Athens Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyer

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorney in Athens, TN

When hardworking families and individuals in Athena and the surrounding areas face overwhelming debt, the threat of losing their homes, vehicles, and other assets quickly becomes an untenable situation. Often, Chapter 13 bankruptcy offers a path to debt reorganization and to regaining financial stability without liquidating everything you own. An Athens, TN, Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer can guide you through the process of filing for bankruptcy.

Work With Mark T. Young & Associates

The decision to take back control of your life and financial future means you’re ready to join forces with an experienced and compassionate legal team. With decades of experience in shepherding the Chapter 13 process within the Eastern District of Tennessee, Mark T. Young & Associates ultimately finds and strengthens desperately-needed lifelines.

During an initial consultation, one of our attorneys can review your situation to help you decide if Chapter 13 is the right path.

Besides taking on the legal processing portion of your case by filing your paperwork and handling court proceedings, our Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney can also provide ongoing support around your case. Your life continues to evolve and change after a Chapter 13 filing, and we can continue to advise you as your circumstances shift and the needs of you and your family change.

Choosing Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Athens, Tennessee

A Chapter 13 bankruptcy amounts to a kind of reorganization of your debt. With Chapter 13, you can hold onto your property while also working with creditors to develop a repayment plan. Chapter 13 is an especially helpful option for:

• Homeowners at risk of foreclosure due to mortgage arrears
• People with vehicles at risk of repossession
• Individuals with tax debt, child support, or other non-dischargeable obligations
• Those with income too high to qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

In Tennessee, Chapter 13 bankruptcy laws are designed to give breathing room to debtors. At the same time, the process also ensures creditors receive fair repayment in installments that are based on your disposable income.

How Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Works in Tennessee

Upon filing your Chapter 13 bankruptcy case in Athens with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee in Chattanooga, an automatic stay immediately stops most collection actions against you. Chapter 13 filings can stop the following:

• Foreclosure proceedings
• Wage garnishments
• Repossessions
• Harassing collection calls

The court appoints a trustee to oversee your case. You’ll propose a repayment plan that usually lasts a few years, depending on your income. During this period, you make a single affordable monthly payment to the trustee. The trustee then distributes these funds to your creditors according to the plan.

Once you successfully complete all payments, most remaining unsecured debts, such as credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans, are discharged.

Qualifications for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

To file Chapter 13, you must meet these requirements:

• Have regular income (wages, self-employment, Social Security, etc.)
• Have unsecured and secured debts below a specified amount
• Be current on your tax returns for the past few years
• Have not received a Chapter 13 discharge or a Chapter 7 discharge within specific timeframes

If you don’t meet these requirements, our Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney Mark T. Young can review your situation and determine whether Chapter 7 or another option might offer a better fit for you.

Benefits of Filing Chapter 13 in Tennessee

The struggle with debt among area residents plays out in the numbers. Across the state overall, the debt-to-income ratio ranged from a low of 1.32 to a high of 1.4 in the first quarter of 2025.

An experienced Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer helps people like you find relief in the face of financial difficulties. By alleviating insurmountable pressure and making it a manageable issue, Chapter 13 provides a path forward to regaining financial control.

Here are some of the key advantages of filing for Chapter 13:

• Allows you to retain possession of your home and your car, allowing you to catch up on missed payments over time
• Stops foreclosure and repossession efforts immediately
• Protects co-signers on certain debts
• Discharges more types of debt than Chapter 7 in some cases
• Potentially strips second mortgages
• Pays priority debts (taxes, child support, etc.) over time without penalties

FAQs

How Much Does It Cost to File Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Tennessee?

As of 2025, the cost of filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Tennessee consists of a court filing fee, other miscellaneous fees, and the cost of an attorney. The actual cost of attorney fees depends on the specific details of your case and its complexities. As your advocate, an attorney can work with you to ensure the process is as affordable as possible for you.

What’s the Downside of Chapter 13?

The downside of Chapter 13 simply amounts to a tradeoff. On the one hand, Chapter 13 creates a negative impact on your credit score. On the other hand, missed payments and a foreclosure wreak far more havoc on the number. Chapter 13 gives you a fighting chance to rebuild your credit score and get out of debt.

What Can a Petitioner Not Do During Chapter 13?

During Chapter 13, petitioners are not allowed to exercise complete control over their finances. Instead, Chapter 13 hands over substantial financial control to the court with the authority to approve or deny such things as new debt. The court also maintains a watchful eye on your consistency around plan payments and tax return filings.

How Can People Afford Bankruptcy Attorneys?

People afford bankruptcy attorneys in Tennessee by hiring a law firm that considers their financial situation and prioritizes their needs. Mark T. Young & Associates understands that clients who are already experiencing financial distress don’t need more anxiety around outstanding bills. We can work with you to make legal representation affordable.

Hire a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyer in Athens, TN

Don’t wait until foreclosure notices arrive or your car is repossessed. The sooner you act to take back control over your debt situation, the more options you have. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation and hire a Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer.

We proudly serve Athens, Etowah, Sweetwater, Madisonville, Cleveland, and all of McMinn, Monroe, Bradley, and Polk Counties.