Through the bankruptcy process, it may be possible for you to:

• Discharge liabilities for most or all of your debts allowing you a fresh start. When your debt is discharged, you will have no further legal obligation to pay the debt.
• Stop foreclosure actions on your home and allow you an opportunity to catch up on the missed payments.
• Prevent repossession of your car or other property, and possibly force creditors to return property even after it has been repossessed.
• Stop the wage garnishment and other debt collection harassment to give you some economic breathing room.
• Restore or prevent termination of certain types of utility services.
• Allow you an opportunity to challenge the claim of certain creditors who may have committed fraud or who are otherwise seeking to collect more than they are legally entitled to from you.

In Bankruptcy, however it is usually not possible to:

• Eliminate certain rights of secured creditors. Although you may be able to force a secured creditors to take payments over time in the bankruptcy process, you cannot keep the collateral unless you continue to pay the debt.
• Discharge types of debts singled out for special treatment, such as child support, alimony, student loans, certain court ordered payments, criminal fines and some taxes.
• Protect all cosigners on their debts. If a relative or friend cosigns a loan which is discharged in the bankruptcy order, the cosigner may still be obligated to repay whatever part of the loan not paid during the pendency of your bankruptcy case.
• Discharge debts that are incurred after the bankruptcy petition is filed.

If you are considering bankruptcy, we encourage you to seek the advice and assistance of an experienced San Francisco Bay Area bankruptcy attorney who practices California bankruptcy law before you decide to file. At The Chernev Firm, we will provide you with a free bankruptcy consultation where you can talk to a bankruptcy lawyer about your options.