Ellicott City, MD Debt Collection Defense Lawyers

Experienced Bankruptcy Attorneys Helping to Stop Collection Efforts Through the Automatic Stay in Ellicott City, Maryland

Being constantly bothered by debt collectors can be frustrating. Phone calls that come multiple times each day, even on weekends and in the evenings, can serve as a constant and unwelcome reminder that you owe debts that are beyond your ability to pay back. Wage garnishment can not only deprive you of the money you need to support yourself or your family, but it can even interfere with your career. Employers often find the garnishment process to be a hassle, and depending on what industry you work in, you might find that it reflects negatively on your professionalism.

If you were hoping to keep your personal financial struggles private from your employer, having debt collectors call your workplace looking for you or having your wages garnished can make this impossible. The most effective way to stop debt collections fast is to file for bankruptcy. As soon as the court accepts your bankruptcy petition, an automatic stay will go into effect. The automatic stay tells your creditors that they must stop all efforts to secure repayment at once. The stay will remain in place until your bankruptcy is resolved.

Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky, LLC will do all we can to help you end the cycle of debt permanently. We understand how stressful it can be when you are being constantly harassed by creditors. Anyone can become caught in a cycle of debt, no matter how hard you work or how committed you are to making repayments. Our hands-on attorneys can help you in real time when you reach out to us. What you do in the months leading up to filing for bankruptcy is important, so it is best to speak with a lawyer as soon as you start considering bankruptcy.

Understanding the Automatic Stay

The automatic stay is a court order that tells your creditors not to make any further attempts to collect your debts until the bankruptcy can be resolved. This rule applies in Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11 bankruptcies. If there were no automatic stay, creditors would likely resort to highly aggressive tactics like litigation and repossession while bankruptcy cases are pending.

Fortunately, the automatic stay will stop all attempts at debt collection, including:

• Phone Calls and Letters: You will be able to enjoy relative peace and quiet for the first time in a while, as your creditors will not be allowed to continue calling you about your debt. You will also stop receiving mail from debt collectors.
• Foreclosure: If your mortgage lender has threatened to foreclose on your house or has already begun the process, all foreclosure proceedings must halt while your bankruptcy is in progress. Filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy is one of the most effective ways to stop a foreclosure.
• Repossessions: A lender cannot repossess your car or threaten to do so while the automatic stay is in effect. This will give you time to negotiate a debt reaffirmation if keeping goods you still owe money on is a priority for you.
• Lawsuits: Creditors cannot file or continue with lawsuits that are intended to force repayment during your bankruptcy proceedings.
• Wage Garnishment: Any orders garnishing your wages must stop immediately, and they will be unlikely to resume. Your wage garnishment may be replaced by a Chapter 13 repayment plan, or the underlying debt may be cleared after a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

For most people, filing for bankruptcy brings a permanent end to the nuisance of debt collection efforts. If you are contacted by a creditor asking for payment after you file for bankruptcy, you should notify your attorney immediately, as your creditor may be acting in violation of a court order, and they may be held responsible for these illegal actions.

Contact Our Ellicott City, MD Wage Garnishment Defense Attorneys

Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky, LLC can help you find relief from relentless creditors. Our committed Ellicott City, MD bankruptcy lawyers have helped countless people stop debt collections and wage garnishments by filing for bankruptcy in our more than 50 years of combined legal experience. Contact us at 443-539-8712 for a complimentary consultation. We offer military and law enforcement discounts.