Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy Attorneys in Orlando

Is Filing for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Right for You?

Financial trouble can happen to anyone—medical emergencies, job loss, or unexpected expenses sometimes make keeping up with bills impossible. Understanding bankruptcy is the first step if you’re exploring options for a fresh start.

Haynes Law Group guides you through this process, explaining your options and ensuring you have the information and support to determine your best path forward. Our experience with Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings in Orlando helps individuals and families make informed decisions and take the next step toward regaining financial stability.

How Haynes Law Group Helps Orlando Residents

With extensive experience handling foreclosures, loan modifications, and deed-in-lieu transactions throughout Florida, Haynes Law Group effectively guides clients facing serious financial distress. This broad expertise allows us to offer holistic support, especially when foreclosure or default prompts considerations about bankruptcy. Our team’s deep knowledge helps individuals and families in Orlando explore every available option—whether defending against foreclosure, negotiating a loan modification, or choosing bankruptcy as a path toward a new financial start.

We help make the bankruptcy process more manageable by clearly explaining each step, ensuring documents are complete, and remaining available for questions from the initial consultation through resolution. This client-focused approach empowers individuals to make informed decisions about how best to protect their homes, finances, and futures.

Call (888) 252-8754 to learn more about bankruptcy and start the process today.

Florida Bankruptcy Exemptions: Protecting Your Home and Assets in Orlando

Florida offers some of the most generous bankruptcy exemptions in the country, particularly for homeowners in Orlando. The state’s homestead exemption allows you to protect an unlimited amount of equity in your primary residence, provided the property is located on no more than half an acre within a city, or up to 160 acres outside a municipality. To benefit from this exemption, you must have owned and lived in your Florida home for at least 1,215 days (about 3.3 years) before filing for bankruptcy. A federal cap may apply if you haven’t met this residency requirement, which limits the exempt equity to $189,050 as of recent bankruptcy laws.

Additionally, Florida bankruptcy law includes exemptions for personal property, retirement accounts, wages for the head of household, and more, helping many filers retain most—if not all—of their essential assets during the bankruptcy process. These protections can allow many individuals and families in Orlando to keep their homes and valuable property while seeking a fresh financial start through bankruptcy.

Important Considerations Before Filing for Bankruptcy

Before filing for bankruptcy, consider the following:

Alternatives – Consider whether budgeting, debt settlement, or credit counseling can solve the problem without filing for bankruptcy.
Impact on Credit – Bankruptcy remains on your credit report for up to ten years (Chapter 7) or seven years (Chapter 13), but it is often possible to begin repairing credit much sooner.
Future Finances – Consider how bankruptcy may affect future borrowing, buying a home, or securing jobs in finance-related fields.
Non-Dischargeable Debts – Not all debts are wiped out—child support, alimony, certain taxes, and most student loans typically remain.

Understanding Chapter 7 & Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 bankruptcy, often called "liquidation bankruptcy," provides the fastest path to discharge eligible debts. In Orlando and across Florida, Chapter 7 may be considered if monthly income falls below a set threshold after accounting for certain expenses.

Key points about Chapter 7 include:

Most unsecured debts, such as credit cards and medical bills, can be eliminated.
Some personal property may be sold (liquidated) to help pay creditors, but Florida’s exemptions allow many to keep their car, retirement accounts, and part of their home equity.
You must pass a "means test" based on income and household size to qualify.
Most cases finish in four to six months.

People often consider Chapter 7 to quickly eliminate overwhelming debt, stop collections, and begin rebuilding credit. It’s best for those with limited income and few valuable assets.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is designed for those with regular income who want to keep their property while catching up on mortgage, car loans, or back taxes.

Key points about Chapter 13:

Debtors follow a court-approved repayment plan, usually lasting three to five years.
No property is sold; instead, monthly payments are made to a trustee who forwards them to creditors.
This plan can help people stop a foreclosure, catch up on arrears, and pay back tax debt over time.
After completing payments, most remaining eligible debts are discharged.

Those who don’t qualify for Chapter 7 often choose this option, want to keep their home, or have debts that can’t be erased through Chapter 7 (like certain taxes or child support).

Should You File for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

Deciding whether bankruptcy is the right path involves careful thought.

Consider these factors:

Type of Debt – Medical bills, credit cards, utilities, and payday loans are commonly discharged; student loans and some tax debts rarely are.
Income and Assets – Qualifying for Chapter 7 depends on your income and what you own; Chapter 13 works for those with steady paychecks who need a structured repayment plan.
Property Protection – Chapter 13 is often preferred by those wishing to safeguard high-value assets from liquidation.
Long-Term Goals – Think about how each type impacts your ability to rebuild credit, keep your home, or protect vehicles and retirement accounts.

Take Your Next Steps with Haynes Law Group by Your Side

If you are struggling with debt in Orlando, FL, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Speaking with a knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney can help determine which path fits your situation. Our team at Haynes Law Group listens carefully, explains all your legal options, and walks you through every stage of the process.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

Our Clients Share Their Stories

At Haynes Law Group, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

“Haynes & de Paz saved our family home!”
We had given up hope of saving our home from foreclosure when a friend recommended the law firm of Haynes & DePaz. What a blessing. With personal help and encouragement, Mr. Haynes and his staff guided us through the case. They were quick to respond to email messages and phone calls. And best of all - Success! We now have a mortgage we can live within the home where our children were born and grew up. Exactly where we want to be! Haynes & de Paz saved our family home and we are forever grateful!

B.G.
“Haynes Law Group is a responsive, resourceful, and caring lawyer.”
Haynes Law Group is a responsive, resourceful, and caring lawyer who offers sound advice and legal counsel. Anyone should count themselves lucky to have him protect their best interests. I, for one, do.

Jessica
“Forever grateful!”
I want to thank the office of Haynes Law Group for all they did for my loan modification - Attorney Haynes, Ashlee Walker and Alexandra Slagel were always very professional - they were always there to answer my questions and ease my stress level. This time is always difficult but with a team like this is was smooth and I always had this amazing team taking care of me and making sure in the end we got what we wanted. I always knew they had my back. Again thank you for everything you did for me forever grateful!

A.J
“Great law firm.”
Haynes Law Group was highly effective yet caring and compassionate in handling my cases. He would be my first call if I should need an attorney again.

LL
“You guys really are the best!”
Ben - terrific news, you guys really are the best! We had received multiple marketing pieces from other asset recovery companies, but I think based on your ability to collect the full amount of the surplus funds, and fast, it was definitely worth engaging with you, outstanding!! If you are looking for a great foreclosure surplus lawyer, hire Mr. Haynes!

W.J.

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