Call now to see how we can help you!  Experienced Pierce County bankruptcy lawyers.

Tacoma Bankruptcy Lawyer David M. Lux

Call (253) 444-5517

Experienced Washington State and Tacoma Bankruptcy Lawyers.

Get debt relief with the help of our qualified and skilled Tacoma bankruptcy lawyers.

Do you cringe every time the phone rings?  Do you screen your calls to make sure the person on the other end of the line is someone you know, and not an angry creditor?  Do you dread checking your Tacoma mail box for fear that you’re getting another notice from a collections agency?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you are currently living in a state of fear.  Fortunately, help is available.  Our Pierce County bankruptcy lawyers may have the miracle you are seeking.  Imagine never paying your credit cards again.  If you qualify, it can happen.  We make it happen for hundreds of Pierce County residents every year.

The weight of uncontrollable debt is a heavy load to carry, and once the cycle of debt starts it can seem like there is no way out. Living in fear of creditors will have a negative impact on every aspect of your life. The nagging reality of insurmountable debt casts a shadow over your Tacoma job and your relationships with friends and family. If you’re tired of living in fear, it’s time to talk to one of our experienced Tacoma bankruptcy lawyers today.

Filing for bankruptcy offers hope for you and your Tacoma family, by offering you a fresh financial start. It’s likely you’ve been thinking that if you could only get back ahead financially, even just a little bit, that everything would be all right. If you qualify for bankruptcy, you are 100 percent right. By contacting one of our qualified Tacoma bankruptcy attorneys today, you can find out how the law provides you with options for a clean financial slate.

Call Now!  (253) 444-5517

Financial difficulties often just happen our of nowhere.

Our Pierce County bankruptcy lawyers here it every day.  We understand.  People run into financial difficulty every day in Tacoma, often through no fault of their own. Someone in your Tacoma family might have gotten sick and wasn’t able to work, or the medical bills were simply too much to handle. In today’s economy, many hard-working family oriented people in Tacoma simply can’t find work, or they have been laid off with no prior warning. One unpaid bill leads to another, and before you know it you are mired in debt and the phone starts that incessant ringing.

Perhaps you’ve even considered filing for bankruptcy, but were told by a creditor that it was a bad idea, or that doing so would make you dishonest.  These are deceitful remarks, and our Tacoma bankruptcy lawyers have even heard of cases where creditors tell people that filing bankruptcy will ruin their life.  These brazen techniques are meant to discourage you from filing for bankruptcy for one reason only: they want to take your money no matter how desperate your situation is.

Our Pierce County bankruptcy lawyers want you to know the truth.  The truth is that for many people, bankruptcy represents a sound financial option that can give them the breathing room they need to reestablish fiscal fortitude.  Once the flow of cash is freed up, you will be able to afford the things you need to live and provide a quality lifestyle for your Tacoma family.

Bankruptcy law is meant to help you, and our aggressive Tacoma bankruptcy attorneys will make sure it also protecting you, and not your creditors. If you qualify for bankruptcy, one of our Tacoma bankruptcy lawyers will work to discharge 100 percent of your qualifying debt while retaining 100 percent of your assets and property. While this result is not always possible, you will be able to discuss your options with one of our Tacoma bankruptcy attorneys when you call for your free consultation. Remember: Being able to discharge your debt is your Constitutional right in Tacoma.

To Learn More About Your Tacoma Bankruptcy Legal Rights and Options, Call Our Pierce County, Washington Bankruptcy Law Firm. 

Call Now!  (253) 444-5517

Understanding the new laws with the help of our Tacoma bankruptcy lawyers.

Our Tacoma bankruptcy attorneys are hearing from clients that the new bankruptcy laws have made filing for bankruptcy far more difficult. We’ve also heard Tacoma people say the new laws have drastically changed the protections that are afforded under bankruptcy code. Both of these claims are false, and facts indicate that the exact opposite is true.

