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When Is the Best Time to Hire a Bankruptcy Attorney

Ideally, you should hire a bankruptcy attorney in Seattle, WA, before you really need one. If the Sheriff is outside of your door to foreclose on your house or repossess your car, then you may have waited a little too long. That being said, most people tend to procrastinate talking to an attorney because they’re still hoping they can solve their financial problems on their own. If you don’t want to be one of them, then read this article to find out when to hire an attorney.

When You’re behind with Bills

If you’re behind on your payments with one or more of your creditors or find yourself unable to pay the utility bill, then it’s time to find a solution. Obviously, paying a bill late on occasion can happen to anyone, and that doesn’t mean you have to file for bankruptcy at that moment. However, if you can’t pay your bills because you’re just not earning enough money, then your financial situation has gotten a little out of hand.

You don’t have to wait until you’re late with your payments to talk to an attorney. If you’ve lost your job, run into a huge mountain of debt, or are about to rack up enormous medical bills, then talking to an attorney can be a good idea. Bankruptcy may not be the only way out of your dilemma, but exploring alternative options takes a little bit of time. And the sooner you work on it, the better.

When Your Wages Are Being Garnished

If your wages are being garnished, then you might want to talk to an attorney about it. Garnishments can seriously hinder your ability to pay your normal bills related to housing and utilities. Additionally, having your paycheck garnished may cause you to rack up additional credit card debt to pay your living expenses, which further exaggerates your financial mess.

Of course an attorney can’t perform miracles. Some garnishments cannot be reduced or eliminated. But there is always a chance that your garnishment was unjust or is too high or both. After all, there is no harm in talking to an attorney about it to see if there is something that can be done.

When You’re Getting Collection Calls

If one or more collection agencies are hounding you, then you can certainly benefit from speaking to an attorney. The good news is that creditors have rules and boundaries they have to adhere to. For example, they can’t call you while you’re sleeping. Plus, if you ask them to stop contacting you at home or at work, they must do so.

That doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for the debt. Your creditors still expect to get paid. But when the phone finally stops ringing, you can take some time to sort out your financial situation. Fortunately, your bankruptcy attorney can stop those phone calls for you and help you sort out the situation afterwards.

When You’re Overwhelmed

You don’t have to get a late notice to feel overwhelmed with your financial obligations. Between credit cards, a mortgage, car payments, student loans, and other debt, you may not be able to sleep at night. If it’s all getting too much for you, then you should do something to get out of the mess you’re in.

Of course filing for bankruptcy isn’t the answer for anyone who is sick and tired of making debt payments. But a bankruptcy attorney from Seattle, WA, or wherever you live is a good person to talk to about your other options. It’s quite possible that your debts can be consolidated or reduced, but nothing will happen until you take action.

Travis A. Gagnier, Attorney at Law Travis A. Gagnier, Attorney at Law in Seattle & Tacoma, WA fights for the rights of people who are going through financial struggles. Contact us! Visit our page on to see our page today!

Tips for Recovering from Bankruptcy

Filing for bankruptcy acts as a fresh start financially for many people. However, if you have filed for bankruptcy, you’re not completely free of your financial past; it will remain on your credit for several years, and you still have some recovering you will have to do before you can truly move on with your life. It’s not easy, but with some hard work and dedication, and a little help from the right bankruptcy attorney in Seattle, WA, you should be able to get back on the path to a secure financial future. Understand What Caused It 2>

For some people, unforeseen circumstances can lead them into bankruptcy at no fault of their own. This can include unexpected medical bills, the loss of a job, death of a spouse, or divorce. For other people, however, the bankruptcy is brought on by poor financial choices and living beyond their means.

It’s important that you take a step back and honestly assess what the cause of your bankruptcy was so that you can avoid repeating any mistakes that may have led you into the situation. If you have a bad habit of maxing out credit cards, perhaps you should avoid having a credit card in the future. If you have a gambling addiction, seek help for recovering from it.

If unpredictable circumstances caused you to fall into bankruptcy, simply do your best to put aside enough money to handle a similar situation if one should arise again in the future. Stay Current

No matter what type of bankruptcy you filed, you now have a chance to start over on payments for all of your debts. For a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you will have new payments to make in order to help you catch up on all of your debts. For a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you likely had some assets liquidated and are now starting from scratch.

Regardless of what situation you are now facing, it is important that you do everything you can to stay current on all of your payments. You can’t fall behind on your debts again, as you must wait several years between bankruptcy filings. If you fall behind, your creditors will come after you and any property you own in order to collect on what you owe. Do whatever you need to do to make sure that you are making at least the minimum payments on all of your debts every month. Live Simply

The world today is plagued by a bad case of “keeping up with the Joneses.” You may be tempted to go out and buy everything that your neighbors or friends have, just so you can appear to be as affluent as they are. However, this is a surefire way to fall back into debt. So simplify your life, and buy only what you need to live comfortably.

As difficult as it may be to resist that new television or that flashy car, you need to remember that you are taking steps towards a better future. While expensive items may help you to look better to your neighbors now, it is not worth sacrificing a secure financial future for you and your family in order to do so. Buy only what you need, pay off your debts as quickly as you can, and try to put a little aside every month in case of emergencies.

Recovering from a bankruptcy is no easy task, but it is doable. If you follow these steps and speak to a reliable bankruptcy attorney in Seattle, WA, then you should at last be able to get back on the path to financial security.