Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Allentown, Pennsylvania

Find the right Bankruptcy attorney in Allentown, PA

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In Allentown, Pennsylvania, bankruptcy is a judicial process in which the debts of a person or business can be cleared or restructured. This allows the debtor to climb out of a financial hole, and move on with a clean slate, which is often more economically useful than requiring the debtor to pay off everything they owe. 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 an Allentown, Pennsylvania 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 Allentown could prove invaluable.

Types of Bankruptcy in Allentown, Pennsylvania

There are three basic bankruptcy schemes that are most commonly used in Allentown: Chapters 7, 13, and 11. Bankruptcy is a creation of federal law, so the process for filing for bankruptcy in Allentown, Pennsylvania will be roughly the same as it would be anywhere 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. Numerous 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.

Under Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Allentown, most of the debtor's debt is not discharged. Instead, the bankruptcy court, working with the debtor and participating creditors, work out a payment plan that allows the debtor to pay off most of his or her debts over an extended period of time, therefore theoretically making the debt far more manageable. Once a payment plan is approved by the court, creditors are prohibited from attempting to collect payment under their original agreements that gave rise to the debt in the first place. 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.

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 Allentown Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

Filing for bankrtuptcy in Allentown is an influential decision with costs and benefits that must be weighed carefully. Before filing, it would be a good idea to speak with a seasoned Allentown bankruptcy attorney.

Talk to a Bankruptcy & Finances Law Attorney now!

Life in Allentown

Allentown, Pennsylvania is a historic town located in an area known as "Lehigh Valley". The city is best known for its large number of century-old industrial complexes, commercial structures, and historic homes.

Much of Allentown's distinctive residential architecture is concentrated in its historic district of West Park. West Park is part of a larger community known as Center City. Center City in Allentown, Pennsylvania is comprised of "stately homes" featuring Victorian and Craftsman styles of homebuilding. Federal rowhomes are also common in Allentown. The city also boasts one America's best park systems. The city's park system was influenced by the "City Beautiful" planning movement in the 1890's and early 1900's.

The culture of Allentown is largely influenced by old-world German heritage that stretches back centuries. In particular, Allentown cuisine features many traditional treats that are exemplary of "Dutch Pennsylvania" culture. Allentown, Pennsylvania is an excellent city to visit, as it hosts many events and attractions. Some events and destinations include the Mayfair Festival of the Arts, the Baum School of Art, and the Allentown Symphony Hall.

Lawyers in Allentown, Pennsylvania are available to assist residents in a number of legal fields. Allentown lawyers are familiar with the unique set of laws that govern the city. Experienced lawyers are able to assist Allentown residents with questions, legal complaints, and inquiries.