Chapter 7 · Commerce
Chapter 7 Attorney for Commerce Residents
Commerce workers in warehouses, retail and the casino often carry debt from months with fewer hours. A Chapter 7 case wipes out most credit card, medical and personal loan debt in about four months. Call (310) 362-9071 for a free consultation to see if you qualify.
- Half of Commerce households earn under $77,064
- Flat fees from $1,200 plus the court filing fee
- Payment plans available
- Most cases take about four months
Do Commerce households pass the means test?
Half of Commerce households earn less than $77,064 a year. That is below California's median for a one-person household ($79,253), so many families here pass the first step of the means test on income alone.
| Household size | Median income |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $79,253 |
| 2 people | $102,797 |
| 3 people | $116,541 |
| 4 people | $139,071 |
| Each extra person | add $11,100 |
The test uses your average income for the six months before filing, not your yearly salary. A recent job loss or cut in hours can help you qualify. See our means test evaluation page for how the full test works.
What Commerce filers usually keep in Chapter 7
About 55% of Commerce homes are lived in by their owners, so many filers here own a house. Homeowners usually use California's first set of exemptions, which includes the homestead exemption. Retirement accounts, household goods and a car with modest equity are usually protected too.
About 55% of homes in Commerce are lived in by their owners, and the median owner-occupied home is valued at $598,700. For many owners here, California's homestead exemption covers most or all of their equity. 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.
Why people in Commerce file Chapter 7
Shift work can be steady until it is not. When hours are cut at a warehouse or the casino floor, credit cards and payday loans fill the gap. Chapter 7 clears both.
About 12.4% of Commerce residents live below the poverty line. For people with little property and bills they cannot pay, Chapter 7 is often the fastest fresh start.
The Chapter 7 timeline for a Commerce case
Your case starts with a free consultation, in our office or by video. Next comes a short online credit counseling course, and we gather pay stubs, tax returns and bills. The day we file, garnishments, lawsuits and collection calls stop. About a month later, you attend a short meeting with the trustee assigned by the court in downtown Los Angeles. If no one objects, the discharge usually comes about 60 days after that meeting. For most Commerce filers, the whole case takes about four months.
Related pages
If you have a house or car you are behind on, read about our Chapter 13 attorney services for Commerce. For both options, see bankruptcy attorney for Commerce, or read our main Chapter 7 bankruptcy page.
Chapter 7 questions from Commerce
How long does Chapter 7 take for Commerce residents?
Chapter 7 usually takes about four months for Commerce residents, from filing to discharge. Collection stops the day the case is filed.
Do most Commerce households qualify for Chapter 7?
Many Commerce households can qualify for Chapter 7. Half earn less than $77,064, which is below California's median for a single person. We run your numbers at the free consultation.
Do I need to tell my Commerce employer I filed Chapter 7?
No, you do not need to tell your Commerce employer you filed Chapter 7. They only learn about it if there was a wage garnishment that has to stop.
Free consultation
See if Chapter 7 fits your Commerce household
Call (310) 362-9071 or send the form. Have your last six months of pay stubs handy.
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.