Bankruptcy Services

BK Services Performed

A ll Bankruptcy Services at ALA are handled by our in-house Attorney.

• Chapter 7
• Chapter 13
• Adversial Proceedings
• Motions for Relief from Automatic Stay
• Motions to Reopen
• Other Motions

Paralegal vs. Attorney

I f you are considering using a paralegal to prepare your bankruptcy paperwork - DON'T! There are no formal rules for calling oneself a paralegal. In fact, you can give yourself that title right now. California Attorneys are trained in the law for years and must pass the California Bar Exam, which is the one of the toughest tests in the world. Bankruptcy laws are incredibly complicated.

Paralegals are trained to prepare paperwork. Attorneys are trained in the law. There are countless state and federal code provision that can be used to protect your hard earned assets for your benefit. If a paralegal wrongfully completes your bankruptcy petition, there is nothing to prevent your creditors from evicting you, foreclosing, repossessing your car, obtaining a wage garnishment, etc. The risks are too great if your bankruptcy petition is performed incorrectly. You need an attorney to ensure that its completed correctly.

Most importantly, only a licensed attorney can appear with you in court. If you use a paralegal, you will have to go to court alone.

Reasons To File Bankruptcy

The most important reason for bankruptcy is to "start anew" by being released of specific debts. Most unsecured debts are wiped out: wage garnishments, lawsuits, credit card debt, medical bills etc... These debts will be listed in your bankruptcy petition and absent fraud, they will be discharged permanently. Within a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, an individual will be granted to retain specific exempt property and assets. On the other hand, liens, such as mortgages and automobile loans, will still exist in some cases. Additional properties and assets, if any, will be sold (liquidated) by means of the trustee in order to pay back your creditors.

Stop being stressed out by bills you can’t pay! Stop having creditors call and harass you about debts you can't pay. Get the fresh start only the federal bankruptcy laws can give you. Congress enacted the federal bankruptcy code with the fundamental goal of giving debtors a financial “fresh start” from burdensome debts. Begin your "fresh start" today!

Non-Discharable Debt

Regardless of your income or reasons, debt that is the result of child support, spousal support, divorce settlement debts, student loans, income taxes, property taxes, HOA fees, DUI lawsuits, procured through fraud, court issued fines (speeding/parking tickets) along with court ordered restitution is never dischargable in bankruptcy.

Useful Legal Research Tools and Links

What To Bring To Your Appointment.

At your consultation, we would like to see any of the following:

1. Statements from your credit accounts.
   (Car, credit card, house, etc.)
2. The most recent statements from your savings, checking, stock, retirement accounts
3. Any notices you have received
   (notice of default, 3 day notice, etc)
4. Any judgments against you
   (including any divorce decree)
5. Two years of tax returns (Important!)
6. Pay stubs, Unemployment/SSD/SSI stubs (most recent)
7. Social Security Card
8. Passport or Drivers License

Is A Court Appearance Required?

Yes, you must attend your scheduled court hearing, called a Meeting Of Creditors. Creditors rarely attend; however, if they do, the can ask questions. In this situation, having an attorney on your side to object to improper questions protects your rights. With ALA, your attorney will be with you at this meeting. These meetings are typically very short, sometimes as short as five minutes. The trustee will ask you questions about your bankruptcy filing and your financial condition. You must attend at this hearing. A failure to appear may eventually result in dismissal of your case.