Bankruptcy Lawyers Peabody MA

Most Chapter 7 cases close in about 4–6 months. After filing, the automatic stay starts immediately, stopping most collections. You’ll attend a brief 341 meeting with a trustee about 30–45 days later. If there are no issues and creditors don’t object, you receive a discharge near the end of the timeline. We prepare you for each step so there are no surprises.

Yes, if filed before the sale. Chapter 13 pauses the foreclosure and allows you to catch up on arrears through plan payments while you resume your regular mortgage. We coordinate filing timing to make sure protections attach in time.

Dischargeable debts typically include credit cards, medical bills, unsecured personal loans, and many judgments. Debts that often survive include recent taxes, domestic support obligations, most student loans, and debts related to fraud or willful injury. We review recent transactions to avoid objections.

In many Chapter 7 cases, yes, if your equity is exempt and payments are current. In Chapter 13, we can catch up arrears, sometimes reduce interest, and spread payments over time. If negative equity is a problem, we’ll discuss surrender or alternatives so transportation isn’t jeopardized.

Your score will dip at first, but many clients see improvement within months as balances report to zero and on‑time habits resume. We provide a rebuild plan with secured credit, low utilization targets, and payment reminders. Many reach fair or better scores within 12–24 months.

We quote flat fees for most Chapter 7 cases based on complexity. Chapter 13 fees follow court guidelines and can be paid over time through the plan. Court filing fees are set by law and separate from attorney fees. You receive a written fee agreement so everything is clear.

The means test compares your household income to Massachusetts medians and adjusts for necessary expenses. If you are below median, you typically pass; if above, we analyze deductions and special circumstances. If Chapter 7 is risky, Chapter 13 may still meet your goals without risking assets.

It’s a short, recorded interview with a trustee where you verify your identity and confirm that your schedules are accurate. We attend with you, provide sample questions ahead of time, and bring the required documents. Most meetings last 5–10 minutes.

You’ll get a discharge order in Chapter 7 or at the end of a Chapter 13 plan. We then work through the credit rebuild checklist: check reports for errors, add a secured card, maintain low utilization, and set automatic payments. We set target timelines so progress is visible.