Filing for Bankruptcy: Know your options
Our bankruptcy law firm helps clients file for bankruptcy in Tennessee, including Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11 bankruptcies. Bankruptcy attorney John E. Dunlap has helped clients file for bankruptcy in Tennessee and federal courts for over 20 years and started practice bankruptcy law in 1988.
Filing for bankruptcy can be a complicated process with many different options, decisions, and paths to take. If you’re trying to get out of debt, bankruptcy is one of many options to consider—and within bankruptcy there are a number of different considerations to take into account. Working with a bankruptcy attorney can help make this process easier and may be able to help you make better decisions about your personal finances and financial future after bankruptcy.
How can I file for bankruptcy in Tennessee?
The process for filing for bankruptcy in Tennessee is different for different types of bankruptcies.
We work with clients one-on-one to help them file for bankruptcy in Tennessee, which often includes the following process:
- Assessing your financial situation
- Helping you decide what type of bankruptcy to file
- Guiding you to gather together the required documents
- Filing your bankruptcy with the courts
- Making a repayment plan or debt discharge plan, if required
- Help you get through required financial counseling
- Help you meet and negotiate with your bankruptcy trustee, creditors, and other parties involved
If you’re considering bankruptcy or are a ready to file, call us for your free 30 minute bankruptcy strategy session. We may be able to help you start your debt-free life and restore your quality of life in as little as 100 days.
What are the types of bankruptcies?
There are a number of different types of bankruptcies but the most common in Tennessee are:
If you’re considering bankruptcy as a way to get out of debt, speaking with an experienced bankruptcy attorney may be able to help you decide the best type of bankruptcy for you and guide you through the process of filing for bankruptcy in Tennessee.
Is Bankruptcy Right For Me?
The answer to whether bankruptcy is right for your finances is different for every person. Consulting with an experienced bankruptcy attorney is often a step in the right direction that may help you make your decisions about filing for bankruptcy.
In Tennessee, many of our clients face the choice between filing for bankruptcy or trying alternatives to bankruptcy. While in some cases alternatives help resolve debts, bankruptcy is often the only solution to get finances back in order and start a new life after bankruptcy.
Above all, we treat our clients with respect to help them assess if bankruptcy is right for them. Call us today for your free 30 minute strategy session to learn how we may be able help you get out of debt.
What is a bankruptcy discharge?
Bankruptcy discharge is when your debt is released by a court order. In other words, a bankruptcy discharge is when the court says you don’t have to pay your debts. You may be able to get a bankruptcy discharge through a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
After a debt has been discharged, a creditor cannot take any more action to force you to pay off your debt, including calling, harassing you, sending letters, or suing you. For many, reaching a debt discharge through filing for bankruptcy helps them start their lives over again.
We may be able to help you discharge your debts through bankruptcy filing. Call us today to schedule your free 30 minute bankruptcy strategy session.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 is by far the most common type of bankruptcy and is also known as straight bankruptcy. It is often used by people who don’t have the means to repay their debts except through asset liquidation. In 2016, over 490,000 people filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, making up around 62% of all bankruptcies filed that year. In many cases, debts can be discharged in 4 months from the date of filing a Chapter 7, according to the United States Courts.
To learn more about Chapter 7 bankruptcy, we’ve created a number of resources:
- The process of filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
- Benefits of Chapter 7
- Discharging Debts in 100 Days
- Eligibility and the Chapter 7 means test
- Necessary documentation for filing Chapter 7
If you’re thinking about filing chapter 7 bankruptcy, we may be able to help. Contact attorney John Dunlap for your free 30 minute bankruptcy strategy session.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Chapter 13 bankruptcy is also called the wage earner’s plan is the type of bankruptcy that is often used by individuals who can pay their debts, in part or in whole. Chapter 13 debts can be discharged after the repayment plans are paid off, which often takes 3 to 5 years. Unlike Chapter 7 bankruptcy that discharges debts through liquidation of assets, Chapter 13 designs a payment plan based on individual finances.
To learn more about Chapter 13 bankruptcy, we’ve created a number of resources:
- The process of filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
- Dealing with a Mortgage in Chapter 13
- How Chapter 13 Repayment Plans and Court Hearings Work
- Eligibility for the Chapter 13
- Necessary documentation for filing Chapter 13
We offer free 30 minute strategy session for new clients and can discuss how a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing may be able to help you. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Chapter 11 bankruptcies are often referred to as reorganization bankruptcies and are most commonly used for businesses and partnerships facing debts. If you’re a business owner with debts, a Chapter 11 bankruptcy may be your best option to get your business back on track.
We work with clients to help them file for Chapter 11 bankruptcies and offer a free 30 minute strategy session to new clients. Call us today to discuss your options for filing bankruptcy as a business.