Chapter 7 · Beverly Hills
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Beverly Hills With a Flat Fee From $1,200
Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Beverly Hills wipes out credit cards, medical bills, personal loans and old judgments for people who cannot pay them. If collectors are calling or a garnishment has started, call (310) 362-9071 for a free consultation. We will tell you in one meeting whether you qualify and what you keep.
- Also called a "straight" or liquidation bankruptcy
- Most cases end in about 4 months
- Flat fee from $1,200 plus the court filing fee
- Payment plans available
- Free consultation in person or by video
Is Chapter 7 right for you?
Chapter 7 is built for people whose income is too low to repay their debts. It does not use a payment plan. The court discharges the debts that qualify, and you keep the property California law protects.
Chapter 7 is often a good fit if:
- Most of what you owe is credit cards, medical bills, personal loans or payday loans
- Your household income is near or below the California median for your family size
- A creditor has sued you, won a judgment or started a garnishment
- You are current on your car and home payments, or you are ready to let them go
- You have little equity beyond what California exemptions protect
If your income is higher, or you are behind on a house you want to keep, Chapter 13 bankruptcy may work better. We compare both at the consultation.
How we handle your Chapter 7 case, step by step
- Free consultation. We review your debts, income, property and any notices. We run the means test with you.
- Credit counseling. You take a short online credit counseling course before filing. It usually takes about an hour.
- Documents. You send pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements and a list of debts. We prepare your petition and schedules and review them with you before anything is filed.
- Filing. We file your case with the court. The automatic stay starts right away and collection must stop.
- 341 meeting. About a month later you answer a few questions from the trustee under oath. We prepare you ahead of time and attend with you.
- Discharge. You complete a second short course on money management. If no one objects, the court issues your discharge, usually about two months after the 341 meeting.
What Chapter 7 costs in Beverly Hills
Our Chapter 7 flat fee starts at $1,200 plus the court filing fee. The fee is quoted in writing at your consultation, and payment plans are available.
The fee can be higher when a case has more moving parts. Common examples are a business you owned, a home with equity, rental property, recent large transfers or tax debt. Those cases take more work to protect your property, and we tell you why before you hire us.
How long Chapter 7 takes
Most Chapter 7 cases take about four months from filing to discharge. Preparing the paperwork before filing usually takes a few weeks, depending on how quickly you gather documents. If a garnishment or sale date is close, we can file faster and finish the paperwork within the court's deadline.
Chapter 7 in the Central District of California
Chapter 7 cases from Beverly Hills and most of Los Angeles County are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles Division, at the Roybal Federal Building, 255 East Temple Street. A Chapter 7 trustee from the local panel reviews your case and runs the 341 meeting.
California does not use the federal exemptions. Instead, you choose between two state systems. One protects more equity in a home you live in. The other protects more cash, savings and personal property, which often works better for renters. Choosing the wrong one can cost you property, so we compare both before filing. Learn more about bankruptcy exemptions for your home, car and retirement.
Mistakes to avoid before filing Chapter 7
- Paying back family first. Payments to relatives in the year before filing can be taken back by the trustee.
- Moving property to someone else. Putting a car or house in another person's name before filing can cost you your discharge.
- Running up cards. Large charges or cash advances shortly before filing may not be discharged.
- Cashing out retirement. Retirement accounts are usually protected in bankruptcy. Spending them on debt you could discharge is often a costly mistake.
- Leaving debts off the list. List every creditor, including ones you plan to keep paying.
Not sure about something you already did? Tell us at the consultation. Most problems can be handled if we know about them before filing.
Related services
Before filing, most clients want to know if they pass the means test evaluation and how bankruptcy exemptions protect their property. If your income is too high for Chapter 7, read about Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Beverly Hills.
More on Chapter 7 bankruptcy
- California Median Income Figures for the Means Test
- What Debts Are Wiped Out in Chapter 7
- Debts Chapter 7 Will Not Discharge
- Can I Keep My Car in Chapter 7?
- Can I Keep My House in Chapter 7?
- The Chapter 7 Timeline, From Filing to Discharge
- What the Chapter 7 Trustee Looks For
- Filing Chapter 7 With No Income or Between Jobs
- Filing a Second Chapter 7: The Eight-Year Rule
- Chapter 7 for Married Couples: Filing Alone or Together
- What Happens at the 341 Meeting of Creditors
- Redeeming a Car in Chapter 7
- Means test evaluation
- Reaffirmation agreements
Chapter 7 questions
What debts does Chapter 7 wipe out?
Chapter 7 wipes out most unsecured debts, including credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, payday loans and many old judgments. Some debts usually survive, such as child support, recent taxes and most student loans. We go through your list debt by debt at the consultation.
Will I lose my car in Chapter 7?
Most people keep their car in Chapter 7. California exemptions protect a set amount of vehicle equity, and if you have a loan, you can usually keep the car by staying current. Some lenders ask you to sign a reaffirmation agreement, which we review with you first.
Can I file Chapter 7 if I own a home?
Yes, you can file Chapter 7 if you own a home. Whether you keep it depends on how much equity you have and which exemption system you use. If the equity is more than the exemption protects, Chapter 13 may be the safer choice.
How often can I file Chapter 7?
You can get a Chapter 7 discharge once every eight years. If you received a Chapter 13 discharge, the waiting period is usually six years. We check your filing history before we start.
How much does Chapter 7 cost at your firm?
Our Chapter 7 flat fee starts at $1,200 plus the court filing fee. The exact fee depends on your case and is given to you in writing at the free consultation. Payment plans are available.
Free consultation
Find out if Chapter 7 fits your situation
Call (310) 362-9071 or send the form. Bring your pay stubs and a list of your debts, and we will run the means test with you at no cost.
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.