Ready To Help You With Any Debt Issues You Face
The preferred option for many, Chapter 7 allows for the complete elimination of covered debt so that filers emerge from bankruptcy with a clean slate, ready to make a fresh start.
In Chapter 13, you can reorganize all your debts into a single monthly payment on a convenient, affordable plan, and your debts can be adjusted so you only pay what you can afford.
Debt settlement is a way to deal with burdensome debt without going through bankruptcy. We negotiate directly with your lender to settle your debt for less than you currently owe.
Call to speak to an attorney now or schedule a consultation at your convenience
Discover your best option
Let Wadhwani & Shanfeld help you
Please Fill Out The Form Below Or Call Us At 805-223-7900
Thousands of individuals and families in Ventura, Southern California and statewide have found effective debt relief with the help of the Ventura bankruptcy lawyers at Wadhwani & Shanfeld. If you’ve been struggling to get by because of overwhelming credit card debt, unaffordable mortgage payments, personal loans, student loans, medical bills, or tax debt, Wadhwani & Shanfeld has the help you need for real, fast, and effective debt relief. No matter what troubles you are facing, we’ve helped people in your same situation find financial freedom through solutions both inside and outside the bankruptcy process. Contact our experienced Ventura bankruptcy lawyers right now and start getting the help you need right away.
Clients choose Wadhwani & Shanfeld because of our deep legal knowledge, personalized attention, and proven success. We are known for:
From the first consultation, clients speak directly with an attorney who explains their options in clear, understandable terms. We believe in making the process as stress-free as possible and ensuring clients feel supported every step of the way.
Throughout the history of our country, bankruptcy law has provided individuals and families with a safety valve to keep them from financial ruin when they’ve gotten in over their heads with debt. That safety valve is U.S. bankruptcy law, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s even written in the Constitution! Bankruptcy is a real, effective solution to overwhelming debt, and you are well within your rights to take advantage of the protections that bankruptcy offers.
Bankruptcy is a legal process designed to give people a fresh start by eliminating or restructuring their debt under the protection of federal law. For many, filing for bankruptcy is not a sign of failure, it is a practical financial decision that allows them to stop creditor harassment, prevent foreclosure, and rebuild their lives. Ventura bankruptcy attorneys at Wadhwani & Shanfeld guide clients through every stage of the process, ensuring all requirements are met and every opportunity for relief is explored.
There are two primary types of personal bankruptcy: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Both offer powerful tools to stop collections, protect assets, and discharge eligible debts, but they serve different needs.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy, often called “liquidation bankruptcy,” allows individuals to discharge unsecured debts such as credit card balances, medical bills, personal loans, and certain tax obligations. Most people who file under Chapter 7 do not lose any property because California’s exemption laws are designed to protect essentials such as homes, vehicles, and retirement savings.
This option is ideal for those who:
Once filed, the automatic stay goes into effect, which stops wage garnishments, repossessions, foreclosures, and all contact from creditors. Within a few months, most eligible debts are wiped out, giving clients a true financial reset.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy is designed for individuals who have a steady income but are struggling to manage secured debts like mortgages, car loans, or tax payments. Instead of eliminating debts immediately, Chapter 13 allows clients to reorganize them into a manageable repayment plan that typically lasts three to five years. During this time, foreclosure proceedings stop, and clients can keep their property while catching up on overdue payments. Chapter 13 can also allow you to pay back certain liabilities which are not dischargeable in Chapter 7, such as priority taxes, support obligations or other non-dischargeable obligations.
This approach works best for those who:
With a carefully structured repayment plan, Chapter 13 helps clients regain balance and financial control while protecting what they have worked hard to build.
Just because you have been sued by a creditor law firm, this is not a reason to give up or despair. Far from it. Now is the time to act by calling a well-respected bankruptcy law firm like Wadhwani & Shanfeld. We’ll file a bankruptcy petition that imposes an automatic stay on any collections or legal proceedings, including lawsuits and foreclosures. We move swiftly and take action to protect you and get results.
If you are being sued by Hunt & Henriques, Reese Law Group, Patenaude & Felix, or any of the other major law firms that represent creditors in Southern California, call Wadhwani & Shanfeld for practical, strategic advice and immediate assistance responding to the lawsuit and dealing with it in an effective, proactive manner.
Bankruptcy is not always the only or best option. Wadhwani & Shanfeld also provide alternative debt solutions that help clients avoid court while still resolving financial challenges. These services include:
The firm also assists with small business bankruptcy, student loan debt management, and second mortgage settlements. Their comprehensive approach ensures that every financial issue is handled under one coordinated legal strategy.
For most people, the fear of losing their home, car, or income prevents them from seeking help. Wadhwani & Shanfeld’s bankruptcy attorneys understand these fears and work aggressively to protect clients’ assets and rights. Filing for bankruptcy immediately stops foreclosure, repossession, and wage garnishment. The automatic stay gives clients the breathing room they need to make sound financial decisions without constant pressure from creditors.
California’s exemption laws protect many assets from liquidation, including homes with equity, vehicles, household goods, and retirement accounts. The LA bankruptcy lawyers at Wadhwani & Shanfeld carefully review each client’s financial situation to determine the best exemption strategy available under state and federal law.
Bankruptcy is not the end of your financial life, it is a legal tool to start over. After discharge, clients can begin rebuilding credit immediately by following a structured plan that includes responsible credit use, consistent bill payments, and proper budgeting. Wadhwani & Shanfeld provide guidance and resources for rebuilding credit scores and establishing a solid financial foundation for the future. Many clients are surprised by how quickly they can qualify for new credit or even a home loan after completing the process.
