Hawaii Bankruptcy Attorney | Blake Goodman
  • Home
  • Services
    • Bankruptcy Overview
      • Filing For Bankruptcy
      • Homeowner Bankruptcy
      • Hawaii Bankruptcy Consultation
      • Online Hawaii Bankruptcy Consultation
    • Chapter 13
    • Chapter 7
    • Debt Settlement
      • 720 Credit Score Program
    • Tax Resolutions
  • Critical Items
    • Credit Score Assistance
    • Foreclosure Defense
    • Bankruptcy’s Effect on Your Credit Report
    • Bankruptcy and Security Clearances
    • Bankruptcy for Military Personnel
    • Hawaii Bankruptcy Exemptions
    • Student Loans and Bankruptcy
    • Bankruptcy and Taxes
    • Celebrity-Bankruptcy
    • Expert Bankruptcy Guidance in Hawaii
    • Bankruptcy From Job Loss
    • Bankruptcy From Poor Spending
  • About
    • Qualifications
    • Staff-bios
    • Testimonials
  • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Questionnaire
  • Office Maps
  • Contact
  • Call: (808)528-4274
Menu

Fast Bankruptcy Service in Hawaii

Live Debt Free In Hawaii

End Creditor Harassment

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in {{lpg_city}} {{lpg_state}}

Filing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in {{lpg_city}} {{lpg_state}} permits the debtor to settle debts in an orderly way. In Chapter 7 (also known as “straight” bankruptcy), a trustee is appointed. The trustee collects all nonexempt assets of the debtor, sells those assets, and distributes the proceeds to creditors.

There is no minimum or maximum debt limitation for Chapter 7 and the debtor doesn’t have to be insolvent. The goal of an individual debtor in a Chapter 7 case is to get a “discharge” of his or her debts. In other words, bankruptcy is a tool that can help you get your life back from creditors.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

What Happens Upon Filing Chapter 7?

The automatic stay is a feature of bankruptcy law that goes into effect immediately upon filing a petition. This forces creditors to stop all collection actions (like foreclosures, repossessions, garnishments, and evictions) against the debtor.  During this process, the collection and distribution of assets can occur according to a fair and orderly method as specified in the Bankruptcy Code.  Above all, filing Chapter 7 will give you the time to review your best options with a qualified attorney.

Individual debtors are entitled to keep certain assets free from the claims of creditors, under federal or state exemption laws. Typical exemptions are the homestead exemption (equity in personal residence), cash value of insurance policies, household  furnishings, clothing, and wages.  Tools used in the debtor’s job are also protected. The amount of the exemption depends on whether federal or state exemptions are available and or used.

Certain types of property are exempt, however, which means that the debtor can keep them. Exempt property can include:

  • The equity in your home up to about $25,150 per person filing.
  • Motor vehicles, up to a certain value.
  • Reasonably necessary clothing.
  • Necessary household goods and furnishings.
  • Household appliances.
  • Jewelry, up to a certain value.
  • Pensions.
  • Tools of the debtor’s trade or profession, up to a certain value.
  • Home equity (a portion.)
  • A portion of unpaid but earned wages.
  • Public benefits, including public assistance (welfare), Social Security.

Generally, a discharge means that a debtor’s obligations are erased or wiped out. When a discharge is granted, it protects the debtor from personal liability on the discharged debt. A discharge is only available to certain debtors and for certain debts. For example, debtors that are not individuals cannot receive a discharge in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in {{lpg_city}} {{lpg_state}}.

With Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in {{lpg_city}} {{lpg_state}} You Get a Fresh Start in a Matter of Months

The U.S. Constitution abolished debtor’s prisons in favor of a more workable solution. Instead of jail, you are discharged (or excused) from the majority of your debts. Congress enacted Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in {{lpg_city}} {{lpg_state}} as part of the U.S. Bankruptcy Laws in order to prevent increasing the ranks of the homeless, wageless, divorced, and depressed. Chapter 7 gives you a fresh financial start and 95% of the cases are finished in about four months.

