If you’re feeling overwhelmed by debt, you’re not alone. Many good people find themselves in tough financial situations due to job loss, medical issues, divorce, other unexpected life events and/or the general state of the economy. Chapter 7 bankruptcy can provide real relief — and a path to a fresh financial start.
Often called “straight” or “liquidation” bankruptcy, Chapter 7 is the most common form of consumer bankruptcy. It allows individuals (and in some cases, small businesses) to eliminate most unsecured debts while protecting essential assets.
At Raymond Law Offices APC, we’re here to guide you through every step of the way. We’ll help you understand your options and make sure you know what to expect.
One of the biggest concerns people have about bankruptcy is whether they’ll lose everything they own. The truth is, most of our clients keep all of their property. That’s because the bankruptcy law provides exemptions—protections for certain property.
In California, you can choose between two sets of exemptions depending on your situation. We’ll help you decide which option best protects your property such as your.
Once you receive a discharge and your case is closed, you would no longer be legally responsible for paying these debts.
Keeping Property You’re Still Paying Off. Secured debts are tied to specific property, like your car loan or mortgage. In Chapter 7, you have options:
We’ll help you make the best decision based on your goals, whether that means staying in your home, keeping your vehicle(s) or letting go of burdensome payments.
Not everyone qualifies for Chapter 7. The “Means Test” compares your income to state averages and looks at your expenses to determine if you’re eligible. We’ll walk you through this step-by-step and make sure you understand your options.
The bankruptcy laws are complex and have changed significantly over time. That’s why it’s so important to work with an experienced attorney who can give you honest, knowledgeable advice tailored to your circumstances.
If you’re behind on your mortgage or car payments, facing foreclosure, or simply need a way to reorganize overwhelming debt, Chapter 13 bankruptcy could be the best solution to your situation.
Unlike Chapter 7, which wipes out qualifying debts quickly, Chapter 13 allows you to create a manageable repayment plan — giving you time and structure to catch up and keep what matters most.
At Raymond Law Offices APC, we’ve helped many individuals and families use Chapter 13 to regain control of their finances. We’ll guide you through every step and help you make the best decisions for your future.
Chapter 13 is often called a “wage earner’s plan” because it’s designed for people with a regular income. Under this type of bankruptcy, you propose a repayment plan — usually lasting 3 to 5 years — based on your income, expenses, and the types of debt you owe.
Your monthly payment goes to a court-appointed trustee, who distributes funds to your creditors according to the plan. At the end of the plan, any remaining eligible debt is discharged (wiped out).
A typical Chapter 13 plan lasts 3 to 5 years, depending on your income and specific circumstances. Once your plan is approved and in place, you’ll make one monthly payment — and receive protection from creditors as long as you stay current.
We know how overwhelming financial challenges can feel. Chapter 13 is a powerful tool that offers stability, relief, and protection — without forcing you to give up your home, car, or paycheck.
If you’re struggling with debt but want to catch up and keep what you’ve worked hard for, let’s talk. We’ll explain your options clearly, without pressure.
Credit reports contain information about where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you’ve been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Credit reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, also known as the FCRA, promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the nation’s credit reporting companies. Under the FCRA, both the credit reporting company and the information provider (that is, the person, company, or organization that provides information about you to a credit reporting company) are responsible for correcting inaccurate or incomplete information in your report.
A significant number of credit reports contain serious inaccuracies. These inaccuracies can have devastating consequences on consumers, including denial of credit or employment. These inaccuracies can come about from such situations as identity theft to inadvertently giving an incorrect address. The good news is that the law requires the credit reporting agencies to fix these inaccuracies, if properly brought to their attention by the consumer. The difficulty is that the consumer must be diligent and follow the requirements of the law. In addition, in many cases, the credit reporting agencies and the creditors do not follow the law. When this happens, the consumer may have claims against the credit reporting agencies and the creditor that may result in monetary compensation for damages.
The FCRA requires each of the nationwide credit reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.
If you would like to learn about your options, including how to obtain a free copy of your credit report, or if you believe that there is inaccurate information on your credit report, Raymond Law Offices APC may be able to help you. Please click HERE to send us a web inquiry or call our office at (858) 481-9559.
It is unlawful for a collection agency or a creditor to harass a consumer in the process of collecting a debt. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a debt collector collecting consumer debts is prohibited from using unfair, abusive or deceptive means in collecting that debt. In many cases debt collectors get away with harassment and illegal behavior because most consumers don’t know their rights. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects consumers from improper communications from debt collectors, which may include but are not limited to, excessive telephone calls, communications at inconvenient times or places (such as before 8:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m.) or threatening communications. With limited exceptions, a debt collector is also prohibited from communicating with third parties regarding your debts. Additionally, a debt collector must not misrepresent any aspect of the debt, such as the amount of the debt or that legal action has or will be commenced. If a debt collector violates these laws, legal action may be brought against them to recover monetary damages, which may include damages for emotional distress and statutory damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs.
If you feel that a debt collector has broken the law, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible, because in addition to a relatively short statute of limitations period, the sooner you are properly documenting your case the more likely you will be able to successfully pursue any legal action. If you feel you have been harassed by a debt collector and want to know your rights, please contact our office as soon as possible at (858) 481-9559 or click HERE.
Have you been sued for a credit card debt? Have you received a legal notice to appear in court or a notice that your wages will be garnished? If your answer is yes, you are not alone. Credit card lawsuits have soared in the past few years. Unfortunately, despite potential defenses, a large number of these lawsuits go uncontested, and the creditor receives a quick and easy default judgment. Once a default judgment is entered, remedies such as wage garnishments and bank levies become available to the creditor. Once this happens, bank accounts can be frozen without notice and the debtor’s employer can be notified of a wage garnishment.
If you get sued, it is very important to act quickly. The law only allows a short period of time for the debtor to file a proper response with the Court. You may have defenses to the lawsuit, which could allow you to avoid a default
judgment, wage garnishment and bank levies. If a default judgment has already been entered against you, you may still have legal options. But time is of the essence, so you must act quickly. Raymond Law Offices APC provides affordable representation to debtors who have been sued for credit card debt. Please click HERE to send us a web inquiry or call our office today at (858) 481-9559 to learn more and find out about your options.
Unwanted phone calls from telemarketers, debt collectors, or robocallers can be more than just a nuisance — they may be illegal. Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and other federal and state laws, you have the right to stop these intrusive calls and, in some cases, seek financial compensation.
If you’re receiving repeated calls without your consent, prerecorded robocalls, or calls despite being on the Do Not Call Registry, you may have legal options. At Raymond Law Offices APC, we help consumers hold violators accountable and regain their peace of mind. Please click HERE to send us a web inquiry or call our office today at (858) 481-9559 to learn more and take the first step toward relief.
