We understand that calling an attorney and getting information about bankruptcy can be an overwhelming task. Many clients have shared their struggle to even get an attorney on the phone. We can empathize with the situation that you are going through. Having dealt with my own debt issues, I understand the difficulty of discussing your troubled financial matters. I am approachable, easy to talk to and very personable. If you're in search of an attorney and find it challenging to have a direct conversation with them, I recommend choosing one who prioritizes taking client calls personally. Clients come to me with horror stories of how they paid attorney fees and only talked to the staff and never someone who was able to answer their pertinent questions. I have filed thousands of cases in the Riverside County Federal Court over the past two decades and I have a ton of experience with every kind of bankruptcy situation you can imagine. I consider every single client’s situation to be unique and consider all the options under the law to get you the best solution under California law.
How the Consultation WorksThe purpose of the initial consultation will be for me to look at your assets and debts as well as your current income to determine whether bankruptcy would help you and if so, what chapter would give you the greatest relief. After looking at your particular situation I will explain to you the costs and the benefits of filing for bankruptcy or perhaps other alternatives to bankruptcy. I will give you a fee quote and explain the benefits of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and possibly Debt Settlement. Together we will determine if your income and your household income is above or below the California Means Test and this will be the determining factor of whether you can file a Chapter 7 or you need to file a Chapter 13 and make monthly payments over 3-5 years. Bankruptcy is done on a flat fee basis so there will be no additional or hidden charges.
Although I usually do the free consultation by phone, if you want to meet personally that is absolutely acceptable and we can meet in Riverside, Palm Desert or in San Clemente. Below I have listed where our offices are located and also which communities we think those offices serve, however you are welcome to make an appointment in any of our offices you choose. I will spend up to 30 minutes as a free consultation in which time I should be able to thoroughly assess your situation. If you have an urgent reason to file such as an upcoming foreclosure or wage garnishment you need to avoid, we can urgently help you file for bankruptcy the same day. If that is of interest to you, then please look at the list of documents we will need in order to file your bankruptcy, and bring those along or have them handy for our phone or personal meeting. There is no obligation and if you decide that I am not the right attorney for you or that bankruptcy is not an option that you want to consider, that is fine.
UrgentWhen people file for bankruptcy in a big hurry it is usually because they have run out of time and have not paid a bill and may have a pending foreclosure, repossession, wage garnishment, creditor collection or lawsuit happening imminently. By filing bankruptcy, in the Riverside Federal Court or any California court you are immediately granted an Automatic Stay. This will mean that no bank or creditor can come and take your house, car or other possessions while the Stay is in place. By itself this is not a good reason to file bankruptcy as you are just prolonging your situation and it is not what the court wants to see. The Riverside Federal Court would like to see you and your lawyer coming up with a plan that will either pay back your creditors (at least some) through a Chapter 13 or discharge all the unsecured debts through a Chapter 7 but it must get you back on your feet and keep you from defaulting on your house again and again.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: Takes about 3 months totally.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Takes 3-5 years depending on your income and the payment plan we will present to the trustee.
Because California has fantastic exemption laws that really help debtors who are in trouble but want to keep their home, we can almost always find a way to protect your home during bankruptcy. By using California’s new Homestead Exemptions, you can basically have a lot of equity in your home and still keep it using the proper exemptions. If you want to keep your vehicle and you are not behind on payments by too much, we can usually keep your car as well. If it is a Chapter 7, you may have to go through a Reaffirmation Agreement in which you are agreeing with the creditor to make payments on the vehicle outside of the bankruptcy.
OfficesWe have several offices for your convenience where you can meet Christopher Hewitt Esq. for a meeting after your free initial consultation. After talking with your new attorney Mr. Hewitt, you can make an appointment to meet face to face to go over your situation in more detail and determine your best path forward.
Palm Desert
Address: 74361 Highway 111, Suite 7 Palm Desert, CA 92260
Phone: 760-585-4451
Our dedicated Palm Desert office services the following areas:
Indio, Hemet, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Banning, Beaumont, San Jacinto, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Joshua Tree
San Clemente
Address: 209 Avenida Del Mar, Suite 206, San Clemente, CA 92672
Phone: 949-669-1014
Our dedicated San Clement office services the following areas:
Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange, Fullerton, Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Lake Forest, Buena Park, Tustin, San Clemente, Laguna Niguel, Fountain Valley, Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar
Riverside
Address: 3891 Tenth St, Riverside, CA 92501
Phone: 951-717-9020
Our part time office space for appointments only services the following areas:
Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Yorba Linda, La Habra, Placentia, Brea, San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Victorville, Rialto, Chino, Upland, Redlands, Highland, Hesperia, Yucaipa, Montclair, Adelanto, Colton, Perris, Eastvale