You Can Keep What You Need to Start Over

You’ll be able to keep what you need to make a new start in life. Some of your property may be exempt, meaning creditors can’t take it, such as your house (if below a certain equity), furniture, clothes, tools of trade, cars, and jewelry. Not all property is exempt, but there’s usually a way so that the average person or family can keep most of their belongings. We can advise you of ways to keep the things you need.

You Will Be Allowed To Continue Paying Any Secured Debts

A secured debt is one where your creditor has a lien or security interest in something you own. For instance, if you’re paying off your car or house, these creditors have a security interest in the house or car. In most cases you will be able to continue paying on the secured debts without losing them. You will also be given the opportunity to return these assets back to the creditor and erase all responsibilities for continuing to pay these debts.

You Can Continue to Pay Any Debts That You’ve Discharged, But Want to Keep Paying

The law encourages you to keep paying any obligations that you desire to pay. Your creditors will love you for it; they just can’t legally force you to keep paying.

Your Home in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in {{lpg_city}} {{lpg_state}}

You may be able to keep your home during a Chapter 7 plan if you are able to exempt the equity you have and if you can continue to pay the mortgage after bankruptcy. An exemption effectively means your equity is protected from being sold by the bankruptcy trustee to pay your creditors.

The bankruptcy code allows for debtors to utilize bankruptcy exemptions to the fullest extent. The federal bankruptcy rules allow for a home equity exemption of $25,150, which is double for married couples filing jointly. If these amounts are equal to or greater than the amount of equity you have in your home, then the trustee will not be able to sell your home.

However, if your mortgage exceeds the full value of your home and you have no equity, Chapter 7 can still be very beneficial. Without filing for bankruptcy, the lender would be able to foreclose on the home, and then sue you personally for the remainder of the debt. However, if you cannot afford to keep your home, you can surrender the property and the remaining amount owed will be completely wiped out in Chapter 7.

Keeping Your Car in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in {{lpg_city}} {{lpg_state}}

If you own your car when you file Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in {{lpg_city}} {{lpg_state}}, it will be protected from being sold if its value is less than or equal to the allowed exempt amount. Similar to a home, you can use the exemptions to maximize the property you can keep.

If you are being threatened with repossession of your vehicle, a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in {{lpg_city}} {{lpg_state}} will stop repossession attempts immediately. If your car was recently repossessed, you may even be able to get it back if you act at once. Contact our Hawaii bankruptcy attorney immediately for more information if your car was repossessed.

There are several options available to help you keep your vehicle if you can afford it. Some lenders will allow you to keep your car and will release you from the loan in exchange for purchasing the car at its current value (called a redemption). Others will let you sign a new contract (called a reaffirmation) which may let you keep making the same payments you had before filing bankruptcy. These options have important consequences, so it is best that you first consult with a qualified bankruptcy attorney before entering into a redemption or reaffirmation agreement with a lender.

Creditors Are Prohibited From Collecting Discharged Debts – Forever

If a creditor attempts to collect a discharged debt from you after your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in {{lpg_city}} {{lpg_state}} is over, they risk being held in contempt of Court. Furthermore, you may be able to sue that creditor for damages.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in {{lpg_city}} {{lpg_state}} Will Excuse Most of Your Debts

While the vast majority of the average person’s debts are forgiven in Chapter 7, some debts will remain. These typically include the last 3 years of federal and state tax debts, alimony, child support, student loans, and debts entered into under the pretense of fraud, embezzlement, and intentional injury. This list is somewhat simplified, so make sure a qualified Hawaii bankruptcy attorney can evaluate the factors in maximizing your right.

Minimal Appearances In Court

In both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, there’s only one mandatory appearance in front of your assigned trustee. The meeting will typically last five to ten minutes and there’s no judge, jury or courtroom.

No One Will Be Able to Discriminate Against You in the Workplace

It’s illegal for private or government employers to discriminate against those who have filed for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Therefore, no governmental agency can refuse to grant you a driver’s license, a permit, student loans or similar governmental grant.

