Stealey Law Group is a full-service consumer protection and financial services law firm. Our legal focus is in helping people to file for bankruptcy relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code. 

Having trouble paying your bills? Getting dunning notices from creditors? Are your accounts being turned over to debt collectors? Are you worried about losing your home or your car?

You’re not alone. Many people face a financial crisis some time in their lives. Whether the crisis is caused by personal or family illness, the loss of a job, or overspending, it can seem overwhelming. But often, it can be overcome. Your financial situation doesn’t have to go from bad to worse.

We know that if you are like most individuals facing a financial crisis, you are likely experiencing a great deal of emotional distress, including thoughts and feelings you have not encountered before. By seeking help from a bankruptcy attorney in California, we can help to ease the pain of your insurmountable debts, relieve the embarrassment and harassment of creditor calls, and give you hope back for a financially secure future.

Even still, we understand that it may be difficult to seek help from an California bankruptcy attorney during these difficult times. This is why we handle each bankruptcy case with complete confidentiality and sensitivity. Together, we can help you formulate a plan to get you back on track!

If you or someone you know is in financial hot water, consider these options: realistic budgeting, credit counseling from a reputable organization, debt consolidation, or bankruptcy. Debt negotiation is yet another option. How do you know which will work best for you? It depends on your level of debt, your level of discipline, and your prospects for the future.

* Excellent Service
Free Consultations over the telephone and in-person. Speak with an attorney six (6) days a week.
* Low Fees
Flexible payment plans. We will work within your budget.
* Experience
We have helped hundreds of clients with various financial situations.
* Convenient Locations
We have convenient locations throughout Southern California, including Irvine and Riverside.

Get bankruptcy help from an experienced bankruptcy attorney! The foregoing bankruptcy website will also provide you with helpful links regarding bankruptcy, debt settlement, loan modifications, real estate matters, and related legal matter. Herein, we hope to provide you with all of the essential information you need to know about bankruptcy and how to begin your road to a "fresh start."

Helping consumers file for bankruptcy, is Stealey Law Group's emphasized area of passionate profession. By handling Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases only, our clients know their work is being supervised by a knowledgeable lawyer. We can provide clients with immediate debt protection, while helping them to find their individual correct path to a financial freedom. The right choice in legal help today can make a major difference as you begin to build for a better tomorrow!

Put our experience on your side. Take the first step toward becoming debt free, by getting a FREE evaluation Start NOW the sooner you do, the more relieved you will feel!
One of the main purposes of Bankruptcy Law is to give a person, who is hopelessly burdened with debt, a "fresh start" by wiping out his or her debts. In these troubling economic times, I have a lot of clients in my offices asking if filing a bankruptcy is their best option. Whether it be a Chapter 7 petition, for a straight bankruptcy, as a “fresh start;” a Chapter 13 petition for a personal reorganization plan; or, a Chapter 11 for business reorganization; the choice is never easy. Often, I have clients who are embarrassed with themselves, or just plain mad at the world for what has happened to them. It is true that often they have no one but themselves to blame for bad decision making. However, the vast majority of my cases involve job loss, medical problems, or both. These are conditions out of people’s control. In these cases, Bankruptcy is a viable and government-supported option.

My objective is to provide the person, thinking about filing bankruptcy, the information he or she needs to make an informed decision. You will then have a good understanding of what the law allows.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy, sometimes called a straight bankruptcy is a liquidation proceeding. Chapter 7 is also known as "personal bankruptcy," and is the most common type. Businesses can file under Chapter 7 as well. The debtor turns over all non-exempt property to the bankruptcy trustee who then converts it to cash for distribution to the creditors. The debtor receives a discharge of all dischargeable debts, usually within five (5) months. In the vast majority of cases, the debtor has no assets that he would lose, so Chapter 7 will give that person a relatively quick "fresh start".

Chapter 11 bankruptcy is for businesses that wish to reorganize, but it is also available to individuals who do not meet the debt limit levels for a Chapter 13. It is a complex type of bankruptcy that requires the assistance of an attorney.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is also known as a reorganization bankruptcy. Chapter13 bankruptcy is filed by individuals who want to pay off their debts over a period of three to five years. This type of bankruptcy appeals to individuals who have non-exempt property that they want to keep; such as a mortgaged house, or car. It is also only an option for individuals who have predictable income, and whose income is sufficient to pay their reasonable expenses, with some amount left over to pay off their debts. You must submit a repayment plan to the court for approval. Your repayments are supervised by a trustee appointed by the Bankruptcy court. If you cannot keep up with your payment plan, your Bankruptcy can be converted to a ch. 7.

There are connections between bankruptcy and other aspects of my practice, namely civil litigation and criminal defense. Usually when things start going bad for families or individuals, it goes there fast. I have defended someone in a criminal case, or filed a civil complaint for them, only to see them on my doorstep months later in dire financial shape, and in need of bankruptcy counseling. Again, for some, this option makes sense.

However, I take great pride in talking some clients out of bankruptcy when I think there are other options. Bankruptcy is still serious business, although the stigma has been taken off of it, to a large extent by the present state of affairs. For some, I can arrange settlement offers to creditors at 20-30 cents on the dollar; allowing those clients to pay their debt and move on, without a bankruptcy. Again, it is a tool provided by the federal government to help people, not cast them into an abyss of financial ruin.

If you are being harassed by creditors, facing eviction, wage garnishment, repossession or foreclosure, you may be able to file bankruptcy to put all of this on hold, and potentially, behind you!

Contact our office today to speak to one of our experienced bankruptcy attorneys to discuss your personal matter. At Stealey Law Group, our legal professionals are devoted to assisting you in working through this complicated area of law. Please contact us for a free case evaluation and assessment of your personal matter; call today to: 714/270-9123!
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REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING BANKRUPTCY:

1. You must reside or have a place of business within the United States.

2. You must pass a means test to determine whether you qualify for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.

3. You must agree to participate in credit counseling.
Do you need our help? Call us now to schedule your consultation:

A member of our bankruptcy team will contact you within 24 hours of your submittal:
(714) 270-9123

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