Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Seattle, Washington

Find the right Bankruptcy attorney in Seattle, WA

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Bankruptcy in Seattle, Washington is a court procedure which allows an individual or business who is drowning in debt to be absolved 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 minimal 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 Seattle, 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 individual situation. This determination is highly dependent on the details of each individual case, so a Seattle attorney's advice is absolutely indispensable.

Types of Bankruptcy in Seattle, Washington

In Seattle, Washington, there are three basic bankruptcy schemes that are most often used. They are recognized as Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11. Being a product of federal law, the procedural rules governing bankruptcy in Seattle, Washington will be very similar to those in any other part of the United States. 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 qualifying 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 normally 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 recognized bankruptcy scheme used by consumers in Seattle is Chapter 13 bankruptcy. In this system, debt is not discharged. Instead, it is restructured. This allows the debtor to have the terms of the contracts that gave rise to their debts in the first place thrown out, and replaced with new terms that call for a structured repayment plan, designed to allow the debtor to survive on whatever income they have, and allowing the creditors to get paid back eventually. Once a payment plan is approved, creditors are not allowed to attempt to collect payment under the original agreements. 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.

One advantage of Chapter 11 bankruptcy is that it allows a business going through it to continue operations, and to trade its stock.

How Can a Seattle Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

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

Talk to a Bankruptcy & Finances Law Attorney now!

Life in Seattle

Known for its high level of annual rainfall, Washington state's largest city has much more to offer that just water. Seattle, Washington houses a population of close to 620,000 and it the 15th largest city in the United States. Located between Pudget Sound and Lake Washington, the city is a major gateway for travelers going to Asia and Alaska.

Seattle, which is the northernmost city with a big population in the United States is located just a couple hours away from the Canadian border. Seattle gets its name from its Indian heritage. Seattle was named after a famous Indian chief from the tribes that inhabited the area for over 4,000 years.

Seattle, which has been the site of the popular reality television show, The Real World has a growing arts and music scene. Originally the home of grunge music made popular by Nirvana, the city of Seattle now has many different music scenes and venues ranging in size to showcase them all. Seattle also has a big sports culture, with the many professional teams including: Seattle Sea Hawks, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Sound, and Seattle Thunderbirds. The city's cool climate makes it ideal for outdoor activities all year round, and the city has many parks and trails to support the physical activities of its residents and visitors.

Education is also important in Seattle with top universities including University of Washington and Seattle University. Seattle has the highest percentage of college and university graduates than any other city in the U.S. The appreciation for higher education is seen in the many professionals that call the seaside city home. Doctors, lawyers, accountants, tech gurus all thrive in Seattle. The academic culture has produced top lawyers to help the growing city with any legal issue he or she encounters.

Seattle also has a growing tech culture...good thing it is also the home of Starbucks to help give a caffeine fuel to all the innovation!