One of Ohio's Top-Rated Bankruptcy Attorneys,
Over 30,000 clients helped since 1986.

Columbus Bankruptcy Attorney

Board Certified Specialist Bankruptcy Attorney  Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Columbus, Ohio 

When you need a Columbus Ohio bankruptcy attorney, you want a certified specialist.  Why would you settle for less? Financial problems demand the kind of expertise thousands have received from Richard West Law Office. Richard West is not only a board certified consumer bankruptcy specialist. He’s also a certified debt arbitrator and consumer credit counselor. 

You may not need to file bankruptcy to solve your difficult debt problems. And if you don’t, Richard West will explain how non-bankruptcy options might work better for you. But if you’re in serious financial straights, you need to know how Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy can help you. 

Every year, thousands of families in Columbus Ohio need a bankruptcy lawyer to get them through rough spots in life.  And every year, hundreds of families count on Richard West to help them wipe out debt, keep their property and rebuild credit with his unique credit rebuilding program. 

Over 30,000 Families Served

Since1986, We have been the authority for debt relief and credit recovery.

Your filing will be approved!

You can depend on us. We're one of the oldest Debt Relief firms in the State of Ohio.

Over 30 Years Fighting Credit Card Predators

Columbus Ohio Bankruptcy Attorney

Why Should You Hire a Columbus Bankruptcy Attorney?

Many in Columbus Ohio need a bankruptcy attorney to help them get control over their finances. There are many options, and bankruptcy should not be your “last resort” as is often said. 

Think of it this way. If you need surgery, why would you waste time trying to treat yourself with drug store remedies? If you need bankruptcy, don’t waste your time with ineffective debt management programs, that only make money for them, and could end up getting you sued! 

Call the Columbus Ohio bankruptcy attorney who can help you compare all your options, and explain why, in most cases, one option is clearly the best for your unique situation.   

And, you might be surprised to learn how Chapter 13 bankruptcy offers more advantages than Chapter 7 Bankruptcy!  

So, don’t settle for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy attorney who can’t explain your options in in Chapter 13 as well.  You could be missing out on thousands of dollars saved if you do.

Richard West Law Office

2570 Oakstone Dr #6 Columbus, OH 43231

Phone: (614) 300-7111

Gold Standard in Bankruptcy

By Filing for Bankruptcy Relief in Columbus You Can

Wipe Out Debt, Keep Your Property & Rebuild Your Credit

Are you a Columbus, Ohio resident who is burdened with debt? Start here for an explanation on Bankruptcy options.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Personal Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney

Last year, 2020, was a tough year for many in Columbus Ohio, and 5,668 families and individuals filed for bankruptcy protection.  

Most of these cases were Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases.  

Chapter 7 is the most commonly filed form of bankruptcy in Columbus Ohio.   If your income, based on your family size, is under the median income for Ohio, you are presumed to qualify for  Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  

Since over half of us probably qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, it only makes sense to consider this option, if you are suffering from the kind of financial problems that require serious solutions. 

Chapter 7 bankruptcy, for most people, is the perfect way to wipe out debts, keep your property, and rebuild credit.  Our proven program for credit rebuild often results in our clients getting better credit than they imagined possible, in record time! 

So, don’t worry that you’ll lose property or suffer from poor credit or no credit if you file Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.  When we handle your case, you’ll be back on track, with good credit, faster than you expect. 

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Personal Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy  is probably the most powerful and flexible debt relief option that exists.  More people should file Chapter 13 bankruptcy than do, because many who qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy don’t consider the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy options.

This is a sad fact.   I see many families who come to me after being advised to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy and reaffirm on their cars who could have saved thousands of dollars if they file Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.

And, Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows you to catch up on missed car payments, and missed house payments. 

For many of us, the pandemic and the sluggish economy has caused us to fall behind on payments.  

There’s no need to lose your home or car, when you have an option to stop foreclosure or repossession, and can get up to 5 years to catch up the missed payments in Chapter 13. 

And, with  our unique credit rebuilding program, you can actually rebuild your credit at the same time you are getting out of debt.

Debt Settlement & Debt Negotiation

Debt settlement is a perilous decision to make and it should not be taken lightly. It can have life-long repercussions on your credit, as well as other unforeseen outcomes that could affect you financially in the future.

Debt negotiation has many risks attached to it; one of which includes damage done to borrowing power for years after settling loans with creditors. This may lead some people into situations where they find themselves unable or unwilling (due their circumstances) to borrow money from financial institutions such as banks, govt., etc.; this restriction will apply both now and later during retirement – when savings can be critical to your survival. 

