Stop
- Bill Collectors
- Home Foreclosure
- Sheriff Sales
- Auto Repossession
- Lawsuits
- I.R.S. Seizures
- Utility Shutoffs
- Bank Account Levies
- Wage Garnishments
- License Suspensions
Eliminate
- Credit Card Debts
- Personal Loans
- Payday Loans
- Some Taxes
- Medical Bills
- Utility Bills
- Judgments
- Bad Mortgage Debt
Keep
- Your Home
- Your Vehicle
- Your Wages
- Your Future Funds
- Your Furniture
- All your property
- Your License
- Your Retirement
Orange County Bankruptcy Attorney
I am an Orange County bankruptcy attorney Michael D. Franco. When individuals, families and businesses face financial difficulties they need to know their options. They need expert legal advice, NOW!
During a FREE consultation I will personally review your situation. I will not hand you off to staff, a paralegal or a junior lawyer. You will speak only with me. No need to be anxious. Bankruptcy is ALL I do. We can schedule a no-cost meeting in my office, or by phone, often the same day you call. For those with transportation challenges, if I can work it into my schedule, I can visit with you at your home, office, or your corner Starbucks. During the free consultation, I will share your options, including whether you qualify for the fresh start that a Chapter 7, Chapter 13 or Chapter 11 Bankruptcy offers.
My New Clients…
…tell me they got their first good night’s sleep.
The Automatic Stay
The ‘automatic stay’ is a powerful tool! An automatic stay can prevent your utilities from being disconnected, eviction, foreclosure, wage garnishments, bank levies, and even civil lawsuits filed against you by creditors, collection agencies, or individuals you own money. As your Orange County bankruptcy attorney, the day I file your bankruptcy petition — irrespective of what chapter you file under — the automatic stay takes effect. The automatic stay is binding on ALL creditors, including business, individuals and federal agencies. You receive immediate relief from credit and debt collector harassment.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 bankruptcy is known as the ‘Liquidation Bankruptcy’. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is called the “liquidation bankruptcy” because non-exempt assets can be liquidated (sold) and the proceeds offered to creditors to settle your debt. After this liquidation has occurred you typically receive a discharge of your unsecured debts within a matter of months. However, in most chapter 7 bankruptcy cases the petitioner’s assets are entirely exempt, meaning that non-exempt assets do not exist; to which, there is nothing for the Trustee to sell.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is known as the ‘Home Saver Bankruptcy’. Chapter 13 allows you to consolidate your debt and make a repayment plan to repay all or a portion of your debt over 3 to 5 years. The repayment amount you will be required to pay, depends upon the value of assets, your debts and your disposable income. This is where a good Orange County bankruptcy attorney, who studies your circumstance thoroughly, can draft and submit a repayment plan that can repay less than 100% of your debt. That allows you to discharge any remaining unsecured debt following completion of your chapter 13 repayments.
The Right Lawyer at the Right Time
You wouldn’t drive through a Taco Bell for Italian food. Likewise, you shouldn’t hire a divorce lawyer or auto accident attorney to help you file Bankruptcy. Bankruptcy laws are very specialized such that many ‘general law attorneys’ often make costly errors and miss valuable opportunities that a highly-experienced, certified specialist in bankruptcy law would not.
I am saddened by the mistakes inexperienced lawyers make in bankruptcies. These errors cost people dearly. Unfortunately, errors and missed opportunities cannot be fixed. In Bankruptcy Court there are very few “Do Overs.”
“CERTIFIED SPECIALIST” – A Credential That Recognizes Skill in Bankruptcy Matters
Very few California attorneys have earned the distinction as Certified Specialists in their focused practice area. I worked hard and long to earn the title of ‘Certified Specialist in Bankruptcy Law.’
In fact, fewer than 1 in 200 California attorneys become certified specialists. Considering there are more than 200,000 lawyers in California, it is very difficult to become a “certified specialist.” Fortunately, you can hire your own “bankruptcy specialist” to help you through this once-in-a-lifetime financial FRESH START that our Bankruptcy Laws provide when facing dire financial circumstances. Not only can you hire the best-qualified Orange County bankruptcy attorney, you’ll be pleased to learn that my fess are as reasonable as less-experienced lawyers.
Nothing Is More Expensive Than a Cheap Lawyer
Bankruptcy is all I do. I know what I’m doing and I’m good at it. I have had the pleasure to help 1,000’s of individuals, couples and businesses get through their financial crisis and then watch them afterwards embrace a better, brighter future. Give me a call at (714) 252-6268 and let’s see if I can ‘make your problem MY problem’ starting right now! If I am able to help you, then maybe you too can get the first good night’s sleep you’ve been missing for a long, long time.
