JACKSONVILLE, FL

Bankruptcy Help for Jacksonville and Northeast Florida

If you live in Duval, Clay, St. Johns or Nassau County and the bills have stopped adding up, you do not have to work out your options alone. Szabo Law Group, P.A. meets clients at our Jacksonville office at 5011 Gate Parkway, near the Southside business district, and our attorneys handle both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases from the first consultation through discharge.

Bankruptcy cases filed by Jacksonville-area residents are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division, located in the Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse on North Hogan Street downtown. Knowing how this division schedules hearings, how the local Chapter 13 trustee reviews repayment plans, and what documents are expected at the meeting of creditors is part of preparing your case properly from day one.

Chapter 7 or Chapter 13: Which Fits Your Situation?

Most individuals who file in Jacksonville choose one of two chapters. The right choice depends on your income, the property you want to protect, and what you are trying to stop.

Chapter 7 — a faster fresh start

• Wipes out most unsecured debt such as credit cards, medical bills and personal loans.
• Usually takes a few months from filing to discharge.
• You must pass the means test, which compares your household income to the Florida median for your household size.
• Florida's exemptions often allow filers to keep their home, retirement accounts and much of their personal property.

Chapter 13 — a plan to catch up and keep property

• Lets you repay some or all debt through a court-approved plan lasting three to five years.
• Can stop a foreclosure sale and let you cure missed mortgage payments over time — important in Duval County, where foreclosure cases move through the Fourth Judicial Circuit.
• Often used when income is above the means-test limit, or when you have property or arrears that Chapter 7 cannot protect.
• May allow you to restructure a car loan or address tax debt inside the plan.

During a consultation, an attorney reviews your income, debts and assets with you and explains which chapter — or which non-bankruptcy option — makes sense. Sometimes the honest answer is that bankruptcy is not the best tool, and we will tell you that.

What Happens After You File in the Jacksonville Division

1. Credit counseling first. Federal law requires an approved credit counseling course before filing. We will point you to approved providers.
2. Filing and the automatic stay. As soon as your petition is filed, the automatic stay generally stops collection calls, lawsuits, wage garnishments and most foreclosure actions.
3. Meeting of creditors. A few weeks after filing, you attend a short meeting with the trustee (often held remotely). Your attorney prepares you and attends with you.
4. Chapter 13 plan confirmation (Chapter 13 only). The court reviews and confirms your repayment plan.
5. Financial management course and discharge. After completing a second short course, eligible debts are discharged.

Protecting Your Home and Property Under Florida Law

Florida has some of the strongest homestead protections in the country. In many cases a primary residence can be protected regardless of its value, subject to acreage limits and federal rules for homes acquired shortly before filing. Florida law also protects most retirement accounts, wages of a head of family in many situations, and limited amounts of personal property and vehicle equity. How these exemptions apply depends on your specific facts, which is why we review them with you before anything is filed.

Bankruptcy, Foreclosure and Immigration Questions Under One Roof

Many of our Jacksonville clients come to us with more than one concern — for example, a family facing foreclosure while a green card application is pending, or a small business owner dealing with tax debt. Because Szabo Law Group handles bankruptcy, foreclosure defense and immigration matters, an attorney can look at how a financial decision may affect other parts of your life and plan accordingly.

Speak With a Jacksonville Bankruptcy Attorney

Every case starts with a free, confidential consultation with an attorney. Call our Jacksonville office at (904) 659-8281 or request your consultation online. Assistance is available in English, Spanish and Hungarian.

Jacksonville Office
5011 Gate Parkway, Building 100, Suite #100
Jacksonville, FL 32256

This page provides general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.