Baxter & Baxter, LLP | Consumer Protection | Bankruptcy Attorneys | Oregon & Washington

Oregon Bankruptcy & Washington Bankruptcy . Bankruptcy Practice Group This information is presented by the Bankruptcy Practice Group of Baxter & Baxter, LLP. The Portland, Oregon bankruptcy attorneys and Vancouver WA bankruptcy lawyers of the Bankruptcy Practice Group represent individuals in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies. We offer a free initial phone consultation. We can stop collection calls from debt collectors and home foreclosures. We can advise consumers whether to file for bankruptcy, and what form of bankruptcy to file. Get a Fresh Start Today! When the financial troubles of life come your way, and the creditors won’t stop calling, bankruptcy could be the right choice for you, bankruptcy will not ruin you like the debt consolidation programs often claim. It could be a fresh start provided to you by the government. After bankruptcy it could only take 2 years to rebuild your credit and get you back on track. Our law offices can help you choose your best options and get you on the road to financial recovery Discover the advantages of bankruptcy before making your next move. Our rates are competitive, and an uncontested no-asset Chapter 7 bankruptcy can be filed for as little as a $1,250 attorney fee (plus the applicable court filing fee). If you don’t have the full fee right now, call us to discuss prioritizing your payments. Sound Advice with Dignity and Empathy Deciding whether to file bankruptcy is a very serious decision. The majority of bankruptcies are precipitated by circumstances outside a person’s control — loss of a job, divorce, or significant illness. The stress of these events is compounded by collection letters and calls, and the fear of losing a home to foreclosure. The dedicated and compassionate bankruptcy attorneys of Baxter & Baxter, LLP, understand all of these realities, and endeavor to provide clear and concise advice, so that the bankruptcy process is as transparent and understandable as possible. Once the bankruptcy is completed and the discharge order is entered, our clients can begin a new life and get a fresh start! Benefits of Filing for Bankruptcy Filing for bankruptcy is a serious and important decision that has significant ramifications. The Portland bankruptcy lawyers of Baxter & Baxter, LLP, can help you decide whether filing for bankruptcy is right for you. We can advise you on whether you qualify for a Chapter 7 liquidation, or would be better served by entering into a Chapter 13 repayment plan. Among the many benefits of filing for bankruptcy are: * Stop garnishments on bank accounts and wages * Stop home foreclosures * Stop harassing phone calls from bill collectors and collection agencies * Prevent utilities from being shut off * Stop car and truck repossessions * Eliminate some back taxes Filing for Bankruptcy in Oregon and Washington The most common types of personal bankruptcy for individuals are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. As much as 65% of all U.S. consumer bankruptcy filings are Chapter 7 cases. In Chapter 7, a debtor surrenders his or her non-exempt property to a bankruptcy trustee who then liquidates the property and distributes the proceeds to the debtor’s unsecured creditors. In exchange, the debtor is entitled to a discharge of most of their debt. Certain debts (e.g. spousal and child support, student loans, some taxes) will not be discharged even though the debtor is generally discharged from his or her debt. Many individuals in financial distress own only exempt property (e.g. clothes, household goods, an older car) and will not have to surrender any property to the trustee. The amount of property that a debtor may exempt varies from state to state. Chapter 7 relief is available only once in any eight year period. Generally, the rights of secured creditors to their collateral continues even though their debt is discharged. In Chapter 13, the debtor retains ownership and possession of all of his or her assets, but must devote some portion of his or her future income to repaying creditors, generally over a period of three to five years. The amount of payment and the period of the repayment plan depend upon a variety of factors, including the value of the debtor’s property and the amount of a debtor’s income and expenses. Secured creditors may be entitled to greater payment than unsecured creditors. Portland, Oregon Bankruptcy Law Offices The Portland, Oregon bankruptcy attorneys of Baxter & Baxter, LLP have offices in SW Portland, and represent consumers in Beaverton, Tigard, Hillsboro, Aloha, Tualatin, and other cities. If you would like a free telephone consultation with an Oregon bankruptcy lawyer, call (503) 297-9031 today! Vancouver, Washington Bankruptcy Law Offices The Vancouver, Washington bankruptcy attorneys of Baxter & Baxter, LLP have offices in SW Washington, and represent consumers in Vancouver, Clark County, and Cowlitz County. If you would like a free telephone consultation with an Oregon bankruptcy lawyer, call (360) 574-5239 today! Member of National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) “We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for relief under the Bankruptcy Code.”

