Filing for Bankruptcy in Honolulu
Professional Guidance Through the Bankruptcy Process
Filing for
bankruptcy is a stressful process. Far too many people that need to do so wait far
too long. You may feel like filing for bankruptcy is a failure on your
part, but the fact is, that is just not true. It’s a process that
was created so when you are so deep in debt that it feels like there is
no escape, you can find a way out. Bankruptcy was not created as a mark
of shame, but as an act at redemption.
Bad things happen to good people, and sometimes good people have to file
for bankruptcy. Whether it was due to a medical expense, poor credit situation, or a
lost job, there is no shame in taking the way out that was designed to help people
in financial strife.
Of course, even if you decide that you do need to file for bankruptcy,
that doesn’t mean you necessarily know how. This is why you need
a lawyer. At the Law Offices of Blake Goodman PC, we are here to represent
you through one of the toughest moments of your life and walk you through
the bankruptcy filing process. We will provide you with a bankruptcy consultation,
as well as do our best to keep your appearances in court minimal. As a
result, while you are out living your life and taking it back from debt,
we are fighting for your ability to get a second chance.
While every bankruptcy case is going to be a little different because every
person is different, there are going to be some general guidelines that
we will typically follow no matter the situation.
- Consultation
- Bankruptcy counseling session
- Filing with the court
- Liquidation or repayment
- Debtor education course
- Debt discharge
Again, the situations themselves will rarely be the same, but this is the
general format that most bankruptcy cases are going to follow. Much of
the process is required by law, and we will work with you and update you
through every step of the way.
Consultations are FREE
The first step for you is to find a lawyer. While you are certainly within
your right to file bankruptcy without representation, you will want someone
there to assist you with all the legal jargon and just give you advice
throughout the process. At the Law Offices of Blake Goodman PC, we have
been through many bankruptcy cases, and our representation will make the
process feel far more simple than it would be on your own.
For starters, with us as your representation, any debt collectors must
stop contacting you directly and contact us instead. Debt collectors must
contact the legal representation of the debtor once they have received it.
We will also be the ones to represent you in court. You should hopefully
only have to make a single appearance in court while we represent you,
and after that appearance, everything else should be communicated to you
through us. If you would like to attend your court sessions, you are more
than welcome to. Along with that, we will provide you with a bankruptcy
consultation to help you further understand the process.
Credit Counseling Sessions
Before you can begin filing for bankruptcy you must first go through 2
mandatory credit counseling sessions. These are required by law and cannot
be skipped. These counseling sessions are meant to help you see if bankruptcy
is truly right for you.
It will explore any potential alternatives to bankruptcy, what your budget
looks like, your debts, and how the process itself works. This must be
done before any paperwork can be filed with the courts.
This counseling session is not only important for your own knowledge, but
ours as well. By understanding your budget and situation, we will be able
to better assess how we will request your bankruptcy and what chapter
you may fall into.
Filing for Bankruptcy
After the credit counseling sessions have been completed, it’s time
to go through the actual bankruptcy filing in court. Paperwork will be
submitted in court, and from this point, debt collectors will be informed
to stop contacting you. An “automatic stay” will be placed
on you, and no legal activities will continue until your bankruptcy case
has been resolved.
During this time, bankruptcy will be placed on your credit report. This
will stay on your credit report for at least 7 years.