In cases handled by our Tacoma bankruptcy lawyers, we have found that 90 percent of Tacoma people who have qualified under the old laws will still qualify under the new bankruptcy laws. The primary protections that bankruptcy guarantees are also still strong and in full effect.

So why the confusion? Again, we need only consider the source of this kind of disinformation – creditors. Creditors want you to believe that there have been detrimental changes in federal and Washington State bankruptcy law because this suits their agenda. Fortunately, our Tacoma bankruptcy attorneys can help you fight back.

When you hire one of our Tacoma bankruptcy lawyers, one of their first actions will be to file your bankruptcy with in Washington Court. The Court then issues what is referred to as an “automatic stay.” The automatic stay is the life preserver you been hoping someone would throw. Once the automatic stay is granted, your creditor must IMMEDIATELY stop harassing you, either by phone or by mail. You will not feel your heart sink when the telephone rings, and you won’t have to dread pulling your mail out of the mailbox ever again.

It also means that the money you owe them will almost certainly be completely discharged so long as you qualify for bankruptcy and these are unsecured debts. You will never again be under any obligation to pay them another penny. They have no recourse, and no amount of tears will make any difference – ALL of their collections must cease immediately, without exception.

This represents the foundation of bankruptcy code, and it is just one of your legal rights that our qualified Tacoma bankruptcy attorneys will secure in your case. Now is the time to fight back against the constant harassment from creditors, and talk to one of our Tacoma bankruptcy lawyers for a free case evaluation. Now is the time for YOU to take control of your life in Tacoma and eliminate fear.

What will happen to my credit?  Our Tacoma bankruptcy attorneys have the answer.

Sometimes Tacoma people are afraid of filing bankruptcy because they believe that it will forever destroy their credit. If you think about it logically, this doesn’t make sense, because bankruptcy laws are in place to help protect Tacoma people and give them an opportunity for a fresh start. Our Tacoma bankruptcy attorneys have found that most clients actually see their credit scores IMPROVE after filing for bankruptcy, in both the short-term and the long-term.

In as little as a few short months after declaring bankruptcy most Tacoma people’s credit score begins to climb. This is one of the reasons bankruptcy is preferable to loan consolidation. Even though a Tacoma loan consolidation company might claim that you only have to pay a “portion” of your debt, the reality often results in your credit score getting worse.

A bankruptcy is a clean break from your financial past and an opportunity for a new beginning. This allows you to start working on rebuilding your credit immediately, so you can provide your Tacoma family with the lifestyle they deserve.

Our Tacoma bankruptcy lawyers seek to have all of your unsecured debts completely erased, so you will never have to pay on them again. This automatically makes you a prime candidate for future credit, as the credit companies know you won’t be able to file for bankruptcy again in Tacoma until eight years has passed.

As you become more and more financially stable, you can responsibly use your credit so your credit scores steadily get better over time. It’s all up to you. Bankruptcy can be that chance you were looking for – the chance to get back in the black and get caught up with all of your debt. Once you’re ahead of the game you will be free from fear and be looking at a bright financial future in Tacoma.

Is bankruptcy possible for me?  Our Tacoma bankruptcy attorneys can answer this question when you call us.

Our experienced debt relief attorneys can help you determine if you qualify for bankruptcy. Unfortunately, when many of our Tacoma clients first contact us they think the new bankruptcy laws will prevent them from qualifying for bankruptcy. Not only is this false, but there are so many misconceptions about the new bankruptcy laws that there is no way we can possibly address them all.

Remember that 90 percent of our Tacoma clients still qualify for some variety of bankruptcy. All it takes for you to find out is to contact us today and talk with one of our experienced Tacoma attorneys.

You don’t have to live in fear anymore. Take control of your finances and your life, and bring your Tacoma future into clear focus.

Our Pierce County bankruptcy attorneys are here to help.

If you are contemplating filing a Pierce County or Tacoma bankruptcy, we're here to assist in understanding your legal rights and options.  Our Tacoma bankruptcy attorneys are experienced Washington State bankruptcy lawyers.

