Savannah Bankruptcy Attorneys Working to Get You Out of Debt

We protect you from creditor harassment

For many people facing financial hardship, dealing with creditors can become more than just a nuisance. When a creditor’s behavior crosses the line into creditor harassment, we at Gastin & Hill, Attorneys at Law help you put an end to the abuse and intimidation and find relief from creditors.

As soon as we file your bankruptcy case, the court orders an automatic stay.  The order prevents creditors from sending you bills or letters or calling you about your debts. Creditors are prohibited from contacting you in any way. That protection gives you and your family peace of mind – an important benefit of filing for bankruptcy.

We make sure our clients understand the bankruptcy process and know all of their options. Do not be afraid if you are considering bankruptcy or need support consolidating your bills. Our Savannah attorneys and staff can answer your questions and guide you through difficult times with hope for the future.

Georgia bankruptcy attorneys helping clients with lawsuits and wage garnishment

If you fall behind on payments, a creditor may file a lawsuit against you and obtain a judgment for the amount owed. Once creditors have a judgment, they can garnish your wages for up to 25 percent of your gross pay until the debt is fully satisfied.  If you receive regular income, the first thing that most judgment creditors go after is your paycheck. A judgment creditor can also seize funds from your bank accounts and take your family’s home and personal property.

Filing bankruptcy with Gastin & Hill will:

If a creditor has threatened you with a lawsuit or judgment, please contact Gastin & Hill for a free consultation. We are here to help you with legal advice and representation. Speak with one of our Savannah bankruptcy attorneys today to learn more about what we can do for you.

Providing debt consolidation and bankruptcy advice to eastern Georgia

The lawyers of Gastin & Hill work with residents of Bryan, Chatham and Effingham counties who are in financial trouble and want to know more about how bankruptcy can help them. Our practice areas include:

• Chapter 7 bankruptcy — People who have determined they can no longer pay back creditors, banks or others to whom they owe money can receive legal protection by filing bankruptcy under Chapter 7 of the federal code and selling assets to pay back bills.
• Chapter 13 bankruptcy — Filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows you to pay back your debts over a three- to five-year period. Because it is a repayment plan, there are added benefits to you — and your credit.
• Foreclosure and eviction — The threat of losing a house or apartment due to unpaid bills is difficult and frightening. Homeowners and renters have rights that they should understand. Talk to one of our lawyers about your choices if you are facing foreclosure or eviction.
• Debt relief — Someone struggling under an unreasonably heavy debt load should consider having the terms of their debt modified. Our Savannah attorneys can help with debt relief.
• Debt consolidation — An option for those with serious credit card or other debt is to merge all liabilities into one long-term loan. A debt consolidation loan is a useful option for people who want to avoid the bankruptcy process. Speak with one of our staff members to learn more.

Eliminating tax debt in bankruptcy

Contrary to popular belief, bankruptcy can clear some types of tax debt.  To discharge income tax debt in bankruptcy, you must meet certain requirements in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 proceedings.  These requirements apply to IRS income tax debt as well as state and local income tax debt.

• Your tax returns must have been due and owing for more than three years before your bankruptcy petition was filed.
• Your tax returns must have been filed by you (not a taxing authority) more than two years before your bankruptcy petition.
• The tax you owe must have been assessed against you at least 240 days before your bankruptcy petition is filed.  The “assessment” refers to the IRS’s internal acknowledgment of the overdue tax debt.
• Your tax returns must have been truthful and not fraudulent.
• You must not have been intentionally attempting to evade or defeat the tax when you failed to pay.

When all of the above requirements are met, your tax debt may be discharged at the end of bankruptcy proceedings, along with any penalties on taxes eligible for discharge.  With a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the debt may be wholly discharged, and with a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, a repayment plan will allow you to make affordable payments toward the tax debt without penalties or interest.  Once there is a discharge of tax liability, you are no longer responsible for paying the taxes and the government may not take further action against you.

Contact our Savannah bankruptcy law office today for a free initial consultation about debt relief

Georgians being threatened with wage garnishments, liens, foreclosure or mounting bills have options. Gastin & Hill, Attorneys at Law offers free initial consultations to those who wish to learn more about how our experienced bankruptcy lawyers can help them. Call us at 912-232-0203 or contact us online to schedule an appointment at our Savannah office.