What is a fraudulent transfer, and how could I have committed one accidentally before filing?

A fraudulent transfer is a transfer made by a debtor with the intent or effect of reducing the assets available to creditors. For example, a debtor might attempt to repay a loan to a friend or family member when those funds rightfully ought to be divided between all the creditors. This law exists both in and outside of bankruptcy. Most importantly, trustees have the power to undo or nullify transfers of the debtor made with actual intent to hinder, delay, or defraud creditors. 

What does the Chapter 7 trustee do as it relates to my case?

There are several types of bankruptcy trustees:

The United States Trustee is responsible for oversight of the bankruptcy process as a whole. Trustee’s duties are to maintain and supervise a panel of private trustees to serve in Chapter 7 cases. 

A Chapter 7 Trustee is responsible for representing the interests of the debtor’s estate and creditors as a whole. Because of this, you will meet the Chapter 7 Trustee appointed to your case at the creditor’s meeting, the one simple, but mandatory hearing that you must attend with your attorney.

Can I discharge my student loans in Chapter 7?

Prior law allowed their discharge once they had been in pay status for 7 years. However, the law changed in the fall of 1994. Subsequently, student loans are no longer dischargeable in any chapter of bankruptcy unless you can prove that repaying the loan creates an undue hardship on you or your family. 

In my experience, if you can walk and talk, you are probably going to have to pay back your student loans. Proving hardship usually requires showing that you can’t provide a minimum standard of living for yourself and your dependents if you have to repay the loan. In other words, chapter 7 filing should have no effect on such collections.

How will filing under Chapter 7 impact my credit report?

While your credit score will be damaged for 10 years, in most cases you’ll bounce back quicker than you think.

One of the free services we offer our clients is our 720 Credit Rebuild Program. We believe in complete financial rehabilitation, including credit score. Utilizing our 720 Program will guide you through the mechanics of returning to a 720+ credit rating within as little as 12 to 24 months after we’ve filed bankruptcy for you or completed a debt negotiation plan. 

Many of my clients can obtain financing for a vehicle immediately after their case is finished. For instance, income and income stability can help you obtain a loan. In fact, the mortgage lending industry will tell you that two years after your case is over you will usually qualify for conventional house loan. Don’t take it from us – call any mortgage broker and they’ll say the same thing.

Credit Cards and Bank Loans:

Most of our clients obtain credit cards and unsecured bank loans way before the ten year period expires. This is just the reality of aggressive lending policies that creditors practice today.

The cost of obtaining credit with less than a squeaky clean credit report profile results in the payment of higher interest rates on your borrowing. However, you must ask yourself what is the cost of not declaring bankruptcy, both economically and emotionally?

Debt can be frightening, and it’s difficult to know what affect it will have on your family’s future, but there’s no need to suffer the unknown. Having an experienced Hawaii bankruptcy lawyer can end the collection calls and put you on the path towards a new financial life. Contact our law firm today or fill out our questionnaire to take the first step towards freedom.

Honolulu

Address: 900 Fort Street Mall Suite 910, Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 528-4274

Kaneohe

Address: 46-005 Kawa Street #206
Kaneohe, HI 96744
Phone: (808) 528-4274

Aiea

Address: 498-211 Pali Momi St. #608
Aiea, HI 96701
Phone: (808) 528-4274

Maui

Address: 220 Imi Kala St suite 203 c
Wailuku, HI 96793
Phone: (808) 426-2004

  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
bankruptcy course signupbankruptcy course completion
DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter. We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for relief under the bankruptcy code.
© 2121 Blake Goodman Bankruptcy Attorney Hawaii

Privacy Policy | Term of Service | Sitemap

Call Now Button

James Terry

James Terry is a 2017 graduate from the University of Hawai’i William S. Richardson School of Law in Honolulu. Upon graduation, he worked as a clerk in the State of Hawai’i Intermediate Court of Appeals before accepting the job at Blake Goodman, P.C. He is licensed in Hawai’i and admitted to the Federal Courts for the District of Hawai’i. James was born and raised in Hawai’i on the island of Oahu and attended Saint Louis High School and Hawai’i Pacific University prior to entering law school.

