Bowie Foreclosure Defense Attorney
Experienced Foreclosure Defense Lawyer for Clients in Bowie, Maryland
Is your house at risk of foreclosure due to late payments on your mortgage? If so, you should seek legal representation to help you take control of your outstanding debts. A Bowie, MD foreclosure defense attorney can work with you to protect your home through smart financial planning, assisting you in a petition for bankruptcy.
At The Law Office of Donald L. Bell, we can provide you with comprehensive counsel and representation to help you prevent or manage foreclosure proceedings. Attorney Donald Bell has years of experience handling consumer bankruptcy cases for homeowners in need, pursuing individualized solutions to address outstanding secured and unsecured debts. You can rely on our firm to help you navigate difficult choices and set you on the right path for the future.
Why Choose Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
Many people treat bankruptcy as a mark of shame or something to avoid at all costs. However, filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy is not an admission of failure. Rather, it can help you seize control over spiraling debts and put you in a better position to meet your financial obligations.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy is vastly different from Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which usually involves letting go of non-exempt assets to satisfy creditors. In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you can roll your debts into a monthly repayment plan that gives priority to your most pressing debts first. This can allow you to keep your valuable property like your vehicles and personal belongings so that you can focus on paying back your mortgage.
At The Law Office of Donald L. Bell, we can guide you through the necessary steps for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition. We can sit down with you to discuss your case, giving you a clear idea of your options to avoid foreclosure.
Can I Modify My Mortgage Through Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
Sometimes, paying off your mortgage under your current rates is simply not feasible. During your petition for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you may be able to negotiate new terms for your mortgage that are better suited to your financial situation. However, you should take care to ensure that you do not get scammed by mortgage companies offering "loss mitigation" services. With the help of a skilled bankruptcy attorney, you can pursue a mortgage modification that suits your best interests.
How Long Do I Have to Get Caught Up on My Mortgage Under Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
When you enter into a repayment plan through Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you will typically have up to five years to get up to date on your mortgage arrears. During that time, you will also make incremental payments on various secured and unsecured debts. Secured debts are enforced by collateral which can be seized, while unsecured debts do not have any tangible collateral (e.g., credit card payments).
Does My Repayment Plan Have to Be Approved?
Before your petition for Chapter 13 bankruptcy is finalized, you will have to seek approval from a judge in bankruptcy court. Other parties can also voice their concerns about the proposed plan, including your creditors and the bankruptcy trustee. Our foreclosure defense lawyer can represent you in the meeting of creditors and the final courtroom hearing, addressing any questions about your repayment plan.
Contact a Bowie, MD Foreclosure Defense Lawyer
Keeping your home can be a valuable pathway to generational wealth. At The Law Office of Donald L. Bell, we are here to support you by helping you file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition to delay foreclosure proceedings, giving you the time and resources you need to catch up on your mortgage arrears. When you work with our firm, we will do everything we can to protect your financial interests. To set up a free consultation, contact our Bowie, Maryland foreclosure defense attorney or call us at 301-614-0535.