Bankruptcy is a legal and financial tool that can help secure your financial future. Should you avoid bankruptcy? Not always.

At Stephen L. Burton, we help people in financial trouble understand their options, make informed choices, and take control of their debt problems. Because if you do not take control, the bank certainly will. And they do not have your best interests at heart.

Strategic Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is nothing to be ashamed of. Bankruptcy actually works. If the corporations like Enron, K-Mart, United Airlines, Lehman Brothers, General Motors and Chrysler can use bankruptcy as a strategic economic planning tool then why not you?

"The truth about bankruptcy is that if done right, you eliminate all of your debts, and keep all of your assets. After bankruptcy, with some effort on your part, time and wise spending you will regain your good credit rating. I know. I have seen it. Clients call me months and sometimes years later telling me of their success and thanking me again for the advice I gave." - Stephen L Burton - Attorney at Law

The reality is if you do nothing, the telephone calls will not stop, your creditors will eventually file a lawsuit against you, obtain a judgment, garnish your wages or levy on your bank account. Then your options are even more limited.

Is bankruptcy ethical?

You may anguish whether bankruptcy is right. You are not alone. But be realistic...how can you pay the bills? Debt consolidation does not work and worsens your credit rating! If you need debt relief - you need bankruptcy.

Why do I need a lawyer to file bankruptcy?

Because paralegals and document preparers, even good ones, cannot give legal advice, and when they do, it is usually wrong. We have seen people lose homes in their bankruptcy cases because they saved a little money by not going to a lawyer.

Now, you need a lawyer in bankruptcy more than ever

I am very concerned over the future of the California homeowner. Beginning with the sub prime mortgage meltdown in 2007 it has been just one challenge after another for the homeowner. First, all industries connected to the real estate industry became compromised. Mortgage lending, home improvement, and real estate sales. Then the downturn rippled through the economy like seismic shock waves through other industries; automobile sales, clothing sales, restaurant and hotel patronship. Now, the downturn has spread to the public services sector. Police, fire and schools have been cutback. Can you remember a time when there was no summer school?

Find yourself a bankruptcy lawyer who was practicing bankruptcy law for more than five years

Since this unprecedented economic downturn, a lot of attorneys have moved to the practice of bankruptcy law. Do not get me wrong. There are some good bankruptcy attorneys out there practicing for about five years who do know what they are doing. There are even more that do not. You will not know until something goes wrong with your case. Whoever you consult with, it is not impolite to ask about their experience and background.

Even I take continuing education courses in bankruptcy. I also give bankruptcy seminars for the National Business Institute. A good attorney will keep up to date on developments in bankruptcy law which is especially fast changing these days, three new cases from the U. S. Supreme Court this year alone!

Avoid the mill operators. The lowest priced bankruptcy fee is not necessarily the best bankruptcy representation. It may actually be the worst. The mill operators cannot give your case the attention it needs if they have a waiting room filled with cut rate fee cases. You get what you pay for.

Strategic Bankruptcy, now more than ever

If there was ever a time for consumers or homeowners to consider bankruptcy as a strategy for dealing with their economic woes like the large corporations do now is the time. Foreclosures abound. Unemployment is at record levels. If you can afford your home at some level you should fight to keep it. If you are behind with creditors or about to be sued you should go into a defensive posture.

The point is, if you are in debt over your head, now is the best time to file for bankruptcy. If you have a home it is at a low value. If your hours at work have been cut, or you are in between jobs, your income is at a low point. You are actually a good candidate for a bankruptcy. A few years ago, when the law changed, many could not file a bankruptcy and get a chapter 7 discharge from their debts. They had to file for chapter 13 bankruptcy and pay their creditors money through a five year repayment plan. Or, their homes were worth too much money. The bankruptcy court would sell their homes out from under them because there was too much equity. These days, I do not see many clients who are making too much money. I see even fewer with too much equity in their homes.

If you are on this web site and reading this page you are considering bankruptcy. Rest assured that is this an ideal time for you to practice strategic bankruptcy like the large corporations, and file now, not later. You will not regret it. You can begin rebuilding your credit from day one. Things will get better, six months, one year, two three years later. if you keep thinking about it for another six months, you have wasted the six months!

Contact Information

15260 Ventura Boulevard #640
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Phone: 818-501-5055
Fax: 818-501-5849
Email:info@topgunbankruptcylawyer.com

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