Bankruptcy Lawyers Serving Miramar and Broward County

The right chapter depends on your income and financial situation. In Miramar, Chapter 7 is best for people with limited income and mostly unsecured debt, such as credit cards and medical bills. You must pass a means test comparing your household income to Florida’s median. Chapter 13 is for those with regular income who want to keep their property, like a home or car, and repay some debts over time. An attorney can review your finances and explain which option fits you.

Most Miramar residents are able to keep their homes and cars in bankruptcy. Florida’s homestead exemption strongly protects primary residences, and vehicle exemptions safeguard part of your car’s value. In Chapter 13, you can catch up on overdue payments for both home and car loans. In Chapter 7, as long as you’re current on payments and the value falls under exemption limits, you usually won’t lose these assets.

Filing bankruptcy in Miramar will affect your credit score, but often less than continuing with unmanageable debt. Chapter 7 remains for 10 years on your report, and Chapter 13 stays for 7 years. Still, many people see improvements in their credit within a year or two because their debts are eliminated. With good habits like paying bills on time and using credit wisely, you can rebuild faster than you might expect.

Yes. Filing bankruptcy immediately stops wage garnishment under the automatic stay. In Miramar and across Broward County, creditors must stop garnishing your paycheck as soon as your case is filed. Chapter 7 can wipe out the underlying debt permanently, while Chapter 13 gives you a repayment plan that prevents garnishment from restarting. For many people, this brings instant financial relief.