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

Toledo Ohio Bankruptcy Attorney

Trusted, 35 Years Experience Bankruptcy Attorney in Toledo, Ohio – Richard West Law Offices

At Richard West Law Office in Toledo, Ohio. We have helped over 30,000 clients just like you file for bankruptcy under US Bankruptcy Laws. We offer the most experienced attorneys in Northern Ohio for bankruptcy, debt negotiation and creditor relief legal services.

Over 30,000 Families Served

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

Your Case 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

If you are struggling with paying your debts, bankruptcy can be an important way to get a fresh start. The right type of bankruptcy for your situation depends on many factors including:

  1. How much debt do you owe?
  2. Are you married or single?
  3. What property do you own? Do you have equity in it?
  4. What type of income do you earn?

Richard West Law Office

Gold Standard in Bankruptcy

By Filing for Bankruptcy Relief in Toledo You Can

Wipe Out Debt, Keep Your Property & Rebuild Your Credit

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

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Personal Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney

What is Chapter 7 bankruptcy ?

Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy permits you to discharge most or all of your debts and start with a clean slate. It could be the best choice when you cannot repay your debt using a repayment plan or other alternatives, like debt consolidation. In many cases, filing for Chapter 7 will allow you to keep everything you own

The benefits of filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy

The most important benefit of filing for chapter 7 bankruptcy is that it can get rid of your debt. It’s also very fast — in many cases, you will be able to start again within a few months and often much sooner. Bankruptcy doesn’t discharge all debts but does get rid of most of them.

Most people keep their homes and cars in bankruptcy, and wipe out all their unsecured debts like credit cards, personal loans and medical bills.

With our unique 1 year follow-up credit rebuild program, you can easily rebuild your credit after wiping out your debt in bankruptcy. Most of our clients get credit scores of 650 – 700 within one year.

 

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Personal Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorney

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is when you pay some of your debts. It is a reorganization of your debt. When you file Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you will have a 3 – 5 year plan and pay a trustee, not your creditors directly.

However, you may pay less to your creditors in Chapter 13 than if you had filed a Chapter 7.

How can this be?

Due to your ability to cram down car loans, and reduce interest rates, you could save thousands of dollars in Chapter 13 over Chapter 7.

And, you can catch up missed payments on your house and car in a Chatper 13, whereas in a Chapter 7 you would need to be current on these debts to keep the car or house.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy can be a good option if you have valuable property that you have more equity in than can be protected in a Chapter 7. 

If you own a car and it is worth $10,000, you might lose it in Chapter 7 or have to give the trustee money to keep it. But if you do a Chapter 13, then all you will need to pay are small amounts of money so that the car stays yours.

Debt Settlement & Debt Negotiation

Debt settlement is an attempt to avoid bankruptcy by negotiating with creditors.

Some folks refuse to file bankruptcy even when they should.  They consider debt settlement as a way for them to save money without filing bankruptcy. But, there are many risks involved with debt settlement.

The main risk is that it won’t work.

If you can’t afford it. Don’t try. Just file bankruptcy.

You’ll end up with more debt, which will result in more interest charges and in most cases, your credit scores will take a big hit!

Another risk is that creditors may sue you.

Because debt settlement is 100% voluntary, the creditors may not work with you.  Compare this to bankruptcy, which forces the creditors to take nothing, or less than what you owe, debt settlement is purely optional for your creditors.

It’s a big risk.  Many people end up filing bankruptcy anyway. And, debt settlement is worse, for a longer period of time, for your credit.

The Cost of A Toledo Bankruptcy Attorney

You get what you pay for.

Often, this is true.  And it is certainly true when you are considering bankruptcy lawyers in Toledo.

Getting the right bankruptcy lawyer for your needs should be considered an investment in your financial future. Trying to save money by hiring a cheap attorney could cost you many times what you think you are saving.

Some attorneys think advertising for “cheap” legal services will net them more clients. The motivation here should be obvious.  And, they are just that.  Cheap Lawyers.

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 Toledo

The performance of the economy can have a major impact on consumer bankruptcy filings. When people are making more money, they tend to spend more and go deeper into debt. This increases the number of bankruptcies that need to be filed in order for people to get out from under all this debt.

In 2017, 26.5% of the city of Toledo lived below the poverty level. This meant that around 19,600 people lived without any real financial security, which possibly created an increased need to file for bankruptcy in order to start over debt-free.

The causes are many.  Too much credit card debt and medical bills top the list but in once sense, it’s not really the kind of debt you owe, or even how much.

The real issue is whether or not you can repay it in a reasonable amount of time.  If you can’t then looking at bankruptcy options makes sense. 

Sources of Debt

What They Can Claim

What They Can Cause

What Types of Debts Can and Cannot be Discharged in Bankruptcy

  • Credit Card Debt – You may discharge unsecured credit card debt in bankruptcy. 
  • Unsecured Debt   Unsecured debt includes credit cards, personal loans and department store accounts.
  • Medical Bills – You can discharge medical debt. 
  • Mortgage Debt – You can discharge mortgage debt form a foreclosed house. This is important to help you recover your credit. However, if you intend to keep your home when you file bankruptcy, you will need to continue to pay it.
  • Personal Loans – You will not be required to repay personal loans.  They are discharged as unsecured debts.
  • Evictions and Bankruptcy – You can receive a discharge on past due rent and damages.
  • Non-Dischargeable Debt – You cannot discharge taxes, debts for child support or spousal support payments in bankruptcy. 

Rebuild Your Credit

Most people think that if they file for bankruptcy in Toledo Ohio then they will not have any credit. But this is not true. Many people do not know how to get their credit back after filing for bankruptcy, but I have a program to show them how.

I am a certified credit counselor. I had to rebuild my own credit after I went insolvent, so I created a plan for you to rebuild your credit quickly after you get out of debt.

Wiping the slate clean is a beginning for most people to get a fresh start. You can fix your credit.

Most of my clients who follow this easy plan have FICO scores of 650-700 in a year, or even while still in Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This is normal. Some people get even higher scores!

How A Toledo Bankruptcy Attorney Can Help.

You can trust 35 years of experience, and Board Certified Status. 

Deep in debt in Toledo Ohio is not where you want to be.

If you live in Toledo, your case will be filed in the Toledo Bankruptcy Court. While there are several attorneys in Lima, you’ll find that there is only one board certified consumer bankruptcy specialist, recognized by the Ohio Supreme Court.

Richard West, who is certified by the American Board of Certification, is the one.

At West Law Office, we’ll be the first to tell you that filing a bankruptcy is NOT the best solution for everyone.

Because Richard West is a certified debt specialist, he will help you review all kinds of options, and he frequently recommends that clients pursue non-bankruptcy debt relief options.  Some folks just don’t need to file bankruptcy. 

Over his career, spanning over 35 years, he has recommended that many clients do not file bankruptcy.  Instead, he helped them to find non- bankruptcy debt relief programs.

And, all of this is just plain old common sense. 

For example, we all know that when you have a serious problem, you better get a certified specialist help you fix it.

If you’re reading this, you are probably at a point in your life where the choices you make concerning getting the help you need will dictate your financial future.

This is a critical point.

You need to get this right, the first time. 

Let us help.

Call for a free consultation today and you’ll sleep better tonight.

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

Ready? Get on the Road to Bankruptcy Recovery

We are still open for remote filings in Toledo 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.