In its most basic form, Massachusetts bankruptcy law is a consumer protection law. It is a federal process which allows consumers to have their qualifying debts forgiven. The law recognizes that consumers sometimes simply do not have the ability to comply with creditors' repayment demands and Massachusetts bankruptcy laws are based on forgiveness rather than punishment. Bankruptcy does not seek to deter or regulate certain behavior as other laws do. But rather recognizes that there are sometimes circumstances beyond the consumer's control. Which can best be addressed through debt cancellation, by a Massachusetts bankruptcy lawyer - that is also a Federally designated Debt Relief Agency.

Filing for bankruptcy via an MA bankruptcy lawyer, puts into effect an automatic stay, which stops creditors from trying to collect debt from you. The automatic stay immediately stops creditor phone calls, collection letters, wage garnishments, lawsuits, bank levies, and all other types of harassment, intimidation and scare tactics by creditors. Once a bankruptcy case is successfully completed, the consumer receives discharge information from the MA Bankruptcy Court. A Discharge is a legal release from debts. Creditors are left with no legal cause to contact you or pursue debts listed in the bankruptcy documents.

There are two common ways for the typical consumer to file for a Massachusetts Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, via help from MA bankruptcy lawyers. The most common type of bankruptcy is Chapter 7, which allows a consumer to discharge debts completely through a relatively short process. Chapter 13 is a federal debt consolidation plan which allows you to rearrange your financial affairs and repay just a portion of your debts. In most cases, the idea is to allow you time to get back on your feet.

Richards Law Office, P.C. is a bankruptcy law firm with bankruptcy lawyers serving clients in Boston and eastern Massachusetts, including: Burlington, Woburn, Wilmington, Winchester, Stoneham, Wakefield, Reading, North Reading, Lynnfield, Saugus, Melrose, Lexington, Waltham, and Arlington.