Compared to filing bankruptcy, where you pay little or nothing to your creditors and wipe the slate clean, debt settlement will have more negatives than positives for most people.

The Cost of A Columbus Bankruptcy Attorney

Like many things in life, you get what you pay for. Finding the right bankruptcy lawyer for your needs should be considered an investment in your financial future. How many times in your life have you tried to save money, only to later discover that you end up paying more than you would have if you had only spent the right amount in the first place?

Trying to save money by hiring a cut-rate, corner-cutting attorney could cost you many times what you think you are saving. It’s difficult to believe, but some attorneys think advertising for “cheap” legal services will net them more clients. The motivation here should be obvious.

Would you go to the “cheap” heart surgeon? How about the “cheap” oncologist to treat your cancer? You don’t have to do this.

At Richard West Law Office, we make our top-notch, board-certified expertise available to you in a way that you can afford it. Payment plans are customized to your budget. We start working for you, and protecting you, accepting all of your creditor calls right away. And, although we don’t advertise for it, in some cases, we will even accept your case for no money down.

Source of Debt in Columbus

Medical

According to a recent CNBC article, almost one third of families today have some kind of medical bills, and 28% of these have balances over $10,000! If you have medical debt that is making it difficult or impossible to meet your living expenses you are not alone. Even having insurance is no guarantee that you won’t be wiped out by even one serious medical issue.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/13/one-third-of-american-workers-have-medical-debt-and-most-default.html

  • Student loans – The majority of those who attend any kind of college, and 42% fo those from 18 to 29 years old, have student loan debt. This is a HUGE problem in Columbus Ohio. And, student loan debt shows up on your credit report, lowering your score if you default, and in some cases the interest rate eventually doubles what you owe. While bankruptcy is not a solution for most people, getting rid of other debts often makes it possible to get a handle on your student loans.
  • Credit cards – They seem like a necessary evil sometimes. The fact is that credit cards are a part of our lives and always will be. But, it’s very easy to get in trouble with them. Taking cash advances on credit cards, doing balance transfers – taking advantage of “teaser rates” can get you into trouble before you know it. And credit has never been easier to get! It seems like all you need to do is fill out a quick online form and your new card is in your mailbox. Getting too many cards makes it too easy to get in over your head.
  • Mortgage debt – Home ownership is the American Dream. Interest rates are at historic lows. Housing cost is skyrocketing, and many are rushing to get a home before they should. Too often, home buyers, especially first time buyers, fail to recognize that there are many costs in addition to the mortgage, interest, taxes and insurance that go along with owning a home. When they borrow up to their maximum, and leave nothing in the budget for these other expenses, the new home dream can become a real nightmare. Sometimes it’s better to let it go, reset, and regroup.
  • Lawsuits – Nothing creates a sense of panic and fear like getting a lawsuit in the mail. Yet, rather than working with customers, more and more creditors are simply turning delinquent accounts over to law firms to sue you. Once a debt is turned over to a law office for collection, the end result is almost guaranteed to be a judgment against the consumer. Once that happens the creditor can use “all legal methods” to collect the debt, like garnishment, liens and repossession and foreclosure. Filing personal bankruptcy can stop these collection lawsuits, and protect your income and personal property.

Sources of Debt

What They Can Claim

What They Can Cause

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM CREDITORS

You have rights. You are not helpless. We can help you stop the harassment and collections, the endless phone calls and lawsuits, and get your finances under control.

Your financial future and peace of mind are at stake. Being deep in debt is deeply personal. I’ve been there, and understand from my own journey though financial disaster how you may feel. Debt problems are emotional as well as economic.

Being in debt ruins your quality of life. Life is too short to waste any time feeling paralyzed and powerless. Call us for a free consultation, and you’ll sleep better tonight.

Types of Debts Discharged in Bankruptcy

Common debts discharged in bankruptcy

Most types of debt are discharged in a bankruptcy case. Some are not, like most taxes, child support debt, and student loans, but most of our debts are eligible for discharge. Here are the most common debts consumers wipe out, clearing the way for a fresh start.

