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

Middletown Ohio Bankruptcy Attorney

Trusted Specialist for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Middletown, Ohio 

Are you considering filing for bankruptcy? You should consider the benefits of using a bankruptcy attorney in Middletown Ohio. If you are in debt and looking for ways to get out debt, you have found the best website in Middletown, Ohio.

You need look for a reputable lawyer who has expertise with helping individuals file for bankruptcy. Your attorney can help you determine if filing is right for your financial situation . Many people are overwhelmed by the process of filing for bankruptcy. We will will help you understand the steps involved and what to expect.

When you cannot pay your bills, using a bankruptcy attorney is one way to eliminate debt. Many people consider filing bankruptcy as an option when they have had a serious illness or accident that has left them in financial ruin.  But don’t think if it as a “last resort.”  If you need to file bankruptcy, the quicker the better.  The sooner you file, the faster you could rebuild your finances.

A bankruptcy attorney in Middletown, Ohio will review your financial situation and help you determine if filing for Chapter 7 or 13 is the best option to follow. If you can pass the means test,  you may qualify for a Chapter 7 which will eliminate most or all of your debt in accordance with the guidelines set by the government.  Or, you could consider  Chapter 13.

If you have missed payments on your car our house, you need  a plan to catch up.  You can’t do this in Chapter 7.  You may need to file for a Chapter 13 . Actually, as you will read below, Chapter 13 is sometimes better than Chapter 7!

Over 30,000 Families Served

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

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Middletown Ohio Bankruptcy Attorney

Why Should I Hire A Middletown Ohio Bankruptcy Attorney?

Think about it this way. If you need surgery, you will not try to treat yourself with drug store remedies. You would go to the hospital or a doctor who can help fix what is wrong. If you have problems with debt, do not try and fix them on your own or call one of these online debt management plans.  Do not waste your time trying something that does not work and might even get you in more difficulty than you are in now.

For most people, there are two types of bankruptcy: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. We’ll help you understand which one is best for your situation.  We’ll help you compare all the options for your situation and explain why one is better than the other. You might be surprised to learn that some people think Chapter 7 is better than Chapter 13! It’s not.  It’s just different, and in many cases, you’ll be “leaving money on the table” if you file Chapter 13 instead of Chapter 7.

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.  You should ask what percentage of cases the attorney files in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.  If the attorney doesn’t file many Chapter 13 cases, that might mean you need a second opinion.

Richard West Law Office

304 South Breiel Boulevard #100 Middletown, OH 45044
Phone: (513) 268-5288
Gold Standard in Bankruptcy

By Filing for Bankruptcy Relief in Middletown You Can

Wipe Out Debt, Keep Your Property & Rebuild Your Credit

Are you a Middletown, 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 Middletown, and 11,738 families and individuals filed for bankruptcy protection in the Cincinnati Bankruptcy Court where all Middletown Ohio families file their cases. 

The overwhelming majority of these were Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases.  

Chapter 7 is the most frequently filed kind of bankruptcy in Middletown Ohio.   To file a Chapter 7, you must complete a means test if your income is over median, but if your income, based on your family size, is under the median income for Middletown Ohio, you are presumed to qualify for  Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  

So, because over half of the families in Middletown probably qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, it definitely means that you need to look into this option, if you have serious financial problems.

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy, for probably 70% of the clients we see, is the perfect way to wipe out debts, keep your property, and rebuild credit. 

We have a proven program to quickly rebuild your credit after filing Chapter 7.  So, you should expect to get better credit than you probably thought possible, in record time! 

And you don’t need to be afraid that you’ll lose property or end up with poor credit when you file Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.  When we handle your case, you’ll be out of debt, and recovering your credit in very short order.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Personal Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Most people in Middletown Ohio, even attorneys, don’t know how to get the best results in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.  For consumers, it is no doubt the most powerful and flexible debt relief option available.   But, its more complicated than  Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and take a big commitment from the attorney to be successful.  Many attorneys are not able to provide the support to their clients needed by a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Having practiced bankruptcy law for over 35 years, I can confidently state that more people should file Chapter 13 bankruptcy than actually do.  Why?  It’s simple, but sad.  They don’t even look at this option! 

