Serving Manhattan Beach from Beverly Hills
Bankruptcy Attorney for Manhattan Beach Residents
Manhattan Beach has some of the highest incomes and home values in Los Angeles County, and debt problems here are often large ones. Law Offices of John Asuncion is a bankruptcy attorney serving Manhattan Beach from our Beverly Hills office. Call (310) 362-9071 for a free consultation, in person or by video.
- Manhattan Beach bankruptcy cases are heard downtown
- Flat fees from $1,200 plus the court filing fee
- Meet in Beverly Hills or by video
- Emergency filings to stop a garnishment or sale
Manhattan Beach by the numbers
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS 2020-2024 5-year), QuickFacts for Manhattan Beach. A plus sign means the Census reports the value only as that amount or more.
What these numbers mean for a Manhattan Beach bankruptcy
Half of Manhattan Beach households earn more than $204,306 a year, which is above California's median even for a family of four ($139,071). Many people here go on to the second part of the means test, which subtracts costs like housing, taxes and car payments. High housing costs can still leave room to qualify for Chapter 7.
About 64.8% of homes in Manhattan Beach are lived in by their owners, and the median owner-occupied home is valued at $2,000,000 or more. At those values, an owner with a small mortgage can have more equity than California's homestead exemption protects. When that is true, Chapter 7 could put the house at risk, and Chapter 13 is often the safer way to keep it. California's homestead exemption rises with inflation each year. In Los Angeles County, owners generally get the top amount, which is about $744,000 in 2026.
Median rent in Manhattan Beach is $3,449 a month. A year of that rent equals about 20% of the city's median household income. Even so, a job loss or medical bill can push rent and other bills onto credit cards fast.
Debt and the Manhattan Beach economy
Manhattan Beach mixes high-paying jobs with media work at the MBS Media Campus, a 22-acre studio site on Rosecrans Avenue. Retail centers on Manhattan Village, east of Sepulveda Boulevard.
The Census tops out its home value figure at $2 million, and that is where Manhattan Beach lands. Big homes come with big mortgages, and a business failure or divorce can bring down the whole budget.
Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 in Manhattan Beach?
With a median household income above $200,000, Chapter 7 is rare here unless income has dropped or most debt is business debt. Chapter 13, and sometimes Chapter 11, is usually the better fit.
- Chapter 7 attorney for Manhattan Beach: wipes out most credit card, medical and personal loan debt in about four months.
- Chapter 13 attorney for Manhattan Beach: a 3 to 5 year payment plan that can save a home or car.
Courts that handle Manhattan Beach cases
Bankruptcy cases from Manhattan Beach are assigned to the Los Angeles Division of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, at the Roybal Federal Building, 255 East Temple Street, downtown.
If a creditor has already sued you, that lawsuit is usually in Los Angeles Superior Court. Small claims cases from Manhattan Beach are usually heard at the Torrance Courthouse on Maple Avenue. The court's filing locator assigns collection lawsuits by ZIP code, and we check yours before your consultation. Filing bankruptcy pauses those lawsuits.
Meeting with us from Manhattan Beach
Our only office is at 9454 Wilshire Blvd., Penthouse Floor, in Beverly Hills. From Manhattan Beach, take Rosecrans Avenue or Sepulveda Boulevard to the 405 north, then Wilshire east, about 15 miles. If the drive is hard to fit around work, we meet by video, and you can sign most papers online.
Manhattan Beach bankruptcy questions
Do I have to go to Beverly Hills to file bankruptcy from Manhattan Beach?
No, you do not have to come to Beverly Hills to file bankruptcy from Manhattan Beach. We meet by video, and most documents can be signed online. Many clients still like to meet once in person at our Wilshire office.
Which bankruptcy court hears cases from Manhattan Beach?
The Los Angeles Division at 255 East Temple Street hears bankruptcy cases from Manhattan Beach. Your ZIP code decides the division, and we confirm it before filing.
How much does a bankruptcy attorney cost for Manhattan Beach residents?
Our flat fees for Manhattan Beach residents start at $1,200 plus the court filing fee, with payment plans. Chapter 13 fees are different, and you get the fee in writing at your free consultation.
Is there a debt limit for Chapter 13 for Manhattan Beach owners?
Yes, Chapter 13 has debt limits, and owners of high-value Manhattan Beach homes can exceed them. If your debts are above the limit, Chapter 11 may be the option. We check this first.
Free consultation
Talk to a bankruptcy attorney about your Manhattan Beach case
Call (310) 362-9071 or send the form. We will tell you which chapter fits and what it costs.
Law Offices of John Asuncion9454 Wilshire Blvd., Penthouse Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 362-9071
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.