In Akron, Ohio a 35-year-old teacher retained bankruptcy lawyers from Cleveland Bankruptcy Attorneys after a previous Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing with a different firm did not alleviate his concerns and was ultimately dismissed. The man was essentially unable to keep up with his house payments and other debts; therefore, he needed to surrender the property and find some financial relief. He also had the added limitation of his employer garnishing a portion of his wages after their own mistake caused him to be overpaid approximately $5,000. So, in an effort to correct these issues and get his finances back on track, he reached out to the Ohio bankruptcy attorneys with Cleveland Bankruptcy Attorneys for a consultation.
After speaking with Cleveland Bankruptcy Attorneys, it became clear that Cleveland Bankruptcy Attorneys would be able to help. Under our direction, the man filed for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy to remove his unsecured debts, including his house. We successfully delayed the foreclosure process for almost a year, which provided his client sufficient time to find a new living situation. During this time, Cleveland Bankruptcy Attorneys worked diligently to fix the garnishment issue with the man’s employer. While the active bankruptcy protected him from having his wages garnished, it also allowed for a percentage to be returned if funds were collected within six months of filing the bankruptcy. As a result, the client had a significant amount returned and we explained to the employer that while the original overpayment was their mistake, it was not the primary source of his client’s financial troubles. But under the law, he was entitled to its return and his bankruptcy filing includes federal protection from any repercussions. With the garnishment issue smoothed over and once the bankruptcy process was completed, the man was pleased to find a new home, so he could move on without any overwhelming obligations.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.