There are:

• Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
• Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

When filing for bankruptcy one of the first few things that will be file is your information for the GA Means Test. Don’t worry though, it’s just to define where you are compared to the “median income” for the state of GA.

The Means Test will take into Account:

• Your Income
• Your Expenses
• Your Debts

If your total income with all of these factors is less than the median income for GA Chapter 7 will probably be the best option for you. However, if you are found to meet the median income, Chapter 13 may be the way to go.

The GA Means Test will simply help decide which Chapter would be the best option for you. Either way filing for bankruptcy is a great option for anyone who is having trouble with debt, facing a repossession, or foreclosure. Bankruptcy stops those processes, helps eliminate debts, and stops creditors from harassing you for payment.

When filing for bankruptcy is always necessary to have an attorney on your side to help you through all of the paperwork, and to understand all the facts about your specific case. Sandberg Law Firm has a dedicated team of attorneys to guide you through every step of your bankruptcy. They will make sure that you are 100% protected and be there to answer any questions you may have about your case.  Make sure to give them a call today to set up your free consultation.

When you file for bankruptcy an automatic-stay is put in place. It prohibits all creditor contact with you in attempt to collect payment. Repossessions, foreclosures, and all harassing phone calls are put to a halt.

If you have gone through the process of filing for bankruptcy and you’re still getting calls:

• Your creditors don’t know that you have filed.
• They do not understand the laws surrounding an automatic stay, or discharged debt.

Either way, have your attorney give them a call. You shouldn’t be hearing anymore from them. If you do, it’s harassment, and at this time it’s not legal.

There is another side of the process, when your debts have been discharged. Any debt that was discharged is no longer owed by you, unless specified in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy! If you are still receiving calls from a debt collector about a debt that was legally discharged by your bankruptcy their attempts to collect from you are illegal and you should contact an attorney right away.

Creditors are often after one thing, your money, whether or not they take a legal avenue. Make sure to give Sandberg Law Firm a call today to stop all repossessions, foreclosures, and creditor harassment. Filing for bankruptcy is the best way to clean up debt and scattered credit. Schedule a free consultation and take the first step to getting your life back.

Why Should I hire a Sandberg Attorney and file for bankruptcy?

• First, you need to know that this is a great option for many reasons. When you file for bankruptcy all creditor harassment will be put to a stop. This includes any repossession, foreclosure, or attempts to collect payment from you.
• You can guarantee that your creditors will have top legal representation. You need to be prepared with the same.
• At Sandberg Law Firm you are our top priority. We will do everything to make sure you not only get to keep your home and assets but that you understand your entire bankruptcy case!
• Sandberg Law Firm offers flexible payment options designed with only clients in mind. A small fee is required by courts, but all attorney fees are paid through your Chapter 13 payment plan, never up front.
• Debt can cause a damaged score, and bad marks on your credit. This is an excellent way to help clean up those marks and get started on a new financial path. Bankruptcy is your first step to repairing your credit.

Filing for bankruptcy is an excellent way to not only repair damaged credit, but also make sure you keep your home. With the March 6^th Georgia foreclosure sale coming up there really is no better time to call the Sandberg Law Firm. Schedule your free consultation and  begin your bankruptcy to stop foreclosure now!

Things You Should Consider Changing After Bankruptcy:

1. Budget. The very first thing you should do after you bankruptcy file has been processed is sit down and make a budget. This budget should include all expenses as precisely as possibly and account for all monies coming in and out of the household. For subjective expenses, such as food, be realistic.
2. Don’t Use Credit Cards. Get in the habit of using cash and if you do not have the cash for something, skip it.
3. Don’t compare yourself to others. It’s hard to figure out people’s financial situations just by looking at them. Often people spend needlessly and have a bunch of fancy stuff only to find they don’t have any money at the end of the day.
4. Get organized. Have your budget and documents neatly filed away and easily accessible. This can help you adjust your budget accordingly.
5. Practice restraint. If you fell into bankruptcy because of careless spending, realize that you are going to have to constantly resist the urge to buy things. Don’t make large purchases you can’t afford.

In order to properly deal with the habits that got you into bankruptcy in the first place you need to be able to recognize your behaviors. Then you need to immediately make a plan as to how to combat them. However, if you still find yourself in a helpless situation know that there are things that can be done to help. Give the Sandberg Law Firm a call today, they can help you get back on track!

 5 Tips to get Your Credit Back in Shape:

1. Certain loans aren’t discharged during bankruptcy, make sure you make those and all other payments on time, every time.
2. Make your payments using a secured credit card, this will help build credit and offer very controlled credit card use.
3. Apply for a Certificate of Deposit loan from your bank. Pay the interest of the CD on time and you’ll find yourself building positive credit scores.
4. Budget, budget, budget. You may have to make some lifestyle changes, but eventually this will all pay off.
5. If all goes well, you may qualify for an unsecured charge card. Use this card the same way you used your secured credit card — for very limited finances such as bills. Do so regularly, and pay off the balance every month.

All of this will take time, but the sooner you get started rebuilding your credit and showing an active pursuit in enhancing your credit score, the better response you will have from creditors. Bankruptcy is difficult, but it is not the end. Not even close. Give the attorneys at Sandberg Law Firm a call to set up a free consultation to see what they can do for you to help you gain your life back!

Is what my creditor doing illegal? Well, here are some things that they do…that are illegal!

