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Time for a fresh financial start!

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We are bankruptcy attorneys located in Eastgate and Middletown, Ohio. Since 1992, we have served the people of the Greater Cincinnati area.

Can you never get ahead and are always struggling?   Do you start to get ahead and an emergency comes along and you have to use credit cards again?  Or maybe you don’t have enough income to cover your monthly expenses and debts? If you didn’t have all of those debts, would have the funds to make it through each month?

Do you think it is time for a fresh start? Bankruptcy can provide this for you.  There is no reason to keep struggling.

If you are struggling, consider a bankruptcy filing.  Many mistakenly believe they will lose everything they own.  This is simply not true.  Hundreds of thousands of people file for bankrupt in the United States each year – it is just not something that people go around talking about.  Most of your assets will be protected under bankruptcy exemptions.

What exactly is bankruptcy?  Bankruptcy is a federal law which will allow you to discharge your debts, wipe them clean, and get a fresh financial start!.  There are two main chapters for consumers, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.

CHAPTER 7

Chapter 7 is the most common chapter.  Under this chapter you discharge all of your unsecured debts and get a fresh financial start.  You will not have to pay any of your debts.  Once you receive your discharge the creditors cannot harass you in anyway, including sending you bills, calling you, taking you to court or garnishing your wages.

CHAPTER 13

Chapter 13 can save your home from foreclosure or prevent repossession of your vehicle.  Under this chapter you make a monthly payment to the Chapter 13 Trustee and they disburse this money monthly to your creditors.  You pay back a portion of your unsecured debts at anywhere from 1% to 100%.  After you complete your case you receive a discharge of debts and a report of all debts which were discharged through the case.

MORE INFORMATION

Call 513-752-3900 to schedule your free consultation with an experienced bankruptcy lawyer. We have 2 convenient offices – Eastgate, Clermont County & Middletown, Ohio. Since 1992,  Keegan & Company Attorneys has helped thousands of people protect assets and enjoy relief from overwhelming debt.

Credit After Bankruptcy

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BUILDING CREDIT AFTER FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY

It will not be difficult to re-build your credit after a bankruptcy filing.  Any debt that you keep through a bankruptcy (such as a home or vehicle) will automatically report on your credit report and start to re-build your credit score.  The important thing is to pay all debts on time after bankruptcy.  You may even qualify to buy a home two years after bankruptcy with a clean credit report after filing.  After you file, you may be surprised at the amount of credit card offers you will receive after bankruptcy.  Some creditors know that you can’t file again for some time and are therefore willing to extend credit. Be careful with this!

We will walk you through the process and make it as easy as possible.  Our attorneys have a combined experience of over 55 years and the goal of our office is to make filing for bankruptcy protection as simple and stress free as possible. After bankruptcy, our clients are usually excited to create a new budget that includes saving for the future!

HOW TO GET STARTED

Call 513-752-3900 to set up your free consultation to sit down and discuss your unique situation with an experienced attorney.  Our attorneys will advise whether bankruptcy is your best option. Fees are quoted based on your individual case.

Will I Lose My Home in Bankruptcy?

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Home ownership is part of the American Dream.  So, what happens when you achieve this dream and run into financial difficulty? In most cases you can keep your home even if you decide to file for personal bankruptcy.

CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY AND YOUR HOME

Chapter 7 bankruptcy also referred to as straight bankruptcy or liquidation bankruptcy is a process to discharge your unsecured debts. Thankfully, in Ohio there is a large homestead exemption.  As long as your equity in your home does not exceed this exemption the bankruptcy court cannot sell your home. As of 2023, this exemption is approximately $145,000 per individual and $290,000 per couple. To keep your home in Chapter 7 you should be current on your house payments. As long as you are current and do not have equity beyond the exemption amount you will be able to keep your home.   If you wish to keep your home you will typically sign a reaffirmation agreement. This document makes your mortgage non-discharged and your mortgage holder will continue to report your payments to the credit reporting agencies.

CHAPTER 13 BANKRUPTCY AND YOUR HOME

If you have too much equity in your home or are behind on your mortgage payments you can save your home through a Chapter 13.  A Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a repayment plan.  If your home is in foreclosure you can file Chapter 13 up to the moment the sheriff auctions your home. You will then make your regular house payment and your arrears payment through the Chapter 13 Trustee. Once you complete your case you will be current on your home and will then make your payment directly to your lender.

MORE INFORMATION

Call 513-752-3900 to schedule a free consultation. We will give you plenty of time to discuss your individual circumstance with an experienced bankruptcy lawyer.   We offer fair fees, payment plans, easy parking and two convenient locations: Eastgate, Clermont County & Middletown, Ohio. Since 1992, Keegan & Company Attorneys has helped thousands of your neighbors protect assets and gain financial peace of mind.

 

Bankruptcy Terms Explained

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If you are facing financial difficulty and considering bankruptcy protection you want to educate yourself on the process and terms before moving forward. Here at Keegan & Company our attorneys will take the time to explain the process in plain English.

Following is an explanation of the most common terms.

BANKRUPTCY –  A legal procedure for businesses and individuals to eliminate debt.

BANKRUPTCY PETITION – The document filed with the bankruptcy court to open a bankruptcy case.

CHAPTER 7 – The chapter of the bankruptcy code in which you eliminate unsecured debts.

CHAPTER 13 – The chapter of the bankruptcy code in which you will pay back a portion of your debts over a three to five year period.

BANKRUPTCY TRUSTEE –  The representative of the bankruptcy estate who exercises statutory powers, principally for the benefit of the unsecured creditors, under the general supervision of the court and the direct supervision of the U.S. trustee. The trustee’s responsibilities include reviewing the debtor’s petition and schedules and bringing actions against creditors or the debtor to recover property of the bankruptcy estate. In chapter 7, the trustee may liquidate property of the estate, and makes distributions to creditors, although this is relatively rare.

AUTOMATIC STAY – An injunction that automatically stops lawsuits, foreclosures, garnishments and all collection proceedings against you the moment the bankruptcy petition is filed.

341 MEETING OF CREDITORS – The meeting required by section 341 of the Bankruptcy Code at which the debtor is questioned under oath by a trustee about his/her financial affairs. Also called creditors’ meeting. Currently, this meeting is held over the phone at our office.

EQUITY – The value of a debtor’s interest in property that remains after liens and other creditors’ interests are considered.

The offices of Keegan & Company Attorneys provide free consultation, fair fees and monthly payment plans.  We allow plenty of time for you to sit down with an experienced attorney to discuss your individual situation. Our attorneys will guide you toward the best path to solve your unique problems. Fees are based on your individual situation and will be quoted at the consultation. During and after your case, we are available to gladly answer any of your questions. Call 513-752-3900, to schedule your free, no obligation consultation.