Bankruptcy Attorney in Alhambra, CA

Fast Debt Relief Solutions. Alhambra residents come to our Arcadia office when credit card debt turns into a lawsuit, a judgment or a frozen bank account. We explain your options in a free consultation and, if bankruptcy fits, file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 to stop the collection.

Call Now: (626) 593-1558 Free Consultation

Attorney Neil R. Hedtke · State Bar of California #273319 · about 3,000 bankruptcy cases filed since 2010 · West Point graduate and U.S. Army veteran · 5-star rated on Google

When a credit card lawsuit becomes a judgment

A collection lawsuit gives you a short window to respond. If you do nothing, the creditor can get a default judgment and then use it to garnish wages or levy a bank account. Many Alhambra clients only learn about the judgment when their debit card is declined because the account has been frozen.

Bankruptcy can stop this process at almost any stage. Filing before a judgment pauses the lawsuit, and a Chapter 7 discharge usually ends it. Filing after a judgment stops the garnishment or levy and, in Chapter 7, usually wipes out the debt behind it. In some cases a recent levy can be undone if the money taken was protected by an exemption.

Protecting your bank account and wages

California law protects a certain amount of money in a bank account and part of your paycheck even outside bankruptcy. Inside bankruptcy, the exemptions protect most household goods, retirement accounts, and a limited amount of cash and vehicle equity. We list every account and asset before filing so there are no surprises for you or the trustee.

Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 in Alhambra

If your household income is below the California median, or you pass the means test after allowed expenses, Chapter 7 usually discharges credit card, medical and personal loan debt in a few months. If you own a home with equity, are behind on a mortgage, or earn above the median, Chapter 13 lets you keep property and repay a portion of debt over three to five years.

How the process works

Call or fill out the form for a free consultation. Bring the lawsuit papers, any judgment, and recent bank statements.
We check deadlines first. If a response to a lawsuit is due soon, we tell you what has to happen and by when.
You take the required credit counseling course and we file your case. The automatic stay stops the lawsuit, garnishment or levy.
You attend the meeting of creditors, and the court enters your discharge once the case is complete.

Your attorney

Neil R. Hedtke graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1992, served five years as a U.S. Army Engineer Officer, and earned his law degree at the University of La Verne College of Law. He was admitted to the California bar in 2010 and has filed about 3,000 bankruptcy cases since. Read more about Mr. Hedtke or verify his license on the State Bar of California website.

For Alhambra clients facing a lawsuit, timing matters more than anything else. Mr. Hedtke will look at the court papers during the first meeting and tell you which deadlines apply.

Questions we hear from Alhambra residents

Can bankruptcy stop a lawsuit from a credit card company?

Yes. The automatic stay pauses most collection lawsuits as soon as the bankruptcy is filed, and in Chapter 7 the credit card debt is usually discharged.

My bank account was levied. Can I get the money back?

Sometimes. If the money taken was protected by a California exemption, or the levy happened shortly before filing, it may be possible to recover it. We review the timing and amount at the consultation.

Will filing bankruptcy affect my spouse?

It depends on whose name the debts are in and whether you file jointly. We walk through community property rules in California and recommend whether one or both spouses should file.

Is the consultation really free?

Yes. The first consultation is free and there is no obligation to file.

Getting to our office from Alhambra

From Alhambra, head north and east toward Arcadia on Huntington Drive or Rosemead Boulevard. The drive to downtown Arcadia is usually about 20 minutes. The office is on E Santa Clara Street near the Arcadia Metro A Line station.

Hedtke Law Group
255 E Santa Clara St, Suite 210, Arcadia, CA 91006
Phone: (626) 593-1558
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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Related help

We also help clients from Monterey Park, San Marino and Pasadena. See how bankruptcy stops creditor calls, or read our main bankruptcy options page.