Ohio Chapter 7 Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyer

What is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

Often called the liquidation chapter, Chapter 7 allows debtors to retain assets like a home, a car, household goods, furnishings or jewelry, provided that the equity that the debtor has in those assets does not exceed state exemptions. In fact, less than 10% of the people who file Chapter 7 bankruptcy possess assets that would be at risk for seizure or sale by the Bankruptcy Trustee. Also, you may not be eligible to file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy if it is determined you are able to pay back your debt based on an excess of income over expense.

What to Expect As a New Client

For your first appointment you will need to bring pay stubs from the last six months and complete a questionnaire about your income, expenses, assets and debts. Our bankruptcy attorney, Adrienne Hines, will listen to your story. She will be up-front and honest about your options, making certain you fully understand the implications of filing or not.

We spend a lot of time up front ensuring the accuracy of your petition to substantially reduce the risk of an audit. We also spend time preparing you for the 341 hearing.

What is a 341 Hearing?

A 341 Hearing, which refers to the specific section within the Bankruptcy Code, is a short, informal meeting of creditors and bankruptcy trustees held 30 to 45 days after you file.

Attendance is mandatory. A member of your legal counsel will accompany you to the bankruptcy court in Toledo. A reduced fee is available if you are comfortable with your attorney's colleague representing you at the hearing.

Availability and Fees

After your free consultation, Chapter 7 legal fees must be paid up front. Fees cover meetings with the attorney and her assistant in order to review your financial situation, collect the required data, input the data, file the petition, attendance of a bankruptcy attorney at the meeting of the creditors and routine phone calls associated with the processing of a bankruptcy petition. You will be asked to sign a fee agreement, should you decide to retain the services of Attorney Hines. That fee agreement will more specifically identify what services are and are not covered within the agreed upon fee.

Our office is open during regular business hours, which are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Contact us today to take the first step down the path to financial freedom.

Calhoun, Kademenos & Childress, LPA

The Sandusky Ohio and Port Clinton Ohio offices of Calhoun, Kademenos & Childress Co., L.P.A. provide legal counsel to the cities of: Norwalk, Willard, Fostoria, Tiffin, Fremont, Bellevue, Clyde, Vermillion, Huron and Oak Harbor. We also serve the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division Counties including: Erie County, Huron County, Seneca County, Sandusky County and Ottawa County.