Just because you qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy doesn’t mean it’s the best option.

Just like figuring your taxes joint and individual if you are married, you should always consider the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy option and compare it to Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. 

This is truly depressing.  So many clients are told to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy and reaffirm on their cars because they did not do a full analysis of the Chapter 13 option.  Some of these folks could save thousands of dollars in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.  Even pay their cars off early!

Unlike Chapter 7, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy permits you to get current on missed car payments, and missed house payments. 

You don’t need to give up your home or car.  There is a way to stop foreclosure or repossession, and take up to 5 years to catch up your missed payments in Chapter 13. 

What about your credit?  We have you covered!  With our unique program, our clients are able to rebuild good credit as they get out of debt, and save their home and vehicles.

Debt Settlement & Debt Negotiation

There are many dangers associated with debt settlement and it is important for you to be aware of them before deciding to use a company that offers this service.

Some of the dangers include:

  • Low success rate – Debt settlement always includes a negotiation on the part of the debtor. And, negotiation doesn’t work in all circumstances. There is also no guarantee that you will be able to negotiate your debts down enough to avoid bankruptcy.
  • Interest and late fees may continue to accrue.  You could owe  MORE than you started with, if things don’t work out, and often, they don’t. 
  • Loss of time and money.  A debt settlement company can cause you to lose time and money, when things don’t turn out as planned.  Not all creditors will agree to work with you.  And, when one of them decides to sue you, you could end up being forced to file bankruptcy, and lose all the time and money  you spent. 
  • Debt collection calls can continue- Debt settlement companies cannot protect you from your creditors.  They are not attorneys, and cannot represent you in court. 

The Cost of A Middletown Bankruptcy Attorney

In life, you get what you pay for. When it comes to finding the right lawyer, it is important that you invest in your future. How many times have you tried to save money on something and then later found out that you had wasted your time and money.

Trying to save money by hiring a cut-rate, low-cost lawyer can be expensive in the long run.

Hard to believe, but some attorneys think advertising for “cheap” legal services will increase their business.

Would you go to the “cheap” surgeon? How about the “cheap” heart specialist?  Have you even seen such ridiculous advertisements for medical specialists? 

At Richard West Law Office, we make our professional services  available to you in a way that you can afford.

We have payment plans that fit your budget.

And, although we don’t advertise this, we sometimes will start your case for no money down.

Source of Debt in Middletown

Medical Debt

It’s estimated that 34% of families have medical bills. 28% of these people owe more than $10,000 in debt.

This is true even with health insurance policies available.

Student loan

The majority of people who attend school, and 42 percent of those from 18 to 29 years old, have student loan debt. This is a serious problem in Middletown Ohio.  And, student loan debt shows up on your credit report; lower your score if you default; the interest rate can eventually double what you owe. While bankruptcy may not get rid of student loan debt, it can eliminate other debts.

Credit cards

Too many people get into credit card debt these days because it seems like all you need to do is fill out a quick online form and your new card is in your mailbox.

Mortgage debt

Home ownership is the American Dream. Interest rates rates are at historic lows, and housing prices are skyrocketing, so many people are rushing to buy a home before they should. Too often — especially for first-time buyers — homeowners don’t recognize there’s more to owning a home than the mortgage payments, property taxes and insurance. When they borrow more than they can afford, or overreach financially, the situation is ripe for trouble.

Lawsuits

Nothing creates a sense of panic and fear like getting a lawsuit in the mail. If you are dealing with a lawsuit and feel like there is no way out, bankruptcy can stop your creditors from taking any further legal action. Failing to deal with the lawsuit can cost you part of your paycheck, or get your bank account wiped out.

Sources of Debt

What They Can Claim

What They Can Cause

Protect Yourself Against Creditors

Let us help. We can end the harassment and collections, the endless phone calls and lawsuits.  We can help you regain control over your finances.

We know that your financial problems are deeply personal.  I understand because I have been there.  Experience is a harsh teacher. 

Your debt problems are emotional and financial.

When you’re in debt, the quality of your life is destroyed.

Life is too short. Don’t waste time feeling paralyzed and powerless. Contact us for a free telephone consultation. 

