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LicensingUser ReviewsMystery Shopping CallsOur goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Vista bankruptcy lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.
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= Featured ProviderLaw Office of Donald W. Reid is a bankruptcy law firm serving families and small businesses in Vista. It is led by Donald Reid, who has been recognized by The State of California Board of Legal Specialization as a certified legal specialist. Reid is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Inland Empire Bankruptcy Forum. He can offer legal advice for those who are overwhelmed with debt and have to file for chapter 7, 11, or 13 bankruptcy.
The North County Bankruptcy Clinic has been representing individuals in bankruptcy cases in Vista since 1982. Among the types of bankruptcy cases that the law practice handles are Chapters Seven and Chapter 13 bankruptcies. Its principal lawyer, Scott Burton, has been practicing law for more than 40 years and has been in the service of North County, San Diego, and Riverside residents. The North County Bankruptcy Clinic's office is located in San Marcos.
(20)(10)Moreno & Associates is a law firm that is located in Vista that has been practicing law for over 10 years. The company's attorneys are dedicated to helping clients in matters regarding immigration, bankruptcy, personal injury, domestic violence, and family law. Its bankruptcy lawyers can cater to Spanish-speaking individuals and can travel to the client's location. The firm's general manager, attorney Andres Moreno II is a member of the Florida Bar Association.
Bankruptcy Law Center is a San Diego-based law firm that offers its services to clients who are in debt and facing foreclosure. The firm handles Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy and FDCPA violations. BLC has one of the state's four attorneys with three certified specializations. Ahren A. Tiller, who is the firm's supervising attorney along with Brian J. McGoldrick, is a Bankruptcy Law Specialist certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization.
Debt Relief Legal Clinic is a law firm located in Vista led by John C. Colwell and Daniel J. Wiedecker. With more than 35 years of bankruptcy experience, the firm handles Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy, foreclosure, repossession, and creditor harassment cases. John C. Cowell has been recognized by the State Bar of California's Board of Legal Specialization as a Certified Legal Specialist for Bankruptcy Law. He is also a member and the current president vice secretary of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.
Switzer Law Office is a Vista-based law firm committed to helping clients with unmanageable debt. Since 1977, J. Edward Switzer, Jr. has been handling chapters 7 and 13 cases for clients. He offers consultation to individuals who are struggling to pay debts caused by loss of income, illnesses, divorce, and deaths and helps them determine which bankruptcy petitions can provide solutions to their financial problems. In addition, Switzer also represents businesses in chapter 11 cases.
The Law Office of Ralph L. Williams is a law practice that has been representing clients for 40 years, focusing on helping them with bankruptcy matters so that they can start fresh. Located in Vista, Mr. Williams has helped clients file bankruptcy to stop problems such as foreclosures, creditor lawsuits and harassment, and wage garnishment. The practice assists with Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Mr. Williams works with clients directly from the initial consultation all the way to case resolution.
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.
Vista residents may file for bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California, located at the Jacob Weinberger United States Courthouse at 325 West F Street, San Diego, California 92101.
Vista residents may get bankruptcy forms at the official website of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California, which can be accessed here: https://www.casb.uscourts.gov/forms.
According to data published by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California, there have so far been 1,747 bankruptcy filings in 2023 from San Diego County, where Vista is located. In 2022, the county saw 3,205 bankruptcies while there were 4,597 cases in 2021 and 5,965 in 2020.
Of the 1,747 bankruptcy filings in 2023 from San Diego County, where Vista is located, 1,518 were Chapter 7 petitions. Meanwhile, 221 were Chapter 13 cases and only 8 were Chapter 11. Additionally, 144 of these were pro se cases, meaning that they were filed without the assistance of a bankruptcy attorney.
If a debtor in Vista filed for bankruptcy yet their debts were not successfully discharged, they may file another petition without waiting. However, if they filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and received a discharge of debts, they must wait eight years from the date of filing to be eligible for another Chapter 7 discharge and four years for Chapter 13.
Those in Vista who have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy are allowed to protect a certain amount of money in their bank accounts, as per the state’s bankruptcy exemptions. However, a great number of banks and credit unions also freeze a debtor’s bank accounts once he or she files for bankruptcy. To regain access to one’s funds, the debtor’s trustee may contact the bank or a motion may be filed with the court.
During a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, debtors in Vista are typically allowed to protect their retirement accounts, including 401(k)s, 403(b)s, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, money purchase plans, and ERISA-qualified pensions. Public benefit plans such as unemployment compensation, Social Security, veterans' benefits, and public assistance are also protected, as well as crime victims' reparation.
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