A Woodbridge bankruptcy lawyer you can meet from home

If debt has you losing sleep, you don’t have to drive anywhere for help. I meet every client by Zoom. (Before COVID, I met at my Woodbridge office at 2700 Neabsco Common Place, Suite 101. For most people, Zoom is better.)

I am Robert Weed. My practice is consumer bankruptcy, and that is all we do. People who come to us are often worried about wage garnishment, a lawsuit from a credit card company, or a car or house they are afraid to lose. We look at your whole situation first, then tell you plainly which option fits.

That includes telling you when a Chapter 7 will work. Many of our clients came in expecting to be pushed into a Chapter 13. If you qualify for Chapter 7 and it works better, we will say so.

Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 for Prince William families

Most Woodbridge families file under one of two chapters. Which one fits depends on your income, your household size, and what you want to keep.

Chapter 7: a fresh start in about four months

Chapter 7 wipes out credit cards, medical bills, personal loans and most old judgments. Most clients keep their car, household goods and retirement accounts under Virginia’s exemptions. A typical case runs about four months from filing to discharge. Learn more about Chapter 7.

Chapter 13: a court-approved payment plan

Chapter 13 lets you repay what you can over three to five years. It is often the right tool to stop a foreclosure, catch up on missed mortgage or car payments, or protect property that Chapter 7 could not. Learn more about Chapter 13.

Where a Woodbridge bankruptcy case goes

If you live in Woodbridge or anywhere in Prince William County, your case is filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division. The courthouse is at 200 South Washington Street in Old Town Alexandria.

Most clients never set foot in it. The one meeting you must attend, the 341 meeting of creditors, is currently held by Zoom. It usually lasts only a few minutes, and I attend with you.

(Before the pandemic, people in Woodbridge often had to drive two hours to get to Old Town Alexandria by 9:00.)

Woodbridge bankruptcy FAQs

Will I have to go to court in Alexandria?

Usually not. The 341 meeting is currently held by Zoom, and most Chapter 7 cases never need an in-person hearing.

Can bankruptcy stop a garnishment from Prince William General District Court?

Yes. The automatic stay stops a garnishment as soon as the case is filed. In some cases, wages taken in the 90 days before filing can be recovered.

I work at Quantico, Fort Belvoir or a federal agency. Will bankruptcy hurt my security clearance?

For many people, bankruptcy helps, because it clears debt that makes you a risk. Every situation is different, so talk with us before you file. I’ve filed bankrutpcy cases for more than a thousand people with secret or top secret clearances.

Can I keep my house in Dale City or Lake Ridge?

Often, yes. Chapter 13 can stop a foreclosure and give you up to five years to catch up on missed payments.

My income seems too high. Can I still file Chapter 7?

Maybe. Prince William’s high cost of living raises the expense allowances in the means test. Many Woodbridge households above the state median still qualify.

How much does it cost?

The first consultation is free. We will tell you your fee at that consultation, before you commit to anything.

Can I meet with you in person in Woodbridge?

All appointments are by Zoom, which saves you the drive. If you have documents to drop off, bring them to our receptionist at the Neabsco Common office during business hours, and they’ll get them to me.