Bankruptcy is a process that is often fraught with stress and anxiety. Not only is the fact of filing for bankruptcy itself stressful, but the legal requirements and bankruptcy process can seem daunting, to say the least. The federal courts do not require people to have a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Georgia represent them in bankruptcy hearings; however, there is something to be said about having an expert on your side.

Read on to learn more about bankruptcy in Georgia, including the 10 benefits of hiring a bankruptcy lawyer for your case.

 

What Is Bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy is a federal legal process that can help consumers get relief from financial debts and difficulties. Depending on the type of bankruptcy that is filed, the process and goals will vary, but they all focus on eliminating the debts or creating a more affordable repayment plan for the individual.

In Georgia, debtors who wish to use bankruptcy to discharge or resolve their debts will need to first file a petition with the courts that includes a list of debts and the type of bankruptcy that they are filing. Filing this petition immediately stops creditors from being able to take action against consumers moving forward. However, it will not prevent:

• Tax audits
• Notices of tax delinquency
• Demand for payment of taxes or filing of tax returns
• Issuing tax return refunds

Anything to do with taxes is excluded from the bankruptcy process. Credit cards, lines of credit, installment loans, and some other types of debts can be included in the bankruptcy, but that will also depend on the type you file and other details. That’s why it’s best to contact a lawyer before you do anything with your bankruptcy case.

 

Can I Handle My Own Bankruptcy to Save Money in Georgia?

This is a question that people ask all the time. Naturally, when dealing with financial stress, it can be hard to wrap your head around the idea of spending more money to help get you out of debt or alleviate your issues. However, it’s better to have someone on your side who knows the laws and can help you get the best outcome in your case, no matter what you are dealing with.

If you want to save money, a lawyer is a must. They will be able to get you better-negotiated deals from creditors and have a better chance of getting your debts expunged entirely, depending on the circumstances of your case. While you might be able to visit the Georgia courts website and follow the instructions to get the process started, that doesn’t mean that you should. It’s not a matter of whether you’re capable—you certainly are. However, this is something that’s best handled by an attorney with experience and knowledge of Georgia bankruptcy laws.

 

The Benefits of Hiring a Georgia Bankruptcy Lawyer

Although we mentioned above that the first step to bankruptcy should be filing a petition with the courts, there’s technically another step that should come before you do anything: hiring a bankruptcy lawyer.

While the courts don’t require debtors to retain a lawyer to assist them with the bankruptcy process, it is always a good idea. For starters, they know the laws and how to get through the legal process with ease and the best chances of an outcome in your favor. Several other benefits come from hiring a bankruptcy lawyer; we’ll cover 10 of the top perks below.

 

1. Experience 

The first and most obvious benefit that comes from hiring a lawyer is experience. For many bankruptcy lawyers, these cases are “everyday business” and they have plenty of experience in filing them. This leads to many other benefits, including the increased peace of mind that you get from working with a seasoned professional.

 

2. Knowledge

Bankruptcy lawyers know the law. They have years of experience in the Georgia courts and they’ve likely represented hundreds of bankruptcy clients. This saves you the trouble of having to do all the research yourself. It also guarantees that you’ll get a more favorable outcome because there’s no uncertainty or misconceptions about the law. Dealing with financial stress is difficult enough. Having to learn how to resolve it through bankruptcy isn’t something you should go through alone.

 

3. More Education and Understanding 

Because lawyers went to school for legal careers and have all passed the Georgia State Bar exam, they automatically have a better education and understanding of bankruptcy laws and other financial matters. Their experience is specifically regarding the laws and statutes of Georgia, too, so you won’t have to worry about getting the wrong information. They can pass this education and understanding onto you, their client, to alleviate a lot of stress and uncertainty during the legal process.

 

4. Better Outcomes

Representing yourself could limit the outcomes that are possible. A lawyer will work to determine the best possible outcome and then strive to accomplish it through negotiation, court filings, and other steps in the bankruptcy process. They handle tons of these cases and can often determine the right course of action for a client within minutes of meeting, just by asking a few simple questions.

 

5. Saves Time and Money

Even though you have to pay a bankruptcy attorney to help file your case, they actually save a lot of time and money for you along the way. You won’t have to do all the legal research to understand the process, nor will you risk paying creditors more than you must or settling for agreements that a lawyer could negotiate better. Plus, many lawyers understand that people filing for bankruptcy are in a tight financial spot, so they are willing to provide payment plans and options to alleviate that concern.

 

6. Better Negotiation Strategies and Options

Lawyers know the law. They’re familiar with all the options for filing bankruptcy and discharging or settling debts. This gives them (and you) the upper hand in negotiations and the legal process as a whole. As mentioned, a lawyer might very well know the best course of action for your financial woes within minutes of meeting you and hearing about your situation. That allows them to start with better options and strategies and help you figure out which one is right for your situation.

In terms of negotiations, lawyers are also capable of getting better deals from creditors when it comes to negotiating settlements. They know how to push and what to do to help you get the lowest possible settlement. Plus, while you might struggle with confrontation, your lawyer won’t flinch if it means getting you a better outcome.

 

7. Help to Save Your Home 

For those who are behind on their mortgage or otherwise facing financial issues that are putting their home at risk, bankruptcy might be a final attempt to save it. Those facing foreclosure need to act sooner than later and a lawyer will be able to advise on the best way to take action immediately. This way, you don’t lose your home or end up selling it for less than it is worth just to get out from under the mortgage.

 

8. Lawyers Do the Work for You 

When you hire a Georgia bankruptcy lawyer, you won’t have to do a lot of the work. You will be required to provide them with financial documents and information, of course, but even then, they can assist you in gathering everything and knowing where to find it. They will file the bankruptcy petition with the court, get the information about the scheduled hearing date and other information, and take care of every step of the process along the way. That allows you to focus on getting your life back on track and worry less about all the steps involved.

 

9. Peace of Mind 

When you have all of these other benefits, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you’re ready to face your Georgia bankruptcy case head-on, no matter what kind of financial issues you’re dealing with. There is no need to add more stress to your life by trying to tackle bankruptcy alone. Even if you think you can’t afford one, a lawyer is definitely going to make the process easier and remove some of the worry from your mind.

 

10. Less Risk of Fraud

Another benefit that comes from having a lawyer do the work is that there is less risk that fraud will be committed. Even if it’s unintentional, there are risks related to fraud and other financial issues when you file for bankruptcy on your own and don’t know all the laws involved. A lawyer knows how to follow the letter of the law and ensure that all information is accurate, transparent, and complete for the courts to make their ruling.

 

Reach Out to A Lawyer Today in Georgia

If you are thinking of filing for bankruptcy in Georgia, you should contact a bankruptcy lawyer right away. They can discuss your case with you and help you determine the best course of action. Plus, the best bankruptcy attorneys will offer a free consultation, so it won’t cost you anything to have a conversation. This can be a great way to consider your options, learn more about bankruptcy in Georgia, and get answers to the questions that you may have.

If financial troubles have gotten past the point of no return, contact the experienced lawyers at Morgan & Morgan today. Our experienced team will work with you to protect your assets and make sure that you get the best outcome in your bankruptcy process. For more than 30 years, people have relied on us for this and other legal needs. Call us at 706-548-7070 to learn more.

 

Related Content: Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Essentials