  • Credit card debt – Credit card debt is one of the top reasons we file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
    Truth is that you have probably paid the credit card companies much more than you have charged, due to high interest rated, late fees and over-limit fees. Filing bankruptcy evens the score, and don’t worry, you WILL be able to get new credit cards. Filing bankruptcy on credit cards can be the beginning of better credit.
  • Medical bills – Another leading reason for bankruptcy is unpaid medical bills. Even though you may have health insurance, high deductibles make any medical situation a potential financial disaster. Filing bankruptcy on medical debt is common, even necessary in many situations. And, don’t worry, you will always be able to go to the emergency room if you need to.
  • Personal loans – Personal loans are a huge problem in American. Finance companies like One Main, Mariner, Tracir, and, of course, all the new online loan companies, like BestEgg, Sofi, and Lending Tree make getting into impossible debt situations easier than ever. Fortunately, these personal loans can be discharged in bankruptcy.
  • Cash advance loans – Cash advance loans are another common debt we wipe out in bankruptcy. The interest rates are unbelievable. Don’t worry. These are dischargeable in bankruptcy. This is true even though you may sign an application that says you won’t file bankruptcy. In 35 years of practice I have never failed to discharge a cash advance loan.
  • Foreclosure and repossession deficiencies – If your home is foreclosed or your vehicle is repossessed, you will probably be sued for the “deficiency.” All of these debts are discharged in bankruptcy. And, even if the creditor doesn’t sue you, they will normally “park” the debt on your credit report, harming you more, in some cases, over time, than if they had sued. You have the right to wipe these debts out by filing bankruptcy. Some of these creditors are very aggressive, and will seek to garnish your pay or wipe out your bank accounts. Filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 can protect you from these aggressive collection tactics.

Rebuild Your Credit

Most people think that if they file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Columbus Ohio that they will have to suffer no credit, or bad credit, for a long time. And, sadly, many do. But it’s not because they have to. It’s because they don’t know how to recover their credit after filing bankruptcy.

Because I am a certified credit counselor, and had to rebuild my own credit after I went insolvent, I have created a very effective, yet easy to follow plan to rebuild credit quickly after discharging debt in bankruptcy.

Turns out that wiping the slate clean is a perfect beginning for most people to be able to clear away all the wreckage of the past and begin to correctly rebuild their credit. It’s not magic, and it’s not hard. You just need a proven program that leads you, step by step, through the process.

Most of my clients, virtually all of them who follow this simple, yet powerful program, achieve FICO scores of 650 – 700 within a year of their Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge, or even while they are still in their Chapter 13 bankruptcy case. These results are typical. Some even get higher scores!

When Choosing A Bankruptcy Attorney in Columbus

When looking for a bankruptcy attorney near me, be sure to take note of the terms. Be careful when choosing a cheap bankruptcy lawyer in Columbus or one who advertises their services at $500 as they may have been trained in “bankruptcy mills” that are known for tricking unsuspecting potential clients into thinking it is going to save them money. In reality, these attorneys can cost you more than if you were represented by someone experienced with Columbus Bankruptcy Law and only find out about this after your case has begun; not just before filing!

At our bankruptcy law firm, we know that every case is different and will be handled with the utmost care. This can only happen if you have a knowledgeable team on your side–that’s why we offer affordable services to all of those who retain us for their cases.

How a Columbus Bankruptcy Attorney Can Help.

We offer our clients extraordinary expertise, compassion, and proven success for over 30 years. 

Being in debt in Columbus Ohio is not a good place to be. While Columbus is the Capitol of Ohio, it’s also the capital of bankruptcy filings, with more bankruptcy cases filed in the Columbus Bankruptcy Court than any of the other Bankruptcy Courts in Ohio.

While there are many attorneys in Columbus, there are only two board certified consumer bankruptcy specialists, recognized by the Ohio Supreme Court, and one of them is Richard West, who is certified by the American Board of Certification.

There are many factors to consider when evaluating your best option for debt relief. Richard West knows that bankruptcy is NOT the best option for everyone. That’s why he is also a certified debt specialist, and has helped many of his clients work out their debts in non- bankruptcy programs.

Whether you need to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Columbus Ohio, your best bet is to get the best counsel you can. One who specializes in your kind of problem and is certified and experienced in ALL forms of debt relief.

It’s just common sense. When you have a serious problem, you get a specialist to help. The decision you make to get the help you need now will have lasting and profound effects on your financial situation for years to come. You need to get this right, the first time, and the best way to do that, is to get the best bankruptcy attorney in Columbus Ohio for your needs. Call (614) 300-7111 or fill out our bankruptcy evaluation form for a free consultation.

We Service the Following Cities and Communities Outside and Inside of Columbus, Ohio.

Ready? Get on the Road to Bankruptcy Recovery

We are still open for remote filings in Columbus and remote consultations during the pandemic. All consultations are free and there is no catch. We only work with clients who want to work with us. Nothing high-pressure. We look forward to assisting you.