Glen Burnie Bankruptcy Lawyers
Key Takeaways
- LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton has represented Maryland clients since the 1980s and has recovered more than one hundred million dollars in settlements and verdicts across its practice areas.
- The firm offers a free consultation to every bankruptcy client, quotes a flat fee for most Chapter 7 cases, and folds Chapter 13 fees into the repayment plan.
- LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton maintains an office serving Glen Burnie and Anne Arundel County, giving residents direct access to attorneys who file regularly in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland.
- Chapter 7 bankruptcy can eliminate unsecured debt within three to four months, and Maryland exemption law lets filers protect up to twelve thousand dollars in personal property plus a substantial share of home equity.
Do You Need a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Glen Burnie?
Overwhelming debt affects thousands of Anne Arundel County families each year, and many Glen Burnie residents search for a clear path out of collection calls, wage garnishment, and looming foreclosure. LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton has guided Maryland clients through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy since the 1980s, and the firm has recovered more than one hundred million dollars in settlements and verdicts for clients across its practice areas. The firm holds an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-review distinction a lawyer can earn, and firm attorneys belong to the Maryland State Bar Association. Clients praise the firm for direct communication during a stressful financial period.
Chapter 7 or Chapter 13: Which Option Fits Your Situation?
Maryland residents typically choose between two forms of consumer bankruptcy. Chapter 7 liquidation eliminates most unsecured debt, including credit card balances, medical bills, and personal loans, usually within three to four months of filing. Chapter 13 reorganization instead creates a three- to five-year repayment plan and suits filers who earn too much for Chapter 7 or who want to catch up on a mortgage while keeping their home. To qualify for Chapter 7, your household income must fall at or below Maryland’s median income for your family size, a figure the U.S. Trustee Program publishes and updates each year. An attorney at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton reviews your income, debts, and property before recommending the chapter that fits your goals.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton?
LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton offers a free consultation to every bankruptcy client in Glen Burnie. The firm quotes a flat fee for most Chapter 7 cases once attorneys understand your debt load and asset picture. Chapter 13 fees typically fold into your repayment plan, so you avoid a large upfront payment. Beyond attorney fees, the court charges a filing fee, although the court waives this fee or allows installment payment for filers who qualify. An experienced Maryland bankruptcy lawyer often saves filers money over time by helping you avoid mistakes that lead to dismissed cases or denied discharges.
What Debts Can You Discharge in Maryland?
A Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 discharge eliminates your personal obligation to pay most unsecured debts, including credit card balances, medical bills, personal loans, past-due utility bills, and most judgments. Certain debts survive bankruptcy regardless of chapter, including most student loans, recent tax debt, child support, alimony, and criminal fines. Secured debts, such as a car loan or mortgage, require a separate decision: you may surrender the collateral, reaffirm the debt, or, in Chapter 13, catch up on missed payments through your plan. Your attorney reviews every creditor on your file and explains which balances your case will erase.
What Can You Keep Under Maryland’s Bankruptcy Exemptions?
Maryland law protects a portion of your property from creditors during bankruptcy through exemptions found in the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article. Filers can protect up to twelve thousand dollars in personal property, including household goods, tools of a trade, and a vehicle, and Maryland’s homestead exemption shields roughly twenty-one thousand six hundred twenty-five dollars in home equity for filers who skip the wildcard exemption. Federal law generally protects retirement accounts regardless of the state exemption you choose. An attorney maps your assets against these limits before you file.
How Does Bankruptcy Stop Wage Garnishment and Foreclosure?
The moment your attorney files your petition with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland, the automatic stay under federal bankruptcy law takes effect. This stay immediately halts wage garnishment, creditor phone calls, collection lawsuits, and most foreclosure and repossession actions. Anne Arundel County residents facing a scheduled foreclosure sale or an active garnishment order gain immediate relief the day the court dockets the case. Chapter 13 filers can use the repayment plan to catch up on missed mortgage payments over time, while Chapter 7 filers who cannot save their home still stop the immediate loss of income from garnishment while they plan their next step.
Common Causes of Bankruptcy Filings in Glen Burnie and Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County residents file for bankruptcy for many of the same reasons filers cite nationwide: medical debt, job loss, divorce, and credit card debt that outpaces household income. Glen Burnie’s mix of retail, logistics, and service-sector employment near Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport means many local filers experience income disruption tied to seasonal work or employer layoffs. Rising housing costs throughout the county also push some homeowners toward Chapter 13 as a way to catch up on a mortgage rather than lose a home built around years of equity.
Why Choose LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton in Anne Arundel County?
LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton maintains an office serving Glen Burnie and Anne Arundel County, in addition to offices in Baltimore, Owings Mills, and Lanham. The firm limits its practice to a defined set of areas, including bankruptcy, personal injury representation for Glen Burnie accident victims, and Workers’ Compensation claims for injured Glen Burnie employees, which lets attorneys stay current on developments within each practice area. For a broader look at bankruptcy protection across the county, review the firm’s Anne Arundel County bankruptcy lawyers page. Clients choose the firm because attorneys explain each step in plain language and remain available throughout the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Chapter 7 bankruptcy take in Maryland?
Most Chapter 7 cases filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland reach discharge within three to four months of filing, assuming no complications arise.
Will I lose my house if I file for bankruptcy in Glen Burnie?
Many filers keep their home. Maryland’s homestead exemption protects a set amount of home equity, and Chapter 13 lets you catch up on missed mortgage payments instead of losing the property.
Does bankruptcy stop wage garnishment immediately?
Yes. The automatic stay under federal bankruptcy law halts most wage garnishment and collection activity the moment your attorney files your case.
Can I file for bankruptcy more than once?
Maryland law allows repeat filings, though federal law imposes waiting periods between discharges that depend on which chapters you filed previously. An attorney reviews your filing history before recommending your next step.
Glen Burnie Bankruptcy Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Can Help You Get a Fresh Start
Debt relief starts with a conversation, and the Glen Burnie bankruptcy lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton offer a free consultation to clients facing overwhelming debt, garnishment, or foreclosure. Our experienced legal team can help protect your future. Visit our website to complete our online contact form or call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529). We have offices in Baltimore and Owings Mills, MD, and we serve clients in the surrounding areas.
