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Jacqueline D. Serrao
Bankruptcy Attorney
After graduating in the top 15% of my class at the Whittier College School of Law, I began my law career. I realized that I had the true opportunity to help people through difficult times, and as cost-efficiently as possible. When people file for Chapter 7 or 13 Bankruptcy, the last thing they need is an attorney who charges them pennies and dimes for every little service. I strive to make my bankruptcy services as affordable as possible; I offer free consultations for everyone so you won’t have to worry about making a monetary commitment to an attorney who you may not even be using in the long-run. To schedule a free initial consultation, call my office or fill out the brief form above.
Not Your Average Attorney
You Need a Legal Team That Genuinely Wants You to Succeed
Compassionate
We understand that bankruptcy can result in a very emotional time for everyone, so we’re here to not only help you legally with the process of filing for bankruptcy, but we want to give you support in any way so you can get started on your next chapter your in life.
Attentive
There are vast differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. We will work closely with you to create a strategy that works best for you and your unique situation and give you a chance for a positive outcome for you and your family.
Forward-Thinking
Our goal is to develop a plan that sets you up for success not only for the next few months but for the next few years and for decades to come. Although we love to help people start over, our goal is for you to only need our bankruptcy services once.
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The Key Differences Between Chapters 7 & Chapter 13 of Bankruptcy
Chapter 7
You will be eligible for Chapter 7 if your disposable income is lower than the state’s median income on a monthly basis. If your income is higher than the state’s median income, you will need to submit to a “means test” which basically audits your financial situation.
Chapter 13
This form of bankruptcy, on the other hand, is executed by reorganizing all of your debts into one, easier-to-pay plan that you will eventually pay off in three to five years. Those whose income is too high for Chapter 7 use Chapter 13 because they have enough disposable income to put toward paying off the debt, rather than selling their assets. Another benefit to Chapter 13 bankruptcy is that it gives you the opportunity to repay arrears on secured debts while retaining the property.
Chapter 13’s benefit is that you can keep your property, however, some people would prefer Chapter 7 because their debts are eliminated much more quickly in several months rather than years. In some cases, you may not have a choice as to which chapter of bankruptcy you can use due to income level.
Not Sure What Chapter is Right for You? Schedule a Free Consultation with a Bankruptcy Attorney!
If you’re uncertain about the most suitable bankruptcy strategy for your individual circumstances, we encourage you to reach out to The Law Office of Jacqueline D. Serrao, a trusted bankruptcy attorney firm. Gain access to professional advice tailored to your specific needs. Whether you live in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, or anywhere in between, take advantage of our offer for a complimentary consultation by calling us today.