California Bankruptcy Resources

Not sure where to start? Use this form to contact an experienced Bankruptcy Lawyer. They will provide a free consultation and assist you with choosing the right path for Bankruptcy.

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Akhkashian, LLP

Southern California's Premier Law Firm

3055 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 1200 - Los Angeles, CA 90010

213-384-2220

Arnold & Blea, LLP Attorneys at Law

Committed to our Clients...Committed to Results!

30 River Park Place West, Suite 420 - Fresno, CA 93720

559-439-0900

California Bankruptcy Law Group

Helping people restart their lives & restore their goals

1440 North Harbor Blvd., Suite 515 - Fullerton, CA 92835

714-699-4384

Causey Consumer Law Group

818 N. Mountain Avenue, Suite 116 - Upland, CA 91786

(909) 694-1221

CleanStart Law Firm

Turn Over A New Leaf

2365 Iron Point Rd. Suite 190 - Folsom, CA 95630

(916) 983-2941

Financial Law Associates, APC

Free Consultation Call 619-463-1800

7373 University Avenue Suite 113 - La Mesa, CA 91941

619-463-1800

KM LAW GROUP, LLP

16000 Ventura Blvd 5th Floor - Encino, CA 91436

818.379.1110

Larkin Law Firm

Under Financial Pressure? We have your solution. Call for your FREE consultation!

2768 Loker Avenue West, Suite 101 - Carlsbad, CA 92010

(760) 692-2269

Law Office of Eddy Hsu

Please contact us today for a free consultation.

201 Spear Street, Suite 1100 - San Francisco, CA 94401

415-730-2188

Articles Written

Law Office of Malcolm Ruthven

Guiding People in Financial Distress through the Complex Arena of Bankruptcy Law

4040 Civic Center Drive – Suite 200 - San Rafael, CA 94903

415.342.4666

Articles Written

Law Office of Melissa Sargeant

Personal and Small Business Bankruptcy - Know your options

495 Seaport Court Suite 105 - Redwood City, CA 94063

650-596-8144

Law Offices of John A. Comerford

Experienced, affordable, dedicated

3900 Newpark Mall, Suite 326 - Newark, CA 94560

877-481-2627

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Law Offices of Eric T. Johnson

870 Market Street Suite 543 - San Francisco, CA 94102

415-402-0355

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Law Offices of Patricia S. Depew

Free consultations and reasonable fees.

1801 Century Park East Suite 2400 - Los Angeles, CA 90067

Articles Written

Law Offices of Robert Higgins

112 Goliad Street - Benbrook, TX 76126

386-677-9450

Law Offices of Timothy C. Springer

Legal Help with Personal Bankruptcy in Central California

4905 North West Suite 104 - Fresno, CA 93705

559-225-3622

Law Offices of Zhou and Chini

We are consumer advocates and protecting your rights is what we do!

32122 Camino Capistrano #210 - San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

949-373-4140

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Ramey Stairs, A Professional Law Corporation

Affordable Rates & Flexible Payments - Free Consultation

8880 Rio San Diego Drive, 8th Floor - San Diego, CA 92108

619-542-1530 / 619-723-0368c

Sobti Law Group and US Law Center

A Full Service Law Firm Offering A Broad Range of Legal Solutions. We Fight For You!!!

514 California Avenue Suite 7 - Beaumont, CA 92223

951-845-8889

The Law Office of Lawrence Gruner, Inc.

Offices Throughout Northern California. Local Bankruptcy Cases. Immigration Cases worldwide.

980 9th Street 16th Floor - Sacramento, CA 95814

888-801-6558

The Law Office of Scott Shumaker

716 10th Street Suite 102 - Sacramento, CA 95184

916-441-2199

The Shakoori Law Group

Concentrating in Bankruptcy Law in Orange County, California

3 Hutton Centre Drive, Suite 620 - Santa Ana, CA 92707

714-542-2188

IRS Tax Attorneys Protect Law Group

Financial Distress Legal Services and Counseling

7668 El Camino Real Suite 104 #190 - La Costa, CA 92009

888-756-9969

JC Law Group

San Francisco Bankruptcy Lawyer

580 California Street Suite 1200 - San Francisco, CA 94104

415.963.4004

Southern California Law Advocates

Is Bankruptcy the Right Choice for You?

11801 Pierce St. Ste. 200 - Riverside, CA, CA 92505

(714) 234-0270 / (866) 337-7220

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Sutterfield Law Firm

Bankruptcy Lawyer - Roseville, Sacramento, Surrounding areas

3017 Douglas Boulevard, Suite 300 - Roseville, CA 95661

916.760.2400

Articles Written

The Chernev Firm

Helping People Get Back on Track

505 Sansome Street - San Francisco, CA 94111

415-956-4020

Articles Written

The Law Office of Anne B. Howard, APLC

Child Custody and Bankruptcy Attorney

5650 El Camino Real, Suite 225 - Carlsbad, CA 92008

760-931-5437

Spotlight on Bankruptcy in California

The Situation in the Golden State

When Governor Schwarzenegger recently warned the California state Assembly that “Our wallet is empty. Our bank is closed. Our credit is dried up.”, many Californians could relate to that scenario. Bankruptcies filed in 2008 hit record levels with over 133,000 in California alone, and over 95% of those filed by consumers. It is estimated that 1.4 million consumer bankruptcies will be filed in the U.S. in 2009, the surge triggered by the foreclosure crisis and economic downturn.

California Bankruptcy Legal Advice

The Federal Bankruptcy Law involves processes, procedures and evaluations which can be complex and confusing, including major revisions made in 2005. Seek the advice of a California law firm with specific long-term experience in California bankruptcy matters. Check references, if possible. A competent California attorney will help you weigh your different options, make informed decisions, help you protect the security of your family and reduce your stress, while facing the realities of the situation.

Chapter 7 - The Most Common Consumer Bankruptcy Choice in California

Chapter 7 is the “fresh start” chapter of the Bankruptcy Code and most commonly used. This filing results in a fair distribution of your available nonexempt property to creditors. Unsecured debts are generally discharged. Included in this process is a “means test”, used to determine your ability to pay your creditors, verifying whether Chapter 7 is appropriate or indicating that you should be filing Chapter 13. Median Family Income by Family Size and current poverty guidelines are factors evaluated when determining appropriate filing status for a given situation.

Debts Which Generally Cannot be Discharged in Your California Bankruptcy:

  • Taxes owed to government agencies, such as the I.R.S., State of California, County, etc.
  • Student loans (unless undue hardship can be proved),
  • Debts incurred after the bankruptcy is filed
  • Debts owed to a spouse for divorce-related obligatory expenses
  • Debts not listed or scheduled or which the debtor waived discharge
  • Debts for willful and malicious injury by the debtor to another person or property owned by another

Alternatives to California Bankruptcy

Contact your creditors to try to work out payment arrangements that you can manage. Contact the non-profit Consumer Credit Counseling service to get help with a manageable repayment plan. Sell as many assets as you can and pay down your debt to a manageable level. Debt consolidation may be considered, but approach this option with caution to make sure it actually helps your situation.

Final Thoughts on California Bankruptcy

Californians continue to suffer, as the State’s economy struggles to recover. If you are considering filing for bankruptcy in California, decisions you make and actions you take now can have a positive or negative effect on the outcome of your bankruptcy proceedings. Although some filers elect to handle their bankruptcy on their own, The U.S. Bankruptcy Court cautions that “Bankruptcy has long-term financial and legal consequences -- hiring a competent attorney is strongly recommended.” Click here to find California attorney resources in your area.

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