See, our new web page on Saving The Family Home.

Bankruptcy still remains a right provided to all Americans who have incurred debts that have become, for one reason or another, greater than their ability to pay.

There are two types of bankruptcies individuals can file. In Chapter 7 individuals receive forgiveness of their debts outright. In Chapter 13 individuals prepare a "Plan" whereby they arrange to make set payments to their creditors over time (customarily 3 to 5 years). No one type of bankruptcy is right for everyone. Generally people with little in the way of assets will prefer to file for Chapter 7 and people with larger asset holding, and higher levels of income, Chapter 13.

Most Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 personal bankruptcies still will involve no loss of property. Click here to learn about Bankruptcy Property Exemptions

 The first question anyone contemplating a bankruptcy needs to ask is "Is my family’s annual income below Massachusetts Median Income Standards?" The 2010 standards are:

If your income is below these levels (and it will be for approximately 86% or more of those families considering a bankruptcy filing) then you will be able to proceed with relatively little complexity.

If your income is above these levels (the remaining 14% of expected filers) you may still be able to file but must proceed with a greater level of pre-filing analysis.

If you are interested in proceeding, I will offer you a FREE initial forty-five minute office conference to discuss the utility of a bankruptcy filing, select the appropriate chapter of bankruptcy and evaluate how bankruptcy will affect your overall financial situation.

The type of bankruptcy that will be best for you can only be determined after an office conference. At that conference we will review your debts and finances and explain, in a general way, the type of relief  bankruptcy may offer. Not all bankruptcy situations are the same and the cost of service varies upon the complexity of the case.

THE INTIAL CONFERENCE IS ABSOLUTELY FREE AND WITHOUT OBLIGATION.

Simple Chapter 7 cases start at $1,600.00 which includes the cost of the filing fee that must be paid to the Court ($306.00),the fees for obtaining counseling courses required by the Court and a credit report.The fees for bankruptcy may not be paid by the use of a credit card.

Massachusetts Bankruptcy Court maintains answers to many frequently asked questions at their web site. To go there click here.

If you would like an initial conference please download, and complete, copies of all five of the following documents. You will need to have Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer.

• Debt Assistance Initial Consultation Agreement
• Important Information About Bankruptcy Assistance Services (information sheet)
• List of Debts (form)
• Monthly Household Living Expenses (form)
• How To Calculate Monthly Expenses (information sheet)
• Monthly Income (form)

Additional documents you may find useful after we meet:

• List of Documents Required to Proceed
• Obtaining Your Pre-Filing Certificate
• Obtaining Your Financial Management Certificate

 I apologize for the paperwork you must prepare. The new Bankruptcy law is highly technical and providing you with even general background information on bankruptcy can only be done with a detailed understanding of your financial situation.

When you have completed these materials, please call our office at 508-222-0700 or e-mail us to set up an initial conference.

For obtain information on how you may obtain a free copy of your credit report click HERE!

Our office is a "debt relief agency" as defined at 11 U.S.C. Sec. 101(12A)

We help people file for relief under the Bankruptcy Code.