Clark & Washington Tampa Bankruptcy Attorneys Shed Light on Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

    NORCROSS, GA, October 02, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Chapter 7 bankruptcy offers a clean slate to those overwhelmed by unsecured debt. Because the filing can seem intimidating to a layperson, the Tampa bankruptcy attorneys at Clark & Washington present this brief explanation of chapter 7 bankruptcy to help Tampa residents gain a better understanding of this option.

Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows debtors to eliminate their unsecured debt for a fresh start. Unsecured debt can include credit card debt, utility bills, medical bills, or personal loans. A good candidate for Chapter 7 is someone with an overwhelming amount of debt, not enough income to repay it, and without many assets to protect beyond a home, car, and personal items.

Before filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the candidate must first obtain credit counseling, complete a debtor education course, and take the means test, which determines eligibility based on income, debts, assets, and state exemptions. Tampa bankruptcy firm Clark & Washington helps debtors complete these prerequisites every day as they assist Tampa residents on their journey to a fresh financial start.

Certain time restrictions also apply to the filing process. For example, eight years must have passed from the date of filing any previous Chapter 7 and receiving a discharge before one can file again. There also must not be any failed attempts at filing for personal bankruptcy or any attempts to unlawfully hide information from creditors within the past year. The candidate must also have had no bankruptcy cases dismissed within the 180 days before filing due to failure to obey court orders or due to the candidate's own request. Furthermore, the candidate must not incur over $500 of new debt for "luxury goods or services" within the 90-day period before filing and must also be residing within the state they intend to file with. If you have any questions about these time limitations and how they may affect your case, one of the Tampa bankruptcy lawyers from Clark & Washington can answer your questions and help you begin the filing process.

As soon as the Chapter 7 petition has been filed, the case is officially begun. Typically, the bankruptcy court will now enter an automatic stay, blocking creditors from taking any further collection action against the debtor until the next phase of the case. All creditors listed in the petition will be notified, and a federal employee will be assigned to monitor the case as a bankruptcy trustee Once the petition is reviewed by the trustee, a meeting with the creditors will be scheduled.

Although filing for bankruptcy can be a formidable undertaking if you attempt it alone, the Tampa bankruptcy attorneys at Clark & Washington have the expertise needed to give your case its best chance for success. Your Clark & Washington bankruptcy lawyer will attend your hearings and take care of all the paperwork, helping you get the weight of debt off your shoulders faster. If you are looking for answers to your financial troubles, contact Clark & Washington to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a Tampa bankruptcy attorney. Learn more at http://www.cw13fl.com.

About Clark & Washington

Established in 1983, Clark & Washington is now one of the leading bankruptcy filers in the southeast. They have locations in Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. Clark & Washington specializes in personal chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy. They offer honest, helpful legal advice to those experiencing financial hardships.

For more information visit: http://www.cw13fl.com.

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