Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorney Serving Melbourne & Brevard County

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is often referred to as a "reorganization" bankruptcy. Unlike Chapter 7, which involves liquidating assets, Chapter 13 allows individuals with regular income to create a manageable repayment plan over three to five years.

During that time, you can catch up on past-due mortgage or car payments, stop foreclosure proceedings, and prevent repossession, while continuing to live in your home and drive your vehicle, while keeping up with their ongoing payments.

In some cases, Chapter 13 can even reduce your car payments or allow you to pay only a percentage of your unsecured debt, depending on your financial situation. It may also help reinstate a suspended driver’s license caused by unpaid fines, such as parking tickets.

But these benefits are not automatic. To take full advantage of what Chapter 13 offers, you need skilled legal guidance from a lawyer who understands the system inside and out.

At Mann Law, we have years of experience helping clients navigate the Chapter 13 process. We start by reviewing your income, debts, expenses, and goals, and help determine whether Chapter 13 is the right fit for your situation. If it is, we can walk you through every step and develop a repayment plan that meets both your needs and the court’s requirements.

To be eligible, you must have a stable source of income. This doesn’t necessarily mean wages from employment. You may qualify if you receive Social Security, disability payments, unemployment benefits, retirement income, or rental proceeds.

While corporations and stockbrokers are not eligible for Chapter 13, individuals, sole proprietors, and self-employed persons generally are, so long as their debt levels fall within federal limits.

Once you file, the court issues an automatic stay that halts creditor actions, including foreclosure, wage garnishment, and lawsuits. From there, we can work with you to submit a repayment plan for court approval.

The court will assess whether your plan is proposed in good faith and whether it pays creditors at least as much as they would receive in a Chapter 7 case. The plan must also reflect your best effort by contributing all your disposable income to your debts after covering essential living expenses.

If you are ready to explore whether Chapter 13 bankruptcy is the right solution for you, talk to our attorney to learn more about how it can work with your financial situation. We offer flexible payment plans and personalized service from a legal team that genuinely cares about your future.