Frequently Asked Questions about Filing for Bankruptcy in Oregon and Washington This information is presented by the Bankruptcy Practice Group of Baxter & Baxter, LLP. The Bankruptcy Practice Group of Baxter & Baxter, LLP represents individuals in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies. We offer a free initial phone consultation. We can stop collection calls from debt collectors. We can advise consumers whether to file for bankruptcy, and what form of bankruptcy to file. Our rates are competetive, and an uncontested no-asset Chapter 7 bankruptcy can be filed for as little as $1,250. Can I stop a home foreclosure on my mortgage? Yes. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy will stop a foreclosure on your home. You can propose a payment plan to pay off your past-due mortgage payments over three to five years. If you file a Chapter 7, it will temporarily stop any foreclosure proceedings against you Can I stop collection calls and letters? Yes. Once you file for bankruptcy, the automatic stay prevents almost all of your creditors from taking any action to enforce any debt. This includes collection calls, letters, and lawsuits. I have already filed a bankruptcy, can I file again? Yes, if your previous bankruptcy was filed a specified amount of time in the past. If your previous bankruptcy was a Chapter 7 liquidation, you need to wait eight years from the date the previous case was filed. If your previous bankruptcy was a Chapter 13 wage earner repayment plan, you need to wait four years to file a new Chapter 7 case and two years to file a new Chapter 13 case. Can I stop a garnishment of my bank account or paycheck? Yes. Almost all garnishments can be stopped with the exception of child support or spousal support obligations. Some creditors that hold claims that will not be discharged like student loans can start garnishment again as soon as your discharge is entered. Can I leave a creditor off my schedules? No. You are required to list all debts. Even debts that you want to keep paying. In fact, just because a debt is not listed on a bankruptcy schedule does not mean it is not included in the bankruptcy. In many cases even unlisted debts are discharged. This information is presented by the Bankruptcy Practice Group of Baxter & Baxter, LLP. The Portland, Oregon bankruptcy attorneys and Vancouver WA bankruptcy lawyers of the Bankruptcy Practice Group represent individuals in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies. We offer a free initial phone consultation. We can stop collection calls from debt collectors and home foreclosures. We can advise consumers whether to file for bankruptcy, and what form of bankruptcy to file. “We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for relief under the Bankruptcy Code.”

Things to Avoid before Filing Bankruptcy The Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington bankruptcy attorneys of Baxter & Baxter, LLP, are zealous advocates for our clients. Our relationship to our clients is built on trust, and it is of the utmost importance that clients are completely candid with us so that we can give fully informed advice. Some actions that consumers take prior to filing for bankruptcy in Oregon can have profound effects on the bankruptcy case once it is filed. Here is a common list of things that consumers should avoid doing once they decide to file for bankruptcy. * Don’t sell, give away or transfer ownership of any personal property, real estate, or other property prior to filing your bankruptcy case. * Don’t use credit cards or incur more debt. * Don’t give money or repay loans to friends or family members. * Don’t leave assets off your bankruptcy forms, including lawsuits, workers comp claims, or other possible cases you may have. * Don’t take money out of retirement plans, IRAs, or 401Ks * Talk to your lawyer if you are expecting a large tax refund. * Don’t put your money into someone else’s bank account or put your name on someone else’s account. * Don’t get married or move in with someone, especially if that person has a high income. This information is presented by the Bankruptcy Practice Group of Baxter & Baxter, LLP. The Portland, Oregon bankruptcy attorneys and Vancouver WA bankruptcy lawyers of the Bankruptcy Practice Group represent individuals in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies. We offer a free initial phone consultation. We can stop collection calls from debt collectors and home foreclosures. We can advise consumers whether to file for bankruptcy, and what form of bankruptcy to file. “We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for relief under the Bankruptcy Code.”

Typical Filing Fees to File for Bankruptcy in Oregon and Washington Consumers often wonder about much it will cost to file a bankruptcy in Oregon. The Portland bankruptcy lawyers of Baxter & Baxter, LLP, represent consumers in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Our rates are competitive, and an uncontested no-asset Chapter 7 bankruptcy can be filed in Oregon for as little as a $1,250 fee. Below is some additional information about the cost of filing for bankruptcy. Cost for Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Oregon The U.S. Bankruptcy Court will charge a $299 fee for filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Oregon. The Portland, Oregon bankruptcy lawyers of Baxter & Baxter, LLP, charge as little as $1,250 for a routine chapter 7 bankruptcy without contested matters or adversary proceedings. Every case is different, and the fee may differ depending on anticipated issues. We can work out a payment plan, including advising consumers on how to postpone payment of certain bills to gather the funds to file for bankruptcy. Cost for Filing Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Oregon The U.S. Bankruptcy Court will charge a $274 fee for filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Oregon. The Portland, Oregon bankruptcy lawyers of Baxter & Baxter, LLP, charge as little as $3,200 for a typical chapter 13 bankruptcy. The fee is often paid over time (sometimes the entire duration of the repayment plan. Every case is different, and the fee may differ depending on anticipated issues. As with Chapter 7 bankruptcy, we can work out a payment plan, including advising consumers on how to postpone payment of certain bills to gather the funds to file for bankruptcy. If you would like a free telephone consultation with an Oregon bankruptcy lawyer, call (503) 297-9031 today! The Vancouver, Washington bankruptcy attorneys of Baxter & Baxter, LLP have offices in SW Washington, and represent consumers in Vancouver, Clark County, and Cowlitz County. If you would like a free telephone consultation with an Oregon bankruptcy lawyer, call (360) 574-5239 today! This information is presented by the Bankruptcy Practice Group of Baxter & Baxter, LLP. The Portland, Oregon bankruptcy attorneys and Vancouver WA bankruptcy lawyers of the Bankruptcy Practice Group represent individuals in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies. We offer a free initial phone consultation. We can stop collection calls from debt collectors and home foreclosures. We can advise consumers whether to file for bankruptcy, and what form of bankruptcy to file. “We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for relief under the Bankruptcy Code.”