Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Creditor harassment? Overwhelming bills? Unable to pay debts on time? Borrowing on one credit card to pay another? Olivier Denier Long offers legal services in Federal Bankruptcy Court as a possible alternative. In Alexandria, Virginia and other areas of Maryland, Virginia and D.C., we file consumer bankruptcy cases. All Virginia cases are filed electronically over the Internet. Electronic Case Filing (ECF) saves us time and paper, and may save you money.

How Chapter 7 and Chapter13 Bankruptcy Works

Our bankruptcies are compiled using state-of-the-art software that cross-references schedules automatically.

A "schedule" is a form listing items such as income and expenses, secured property, and unsecured property. "Secured" property is any item a creditor can take away from you if you do not pay. For example, a car loan or a mortgage is called a "security interest" because if you do not pay, you may lose the item secured.

After you file your papers (called a petition and schedules), there is a meeting with a trustee and creditors (called a 341 hearing). Then, assuming no complications, after approximately 70 days your dischargeable debts may be wiped out.

Each type of consumer bankruptcy we handle in Virginia, Maryland and DC is discussed below.

Key Elements of a Chapter 7 ("No Asset") Case

Wipe out unsecured debts, except for fraud, spousal support and student loans (except in rare circumstances), taxes, and other excluded debts.
Retain some secured property, such as homes and automobiles, as long as you are current on the debt.
Obtain a "fresh start" free of dischargeable debt.
Retain property covered by state exemptions (known in Virginia as your "homestead" and in Maryland as your state debtor exemptions).

Key Elements of Chapter 13 ("Wage Earner Plan")

Wipe out some unsecured debts, except for spousal support and student loans (except in rare circumstances), taxes, and other excluded debts.
Retain some secured property, such as homes and automobiles with a possibility that if the amount you owe the lender exceeds the fair market value of the property, then the amount you owe may be reduced to the fair market value of the property. (This is called "cramming down.").
Pay a fraction of what is due on unsecured dischargeable debts on a monthly basis for up to three years, and then discharge the balance.
Chapter 13 is more expensive because it requires more attorney time than a Chapter 7. In a 13, the attorney must create a payment plan acceptable to the Trustee and the Bankruptcy Court. If this is not possible, you must do a 7.

Attorney Fees (due in full before filing)

	Single	Husband & Wife
Chapter 7
Chapter 13
More Than 20 Creditors
Attempt to Stop Garnishment or Other Collection Activity
Modify Petition or Schedules After Filing
Any Other Complications

Attorney Fees are determined during the initial office consultation. You must return a fully completed bankruptcy questionnaire before we talk. (The most frequent problem with completed questionnaires is failure to provide account numbers and mailing addresses of all creditors.)

Our introductory meeting is your opportunity to ask questions. It is my opportunity to discuss the timing of events and proposed fees.

Your individual fees depend on the simplicity or complexity of your case, its urgency, and your financial need.

Your fees and costs will be stated in a contract signed by us both before legal representation begins.

Filing Fees and Other Possible Expenses: Filing fees of $200.00 are in addition to attorney fees and are payable in full before filing. Any attorney fees related to complications (such as debtor motions, motions by others, adversary proceedings, etc., are in addition to the flat fee and are billed at an hourly rate.

Information Request Form

Let us know how to contact you.

After you return a completed questionnaire, you are entitled to a discussion in our office of fees, time line, risks, and whatever else you would like to discuss. We do not withhold answers to the difficult questions until we are hired.

We answer all questions that are answerable in our first meeting.

If you return the questionnaire and ask the question, we will do our best to answer.

If you rather, an initial consultation may occur by telephone. But you still must complete and return the questionnaire before we talk.

Your Name


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Phone with Area Code

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Mr. Long is licensed to practice law in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and the Commonwealth of Virginia. He is a member of the professional corporation EZ Justice PLC.