Bankruptcy in Charleston, SC

Are you contemplating bankruptcy or hiring a bankruptcy attorney in Charleston, South Carolina? Are you tired of creditors calling for payments you can’t make? Maybe looking for a way to get out of debt and have you exhausted all other options? Then bankruptcy might be the solution you seek. It is a legal option that can erase a portion or all of your debts.

Types of Bankruptcy in Charleston, South Carolina

Bankruptcy is a legal process that helps individuals and businesses get a fresh financial start. It eliminates a portion of or all of their debts or financial liabilities. In Charleston, SC to be approved, individuals must prove they have a hardship that prevents them from staying current on their financial obligations. Keep in mind that not all debts qualify. Some liabilities, such as child support arrears, delinquent taxes, alimony, and student loans generally do not qualify for discharge. Consumers who find themselves falling behind in debt can file either Chapter 7, 11 or 13. To determine which option is right for you, you’ll need to assess your goals, assets, and income. You should also consider working with an experienced bankruptcy attorney.

As the legal process moves forward, you may need to attend hearings at the United States Bankruptcy Court of the District of South Carolina. This branch of the federal judiciary holds court in Charleston, Columbia, and Spartanburg at the time of writing.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Many people find Chapter 7 to be the right solution for their circumstances because it provides them with the opportunity to start over financially. However, before filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you should thoroughly assess your income and ability to repay what you owe. You should also speak with a bankruptcy attorney in Charleston  who can help you to decide if a liquidation plan is right for you.

Typically, individuals approved for Chapter 7 lack stable income or have experienced a change in circumstances that has resulted in an inability to manage their debts. Though Chapter 7 erases debts, the tradeoff is you may have to give up certain possessions, such as your home, car or some other assets. However, once you file your petition, an automatic stay goes into effect that requires all collection activity against you like foreclosures and garnishments, to stop temporarily. However, the automatic stay does not prevent all collection attempts. For example, if you owe child support or restitution for a criminal case, you are still liable for those payments.

The South Carolina Bar writes on its website that Chapter 7 bankruptcy starts with a petition for relief. Once this occurs, a resident of Charleston receives protection from creditors. While some forms of debt relief involve paying bills over time, this represents a straight liquidation. Some of your property may remain, however the majority of your belongings could get sold off to cover as much of your debt as possible.

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Chapter 11 bankruptcy is more complex than other types of bankruptcy. It is often used by businesses and certain types of people. It allows petitioners to restructure their debts with a reorganization plan, so they are easier to manage over a determined length of time, usually four to 18 months. The main benefit of Chapter 11 bankruptcy is that it does not require petitioners to sell off or liquidate their assets to pay what they owe. It does allow debtors to negotiate with their creditors a reorganization plan that enables them to stay current on their debts moving forward.

According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Chapter 11 bankruptcy begins with a voluntary or involuntary petition. If the appropriate criteria exist under current federal law, creditors can force this process to begin. As part of concluding those proceedings in Charleston, a court-approved plan gets created to outline payments to creditors.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is a debt restructuring or wage earners plan. In Charleston, SC after you file, the courts will assign a trustee to examine your liabilities and assets and ability to pay bills. Unlike other types of bankruptcy, Chapter 13 involves you restructuring your debt with a three to five-year repayment plan. The flexibility of this repayment plan will depend on what property you want to keep and how steady your income is. It may also give you the opportunity to have some or most of your debts discharged.

As reported by the South Carolina Bar, it is common to refer to Chapter 13 bankruptcy as an earner plan. Having a source of income may qualify you for a petition, but you may want to consult with an attorney in Charleston first. The courts require that you file a plan to repay within 2 weeks of starting civil proceedings. Furthermore, this document needs to be both complete and convincing.

The Bankruptcy Process in Charleston, South Carolina

There is never an ideal time to declare bankruptcy. However, if you are unable to pay off what you owe within five years, filing for bankruptcy can help you to lessen the negative impact on your situation and help you get back on track.

In Charleston to begin the filing process, gather all of your financial records, including monthly expenses, debts, assets and annual income. This information is crucial to give the courts an accurate picture of your circumstances. Failure to provide all necessary information can result in your petition being denied.

South Carolina legislation gives exclusions for some of your property up to a limited value during bankruptcy. You can also continue to receive Social Security, unemployment, or workers’ compensation benefits. The maximum amounts and the type of possessions someone from Charleston may hold onto include:

• $4,725 in household goods, furniture, books, clothing, and appliances

• $6,100 in equity in a motor vehicle

• $1,775 in tools, books, or other items needed for work

• $5,900 in wildcard exemptions

At least six months before you file for bankruptcy, eliminate unnecessary spending. Do not run up the balances on your credit accounts. You’ll also need to complete an approved credit counseling course, usually online or over the phone. Credit counseling is necessary to help you learn financial literacy and help you learn better financial habits. Once you complete the course, you’ll receive a certificate of completion to include in your filing. If you don’t have the certificate of completion from the credit counseling course that you took, the courts will reject your bankruptcy petition.

Work With an Experienced Charleston, South Carolina Lawyer

Hiring a local bankruptcy lawyer in Charleston during this process can help reduce the costly risks of self-representation in court. An experienced bankruptcy lawyer understands state and federal bankruptcy laws. He or she can help you understand which laws apply to your case, especially which debts that can be discharged or can’t be discharged. An experienced South Carolina attorney can also offer you guidance to improve the outcome of your case.

Keep in mind that there are debt management alternatives and financial resources that may benefit you more than bankruptcy, such as debt consolidation. Though bankruptcy is an attractive solution, it is best as a last resort. Do you need immediate help? Then one of our experienced lawyers in Charleston can guide you through the entire bankruptcy process. We can even help you connect with an attorney across South Carolina state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!