Puyallup Bankruptcy Lawyers

Mount Rainier towers over the City of Puyallup, located just 10 miles east of Tacoma and approximately 35 miles south of Seattle. It’s an easy (and beautiful) commute on Sound Transit’s Sounder train along the I-5 corridor to both cities or south to Vancouver, WA, and Portland, OR. 

Events like the Washington State Fair, the Daffodil Festival and Parade, and the Puyallup Farmers Market celebrate the city’s agricultural past, while downtown and South Hill retail centers attract shoppers from around the region. Puyallup also offers great parks, excellent K-12 schools, and a state-of-the-art regional medical center.

As new residents discover the city’s many benefits, many longtime Puyallup families struggle to afford their rent or mortgage payments. The cost of gas, utility bills, and food keeps rising. If you’re feeling the crunch, you’re not alone.

Caught in a Debt Spiral?

Once you’re in debt, it can easily spiral out of control. Missed payments lead to late fees, penalties, and increased interest rates. It can be hard to stay afloat, much less get ahead.

Having more debt than you can manage is not a moral failing — it’s a practical problem. It’s also a problem with real-world solutions. The legal professionals at Symmes Law Group PLLC can help you understand and explore your options. 

Could Bankruptcy Help Me?

Bankruptcy can help many people take control of their debt. There are two main types of consumer bankruptcy protection: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.

In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your assets will likely be protected through available bankruptcy exemptions.  If you do own an asset of significant value and it is not exempt,  the proceeds are used to pay your debts. Even if they don’t cover the whole amount, your debts will be erased. While this sounds good, it’s not available or appropriate for everyone. Some things to know about Chapter 7 bankruptcy:

• You can keep most items, including a primary residence in Washington state, a vehicle for your day-to-day use, pension or insurance plans, and some personal items. All assets would be protected if they are covered by available bankruptcy exemptions under Washington or federal law.  
• You can also keep public benefits, like social security or SNAP benefits and child support.
• You can eliminate many types of consumer debt, like medical bills, credit card debt, and deficiency mortgage debts from properties you no longer own. Other debts, including unpaid child support and student loans, can’t be erased.
• Your income must be under the median for a family of your size in Washington unless your debt-to-income ratio is so high you don’t have the means to pay it. 

It may also be possible for you to manage your debts using a Chapter 13 payment plan. This kind of proceeding helps you renegotiate the terms of your existing debts, such as lowering interest rates, changing monthly payments, or reducing fees.

Immediate Relief From Harassing Calls

As soon as you file for bankruptcy, your creditors must stop harassing you — immediately. They aren’t allowed to contact you by any means, including phone, text, mail, or email, and they must make sure any third-party debt collection services stop as well. Violating this “automatic stay” provision of the bankruptcy code can lead to significant fines and penalties.

How Do I Know if Bankruptcy Is Right for Me?

The experienced attorneys at Symmes Law Group PLLC will help you understand your options for managing your debt. We start with credit counseling, which provides insight into whether bankruptcy or a different type of debt modification is more advantageous in your situation. 

Meeting With Us Is Easy and Convenient

Don’t fight traffic on the I-5! Our attorneys can meet with you over the phone or using a video service like Zoom. Most paperwork is handled virtually, and all court documents are securely filed online. Secure document signing programs and authentication factors help ensure the process is safe and convenient.

If you’re caught in a debt spiral, don’t lose hope. The experienced bankruptcy attorneys at Symmes Law Group PLLC can help you get back on track. Schedule your consultation to get the conversation started.