One of the benefits of filing for bankruptcy is that creditors can no longer contact you in any way, shape or form, to collect debt. It doesn’t matter how much you owe or for how long you’ve owed it, once you file for bankruptcy protection, you’re off limits to collectors. In fact, if a creditor violates the automatic stay, you can sue them.
The reason bankruptcy does this is because of the automatic stay. The automatic stay is a provision that protects debtors who are in the bankruptcy process. The automatic stay helps stop evictions, lawsuits, foreclosures, or loss of benefits due to wage garnishment. It can also stop your utilities from being cut off for at least 20 days.
The automatic stay can’t provide protection against criminal proceedings, tax proceedings, or collection of child support. Your creditors can petition the court to lift the automatic stay if they believe they have sufficient reason to continue the collection process, or if you’ve filed for bankruptcy within the past year.
Over the past 32 years, the Law Offices of Christopher A. Benson has helped over 2,300 of Washington clients take control of their financial situation. We can stop your garnishment and change your monthly payments for all your combined unsecured debt, and if you have had more than $600 garnished within the last 90 days, we can get all of the money back in most cases. But you have to act quickly–call (253) 815-6940 for your free consultation, or email us today. Evening and weekend appointments available.
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