Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorney in Hyattsville

Protect Property With Direct Attorney Guidance & a Structured Repayment Plan

Chapter 13 bankruptcy gives individuals with regular income time to address debt through a court-approved repayment plan. It may be appropriate if you’re behind on mortgage or vehicle payments, facing foreclosure or repossession, dealing with wage garnishment, or under pressure from creditors.

We handle Chapter 13 cases for Hyattsville residents and other clients across Maryland and Washington, D.C. Filing a bankruptcy petition generally activates the automatic stay, which pauses many collection actions. Exceptions apply, and creditors may ask the court for permission to resume certain actions, making the timing and facts of a filing important.

Call (202) 888-8454 to discuss your debts, income, property, and repayment options with our Chapter 13 attorney.

Work Directly With an Attorney From Consultation Through Resolution

Our practice focuses on bankruptcy and debt relief. Kevin D. Judd, Esq. brings more than 25 years of legal experience to this work and handles each case directly. You won’t be passed to staff members for legal guidance.

We explain filing requirements, repayment plan considerations, trustee communications, and significant deadlines in clear terms. Our guidance reflects your financial circumstances and goals at every stage of the case.

Choosing Between Chapter 13 & Chapter 7

Chapter 13 generally uses a repayment plan lasting three to five years, while Chapter 7 generally doesn’t require one. Chapter 13 may provide a way to catch up on certain secured debts backed by property, such as a home or vehicle. Chapter 7 may fit some people seeking relief from eligible unsecured debt that isn’t tied to collateral.

The appropriate chapter depends on your income, expenses, debt types, property, exemptions, prior filings, and objectives. We handle cases under either chapter and offer a free initial consultation to review which option may fit your circumstances.

How a Chapter 13 Repayment Plan Works

A Chapter 13 case proposes a plan for repaying some or all qualifying debts from regular income. The plan usually lasts three to five years and must satisfy federal bankruptcy law, Maryland court procedures, and confirmation requirements. Confirmation means the court has approved the proposed treatment of creditors.

A Chapter 13 trustee reviews the debtor’s compliance, receives plan payments, and distributes funds to creditors. Keeping property may depend on making those payments and remaining current on secured obligations that continue outside or alongside the plan.

Once the debtor completes the plan and meets other legal requirements, the court may discharge eligible debts. A discharge releases the debtor from personal responsibility for covered obligations. Certain taxes, domestic support obligations, and other debts may remain collectible depending on the facts and applicable law.

Factors That Affect Chapter 13 Eligibility

Eligibility generally requires enough regular income to fund a feasible repayment plan. Federal law also imposes separate limits on secured and unsecured debt, and those limits can change. Reviewing your finances before filing can reveal issues that affect eligibility or the proposed plan.

Important factors in this evaluation include:

Current income, employment, household expenses, and payment capacity
Mortgage arrears, vehicle loans, tax obligations, and unsecured balances
Property ownership, exemptions, liens, and pending lawsuits
Wage garnishments, foreclosure activity, or repossession pressure
Domestic support obligations and prior bankruptcy cases

Complete financial records are essential because the petition, schedules, and repayment plan must accurately describe the debtor’s finances. Missing information or inconsistent figures can delay review or prompt objections from the trustee or creditors.

The Kevin D. Judd Difference

Your Gateway to Financial Justice and Freedom

Committed to the Community
Obtain A Fresh Start
Fair & Reasonable Rates
Over 25 Years of Service

What to Expect During the Chapter 13 Filing Process

Preparing a case starts before the petition reaches the court. We develop a legal strategy around each client’s income, debts, assets, expenses, and immediate financial pressures. We also explain our fee structure before representation begins, and installment payment options are available for legal fees.

Steps From Filing to Plan Completion

The process generally includes:

Credit counseling: Complete an approved course before filing, subject to limited exceptions.
Document preparation: Assemble income records, tax information, account statements, property details, creditor notices, and monthly expenses.
Petition filing: Submit the bankruptcy petition, financial schedules, and required statements to the court.
Plan submission: Propose a repayment plan, generally within 14 days after filing the petition unless the court permits a different deadline.
Creditor meeting: Attend the meeting of creditors, where the trustee may ask questions under oath about the filing.
Plan confirmation: Address objections and seek court approval of the proposed plan.
Plan payments: Make required payments and report material financial changes during the case.

A job loss, reduction in income, major expense, property change, or difficulty making plan payments requires prompt review. Depending on the circumstances, the plan may need to be modified, or another legal response may be necessary.

Where Hyattsville Chapter 13 Cases Are Handled

Hyattsville is in Prince George’s County, which is assigned to the Greenbelt Division of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland. The court’s local rules and filing procedures govern documents, deadlines, objections, hearings, and case administration.

Confirmation and related hearings in Greenbelt cases may be conducted virtually under court procedures. We prepare clients for required appearances and explain how to respond to requests from the trustee or court.

Financial Pressures a Repayment Case May Address

A court-approved plan can provide a structured way to address certain past-due obligations while the debtor seeks to retain property. How each debt is treated depends on the plan, creditor claims, collateral value, payment history, and bankruptcy rules.

Common financial pressures reviewed in a Chapter 13 case include:

Mortgage arrears: A plan may allow qualifying missed payments to be repaid during the case while required ongoing payments continue.
Vehicle debt: Loan treatment depends on factors such as the purchase date, vehicle value, balance, and plan terms.
Wage garnishment: The automatic stay generally pauses many garnishments after filing, subject to exceptions.
Tax debt: Treatment depends on the type and age of the obligation, filing history, and applicable priority rules.
Unsecured debt: Credit card balances, medical bills, and personal loans may receive payment through the plan based on legal requirements and available income.

The automatic stay can also affect collection calls, lawsuits, foreclosure activity, and repossession efforts. Because this protection isn’t absolute, a creditor may seek relief from the stay. We assess immediate collection risks when developing the filing strategy.

Why Direct Attorney Oversight Matters

These cases require accurate schedules, a feasible plan, consistent payments, and close attention to court deadlines. Kevin D. Judd works directly with clients during preparation, trustee communications, confirmation proceedings, and significant changes in financial circumstances.

Clients should promptly report changes in employment, income, expenses, property, household composition, or payment capacity. Direct communication allows us to assess the legal effect of a change and explain the available next steps.

Law Firm of Kevin D. Judd's Videos

Discuss Your Chapter 13 Options With Kevin D. Judd

Schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your income, debts, property concerns, filing history, and collection pressure. We can identify the documents needed for an evaluation and explain whether Chapter 13 or another debt relief option may fit your goals.

We outline our fees before you decide whether to proceed, and installment payment options are available. If you choose our firm, you’ll work directly with Kevin D. Judd throughout your case.

Call (202) 888-8454 to request your free consultation with Law Firm of Kevin D. Judd.

View Videos

Any Questions? Let's Talk

Contact Us For A Free Initial Consultation

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Phone
Please enter your phone number.

This isn't a valid phone number.
Email
Please enter your email address.

This isn't a valid email address.
Are you a new client?
Please make a selection.
How can we help you?
Please enter a message.
By submitting, you agree to receive text messages from Law Firm of Kevin D. Judd at the number provided, including those related to your inquiry, follow-ups, and review requests, via automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for assistance. Acceptable Use Policy