Qualifying for bankruptcy is easy. It is important to talk with our Washington State bankruptcy attorneys about your options. Contact us for a free consultation with one of our experienced Seattle bankruptcy attorneys — we offer you low flat fees and affordable payment plans!
Bankruptcy is not something to be ashamed of. It has many financial benefits that can truly help individuals and families maintain a stable financial household. Our Seattle law firm offers low flat fees.
Payment plans for attorney fees are also available. Call for a free consultation with our experienced Washington State bankruptcy lawyers now! Our Washington State bankruptcy attorneys are here to help you get a fresh start in life! We offer inexpensive low flat fees. Take the first step by simply calling us today for your free consultation:.
Contact Us Need help? Email us today. Contact us today. Contact Washington State bankruptcy lawyer, Erin M. FREE consultation: Not sure if you qualify? Click to Call. Each site has the court's local rules and instructions for filing your paperwork select "Bankruptcy Resources" and "Filing Without an Attorney". Your creditors will stop bothering you soon after you file. It takes a few days because the court mails your creditors notice of the "automatic stay" order that prevents most creditors from continuing to ask you to pay them.
Here's what will happen next:. These things all must happen before you get a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge. Chapter 13 filers will also attend a repayment plan confirmation hearing and complete the three- to five-year payment plan. You might not know this, but Nolo has been making the law easy for over fifty years. If you have questions, use the links we've included throughout for more details. Otherwise, you'll find the answers to almost all of your bankruptcy questions at nolo.
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Talk to a Lawyer. Grow Your Legal Practice. Meet the Editors. Filing for Bankruptcy in Washington State. The Washington state bankruptcy process falls under federal law. Here, you'll find: an explanation about Chapters 7 and 13 checklists to help you understand the process and stay organized Washington's property exemption laws and filing information, and links to our bankruptcy quiz , an online qualifying tool, and other helpful resources.
How Bankruptcy Works in Washington State In most respects, filing for bankruptcy in Washington isn't any different than filing in another state. Steps in a Washington State Bankruptcy We all know that seeing the forest helps us recognize the trees, so it's probably a good time to consider the significant steps you'll take during your bankruptcy journey.
Exempt and nonexempt property. You can keep property protected by an exemption or "exempt" property. When a bankruptcy exemption doesn't cover the property, you'll either lose it in Chapter 7 or have to pay for it in the Chapter 13 repayment plan.
Choosing state or federal exemptions. You can choose whether you use the state exemption list or the list of federal bankruptcy exemptions , but you can't mix and match exemptions from both sets.
Filers who use state exemptions can also use the federal nonbankruptcy exemptions. Doubling exemptions. Spouses filing together can double the exemption amount if both own the property unless otherwise noted.
COVID recovery rebate exemption. You might be able to protect stimulus payments, tax credits, and child credits in bankruptcy with the federal recovery rebate exemption. Retirement accounts all filers can protect. Learn more about retirement accounts in bankruptcy.
Preventing Bankruptcy Exemption Problems Exempt your property carefully. Qualifying for Bankruptcy in Washington If you've never filed for bankruptcy before, you'll meet the initial requirement. You'll also need to meet specific chapter qualifications. To qualify, you'll pay the larger of: your priority nondischargeable debt the value of nonexempt property , or your disposable income. A bankruptcy attorney will help you: qualify for the chapter of your choice determine when it's time to file help you keep the property you want make sure you don't run afoul of fraud or other issues, and explain when you can stop paying the bills you'll erase in your case.
Bankruptcy forms. You'll find free downloadable bankruptcy forms on the U. Courts website. Means test multipliers. Go to the U.
Trustee website to get the figures needed to complete the means test. Education providers. The U. And don't give up—it's a long list. Individuals must complete credit counseling during the days before filing for bankruptcy and a debt management course after filing the bankruptcy case. Washington State Bankruptcy Court Websites and Locations Your case starts when you file your paperwork with the local bankruptcy court and either pay the filing fee or request a fee waiver.
Here's what will happen next: You'll turn over financial documents proving the statements in your bankruptcy paperwork. You'll attend the meeting of creditors —the one appearance all filers must attend. You'll complete a debtor education course and file the completion certificate.
Need More Help? Before you file for bankruptcy, you first must determine which type of bankruptcy to file — Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 — because the type of bankruptcy determines the paperwork and process required. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a liquidation of certain assets with the money raised from the liquidation going to pay creditors. Chapter 13 bankruptcy creates a repayment plan for part or all of your debt. In every state and for both types of bankruptcy, you must complete mandatory credit counseling, and both types of bankruptcy result in a discharge of certain debts once the case is complete.
If your income is lower than the median income, you can file Chapter 7. If you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, exemptions determine what property you can keep. In some states, you can only choose state exemptions, but Washington law allows you to choose either federal or state exemptions for both Chapter 7 and Chapter For example, you may be able to keep certain equity in your home, your car, pension or personal belongings.
If your property is not exempt, the bankruptcy trustee — the person who administers your bankruptcy case — is entitled to sell the property to pay your unsecured debts.
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