With the Roanoke, Virginia Attorneys at Giles & Lambert, P.C., You Still Can File for Bankruptcy under the 2005 Bankruptcy Reform Act

  CONSUMER ALERT:

As a result of intense lobbying and lots of money, the credit card companies and financial institutions convinced Congress to pass the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act in the Spring of 2005.  President Bush signed this law in April 2005, and it became effective on October 17, 2005.

While it is true that law made the process more complicated, the basic right to file bankruptcy and most of the benefits from it remain unchanged for most people.  The changed laws have not really made it harder for most people seeking bankruptcy relief to have their debts wiped out by the courts.  MOST EVERYONE  LIVING IN WESTERN VIRGINIA IS STILL ABLE TO FILE BANKRUPTCY AND GET DEBT RELIEF!

CREDIT COUNSELING AND DEBTOR EDUCATION:

Part of the requirement of the Reform Act was to require all debtors to receive credit counseling prior to filing bankruptcy.  This was done because Congress mistakenly had the idea that attorneys helping folks with debts were automatically putting everyone into bankruptcy -- even if they could pay their debts back.  What the creditor counseling requirement has done is prove that attorneys are doing their job correctly -- recommending bankruptcy to folks who have no other options.  Published report after report is showing that the credit counseling is not leading people into debt repayment plans, but is verifying that these folks do have a real NEED to file bankruptcy.

We have reviewed the credit counselors available and have selected those that we feel give the best service for the best price.  We considered how easy it is for you to get the counseling, what time of day it is available, how you can access it and how much of your time it will take.  If you hire our firm to represent you in bankruptcy, we will provide you with written materials to help you prepare for the credit counseling to make it as stress-free as possible.  We also include the credit counseling fees in the fee package we will quote you.  That way, you don't have to give your personal financial information to someone over the phone or internet.

Debtors are also now required to take a debtor-education course after filing.  While we often say that post-filing debtor education can be summed up in four words: NO MORE CREDIT CARDS!, this program is helpful in targeting problem financial areas and giving debtors a roadmap to avoiding future financial pitfalls.  Like the credit counseling, the fees for this counseling are usually included in our package fee.

Please contact us NOW and see if we can still help you by setting up a free, confidential appointment with one of our attorneys to discuss your options.

There are still bankruptcy laws that can help you out by eliminating debt. Talk to an attorney about your options.

Contact us now for your free consultation.

The firm of Giles & Lambert, PC represents individuals and businesses throughout Southwestern Virginia. The Roanoke office represents folks from the Cities of Roanoke, Salem and Radford and the Counties of Roanoke, Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Montgomery, Franklin, Giles, and Pulaski.  The Martinsville office represents folks from the Cities of Martinsville, Danville, South Boston and the Counties of Henry, Franklin Pittsylvania, Halifax, Patrick.

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