Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers in Annandale, Virginia

Find the right Consumer Bankruptcy attorney in Annandale, VA

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Bankruptcy allows an individual or business to get rid of some or all of its debt. Generally, bankruptcy should only be considered when the debt is completely unmanageable, impossible to pay off, and there are no other options. However, in some cases, the benefits of bankruptcy can significantly outweigh the costs. Bankruptcy is controlled by federal law and handled in federal courts, so the procedural and substantive rules involved in Virginia 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 Annandale, Virginia bankruptcy Attorney beforehand.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Annandale, Virginia

There are 2 common types of consumer bankruptcy in Annandale, Virginia: Chapter 7 and 13. Chapter 7 liquidates part of the debtor's assets. It requires a certain percentage of the debtor's assets to be sold off to pay as much of his or her debt as possible. However, many forms of property that most people own are exempt, meaning that they don't need to be sold. This often includes houses, vehicles, insurance policies, and essential personal items, like clothing. These assets are not available to creditors.

Once eligible assets are sold, and the money turned over to the creditors, most remaining debt is discharged. However, there are certain types of debt that cannot be discharged in bankruptcy, including student loans, taxes, child support, and criminal fines. If most of your debt is non-dischargeable, it may not be a good idea to file for bankruptcy in Annandale, Virginia.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Annandale, Virginia

In Annandale, Virginia, chapter 13 is extremely different from Chapter 7, and may or may not be the best option for you, depending on your situation. Chapter 13 does not discharge debt, but restructures it instead. Usually, various debts are consolidated into a single monthly payment. This is designed to make the debt more manageable, giving the debtor the chance to pay off the debt over a longer period of time, without all of it coming due at once. This is usually manageable, as long as the debtor can make some sacrifices.

Which Type of Consumer Bankruptcy Should I File in Annandale, Virginia

Which Bankruptcy type to file under depends strongly on the facts of each individual 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 Annandale, Virginia bankruptcy Lawyer. Your Attorney will be able to advise you of your options and their likely consequences, which will help you make a more educated decision.

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Life in Annandale

Annandale is one of the larger communities in Fairfax County, Virginia, with a population of about 55,000.

Quite a few technology companies have headquarters or major offices in Annandale. In addition to high-tech companies, many large multinationals have offices in Annandale, Virginia. This creates a significant demand for skilled labor in the area.

Annandale is also known for its ethnic diversity, particularly its large Korean population. In downtown Annandale, there are over 900 Korean-owned businesses, and the success of these businesses, and the Korean community as a whole, are a testament to the endurance of the American Dream.

Given its size, diversity, and saturation with businesses, Annandale, Virginia has a large number of lawyers. Annandale, Virginia lawyers likely need to handle issues ranging from simple divorce or child custody disputes, up to complex intellectual property matters (mostly for the technology companies located there). There are plenty of individual lawyers, as well as law firms, in Annandale, Virginia who can handle whatever legal issue you might have.

Also, Annandale's relative proximity to the University of Virginia, which boasts one of the most well-regarded law schools in the country, ensures that you are in a region which holds its lawyers to extremely high standards.

Whatever your legal issue, there is probably the right Annandale, Virginia lawyer to help you.