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Santa Barbara Bankruptcy Attorney

Now that we are experiencing the worst recession this country has seen since the Great Depression, overwhelming debt, persistent (if not downright nasty) creditors, garnishments, and threatening foreclosures or repossessions are more prevalent than ever before. Ordinary people, good people from all different levels of income, who paid their debts and managed just fine until they got laid off, their hours cut back, or their credit card balances frozen and their rates doubled, are finding they have no alternative but to seek refuge under the bankruptcy laws intended to help in just such situations, but that almost none of them ever wanted to have to use. We understand. We’ve been helping just such people for a long time. In most cases we can help those folks get rid of their debts, put a halt to the threatening calls, stop garnishments, and stop (at least for a while) the foreclosures and repossessions. We can help get them the time to catch up on the arrears on their mortgages and, in some cases, can even get rid of a second mortgage on their home. Mostly, though, we can help give them what the bankruptcy laws were always intended to give, a “fresh start.”

The 2005 Changes to the Bankruptcy Law

You may be aware that the bankruptcy laws were significantly changed in 2005. This legislation was drafted by lobbyists for the credit card and lending giants and never received any reasonable hearings before being passed by the Congress. The net effect of this law was to make it more difficult and more complicated to file bankruptcy. Many parts of the bill were so poorly drafted that to this day neither bankruptcy attorneys nor judges are sure how to interpret them—they do the best they can under the circumstances and wait for the courts of appeal or the Supreme Court to determine what it all means. Individuals trying to file their own bankruptcies face a minefield of potential missteps and hidden traps, not to mention the emotional toll involved in trying to figure out what it all means and whether they’ve done it right. Fortunately, however, in spite of the changes to the law, most people can still file bankruptcy and use it to get the “fresh start” promised by the original bankruptcy laws.

Come in and Talk to Us

Because these laws are so complicated, we suggest that you come in for a free 30-minute in-office consultation to review your personal circumstances to see whether bankruptcy might represent a solution to the financial problems you are experiencing. In order to make that process more productive, we ask those coming in for a consultation to fill out a short form that will give us a quick snapshot of your financial picture, and a longer disclosure form that the new law requires us to have you read and sign (it does contain a lot of helpful information about bankruptcy—so please do read it). You can download those forms in .pdf format by clicking here. Remember, the more time you spend carefully filling out and reading these forms before you come in, the more you will get out of your free consultation.

Compassionate & Confidential

We pride ourselves on doing good work at a fair price and treating our clients with compassion and respect. We try to make a difficult process as smooth and painless as possible because that’s what makes us feel good. We encourage you to call us or email us to make an appointment for your free consultation.

Please do be sure to fill out the forms to bring with you when you come in. And please, please, please keep in mind that bankruptcy is NOT the end of the world. In my many years of practice I have seen thousands and thousands of people go through this process and come out the other side to lead happy, fruitful and fulfilling lives. Do not deny yourself that opportunity.

A brief word about
who we are

I have been practicing bankruptcy law since 1971 (with a few side trips along the way) and for many years now have been certified by the California State Bar Association Board of Legal Specialization as a Certified Legal Specialist in Bankruptcy Law. 

My wife, Julia, is the office manager and Maricela Torres, my paralegal, has been with us for over 18 years.  So it’s kind of a family affair.  We will try to make you feel at home.