Bankruptcy Attorney

Nathan H. Goldberg has been helping people through the bankruptcy process for over twenty years. Mr. Goldberg has filed thousands of bankruptcy cases and is regularly consulted by other attorneys for his financial and bankruptcy advice. Attorney’s refer their clients and friends for bankruptcy representation to Mr. Goldberg. Mr. Goldberg has sat on numerous committees throughout his career, and as far back as the early 1990’s, has assisted in writing the local rules for the Federal Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District of Missouri. Mr. Goldberg has been published in law books various times in Bankruptcy Law.

 

Bankruptcy is a legal procedure that takes place in federal bankruptcy court. It starts when a debtor files a petition asking a bankruptcy court to protect him or her from creditors. The main purpose of bankruptcy is to stop creditors' collection efforts, and then obtain a discharge or restructuring of debts. Bankruptcy provides relief to debtors overwhelmed by debt and besieged by collection efforts of creditors, which are sometimes insufferable. It is intended to give honest, but unfortunate, debtors a fresh start.

 

When you can no longer pay your bills on time, or when paying all of your bills on time would not leave enough money to pay your regular living expenses, you are looking at an unending nightmare. In some cases, it may be an unforeseeable event, like illness, injury, loss of employment, loss of a spouse or loved one.

Under these circumstances your debts will continue to grow with accumulating interest and penalties, and your money problems will only get worse. If you cannot pay your bills, before long collection letters and calls will start, you will probably be sued and a judgment will be entered against you and your property. Judgments can be followed by repeated garnishments of your income and your bank accounts which can ruin your monthly budget. Missing car payments will result in the vehicle being repossessed leaving you without transportation to work. Missing mortgage payments will result in the mortgage company foreclosing on your home.

Therefore, it is time to consider bankruptcy, when it becomes clear that you cannot pay your bills on time. Contact us today and get the help you need.

HOW MUCH IS THE COURT FILING FEE?
The filing fee for a Chapter 7 is $306.00and a Chapter 13 is $281.00. There are also Attorney’s fees , which can be quoted over the phone if you contact our office.

DO I HAVE TO GO TO COURT?
You must attend one hearing when filing. It is a review of your case and can take from a few minutes to 10 or 15 minutes.  If you file for Chapter 13 you may have to attend an additional hearing, but it is unlikely.

MEDIAN INCOME GUIDELINES
Not all, but most people filing for bankruptcy are required to complete a “Statement of Current Monthly Income”. This process is called the “Means Test”. Income and expense information is placed into a formula which also includes your family size. There are many calculations and variables which then lead to a result that tells you whether you can file chapter 7 or chapter 13. The federal government sets out a number which is the average yearly income per state per family size. If you average yearly income is below that number, you can file chapter7. If your average yearly income is higher than you have to file chapter 13. Sometimes, exceptions to that rule can be made