Automatic Stay in Seattle

Falling behind on bills doesn't mean you deserve to be treated like a criminal or failure by creditors and debt collectors. If you're currently undergoing financial hardship, their unscrupulous actions could cause you embarrassment at home and at work, and may even prevent you from picking up your phone when it rings. Take it from our Seattle bankruptcy lawyers; debt collectors will hammer you relentlessly if you owe them money, but you can put it a stop to the madness immediately.

When you petition the US District Court in Washington State for bankruptcy, the automatic stay takes immediate effect. This means that creditors can no longer hassle you in any way without the threat of fine or sanction. You don't have to wait for a judge to render a decision regarding your bankruptcy, and sometimes you can reap the benefits of an automatic stay without even qualifying for a discharge of your debt.

Every variety of debt collection is stopped by the automatic stay, including wage garnishments, car repossessions, and foreclosures. Stop the harassing phone calls and fight back against the devious tactics of corporate creditors with help from our team of Washington bankruptcy lawyers.

• In Washington State, the automatic stay prevents all attempts to collect a debt, even debt that cannot ultimately be discharged
• If one of your creditors violates the automatic stay, you can be awarded punitive damages and attorney's fees
• Some fines and child support may not be covered by the automatic stay
• Automatic stay is a powerful tool - our Seattle bankruptcy lawyers will help you use it

Falling behind on bills is stressful, but if creditors are calling you at all hours of the day or making threats that they will contact your place of employment, it's time to fight back. You have legal rights that protect you from the unnecessary burden of unbridled debt, and our Washington State bankruptcy lawyers can help you enforce them.

Simply contact one of our lawyers to petition the court for bankruptcy on your behalf. We will issue an automatic stay that will stop the harassment, law suits, and any other debt-related issue that's keeping you from sleeping at night. Eliminate worry, clear your head, and press the financial reset button with help from our team of experienced Seattle bankruptcy lawyers.

While a Chapter 7 bankruptcy usually allows you to discharge all unsecured debt, to enjoy the benefits of the automatic stay relative to secured debt (loans backed up by collateral) you will need to make your regular payments. With Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must keep up with the monthly payments of your debt consolidation plan. In both instances the property, usually a car or home, must be insured so that the creditor has adequate protection in the security of their interest.

Once a discharge of debt is rendered in your bankruptcy case, the automatic stay is no longer necessary. A discharge permanently eliminates your debt, although certain types of debt may not qualify for discharge, like student loans and taxes. In Chapter 13 bankruptcy situations, you are protected from secured debt for the full term, even if it's not part of your monthly payment plan.

If you're tired of being harassed for financial woes that are out of your control, contact a Seattle bankruptcy attorney today for a free consultation. An automatic stay makes it possible for you to immediately put an end to all sorts of debt collection, including:

• Wage garnishments
• Phones calls
• Repossessions
• Foreclosures
• Law suits
• License suspensions
• Placing a judgment lien on real estate
• Perfecting any kind of lien