Bankruptcy Attorneys Serving Hollywood, Florida and Broward County

Yes. Filing bankruptcy in Hollywood, FL, immediately stops eviction and foreclosure actions through the automatic stay. For foreclosure, Chapter 13 allows you to catch up on missed mortgage payments through a repayment plan while keeping your home. For eviction, timing matters: if a final judgment has already been entered by the Broward County court, bankruptcy may not stop the process. If filed in time, though, bankruptcy can provide temporary or permanent relief.

Most Hollywood residents keep their homes and cars after filing bankruptcy. Florida’s homestead exemption strongly protects primary residences, and state law also protects a portion of your vehicle’s equity. In Chapter 13, you can also catch up on missed payments through your repayment plan. In Chapter 7, as long as payments are current and property values are within exemption limits, you usually keep these assets. Bankruptcy is meant to protect your essentials, not take them away.

In Hollywood and throughout Florida, court filing fees are about $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. Attorney fees vary based on the complexity of your case. Most law firms, including ours, offer flat fees with payment plans so the cost is manageable. While filing has an expense, it’s often much smaller than the relief and protection you gain by eliminating overwhelming debt.

The Meeting of Creditors, also known as the 341 hearing, is a short, required step in the bankruptcy process. In Hollywood cases, it usually takes place in Broward County or virtually. A bankruptcy trustee asks you questions under oath about your financial situation. Creditors can attend but rarely do. The meeting usually lasts less than 15 minutes, and your attorney will prepare you ahead of time so there are no surprises.