Input your Email, And we will send it to you immediately
Please note: We respect your privacy and will never sell your email address.

Vianne Yang

Viane was born in California and eventually was drawn to the islands. With her degree in finance, she hopes to assist clients get out of debt and start a fresh new life. In her spare time, she enjoys running along the beach and catching beautiful sunsets.

Coronavirus – Our Firm’s Response
The health and safety of our staff and our clients is our first priority.
Staff will stay home if they are sick. And, we recommend that client’s do the same. We will
be happy to reschedule any office meetings.

For our potential clients and existing clients:

We will be happy to offer all of our services online.

You may even have your free consultation by phone.

After retaining our office, we can work with you via phone and emails. We can even file your
case electronically. Therefore, we can both perform our duties to keep the members of our
families and community safe from the spread of Covid-19.

We are prepared to do everything possible to be proactive and safe.
We believe that our actions today will safeguard the health of our clients and staff, while
continuing to serve you with unsurpassed professionalism and support.

Honolulu Office Parking

Free Parking Locations

Parking option #1 : Downtown municipal parking, 1052 Bethel Street.

Clients who are disabled or nursing should be aware that there are no elevators, only conveniently located stairs at the downtown Municipal Parking Lot.

Parking option #2 : Chinatown municipal parking, Marin tower 60 N., Nimitz Highway. Parking entrance on Smith Street.
Parking option #3 : Harbor Court Parking, 847 Bethel Street.

You can find our office in the heart of downtown Honolulu. The office is very easy to find, and we cover all parking costs, if you park in one of these three parking locations listed below. Please don’t park in our building at Pioneer Plaza. We don’t reimburse you for that cost.

Hawaii bankruptcy lawyer Blake Goodman is ready to help you and your family put your financial struggles behind you and begin the next chapter in your life. We can assist with your Chapter 13, Chapter 7 or debt settlement claim. You may also wish to contact our Windward Side-Kaneohe office.

Kaneohe Office Parking

There is ample free parking in front of and behind the building. We look forward to addressing your student loan, debt settlement, tax resolution or Hawaii bankruptcy concerns. There is no charge for your first consultation. You can also contact our Honolulu office.

Aiea Office Parking

Turn at the Big City Diner off Pali Momi Street. Free parking available in front of building.

Use the information to contact our Hawaii bankruptcy attorneys‘ Pearlridge – Pearl City – Aiea office. Someone from our office will be in touch shortly. We look forward to addressing your student loan, debt settlement, tax resolution or Hawaii bankruptcy concerns. There is no charge for your first consultation. You can also contact our Honolulu office or at our Windward Side-Kaneohe office.

Malia Conner

Born and raised on the island of Oahu, Malia Connor moved to California’s Bay Area to study dance at San Francisco State University, where she formed her own dance company, 25 years ago. She moved back to Oahu in 2017 to begin taking care of her aging parents.

Malia is excited for the opportunity to help Hawai’i residents get out of debt and is eager to apply her executive admin skills and creativity to the team of Blake Goodman.

Anna Lisa Hughes

Anna Lisa Hughes received a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from San Francisco State University, and became fluent in both Spanish and Mandarin Chinese while studying and working abroad in Chile and China. Anna Lisa has nine years of paralegal experience in various areas of practice, including immigration, estate planning, civil rights, and bankruptcy law. Originally from Colorado, she moved to Hawaii for the cultural and ethnic diversity of the island of Oahu. Outside of the office, Anna Lisa has also had a career in music as a bassist and songwriter.

