Bankruptcy Lawyers Peabody MA
Call Now: Peabody (781) 205-4735 • East Longmeadow (413) 224-2286
Compassionate, results‑focused counsel for individuals and families in Peabody and across the North Shore.
Get Relief. Protect What Matters.
Debt should not dictate your future. At Coleman & MacDonald, we help clients in Peabody resolve overwhelming debt with clear advice, careful preparation, and steady communication. Whether your goal is a fresh start through Chapter 7 or to save a home through Chapter 13, we explain each option, set expectations, and guide you from the first call to discharge.
- Stop: collection calls, wage garnishments, bank levies, most lawsuits
- Protect: your home, car, wages, retirement, and essential assets
- Rebuild: credit with a practical plan after discharge or plan confirmation
Local focus: West Peabody, South Peabody, Downtown, and nearby Danvers, Salem, Lynnfield, and Saugus. Cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts (Eastern Division).
Donald J. MacDonald, Esq. Partner
(781) 654-5050
don@colemanmacdonald.com
$1,499 Bankruptcy $0 Down Affordable Bankruptcy Options
Contact Us Now For Your Free Consultation
Which Chapter Is Right for You?
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy — “Fresh Start”
Chapter 7 eliminates most unsecured debts such as credit cards, medical bills, signature loans, and many judgments. We evaluate your income under the means test, analyze exemptions to protect property, and anticipate trustee questions so your case moves smoothly.
- Best for: primarily unsecured debt, limited non‑exempt assets, lower or median income
- Timeline: typically 4–6 months from filing to discharge
- Outcome: a clean slate on most unsecured debts; the automatic stay stops collections immediately
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy — “Repayment Plan”
Chapter 13 is a court‑approved 3–5 year plan that can stop foreclosure, cure mortgage arrears, restructure car loans, and consolidate tax and support arrears. It’s a tool to protect assets when Chapter 7 is not ideal or when you need time to catch up.
- Best for: homeowners with arrears, higher income, non‑exempt equity, or priority debts
- Timeline: plan confirmation in months; discharge at the end of the plan term
- Outcome: keep your home and vehicles while paying what the law requires on affordable terms
Unsure which path fits? Start with a free consultation. We’ll give you a candid, specific assessment.
Our Process
- Assessment: we review income, expenses, assets, debts, recent transfers, lawsuits, and goals to spot issues early.
- Strategy: we compare Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and non‑bankruptcy options like settlement or defense.
- Preparation: document checklist, credit counseling, accurate petition, schedules, and means‑test analysis.
- Filing & Protection: the automatic stay stops most collections the moment we file.
- 341 Meeting: we prepare you with sample questions and attend with you.
- Resolution & Rebuild: discharge or plan confirmation, followed by a detailed credit‑rebuild roadmap.
Common Problems We Solve
- Mortgage arrears and imminent foreclosure (use Chapter 13 to cure and protect)
- Crushing credit card and medical debt
- Wage garnishments, bank levies, and aggressive lawsuits
- Repossession threats and deficiency balances
- Tax debt strategy and priority claims inside a plan
- Judgments, liens, and frozen accounts
Transparent Fees
We offer flat fees for most Chapter 7 filings and structured fees for Chapter 13 cases. You’ll receive a written engagement letter detailing scope, deliverables, timelines, and costs before we do any filing work.
Client Reviews
“They explained Chapter 7 vs. 13 in plain English and helped us save our home. Professional, responsive, and kind.” — M.M., West Peabody
“From the first call to the 341 meeting, I felt prepared. Calls were returned the same day and the plan payment is manageable.” — K.R., Danvers
“Creditor calls stopped immediately. I wish we called sooner.” — J.R., Peabody
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually not. Massachusetts exemptions protect a portion of home equity, and Chapter 13 lets you cure mortgage arrears over 3–5 years. We calculate equity, mortgages, and arrears before filing to decide whether Chapter 7 or 13 better protects your property. If you’re current and equity is exempt, Chapter 7 may be fine; if you’re behind, Chapter 13 is often the safer tool.
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.
These answers are general information and not legal advice. Your facts matter. Contact us to review your situation.