What Do Bankruptcy Lawyers Do?

May 31, 2025

While difficult and anxiety-inducing, filing for bankruptcy can often help you on the path toward financial freedom and solvency when overwhelming debt consumes your life. But professional guidance can make a crucial difference: Bankruptcy lawyers guide individuals and businesses through the complex legal process, offering valuable knowledge that can influence your financial outcomes. If you need this kind of help, let our Baltimore bankruptcy lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton assist.

How Do Bankruptcy Lawyers Evaluate Your Case?

Before proceeding with bankruptcy, a good bankruptcy lawyer will conduct a thorough evaluation of your financial situation by analyzing your income streams, ongoing expenses, valuable assets, and accumulated debts. They will also examine your debt-to-income ratio to determine whether bankruptcy can help you. If not, many lawyers will help you consider alternative debt relief options. During this evaluation, you should receive a detailed explanation of the advantages and disadvantages of the different bankruptcy chapters available to you. Your lawyer will clarify the debts that courts can discharge and the obligations that will remain after the bankruptcy process.

How Will Your Bankruptcy Lawyer Handle Paperwork?

The bankruptcy process requires extensive documentation and precise filing, and if you make an error, you could complicate your bankruptcy case or even get it dismissed entirely. Your bankruptcy lawyer will assume responsibility for managing all the required paperwork. From your bankruptcy petition and schedules to your documentation of all assets, debts, income, and expenses, an experienced lawyer can help you file all these resources on time and accurately.

How Will Your Lawyer Protect You From Creditors?

When you kick off the bankruptcy process, the court implements an automatic stay that halts most collection efforts instantly. A seasoned bankruptcy lawyer can ensure the automatic stay takes effect properly, and if creditors violate the stay by continuing collection attempts, your lawyer can address these violations directly. They will also tell you which debts fall under the stay’s protection, and which collection activities might continue.

How Will Your Lawyer Help With Debt Discharge?

Once you meet all requirements for discharge and the court issues the discharge order, your lawyer can work with you to confirm its accuracy and scope. Throughout the process, they will advise you on all relevant post-bankruptcy obligations that might affect your financial future and help you step into the fresh financial start that you deserve.

What Happens After You Complete Bankruptcy?

Once you go through the bankruptcy declaration process, a competent lawyer will give you advice on rebuilding your credit and adopting responsible financial habits. They can help you create strategies to avoid future financial difficulties, budget, and manage your debt. They can also walk you through your legal rights after bankruptcy, including your protection from bankruptcy-based discrimination by employers or landlords.

How Can You Choose the Right Bankruptcy Lawyer for Your Needs?

If you need a lawyer to help you through the filing process, look for lawyers who understand the nuances of the different chapters and strategies available to you. They should also have an effective network within the local bankruptcy courts to give you an advantage in your case.

Because of the sensitivity of financial issues, prioritize your own comfort level during initial consultations. Choose someone who listens carefully and addresses your concerns respectfully. The best bankruptcy lawyers explain complex legal concepts in plain language that you understand easily.

Consider the dedicated bankruptcy lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton to guide you through the bankruptcy process smoothly and professionally. We offer our clients the emotional and legal support they need to achieve a fresh financial start. With our strong record of positive outcomes for bankruptcy clients, we can provide you with prompt answers and take immediate action on your behalf from day one.

Find Your Financial Path With the Baltimore Bankruptcy Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton

If overwhelming debt is weighing you down, call the Baltimore bankruptcy lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online for a free consultation.

We have offices in Baltimore and Owings Mills, allowing us to represent clients in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.