Joshua Humpries

Joshua Humphries is a 2008 graduate from the Widener University School of Law in Delaware. Upon graduation, he worked for a national law firm specializing in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies for several years before moving to a smaller firm where he continued he established the firm’s bankruptcy practice. During that time, he also represented claimants in workers compensation and social security disability claims. In 2013, he also began practicing in the areas of debt collection and general civil litigation. He is licensed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Hawaii and admitted to the Federal Courts for the District of New Jersey, Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania and the District of Hawaii.

Dora Casillas

Prior to coming to this beautiful island, Dora Casillas lived in Simi Valley, California where she worked in the legal field for 18 years. Dora finds bankruptcy law the most rewarding where at the end of the day, she knows she helped many obtain a fresh start leading to a less stressful life.

Born in Texas and raised in California, Dora is fluent in Spanish. She enjoys the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, along with the hiking trails and beaches. Dora is thrilled to be here and to have the opportunity to work with such a great team to serve the people of Hawaii.

Julia Oaten

I attended the University of Manchester, (UK) gaining a B.A. with Honors in Art History, before obtaining my J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Before moving to Hawaii and specializing in bankruptcy, I practiced criminal law as a Public Defender in Annapolis, MD.

While I am Cuban – Armenian, I grew up in England. My family and I moved to Hawaii in 2007 when my husband was offered a great job here. I stayed at home until we were all settled in and then responded to Blake’s job offer, and have been here ever since. I am the proud owner of an English bulldog and I enjoy fishing and hiking Oahu’s beautiful island with my husband and young son.

I really enjoy helping our clients achieve a fresh start and hopefully relieve them of some of the stress being in debt can cause while protecting them from creditors and helping them survive the bankruptcy process with their dignity intact.

Blanca Goodman

I’m Blake’s wife of 20 plus years. My job is very exciting – I deal with all our clients’ creditors, collections agencies and attorneys. I process all our client’s bills statements, warnings letters, and law suits. I’m the one who spends one hour or more on the phone finding the accounts or negotiating the best deal I can for our clients.

I’m from Mexico and I came to this country 20 years ago. I speak Spanish, and I would love to learn Japanese and Korean. We have two smart twin girls. One of my greatest enjoyments is to listen to audio self improvement books, and classical music.

I dance Kahiko and Auana hula, and wake up every morning to a Zumba exercise routine.

My purpose is to help our clients find debt freedom as soon possible, between 2 years or less. I do have constant communication with our clients about their case, and I want our clients to feel that I do care deeply from my heart.

Jeff Mulford

Jeff Mulford attended California Western School of Law in San Diego, California on a creative problem solving scholarship. When he first stated practicing in 2010, he represented numerous chapter 7 clients throughout Southern California during the height of the foreclosure crisis. He enjoys practicing bankruptcy law because it provides relief to people going through difficult times and puts them on a fresh start towards a brighter financial future.

Prior to law school, Jeff earned an M.B.A. with a concentration in finance from California State University, Long Beach and a B.A. from the University of California at Davis.

Jeff moved to Hawaii in 2016 because he loves the beauty of the islands and the slower pace of life. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and reading.

Blake Goodman

I received my law degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 1989 and have been exclusively practicing bankruptcy related law in Texas, New Mexico, and Hawaii ever since. In the past, I was a Certified Public Accountant, receiving my license from the State of Maryland in 1988. Today I am unlicensed, inactive and am not holding myself out as a CPA.

I specialize in providing solutions to a family’s debt burdens and tax problems. To date, I’ve helped over 8,000 individuals and families alleviate their financial setbacks caused by overwhelming debt problems. Our law firm is one of the largest bankruptcy filers in the entire state of Hawaii. I am a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association, the Federal Bankruptcy Law Section, the Tax Freedom Institute and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers. In addition to being a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, my article “The Often Overlooked 10-Year Tax Discharge Rule” was published in the ABI Journal.

I moved to Hawaii in 1999 with Blanca, my wife, who works with me at the office, because we wanted to live in tropical paradise. We now have twin daughters and have found Hawaii to be more than just a pretty place to live. It is the center of the universe for us.