Chapter 7 bankruptcy can wipe out many qualifying unpaid debts, including credit card balances, medical bills, and personal loans. Whether it’s the right move depends on your individual situation.
Our Fort Lauderdale Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorneys look at the totality of your financial situation, including income, debts, assets, lawsuits, foreclosure, and collection pressure, so you know whether Chapter 7 is a good option for you before you file.
How Can a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer guides you through the whole bankruptcy process, not just the paperwork. An attorney may:
- Review your income, debts, assets, lawsuits, and goals
- Evaluate whether you may be eligible to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy
- Flag property and exemption issues early
- Prepare and file your bankruptcy documents
- Represent you throughout your case
- Explain your alternatives if Chapter 7 isn’t the right fit
Our Florida bankruptcy attorneys work with you to help determine whether filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the best option for you through a free, confidential consultation.
How Does Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Work?
Chapter 7 is often called liquidation bankruptcy because the court-appointed trustee is responsible for identifying and potentially selling nonexempt property, distributing the proceeds to repay your creditors.
The moment your Chapter 7 case is filed, an automatic stay generally goes into effect. In most cases, that means:
- Creditors have to stop calling, suing, and trying to garnish your wages while your case moves forward.
- A court-appointed trustee reviews your finances to see whether any property is nonexempt.
- Nonexempt property may be sold. If you have none, the case moves forward without any sales.
- If the court grants a discharge, qualifying debts are discharged, and you’re no longer personally required to pay those creditors.
Florida’s Chapter 7 bankruptcy exemptions protect certain assets and property from liquidation. Many people are able to keep protected assets, though this is dependent on individual circumstances.
Not every debt qualifies. See more on the rules behind bankruptcy by exploring our guide to bankruptcy law.
What Does Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Cost?
Chapter 7 bankruptcy costs have several elements, including court fees and attorney fees.
Court filing fees are currently $338 in Florida. A few additional court fees can apply. The court may allow installment payments or, for some people with very low income, waive the fee.
Chapter 7 attorney fees depend on the complexity of your case. We offer free initial consultations to evaluate your situation, with flexible payment plans and competitive rates.
You’ll also pay for the required credit counseling and debtor education courses.
Cost of Filing vs. Cost of Waiting
Filing has trade-offs. It can affect your credit for a time, and a trustee can sell nonexempt property to repay creditors, though many people have little or none.
Not filing has a cost, too. Interest and late fees keep adding up, and a lawsuit can become a judgment and then wage garnishment. Collection calls don’t stop, and the stress adds up along with the balance. Other options, like debt defense, settlement, or foreclosure defense, have their own costs and risks, too.
The right choice is the one that best addresses your debt and financial goals while considering the costs—both financially and mentally—in your specific situation. A consultation with an attorney who handles Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Florida can help determine a course of action.
Contact a Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney at Loan Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale, FL, about your best options.
What Happens During a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Consultation?
Your free, confidential consultation with our Fort Lauderdale Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorneys comes with no obligation.
- Review your situation. We talk through your income, debts, assets, collection activity, lawsuits, and any concerns you may have.
- Evaluate Chapter 7 and other options. We tell you whether Chapter 7 may be appropriate and whether other strategies deserve a look.
- Understand costs and next steps. We explain the likely process, pricing, and what it takes to move forward to handle your debts.
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Why Work with Loan Lawyers?
When selecting a Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney in Fort Lauderdale, experience and dedication matter. Loan Lawyers brings:
- Decades of bankruptcy and consumer debt experience
- The ability to weigh bankruptcy against other debt relief strategies
- Litigation experience when creditors take legal action
- Clear guidance throughout your case
- A proven track record of helping clients protect their assets
Get to know us better: Meet our attorneys, read client testimonials, or review our case results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chapter 7
How long does Chapter 7 bankruptcy take?
Many Chapter 7 cases wrap up in roughly three to six months after filing, though timing varies based on the details of your case. View the bankruptcy process for an idea of the full timeline.
Can Chapter 7 stop collection calls or wage garnishment?
Once you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the automatic stay generally requires creditors to stop most collection efforts, including calls, lawsuits, and garnishment. There are exceptions, and the details depend on your case. Our team can explain what to expect for your situation.
What debts can Chapter 7 eliminate?
Chapter 7 bankruptcy may discharge many qualifying unsecured debts, including credit card balances, medical debts, utility bills, and personal loans. Some debts, such as most student loans, certain taxes, and child support or alimony obligations, generally aren’t dischargeable. Outcomes depend on your circumstances.
Will I lose my property if I file Chapter 7?
You won’t necessarily lose your property if you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Florida exemptions may protect qualifying property, such as a home, equity in a motor vehicle, certain retirement accounts, and personal belongings, subject to applicable requirements and limits. What you keep depends on your assets, equity, liens, and available exemptions. We review this with you before you file.
Do I have to pass a means test to file Chapter 7?
In many consumer cases, yes, you will need to pass a means test. The means test looks at your household income (and, if needed, your expenses) to determine whether Chapter 7 is available. Exceptions and special circumstances always exist, so we review your numbers rather than assume the answer.
What’s the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13?
Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidates nonexempt assets and discharges qualifying debts, usually within months. Chapter 13 bankruptcy reorganizes your debts through a court-approved repayment plan lasting three to five years, and many people use it to keep property or catch up on a mortgage.
Have more questions? Visit our FAQ hub.
Talk to a Fort Lauderdale Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney Today
At Loan Lawyers, our Florida Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyers understand that overwhelming debt can touch every aspect of your life. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Reach out, tell us what’s going on, and we’ll help you understand the road ahead of you.
Schedule a free consultation or call 954-523-4357 to get started.