Types of Debts Discharged in Bankruptcy

Most kinds of debts are discharged in bankruptcy.  Although some are not, but these are the kinds of debt you would expect to not be discharged, like most taxes, child support debt, and student loans.

Credit card debts – Credit card debts are one of the main reasons you should file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

When you think about it, you have probably paid your credit card companies much more than you ever purchased, and filing bankruptcy on credit cards can actually be the beginning of better credit.

Medical bills – One serious illness, or a single emergency room visit, can lead to a bankruptcy.

Even if you do have health insurance, unpaid deductibles can be more than you can pay.

It’s very common to file bankruptcy on medical debt. 

Personal loans – Personal loans cause bankruptcy more than you may expect.

Loan companies like One Main, Mariner, Tracir, are a few I see regularly. 

Internet loan companies, like BestEgg, Sofi, and Lending Tree are also causes for bankruptcy in Middletown Ohio.

You should know that all of these are discharged in bankruptcy.

Cash advance loans – Cash advances cause bankruptcy for many people.  The interest rates are so high that all you can do sometimes is make interest payments.   You never get out of debt. 

But these loans are wiped out in bankruptcy.  And you can discharge them even if you signed a paper that states you won’t file bankruptcy. 

Foreclosure and repossession deficiencies – After a home is foreclosed or a vehicle is repossessed, you get sued for the debt.

These debts are discharged in bankruptcy.  

You have the Federal Law power to wipe these debts out by filing bankruptcy. 

These creditors are serious.  Some will try to garnish your pay or wipe out your bank accounts. 

Rebuild Your Credit

Most people think that if they file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Middletown Ohio that they will have to suffer bad credit for a long time. But it’s not because they have to, it’s because of the unknown process. We are going to teach you what you need to know about recovering your credit after filing

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

When you have bad financial habits, it can be hard to change those habits when they become second nature. However, bankruptcy wipes the slate clean and allows you to start rebuilding your credit score from a more stable foundation.

The majority of my clients see their FICO score increase at least 650-700 points within a year, some way sooner.

When Choosing A Bankruptcy Attorney in Middletown

A potential bankruptcy client should always be careful when looking for a lawyer near them. Cheap bankruptcy lawyers can specialize in “bankruptcy mills” that trick unsuspecting clients into thinking they save money only to find out the case is more expensive than if you were represented by an experienced Middletown Bankruptcy Lawyer who knows what they are doing and charges appropriately for their services as opposed to bait-and-switch tactics which often come with steep prices.

The Middletown bankruptcy attorney that you pick to represent you in your case can be the difference between success and failure. When looking for a lawyer, try to find one who is experienced with bankruptcy law and not a $500 dollar bankruptcy attorney.

It’s clear that everyone needs a bankruptcy lawyer. The laws and regulations can be confusing, but not to worry–we’re here for you! We have the experience necessary to help with your case while ensuring it is done right and at an affordable price.

How a Middletown Ohio Bankruptcy Attorney Can Help.

We provide you with 35 years of Expertise.  Richard West is a recognized Authority.  You can trust your finances to us!

Being in debt in Middletown Ohio is not where you want to be. There are an increasing number of bankruptcy cases being filed in Middletown. Richard West has been filing cases there since 1986.

There is only one board certified consumer bankruptcy specialist in Middletown, recognized by the Ohio Supreme Court, Richard West, who is certified by the American Board of Certification.

Will you need to file bankruptcy? Perhaps not. Richard West knows that bankruptcy is NOT the right choice for everyone.  Because he is a certified debt specialist, he has helped many of his clients find non- bankruptcy programs to help fix their debt problems.

If you want to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Middletown Ohio, your best bet is to get the best attorney for the job. You want someone who is a recognized specialist.  Someone who is certified and experienced in ALL forms of debt relief. 

Of course, this is just common sense. We all know that if you have a serious problem, you get a specialist.

This is important. The choices you make now will have lasting impact on your finances for years to come. So, get this right, the first time.

Call Richard West Law Office at (513) 268-5288 or use our bankruptcy evaluation form to get a free consultation.

What Our Clients Say

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

Ready? Get on the Road to Bankruptcy Recovery

We are still open for remote filings in Middletown 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.