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Best Bankruptcy Lawyers in Santa Maria, CA

Our Recommended Top 6

We did the research for you!

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Santa Maria bankruptcy lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

42Reviewed

27Curated

6Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

2236 South Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93454

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Based in California, Sandra K. McBeth is a bankruptcy attorney providing legal representation to individuals in the Santa Maria area. McBeth is a lawyer and bankruptcy trustee also practicing civil and commercial litigation. She provides creditor representation in any chapter of the Bankruptcy Code, trustee representation, and debtor representation in chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13. She also serves as a chapter 7 panel trustee and handles bankruptcy litigation. McBeth is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institution and the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees.

  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
  • Debt Settlement

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Sandra Mcbeth - PrincipalActive37 yrs

400 E Orange St, Santa Maria, CA 93454

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (127)
Yelp
3.5 (20)
Avvo
4.7 (20)

Why choose this provider?

Michael B. Clayton and Associates is a law firm in Santa Maria with evening and weekend hours, that's been providing debt relief options for individuals since 1989. Its attorneys help clients understand their rights and responsibilities when filing for chapters 7 and 13 bankruptcy protection to stop collection actions, including home foreclosure, wage garnishment, and creditors' calls. Other practice areas include criminal, family, and personal injury law. Services are available in English and Spanish.

  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Michael Clayton - PrincipalActive34 yrs

323 Vine Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.4 (25)
Avvo
5.0 (7)
Facebook
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Law Offices of R. Morgan Holland, L.C. is a family and bankruptcy law firm representing clients needing debt relief and other financial issues. The offices of the firm are located in San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria. The firm focuses on chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy. Morgan Holland, the sole lawyer in this firm, can help clients discharge debts such as credit card and medical bills. Holland has over three decades of experience.

  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
  • Credit Card Debt

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Roy Holland - PrincipalActive37 yrs

1254 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Serving clients in Santa Maria, Farmer & Ready, A Law Corporation has more than 33 years of experience helping debtors find financial freedom through bankruptcy. The firm's bankruptcy attorneys offer assistance in chapter 7, chapter 13, and chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and proceedings. The firm also helps clients with credit card bills, unsecured debt, and foreclosure and real estate issues. Farmer & Ready, A Law Corporation also helps its clients find relief through bankruptcy alternatives.

  • Debt Settlement

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Paul Ready - PrincipalActive43 yrs

412 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Margulies Faith LLP handles a broad range of bankruptcy-related matters for clients in Santa Maria and the surrounding areas. The firm has experienced bankruptcy attorneys who are adept in handling cases related to out-of-court workouts, creditors' rights, debt negotiations, insolvency, bankruptcy litigations, and restructuring. They also take care of chapters 7 and 11 bankruptcy filings for debtors. Aside from debtor representation, the firm also counsels creditors, businesses, trustees, government organizations, and landlords.

  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Debt Settlement

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Craig Margulies - PartnerActive29 yrs
Meghann Triplett - PartnerActive16 yrs

910 Ramona Avenue, Grover Beach, CA 93433

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (24)
Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Law Offices of Reed H. Olmstead is a bankruptcy law firm that counsels businesses and individuals in Santa Maria. Reed H. Olmstead helps clients seek debt relief through chapters 7 and 13 bankruptcies. Aside from consumer bankruptcy, the attorney also assists small businesses in managing asset liquidation and reorganizing debt under chapters 7 and 11 bankruptcies. The National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys member serves as a supervising attorney for the Law Student Bankruptcy Assistance Program.

  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Reed Olmstead - PrincipalActive15 yrs

Compare our Top Bankruptcy Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Sandra K. McBeth
2236 South Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93454
Michael B. Clayton and Associates
400 E Orange St, Santa Maria, CA 93454
Law Offices of R. Morgan Holland, L.C.
323 Vine Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454
Farmer & Ready, A Law Corporation
1254 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Margulies Faith LLP
412 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Law Offices of Reed H. Olmstead
910 Ramona Avenue, Grover Beach, CA 93433

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Santa Maria, CA Bankruptcy FAQs

  • Where do I file for bankruptcy in Santa Maria, California?

    You would need to go through the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California to file for bankruptcy in Santa Maria. Santa Maria is located within Santa Barbara County, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Central District Court.

  • Where can I get bankruptcy forms in Santa Maria, California?

    To obtain bankruptcy forms in Santa Maria, you can visit the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California's website at http://www.cacb.uscourts.gov. The Central District Court provides electronic versions of bankruptcy forms that can be downloaded and printed.

  • Is it possible for Santa Maria debtors to prevent the implementation of wage garnishments and bank account levies through bankruptcy?

    Yes. When a bankruptcy is filed, a federal injunction known as the automatic stay comes into effect and promptly halts both wage garnishments and bank account levies. In situations involving garnishments or levies, it is possible for a Santa Maria debtor's funds to be directed to the sheriff prior to reaching the creditor. However, by skillfully timing the filing of a bankruptcy, bankruptcy attorneys often succeed in reclaiming the debtor's funds.

  • Will Santa Maria debtors lose all their property if they file for bankruptcy?

    No. Most bankruptcy cases originating from the Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo areas do not involve the seizure of assets from the debtors. The primary objective of bankruptcy is to offer debtors an opportunity to embark on a new beginning in their financial journey. Moreover, bankruptcy serves as a protective measure that enables individuals to maintain ownership of important possessions like homes, vehicles, and personal belongings.

  • What are the benefits and consequences of a chapter 7 bankruptcy filing for Santa Maria residents?

    In a span of approximately four months after filing for bankruptcy, Santa Maria residents can eliminate a significant portion of their unsecured debts, lawfully terminate unfavorable contracts, and put an end to creditor harassment. However, note that this course of action initially has a detrimental effect on their credit scores. Additionally, the bankruptcy trustee can seize any valuable assets that are not exempt, such as cars and homes.

  • In what ways can bankruptcy assist Santa Maria debtors in reclaiming control over their lives?

    By filing for bankruptcy, Santa Maria debtors are granted the chance to free themselves from the barrage of phone calls from creditors and credit agencies, as well as avoid the risk of foreclosure. With the initiation of bankruptcy proceedings, a federal injunction known as the automatic stay promptly comes into effect. This stay can halt wage garnishments, utility disconnections, and the majority of collection efforts made by creditors.

  • What are the possible outcomes that Santa Maria debtors may experience as a result of having their debts discharged?

    The consequences of a bankruptcy filing for Santa Maria residents include the potential for the bankruptcy to be visible on their credit reports for up to a decade. Consequently, this can hinder their ability to obtain credit in the future. Note that filing a bankruptcy petition does not absolve the debtor of their responsibility to pay any debts not listed on the bankruptcy schedules.

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