Bankruptcy Attorneys Serving Hialeah and Miami-Dade County

Yes. In Hialeah and throughout Miami-Dade County, you can absolutely file for bankruptcy in Spanish. Many bankruptcy courts and trustees in the Southern District of Florida provide bilingual resources, and Consumer Law Attorneys offers Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff. All legal documents are filed in English, but your attorney will explain everything in Spanish so you fully understand the process. This ensures you can participate confidently and without confusion.

Yes. Filing for bankruptcy in Hialeah immediately stops wage garnishment through the automatic stay. This protection applies to most creditors, including those collecting on credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans. If your wages are being garnished by a Miami-Dade court order, the garnishment must stop as soon as the bankruptcy is filed. Chapter 7 can permanently eliminate the underlying debt, while Chapter 13 provides a repayment plan that prevents garnishments from restarting.

In Hialeah, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy usually takes 3 to 4 months from start to finish. Chapter 13 takes longer, lasting 3 to 5 years because it involves repaying part of your debt through a structured plan. The timeline depends on whether you provide the required documents on time and whether creditors object. Most clients find the process manageable, and attorneys guide you step by step so there are no surprises.

Most Hialeah residents filing for bankruptcy are able to keep their home and car. Florida’s homestead exemption is very generous, protecting most primary residences. You can also use exemptions to protect a portion of your vehicle’s value. If you are behind on payments, Chapter 13 allows you to catch up over time. In Chapter 7, you typically keep your property if payments are current and the value falls under Florida’s exemption limits. Losing these assets is uncommon.