Dallas Personal Bankruptcy Lawyer

Personal Bankruptcy – Business Bankruptcy – Non-Bankruptcy Workouts

Harriet Langston, P.C., features Dallas attorney Harriet Langston, a skilled personal bankruptcy attorney and specialist* offering more than 20 years of experience in bankruptcy law to residents in and around Dallas, Frisco, Plano and University Park.

Harriet Langston is certified in both business bankruptcy and consumer bankruptcy by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She has helped individuals and small businesses with bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy solutions, including:

• Chapter 7 personal and business bankruptcy
• Chapter 11 personal and business bankruptcy
• Chapter 13 personal bankruptcy
• non-bankruptcy workouts

For additional information about us and how we can help you, please visit our Benefits of Retaining Harriet Langston, P.C. page.

To discuss your situation with an experienced lawyer and discover your options, please call 866-603-0804.

Options Inside or Outside of Bankruptcy

What follows is general information about some of the bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy options that might be right for you or your business. For additional bankruptcy information, visit our Bankruptcy Myths page and General Bankruptcy FAQ page.

Chapter 7 Personal and Business Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 bankruptcy applies to individuals (see our Chapter 7 Consumer Bankruptcy page) and businesses.

The purpose of an individual Chapter 7 bankruptcy is to allow a person to obtain a fresh start, free from creditors and the pressure of overwhelming debt. Under Chapter 7, a trustee takes possession of non-exempt property assets, converts them to cash and distributes the funds to creditors. After filing for relief, a debtor may receive a discharge of debts.

A discharge permanently prohibits creditors from attempting to collect the debts listed by the debtor on the bankruptcy schedules. However, some debts are non-dischargeable, including certain taxes, student loans, alimony and child support.

A business that files under Chapter 7 is not eligible to receive a discharge.

To discuss whether a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is right for you, please contact bankruptcy lawyer Harriet Langston.

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Chapter 11 Personal and Business Bankruptcy

The purpose of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy is to give an individual or business time free from creditors’ collection efforts to restructure its financial obligations so it may continue to operate in a normal fashion under a court-approved reorganization plan. Creditors of a business filing under Chapter 11 vote on the repayment plan, which then must be approved by the court. The advantage of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy is if a trustee is not appointed, the individual or business does not lose property during the bankruptcy and has time to deal with creditors and negotiate a repayment plan.

A Chapter 11 bankruptcy is complicated, and you might find advantages to filing under a different chapter. Consult with an attorney to discuss your options before making the decision to file under Chapter 11.

To discuss whether a Chapter 11 bankruptcy is right for you, please contact bankruptcy lawyer Harriet Langston.

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Chapter 13 Personal Bankruptcy

The purpose of a Chapter 13 consumer bankruptcy is to allow an individual debtor with a regular income to pay back debts using his or her income while keeping certain assets. A person who operates a small business as a sole proprietor may file under Chapter 13 bankruptcy rather than Chapter 11.

Under a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing, the debtor must promptly file a repayment plan and obtain the court's approval of the plan. Any creditor may object to the plan, and the debtor, along with the appointed trustee, must work out any objections to the plan before the court will approve it. The typical repayment period of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy is between three and five years. The debtor makes regular payments to the trustee, who then distributes these payments to creditors according to the terms of the plan.

After completion of the plan, the debtor’s debts are discharged (with some exceptions), and the debtor is no longer obligated to pay them.

To discuss whether a Chapter 13 bankruptcy is right for you, please contact bankruptcy lawyer Harriet Langston.

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Non-Bankruptcy Workouts

Bankruptcy is not right for everyone. Some clients find better options. Attorney Harriet Langston will explain the benefits and limitations of not only your bankruptcy options but also any other available solutions. Our goal is to make sure you have the information you need to make an informed decision. Of course, Ms. Langston will recommend a particular course of action based on her extensive experience and knowledge.

Non-bankruptcy options include negotiating directly with a bank or mortgage company to stop a foreclosure on your home and asking creditors for time to sell your home or business or for a change to either the terms of your loan or debt or the amount of money they will take in lieu of the debt without the need to file for bankruptcy protection.

To discuss your bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy options, please contact bankruptcy lawyer Harriet Langston.

We also help individuals and businesses facing problems with their credit after bankruptcy. A bankruptcy discharge provides you with certain benefits; if you think you are not receiving those benefits, including if you are being harassed or sued for discharged debt, we can help.

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Contact an Experienced Bankruptcy Specialist Today for Your Options

To discuss your bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy options with an experienced Dallas lawyer who also is a board-certified specialist in both consumer and business bankruptcy, please schedule a free, confidential consultation with Harriet Langston by calling 866-603-0804, or, if you prefer, fill out our online form and we will contact you. Everyone deserves a second chance.

*certified as a business bankruptcy specialist and a consumer bankruptcy specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Note: Under the Bankruptcy Code, we are considered a debt-relief agency. We proudly help people file bankruptcy petitions to assist them in obtaining relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

Located in Dallas, Texas, Harriet Langston, P.C., represents individuals and businesses in bankruptcy matters and assists clients with financial solutions outside of bankruptcy, when possible, for residents and businesses in and around Cedar Hill, Dallas, DeSoto, Frisco, Highland Park, Park Cities, Plano, Red Oak, Rockwall and University Park.