment plan that should give the debtor some breathing room. Typically, all of the debts are consolidated into 1 periodic payment. While this may make it take longer to pay off the debt, if the debtor is willing to make a few sacrifices, the plan should be manageable.
Which Type of Consumer Bankruptcy Should I File in Blackwell, Oklahoma
Which Bankruptcy type to file under depends strongly on the facts of each particular case. If you have a stable stream of income (enough to make a payment plan manageable), and a large amount of non-exempt property that you don't want to part with, Chapter 13 may be best for you. If you don't have a stable income or large amounts of non-exempt property, you may be better off filing for Chapter 7.
Whatever your situation, you should speak with a local Blackwell, Oklahoma bankruptcy lawyer. Your attorney will be able to advise you of your options and their likely outcomes, which will help you make a more educated decision.
He helped more then anyone I've spoke to, even though I only spoke to him over the phone the phone for now, he made me feel alot less stressed out for my case ahead. Thank you very much for everything! He helped me understand more about what is going on.
We just hired Ian and have had several phone conversations with him we also met one time so far but he was very responsive, knowledgable and up front. I feel he will do a great job defending my Grandaughter enabling her to continue the stable life she has. Thank you Ian for helping us!
Ian is very caring and professional. He called me, even though he knew his experience level did not equal my case, he helped me find the right lawyer for my son and now I have him working with the lawyer I hired as lead on our case. Thank you Ian. I appreciate your help more than I can put into words.
Ian Musselman did a great job for me on fairly short notice. There was a lot of info involved in my case. Ian was aware of the facts and well prepared when it was time for court. He did a great job in representation and presenting the facts, as a result the outcome was in my favor.