Athens Bankruptcy Lawyer

Bankruptcy Attorney in Athens, TN

Athens is home to a rich history, vibrant culture, and the natural beauty of the South. This hidden gem offers plenty of fun activities, from Mayfield Dairy tours to the Pumpkintown Festival. If you find it hard to focus on the natural beauty along the Eureka Trail or the art exhibits at the Athens Arts Center because of financial strain, an Athens, TN, bankruptcy lawyer can help. A skilled bankruptcy attorney can review your case and provide guidance tailored to your needs.

Hire a Bankruptcy Lawyer

As wages stagnate, costs continue to rise. More people are finding it difficult to make ends meet. You don’t have to live with the incessant calls from creditors hounding you at home and at work. At Mark T. Young & Associates, we have over three decades of experience helping residents of Southeast Tennessee file bankruptcy. Our firm focuses on bankruptcy law for both individuals and couples. Filing for bankruptcy gives you debt solutions so you can begin moving forward.

East Tennessee Bankruptcy Statistics

Filing for bankruptcy is one tool for managing overwhelming debt in the United States. In 2024, 517,308 individual and business bankruptcy cases were filed according to U. S. Bankruptcy Courts statistics. Compared to 2023, that’s a 14.2% increase in the number of filings.

When you file for bankruptcy in Athens, Tennessee, you will do so in one of the four Bankruptcy Courts, either in Chattanooga, Greeneville, Knoxville, or Winchester. Having a local bankruptcy attorney can help ensure you file in the necessary court with all the necessary forms to adhere to the strict bankruptcy laws in Tennessee.

The U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, for 2024, published bankruptcy statistics for Chapters 7, 11, and 13 bankruptcy. For all Eastern Tennessee counties:

• 6,747 total bankruptcies
• 3,620 were Chapter 7
• 23 were Chapter 11
• 3,104 were Chapter 13

Looking specifically at McMinn County:

• 190 total bankruptcies
• 90 were Chapter 7
• 100 were Chapter 13

Different Types of Bankruptcy

Deciding to file for bankruptcy is a major decision that has lasting effects. It should not be decided lightly or without first consulting a qualified Athens bankruptcy attorney. Bankruptcy laws are complicated and must be followed precisely. There are six main types of bankruptcy:

• Chapter 7. Individuals most commonly file Chapter 7 bankruptcy to discharge credit card debt, medical debt, or other types of consumer debts, but businesses can also file for Chapter 7. You have to prove you qualify to have your debts discharged by completing a means test. Any property you own not covered by exemptions is sold to pay off your debt before the rest of the debt is discharged.
• Chapter 13. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy is the second most common individual bankruptcy. Under a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, instead of having your debts completely discharged, you create a three- to five-year repayment plan. Once the repayment plan is complete, any unsecured debt remaining is discharged. Debtors often choose a Chapter 13 bankruptcy to avoid foreclosure or because they make too much to qualify for Chapter 7.
• Chapter 11. Available for businesses, individuals, and married couples, Chapter 11 is not as commonly used as Chapter 7 or 13 because of the high filing fee and related costs. Chapter 11 allows for the restructuring of your personal or business debt. Unless you have too much debt, it is usually better to file for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
• Chapter 9. Only municipalities, counties, taxing districts, municipal utilities, and school districts have access to Chapter 9 bankruptcies. These entities can restructure their debts to create a repayment plan.
• Chapter 12. Like Chapter 13, Chapter 12 is specifically for family farmers or fisheries looking to reorganize debt and create a repayment plan.
• Chapter 15. A Chapter 15 bankruptcy is for an individual or business with holdings in the United States that declares bankruptcy in a foreign court.

FAQs

How Much Does a Bankruptcy Attorney Cost in Tennessee?

The actual charge to hire a bankruptcy attorney in Tennessee varies based on the type of bankruptcy case you are filing and if you require any services beyond the typical scope of a bankruptcy case. Typically, bankruptcy attorneys charge a flat fee, but that fee must be paid in advance of filing for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. For a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the attorney’s fee can be paid over time as part of the structured bankruptcy repayment plan.

What Does a Discharge Mean in Bankruptcy?

When you receive a discharge through bankruptcy, it means that you are no longer legally obligated to pay the debt that has been discharged. The discharge is a permanent court order to the creditor that prohibits them from performing any collection actions. Creditors are prohibited from taking legal action and from any forms of communication with the debtor related to the discharged debt.

What Can I do If a Creditor Attempts to Collect a Discharged Debt?

If a creditor contacts you to collect a discharged debt, there are steps you can take to stop any further contact. First, inform the creditor that the debt has been discharged and give them your attorney’s contact information. This is likely to prevent further collection attempts as creditors are subject to fines for violating a discharge injunction. You can also file a motion with the court to report the action and request a resolution.

Can I be Denied a Job Opportunity for Filing for Bankruptcy?

You cannot be denied a job opportunity because you filed for bankruptcy. There are legal protections that prohibit discrimination against debtors for both government and private employers. The government cannot discriminate by firing or refusing to hire someone because of a bankruptcy. Private employers are also prohibited from using a bankruptcy filing as the sole reason for refusing to hire you. You also cannot have a professional license denied, revoked, suspended, or denied renewal.

Athens Bankruptcy Lawyer

When you’re struggling with student loans, medical bills, or tax debts, hire a bankruptcy lawyer who listens to your needs and formulates a plan that offers both short-term and long-term relief. Contact Mark T. Young & Associates for a confidential consultation.