• All calls must be between the hours of 8am and 9pm.
• Debt collectors should inform you of your rights to dispute any debts.
• All debtors cannot repeatedly call with the intention to annoy, bother, harass or provoke the debtor.
• If the debtor have sent a written request for contact to be discontinued unless lawsuits, notices of end of collection efforts or notices of intended legal action are the reason for contacting the debtor, a creditor cannot contact the individual.
• Once a debtor is being represented by a lawyer, a debt collector cannot contact them.
• Debt collectors are not allowed to publish your name or address on “bad debt” lists.
• Debt collectors cannot be deceptive to receive payment.
• Debt collectors cannot seek payment for more than what a debtor justifiably owes.
• Any abusive language during communications or threatening to arrest or take legal action that is not permitted by law.
• Debt collectors cannot disclose details pertaining to your debt to any third party, unless it debtor’s spouse or attorney, or threaten to do so.
• Threats to report or actually reporting any false information on your credit report.

If you have encountered any of the above things, then the debt collectors who have been contacting you are grossly out of line and you have every right to take legal action against them. You should hire an attorney who is well versed in bankruptcy laws and consumer protection laws as these are the very laws that were made to protect you. Give the Sandberg Law Firm, your local Marietta GA bankruptcy attorney, a call. Make sure you get a fair fight!

Why should I hire a bankruptcy attorney?

Top 5 Reasons to Hire a Bankruptcy Attorney:

1. Mistakes made in bankruptcy can have serious effects on your financial future.
2. Attorneys can stop creditor harassment and attempts to collect from you.
3. The paperwork surrounding a bankruptcy can be overwhelming. It needs to be gone over with an attorney.
4. Creditors can challenge your petition to file. You will need legal assistance if this happens.
5. An attorney will make sure to give you the best protection available to you. Sometimes they can even protect your assets from being repossessed.

It’s highly recommended that you get an attorney when considering filing for bankruptcy. This can be a long and drawn out process. Attorneys that specialize in bankruptcy know what you’re going through, and they are going to do their best to make sure that your case has the best outcome for you. Creditors can be tricky, and laws can be confusing. Don’t put yourself in a bad situation. I know you think that you can do this by yourself, but it’s not what’s best for you. Don’t worry if you can’t afford an attorney right now. Call the Sandberg Law Firm to schedule a free consultation to at least learn what they will be able to do for you. Gain your financial stability back today!

10 Bankruptcy Myths that make us think twice:

1. I can’t afford an attorney! Sandberg law firm offers free consultations!
2. If I’m married I must file with my spouse. You have a choice.
3. I’m going to lose everything I own. That’s not true with the help of an attorney.
4. Creditors will not allow my case to go through. You do not need their permission to file bankruptcy. 
5. My creditor made me sign a contract stating I would not file! This contract has absolutely no value.
6. They will seize my vehicle as soon as I file. Automatic Stays prevent this from happening.
7. Bankruptcy will ruin my credit, forever! That’s not true. Usually it’s gone in 7-10 years.
8. Trustees are allowed to visit my home, and work. This one simply is not true.
9. I will never be able to buy a home! There is no law against buying a home with enough credit.
10. I can’t file without my spouses signature. You do not need anyone’s permission to file!

Bankruptcy is not going to wreck your credit, or ruin you for life. It’s designed to help you. With a great attorney like the ones at Sandberg Law Firm you can gain control of your financial situation and get a fresh new start on your credit. Give Sandberg Law Firm a call to schedule a free consultation. Get your life back!

There is a great deal of confusion around how the Georgia foreclosure sale will affect you if the bank is attempting to sell your residence to pay off debts.  If you contact the Sandberg Law firm you’ll immediately see how we can stop all harassing creditor phone calls in their tracks and allow you time to discover how Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy can help, or hinder, you from getting the most beneficial outcome.  There are new laws on the books now that make it harder for people to file, but with the right Atlanta GA bankruptcy attorney the process can be easier and faster.  Having a great team behind you helps you enjoy the time with family and friends all the more as the New Year begins.  There may even be a way around bankruptcy altogether, but you’ll only know by bringing in professionals to do the dirty work.  Make the call now and find out how simple it can be to avoid the January 3, 2012 Georgia foreclosure sale.

Now, don’t be alarmed if you don’t quite understand this. I’m here to break it down for you. In other words the act is stating that creditors cannot take funds from social security or bank accounts holding funds from social security benefits. However there are a few exceptions, and there are as follows:

1. Student loans
2. Child support
3. Debts owed to federal agencies
4. Over payment of Social Security benefits
5. Past due tax debt
6. Differences in Social Security retirement and Social Security disability, or other benefits received. Certain benefits may indeed be subject to garnishment.

Certain exemptions are made when filing bankruptcy in Atlanta, which means that certain assets or benefits may be protected when you file. This depends on a variety of things, such as where live now and where you lived when you accumulated the debt. Such exemptions for those who have been living in Georgia state for a long time and are filing bankruptcy in Atlanta should look at the exemption law in the Official Code of Georgia, but a simple break down of Georgia state exemption law is that you will maintain your rights to receive Social Security benefits, as well as providing security for the benefits you have already received, throughout bankruptcy proceedings when you are filing for bankruptcy.

All the legal speak can be confusing and frustrating but it is important that you know that if you are currently receiving Social Security benefits and are planning on filing bankruptcy in Atlanta, there are many laws and regulations that are meant to protect those payments from creditors and the bankruptcy process. For more information regarding your personal situation, give Sandberg Law Firm a call. The experienced attorneys at Sandberg Law Firm are always up-to-date on current bankruptcy laws and will assist you by answering any questions you have about filing bankruptcy in Atlanta and attending to you as an individual.