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IMPORTANT FLORIDA BANKRUPTCY INFO FOR YOU
On April 20, 2005 President George Bush signed into law The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act. The sweeping reforms were designed to make bankruptcy more difficult in certain circumstances.
Since bankruptcy is governed by federal law, the federal courts are responsible for enforcing bankruptcy law in each state. The United States Trustee Program is the component of the Department of Justice that protects the integrity of the nation's bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws.
Considerations Before Filing For Bankruptcy in Florida
One of the things to consider before filing for a bankruptcy in St Pete, Largo, or Pinellas County is whether it is possible to resolve problems before filing. It may be possible to work out a repayment plan with your creditors without going through the bankruptcy process. Also, take a very close look at your finances and determine what caused the financial problems. You do not want to go through the bankruptcy process only to find that you have the same financial problems. The first step in fixing your financial problems is to fully identify the issues that caused you to run into trouble.
Florida Bankruptcy Process
The 8 steps to bankruptcy in are:
- Hire an attorney.
- Review your bankruptcy petition.
- Attend credit counseling and obtain your credit counseling certificate.
- Your case will be filed by your Florida bankruptcy attorney.
- Complete the debtor education/financial management workshop.
- Attend your "341 Meeting" (often called "Creditor's meeting").
- Receive your discharge.
- Rebuild your credit.
To get through bankruptcy with the best possible outcome, it is important to work with an experienced Florida bankruptcy attorney. At DeLoach & Hofstra we provide confidential, step-by-step guidance to get you through the bankruptcy process as quickly as possible so you can get on with your life.
In The Know: The First Steps After Filing For Bankruptcy
In Pinellas county, including Dunedin, Seminole, Clearwater, & St Petersburg, bankruptcy law requires that once a petition has been filed, you will be must attend a meeting with your creditors. This is commonly referred to as a 341 Meeting, before U.S. Trustee.
At the 341 Meeting, your creditors will be given the opportunity to question you about your assets and your intention concerning those assets. For example, you may be given the opportunity to reaffirm a car loan so that you can keep the vehicle after your discharge is complete and continue to make the loan payments. Additionally, the U.S. Trustee will also inquire about your assets, liabilities, income, and expenses, and recent financial activities, in order to better understand your overall financial picture and to which determine which assets they can take from you to sell.
If you retain a Florida bankruptcy attorney, they may be present with you at the 341 Meeting; however you must still personally attend the meeting.
Stop Creditors From Harassing You Today
Choosing to file for bankruptcy is a hard choice to make. Remember, filing for bankruptcy will stop the creditors from constantly harassing you. The Florida bankruptcy attorney at DeLoach & Hofstra has the experience and knows how to deal with the creditors so that they will stop calling you. If you are fed up dealing with creditors email us or call our office at 727-835-5502 today. We'll meet with you and discuss your situation at no charge to you.
