Chapter 13 is an extraordinary legal tool for protecting you from the aggressive civil law collection methods of your ex-spouse and support enforcement agency, allowing you to catch up while under this protection. Child and Spousal Support (Alimony) Collections Texas state law allows ex-spouses and support enforcement agencies to be extremely … [Read more...]

You must pass the means test to qualify for Chapter 7 “straight bankruptcy.” Otherwise you would likely end up in the much more time-consuming and expensive Chapter 13 “adjustment of debts.” Chapter 13 is great if you need its benefits, but not if you are forced into it and would prefer the much simpler fresh financial start of Chapter 7. Our … [Read more...]

Purpose of the Means Test This test is intended to determine if you have the “means” to pay a meaningful amount of money to your creditors over a reasonable time period. As such, you have to pass the means test before you are allowed to go through a Chapter 7 “straight bankruptcy,” which generally lasts less than four months, or instead are … [Read more...]

Give yourself a fresh financial start NOT just with your debts, but also with your assets. How to How to Get the Most Out of Your Bankruptcy The focus in bankruptcy is on dealing with your debts, wiping out and getting a handle on the negative side of your balance sheet. But getting a financial fresh start means not just getting relieved of … [Read more...]

Words I hate to tell new clients: “If only you’d come to talk with me sooner.” Bankruptcy attorneys are in this area of law because we really want to help people. What makes me want to come to the office every day is the privilege of listening to people’s tough stories and then giving them good news about how I can help make their life much … [Read more...]

These 5 realities will set the record straight about who can file a “straight bankruptcy Chapter 7 case. One of the biggest areas of confusion about bankruptcy is whether or not you qualify to file a Chapter 7 case. If it’s the right tool for you, the odds are very high that you quality. The following five points get right to the heart of what … [Read more...]

Although the Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 options are quite different, that doesn’t always mean it’s an obvious decision. The Not Always So Easy Choice Once it is clear that you need bankruptcy relief, picking the right Chapter to file can be simple. Your circumstances may all point towards one option or the other. But sometimes it can be a very … [Read more...]

The Easiest Way to Pass the “Means Test” Most people who want to file a Chapter 7 “straight bankruptcy” can do so. Most pass the qualifying “means test” because their income is low enough. If you live in Texas, the next few paragraphs will give you a very good idea if your income qualifies you. Start by Defining Two Terms The “Means Test”: an … [Read more...]