Answer: Yes. The exact size of the drop will depend on your credit history. Most people who file for bankruptcy have multiple accounts in collection, have defaulted on debts, and have high credit utilization. Their scores are already in the 400s. But others have managed to stay on top of debts (with difficulty) and have a score in the 700s. You can expect your score to crash more than 300+ points with a bankruptcy. But it’s possible to rebuild credit.
Answer: It depends on the bankruptcy. A chapter 7 stays on for 10 years; a Chapter 13 stays on for 7 years. The negative effect lessens with time, however.
Answer: Bankruptcy doesn’t eliminate everything. For example, some debts are excluded by the bankruptcy code, such as family law obligations (child support and alimony). Other debts excluded include drunk driving tickets or a court judgment based on drunk driving. However, you can eliminate many types of unsecured debts, like medical debts, personal loans, and credit cards.
Answer: You can eliminate your mortgage debt in a Chapter 7. However, the security interest in the property survives, which means your lender can still foreclose if you stop paying.
Answer: It depends. You might lose your house if you file for Chapter 7 and there is equity in the home that you can’t exempt. In that case, the trustee might force a sale and distribute equity to your creditors. You can avoid a sale by filing for Chapter 13.
If you can exempt the equity, then it’s a question of whether you are current on your mortgage. If not, then the lender can foreclose on the property. However, you might catch up or file for Chapter 13 which gives you more time to pay back unpaid mortgage debt.
Answer: They can certainly help you fill out the forms. You provide the information, and they can type it in. But they can’t provide legal advice, and they aren’t up to date on bankruptcy law.
Wadhwani & Shanfeld proudly serves clients across Ventura County and beyond:
Solutions are available for the financial stress you are dealing with, so don’t spend another sleepless night in worry. Call Wadhwani & Shanfeld now for a complimentary consultation to get the information you need, including instant, immediate help. We don’t waste your time pushing you to schedule an appointment or in-office consult; you can call now and get an attorney on the phone right away. If you do wish to visit one of our many Southern California office locations, we welcome you, but we are equally comfortable handling your entire case through telephone, email, online chat, and other remote, electronic means. Call now to speak to an experienced Ventura bankruptcy lawyer and get started today getting the help you need.
Get Answers To Your Questions About
Bankruptcy And Debt Reduction
Your employer will not automatically be notified if you file for bankruptcy. Unless you tell them, there is no reason they will find out about it, except in certain circumstances. For instance, your employer could find out about your bankruptcy in the following situations:
Even if your employer does find out you filed for bankruptcy, that fact should not get you fired or subject you to otherwise unfavorable job treatment. If you become the subject of some adverse job action after filing and think you are being unfairly treated, a labor and employment lawyer might be able to help you.
If you are applying for a new job and have a bankruptcy on your record, this fact will come to light if the employer runs a credit check. Government employers are not permitted to use a bankruptcy against you in making a hiring decision, but private employers are not prohibited from doing so.
A creditor with a court order in hand can seek to garnish your wages to cover what you owe them. They can take a pretty big bite out of your wages, but there are limits. Under federal law, creditors cannot garnish more than 25% of your disposable income or the amount of your disposable income that is over 30 times the federal minimum wage. California provides even stronger consumer protections. Here, creditors are limited to 25% of your disposable income or half the amount of disposable income that is over 40 times the California minimum wage (or the local minimum wage if higher than the state minimum). It’s also possible to get an even bigger exemption in California based on a showing of need.
Filing for bankruptcy invokes an “automatic stay” on all debt collection, including wage garnishments. Wage garnishments stop as soon as you file for bankruptcy, and if the debt behind the garnishment is dischargeable, bankruptcy can make the garnishment go away for good.
Although bankruptcy can be a great solution to get you out of present financial difficulties, it’s not uncommon that some people later find themselves back in financial trouble. You can file for bankruptcy even if you have done so previously, subject to limitations. After a Chapter 7 discharge, you would have to wait four years to file for Chapter 13 or eight years to file another Chapter 7. After completing a Chapter 13 repayment plan, you would have to wait two years to file for Chapter 13 again or four years to file for Chapter 7.
Unfortunately, only the passage of time will take a bankruptcy off your credit report, despite any claims to the contrary from so-called “credit repair” companies. By law, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy stays on your credit report for seven years, while a Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays on your credit report for ten years. That said, you can still start repairing and rebuilding your credit even while the bankruptcy is on your record.
A lot of factors go into answering that question, including the number of creditors you have and the amounts you owe, who your creditors are, your overall income and expenses, what kinds of property you own, and more.
We can answer that question for you after we have talked to you and learned about your personal situation. So call us now, and talk to an attorney now to answer your questions and address your concerns.
If you are in over your head with credit card bills, mortgage payments, personal loans or other debts, you are likely stressed out over the situation, and rightly so. But a lot of worry and anxiety in this situation comes from not knowing your options or what you can expect to happen.
Dedicated To Helping You Get Back On Your Feet After A Financial Crisis
We Have Offices Across Southern California Ready To Assist You
15233 Ventura Blvd., Suite 1000
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
3780 Kilroy Airport Way, Suite 200
Long Beach, CA 90806
Maps & Directions / Phone 562-222-0381
Disclaimer/ Privacy Policy/ Site Map
We Have Offices Across Southern California Ready To Assist You
15233 Ventura Blvd., Suite 1000
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
3780 Kilroy Airport Way, Suite 200
Long Beach, CA 90806
Maps & Directions / Phone 562-222-0381
Disclaimer/ Privacy Policy/ Site Map