We know the law.  We know how the courts interpret the laws.  And, we successfully discharge millions of dollars in bankruptcy debt for our clients every year.  We will aggressively pursue discharging your debts while protecting your assets.

This site has been designed to provide general information and assistance to Pierce County residents in need of debt relief.  The decision to file for bankruptcy is a complex one.  Bankruptcy is not for everyone, and it's important to know that it's not your only option. 

If, however, you find yourself going deeper and deeper in the red every month, you owe it to yourself to learn about your legal rights and options.  The bankruptcy laws are here for your protection. 

The credit card companies and the collection companies that do their dirty work want you to believe that filing a Tacoma bankruptcy somehow means that you are a bad person and a failure.  This is ridiculous.  The bankruptcy laws are here for your protection.  If you qualify, filing for bankruptcy is your legal right.

Is filing a Tacoma bankruptcy your best option?  It may well be.

Many people are under the erroneous assumption that the new bankruptcy laws are preventing them from seeking protection under our bankruptcy laws.  We can tell you from experience that this is simply untrue.

In fact, we believe that the overwhelming majority of people who would have previously qualified for debt relief under the old bankruptcy laws are still able to successfully file today.  And we should know.  We successfully file hundreds of bankruptcy petitions throughout Tacoma, Pierce County, and the Greater Puget Sound region every year.

We are experienced Washington State and Tacoma bankruptcy lawyers, and we successfully file hundreds of personal bankruptcy cases throughout the Greater Puget Sound area every year.  Our Pierce County debt relief attorneys have the resources and the experience to assist you in making informed decisions about your financial options.

Stop Harassing Creditors
Stop living in fear.

Our Pierce County bankruptcy attorneys are here to help.

The Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act was enacted to protect consumers from unscrupulous bill collectors.

The debt collection laws are complicated, and while you may have a right to recover damages based on the specific facts and circumstances of your case, it is important to keep a record of all inappropriate conduct.  You should keep a detailed and date-specific log of all violations.

These cases often come down to a matter of evidence and frequently end up in swearing match over who said what to whom and when.  Thus, keeping detailed notes and phone records of any unlawful conduct is critical in pursuing your legal rights to recover damages.

The attorneys who work at our Tacoma bankruptcy offices can assist you in determining whether or not you have a claim against a creditor under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. 

We invite you to call and speak with one of our Pierce County bankruptcy lawyers if you believe you can prove that one of your creditors intentionally and repeatedly engaged in unfair debt collection practices. 

Talk to an aggressive Pierce County bankruptcy attorney today.

Are my creditors allowed to contact me after I file for bankruptcy?

In general, the answer to his question is an emphatic "No!".  Immediately upon filing your Everett bankruptcy petition, an "automatic stay" is created.  This automatic stay is one of the fundamental cornerstones of bankruptcy law. 

The protections provided by the automatic stay continue to be one of the basic foundations of the Bankruptcy Code.  If you qualify to file a Tacoma Bankruptcy, the protections given by the automatic stay become your legal rights.

The automatic stay prevents creditors from taking any further collection against you.  This includes all phone calls, collections letters, lawsuits, and garnishments, as well as any other attempts to collect on the debt.

If, however, you are behind on your home or your car loans and intend to surrender that property, the underlying creditor will frequently file a motion with the bankruptcy court seeking a “Relief from Stay”.  If this Relief from Stay is granted, they will again be able move forward with attempting to repossess that particular property.  In most cases, this process will a minimum of days from the date your actual bankruptcy petition is filed with the court.

Your Home in Bankruptcy
Most homeowners can keep their homes in bankruptcy.

In Washington State, so long as you have no more than $125,000 of equity in your home (plus an about 8% for settlement costs of sale), you can keep your home in bankruptcy so long as you remain current on all of your mortgages associated with your home. For example, in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, you can discharge you unsecured debts (e.g., credit cards, medical bills) and keep your house so long as you not behind on your mortgage payments and have no more than $125,000 of equity.

