Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Lakewood, Washington

Find the right Bankruptcy attorney in Lakewood, WA

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Bankruptcy in Lakewood, Washington is a court proceeding which allows an individual or business who is drowning in debt to be discharged of their legal obligation to pay off some or all of their debt. Hopefully, this will allow both the debtor and creditors to move on with their lives. However, bankruptcy is not a free ride, allowing someone who simply doesn't feel like paying their debts to get out of that legal obligation. 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.

For that reason, it would be prudent to speak with a good Lakewood, Washington bankruptcy attorney. This attorney will be able to advise you as to whether or not filing for bankruptcy is a good idea, given your specific situation. This determination is highly dependent on the details of each individual case, so a Lakewood attorney's advice is really indispensable.

Types of Bankruptcy in Lakewood, Washington

There are three basic bankruptcy schemes that are most commonly used in Lakewood: Chapters 7, 13, and 11. Bankruptcy is a creation of federal law, so the procedure for filing for bankruptcy in Lakewood, Washington 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 proceeds 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 given 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 normally used bankruptcy system in Lakewood is Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This allows a debtor to repay most or all of their debts in a structured manner. It reorganizes the debt into lower periodic payments that, with a bit of frugality, the debtor should find manageable. This allows the debtor to continue to earn a living, and allows the creditors to eventually collect what they are owed. Once a repayment plan is approved by the bankruptcy court, creditors are legally barred from seeking repayment under the terms of the arrangements that gave rise to the debt in the first place, and will instead have to accept payment under the new plan. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is typically a better option for people who have a steady income. Though Chapter 11 bankruptcy can be used by individuals, it is almost exclusively used by businesses. Similar to Chapter 13, Chapter 11 involves restructuring of debts, rather than complete discharge. The debtor is required to come up with a restructuring plan that lays out how it plans to cut costs, streamline operations, and pay its debts. The plan must then be approved by a vote of participating creditors.

A main advantage of Chapter 11 bankruptcy is that businesses can continue their operations while going through the process. Also, they can continue to buy and sell their stock.

How Can a Lakewood Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

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

Talk to a Bankruptcy & Finances Law Attorney now!

Life in Lakewood

Lakewood is a city in Pierce County, Washington. It is home to approximately 59,000 people. Popular media publications include The Suburban Times, The News Tribune, Lakewood Press and Lakewood Journal.

Popular sites in Lakewood are Fort Steilacoom, Lakewold Gardens, Lakewood Towne Center, Lakewood Playhouse, and Thornewood.

The top employers include Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base.

Some Lakewood residents include attorneys who have either stopped practicing or currently practice. Residents turn to these attorneys for their legal needs. If these attorneys cannot handle the cases, then they refer residents to attorneys in nearby locations. Such a system ensures that the legal needs of Lakewood residents will be taken care of.

All in all, Lakewood is a charming place to visit and a must-see when in Washington!