Oxford Bankruptcy Lawyers & Attorneys

Our Oxford bankruptcy lawyers can help you deal with debt via the Bankruptcy Court. The Harris Firm is currently charges flat fees for most simple Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings in and around the Calhoun County and Talladega County area.  Give us a call and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the bankruptcy process.

Overwhelming debt is a very commonplace issue affecting thousands of individuals across Calhoun County, Alabama. If you feel like you are being drowned by debt and need a way out, then let our Oxford bankruptcy lawyer help you. When you call our office, you can usually get a quick phone consultation with an expert bankruptcy lawyer that same day. If an in-person meeting is needed, we will gladly arrange one for you.

If you live in Oxford, Anniston, or the surrounding areas of Calhoun County, then you will likely be filing your bankruptcy in the United States District Court, Northern District of Alabama, Eastern Division. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you will have a hearing called a Meeting of the Creditors. If you live in the City of Oxford, then your bankruptcy hearing will be in downtown Anniston.

You will have to get together specific documentation in order for us to go ahead with your bankruptcy filing.  This includes your last two years tax returns, the last six (6) months of your income information such as paystubs, some bank statements, and other information.  Once our Calhoun and Talladega County bankruptcy lawyer has reviewed your situation, we can help you decide if bankruptcy makes sense for you and your family.

Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the most common bankruptcy options.  A Chapter 13 bankruptcy is essentially a three to five year payment plan that is administered through the Bankruptcy Court. This involves paying off some or all of your creditors over time, allowing you to get caught up on certain important bills such as your mortgage or a car payment by spreading out the arrears owed over a long period of time.  However, when most people think of filing bankruptcy they are usually thinking of a Chapter 7, which is a much quicker and simpler type than Chapter 13, usually lasting about three months or so.

Filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy can eliminate much, if not all, of your unsecured debt in a very short amount of time.  However, you must qualify for this type of bankruptcy. There are certain income based tests that will be performed in order to determine if you qualify and you and your spouse’s last six months of pay stubs or other proof of income is needed in order to make this determination.

Once your bankruptcy case is filed, you will have to go to something called a Meeting of the Creditors or 341 Hearing.  No creditors usually show up for this meeting and it is mainly an opportunity for the Trustee in your case to speak with you under oath.  During this meeting, one of our Oxford bankruptcy lawyers will be present with you. The hearing usually consists of the Trustee in your case asking a few simple questions.

If any of the following are true for you, then you may want to consider bankruptcy as an option and contact one of our Oxford bankruptcy lawyers:

1) You owe $10,000 in credit card debt or more and you cannot afford to pay off these debts; 2) Creditors are suing you; 3) You are behind on your mortgage and/or vehicle payment and are threatened with foreclosure or repossession; 4) Debt collectors are calling and harassing you on a daily basis and you cannot reach a resolution with them; or 5) You are responsible for outstanding medical bills that your insurance did not pay and you have no way of ever paying for them.

These are just some of the examples of common reasons someone might need a bankruptcy in order to help them out of a difficult financial situation. Our Oxford bankruptcy lawyers are here to help give you the information you need in order to make an informed decision.   By filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy you are able to wipe out certain debts and get a fresh start and a Chapter 13 bankruptcy can also provide protection from creditors.

Even in what would seem like a simple Chapter 7 bankruptcy, there may be potential issues that could arise once your case is filed. This is why it is important to obtain a local bankruptcy attorney to file your case, since we know the process and any local rules of the particular federal court you are filing in. If you live in Calhoun County, Clay County, Cleburne County, or Talladega County then you will most likely be filing your bankruptcy in the U.S. District Court Northern District of Alabama, Eastern Division. If you file in these counties, the Meeting of the Creditors will be held in the Federal Courthouse in downtown Anniston.

We are a member of the local Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce and the North and Central Alabama Better Business Bureau, so feel free to check us out there for feedback from former clients.  Our bankruptcy lawyers in Gadsden regularly practice in Calhoun County, Talladega County, and Etowah County, and are familiar with these local courts. If you live in Eastern Alabama and need some financial relief, then give our Oxford and Anniston bankruptcy attorneys a call today for a consultation.