If you are behind on your mortgage and wish to catch up, you can use Chapter 13 Bankruptcy to repay your mortgage arrearage (the amount you are behind on your mortgage) so long as you can also pay your regular mortgage payment. If you have more than one mortgage on your home, you most remain current on both mortgages and repay any arrearage on those mortgages in a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. You have up to 60 months (5 years) to catch up on your mortgages through Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.

Discharging a Second Mortgage

Under certain circumstances, you can discharge or wipe out a second mortgage in bankruptcy and keep your home.

In this declining real estate market, if the value of your home is less than the amount of your first mortgage, filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy can discharge your entire second and succeeding mortgages and allow you to keep your home so long as you remain current on your first mortgage or work out a repayment schedule to become current on your first mortgage if you are behind.

You will need to pay for a professional appraisal of your home (a Comparative Market Analysis from a real estate agent is not acceptable), proving there is not even one dollar of equity to cover your second mortgage in order to have a bankruptcy judge approve the discharge of your second mortgage in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy proceeding.

Second Mortgage as a Line Credit

Remember that a line of credit secured against your home is type of second mortgage. It can be discharged in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, but the payments must be maintained if you want to keep your home (unless it can be discharged in a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy as explained above).

Payday Loans and Bankruptcy

Payday loans are almost always able to be discharged or wiped out in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  These are unsecured loans with often outrageous interest rates and fees attached to them.  Although they remain legal in Washington state, these kinds of loans often only make matters much worse for unsuspecting borrowers.

While it is possible for these kinds of loans to serve a limited but legitimate purpose, they are often a never-ending trap.  The cycle just keeps going and going because people are forced to use the service over and over every month.

Indeed, in our opinion, Payday Loans are among the most egregious types of predatory lending practices here in Tacoma and throughout Pierce County.  Payday loans typically have an annual percent interest rate of between 200% and 1,000%.

In our experience, bankruptcy judges have little sympathy for the Payday Loan companies.   If you qualify and intend to file a Pierce County or Tacoma bankruptcy to wipe out your Payday loans, we recommend that you stop depositing any money into the bank account on which you wrote checks for your outstanding Payday loans.  We also recommend that you immediately close this account.

You should then open up a new bank account with another bank.  Any overdraft charges or fees that occur due to bounced checks from Payday loans on the old bank account can also be discharged in your bankruptcy.

Credit Card Debts

Credit Card Debts are commonly discharged in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy proceedings. There is no debt limit to discharging credit card debts in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy cases. However, you should make every effort to stop making any additional credit card charges after have retained a bankruptcy attorney.

Without proper legal advice, you may find that some credit card charges or cash advances in the months preceding filing bankruptcy may not be dischargeable. A knowledgeable and experienced bankruptcy attorney will properly advise you of the proper timing to file your bankruptcy petition so that most of not all of these credit card charges and/or cash advances will be discharged in your bankruptcy. This may involve hiring a bankruptcy attorney, but waiting up to several months before filing your bankruptcy petition.

Medical Bills

Medical bills are a type of unsecured debt that is commonly discharged through bankruptcy.  Our Tacoma bankruptcy attorneys successfully discharge millions of dollars in medical bills for our clients in Western Washington every year.  In general, medical bills are almost always 100% dischargeable.

According to several recent studies, medical costs are a contributing factor in over 60% of all consumer bankruptcy filings.  More importantly, about 75% of personal bankruptcy filers who included medical bills in their bankruptcy had some form of medical insurance. The reality is that the high cost of medical care is not enough to meet many family’s budgets.

If you have a large amount of medical bills you cannot afford to pay, contact an experienced bankruptcy attorney to discuss the benefits of filing for bankruptcy to relieve yourself of your medical debt.

Tacoma Bankruptcy Lawyers

We assist hundreds of Tacoma bankruptcy and Western Washington clients and families get a fresh financial start every year.

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