Bankruptcy law provides “exemptions”, a set of laws protecting certain categories of assets up to a specific value. The purpose of our exemption laws is to allow you to obtain a fresh start while retaining the items necessary for day to day living. In most chapter 7 cases, you are able to protect common assets [...]

When you file bankruptcy, you are required to attend a hearing where a bankruptcy Trustee places you under oath and reviews your case. The Trustee is an official appointed by the Federal government to administrate your case for the benefit of your creditors. The Trustee will ask you questions relating to your income, expenses, assets [...]

Costs to file bankruptcy include attorney fees, court fees and credit counseling fees. Attorney fees vary depending on the type of bankruptcy being filed as well as the facts and circumstances of each case. To find out the approximate cost of filing your case, go to Locations to call the office nearest you. In most [...]

Most Oregonians who file bankruptcy rely on their cars and trucks to go to work, get to the doctor, to drive children to school, and for many other purposes.  When you need to file bankruptcy, protecting a vehicle is an important issue to consider.  If you file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case and the equity [...]

You may be able to use a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case to eliminate your second mortgage, home equity line of credit, or judgment lien.  If your house is worth less at the time you file your Chapter 13 bankruptcy case than you owe against your first mortgage, you may be able to include a provision [...]

Maybe, but you should seriously consider your other options, such as redeeming the vehicle, surrendering the vehicle, and finding out whether the lender will allow you to simply retain the vehicle and remain current on the payments without signing a reaffirmation agreement. A reaffirmation agreement is a new contract between a creditor and debtor in [...]

There are many issues involved in deciding whether to file under chapter 7 or chapter 13. Most people file chapter 7 if they are eligible because a typical chapter 7 case lasts only a few months and eliminates most types of debt without requiring that those debts be repaid. To be eligible for chapter 7, [...]

Chapter 7 is often referred to as a “fresh start” bankruptcy because it stops creditors upon filing the case with the bankruptcy court and discharges or eliminates all but certain classes of debt. To be eligible for chapter 7, you must show that your living expenses reasonably consume all or most of your income, and [...]

Chapter 13 is a debt reorganization plan that lasts a minimum of three years but no longer than five years. Some people file chapter 13 because they are ineligible for chapter 7 because of income or because they have filed a chapter 7 within the past 8 years. Others file chapter 13 to stop a [...]