Practice Areas

Suburban Maryland & Washington, DC Bankruptcy Attorneys

At Vail A. Kaufman, P.A., in Greenbelt, Maryland, our attorneys help individuals overcome the burdens of out-of-control debt. We provide bankruptcy guidance to people throughout the Maryland and Washington, DC metropolitan areas. We thoroughly explain the benefits and disadvantages of bankruptcy as well as review all other options. We provide informative guidance so that you can make the best decision for you and your family. Contact bankruptcy attorney Vail A. Kaufman for a free consultation.

The most common type of bankruptcy is Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharges the majority of your debt (excluding things such as student loans, child support and tax obligations), and allows you to exempt certain property from liquidation by the trustee. The exempt property that you may be allowed to keep includes homesteads, household furniture and furnishings, jewelry, clothing, interests in an automobile, tools of the trade, pensions and insurance policies. Chapter 7 bankruptcy enables you to obtain a fresh start free from much of your debt.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a debt adjustment procedure. The plan consolidates your debt into a 3-5 year repayment plan. Individuals must have a job with sufficient earnings to qualify for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Creditors must approve the adjustment plan, and a trustee is appointed to receive payments from you and disburse them to creditors. You remain in possession of all of your property, both exempt and non-exempt. Chapter 13 is an attractive bankruptcy option for people who wish to keep their home and other property, but have just fallen too far behind on mortgage payments.

Due to the complex nature of bankruptcy law, it is important to have an experienced attorney guiding you through the process. While a paralegal or bankruptcy preparation service may appear to have the knowledge to assist you in this area, they do not have the ability or legal authority to provide legal advice, and cannot provide the most in-depth representation, advice and counseling. An inaccurate bankruptcy filing can come back to haunt you years after your original bankruptcy filing.

If your debt is out of control and you find yourself unable to make payments, Contacts Us the experienced lawyers at Vail A. Kaufman, P.A., for exceptional representation. We offer a free initial consultation on all bankruptcy matters.