Best Bankruptcy Attorneys in Alexandria

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where do I file for bankruptcy in Alexandria, Virginia?

  You can file for bankruptcy in Alexandria at: U.S. Bankruptcy Court 200 S. Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314-5405.

• Where can I get bankruptcy forms in Alexandria, Virginia?

  You can find Alexandria bankruptcy forms at https://www.vaeb.uscourts.gov/bankruptcy-forms.

• Can an individual in Alexandria who files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy retain their house and vehicle?

  Chapter 7 bankruptcy exemptions in Virginia allow residents in Alexandria to keep secured assets such as their home and car if they file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Otherwise, they cannot keep them. An automatic stay obtained through Chapter 7 filing is merely a temporary solution to foreclosure.

• During bankruptcy, when can a bank in Alexandria freeze an account?

  At the time of bankruptcy filing, Alexandria banks may freeze deposit accounts if filers owe them loans. Banks that function as a creditor maintain their right to a contract provision known as a setoff, which essentially grants them the capacity to get remaining funds from savings and checking accounts and apply them to bank-held debts and loan balances. While a bank awaits a court’s decision on a setoff request, they can completely freeze one’s account.

• What are some guidelines for bankruptcy exemptions that apply in Alexandria?

  In Alexandria and throughout Virginia, residents are not allowed to take advantage of federal bankruptcy exemptions. The state of Virginia also requires that the individual must have lived in the area for a certain amount of time before filing a bankruptcy to qualify for state bankruptcy exemptions.

• How much do the services of trustees cost in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Alexandria?

  The Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustee expenses in Alexandria and throughout Virginia range from 6.7 percent to 8.6 percent, which can translate into thousands of dollars. Fees for trustees count as one of the largest costs in Virginia cases of Chapter 13 bankruptcy. The high cost may be due to the huge amount of administrative tasks that the trustee must perform.

• Who are exempted from the means test in Alexandria?

  Bankruptcy means tests apply only to higher-income filers in Alexandria, not to those with incomes below the state median. The latter must complete a means test calculation to determine if they can pay back part of their unsecured debts by filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. A disabled veteran or non-consumer debtor who incurred their debts during active military duty or homeland defense is also exempt.