Bankruptcy Attorney in Livingston, TX

Why Livingston-Area Clients Work with Law Offices of W. David Stephens

W. David Stephens has focused exclusively on consumer and business bankruptcy since the mid-1990s, building a record across thousands of cases. His Martindale-Hubbell rating reflects peer recognition for professional excellence and a consistent commitment to client service. That depth of focus is rare, and it matters when your financial situation is on the line.

We keep our process practical. Clients work directly with W. David Stephens from the first consultation through the close of their case. Same-day appointments are available, and we offer payment plans so legal costs don’t become another barrier.

Chapter 7, Chapter 13, & Chapter 11: Understanding Your Options

The right bankruptcy chapter depends on your income, assets, and what you’re trying to accomplish. Here’s how the three chapters we handle work in general terms:

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 is a liquidation process designed to discharge qualifying unsecured debts, such as credit card balances and medical bills. Eligibility depends on a means test that compares your household income to the Texas median income. For filers who qualify, Chapter 7 cases typically resolve faster than other chapters.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 allows individuals with regular income to restructure and repay debts through a court-approved plan lasting three to five years. It’s often a good fit for people who want to keep a home or catch up on mortgage arrears. Secured debts like a mortgage or car loan generally must stay current during the process to retain the property.

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Chapter 11 is primarily a business reorganization tool, allowing a company to keep operating while repaying creditors under a court-supervised plan. We handle both individual and business Chapter 11 filings.

Regardless of chapter, filing a bankruptcy petition triggers an automatic stay, a federal court order that halts most collection calls, wage garnishment, and foreclosure or repossession proceedings while the case is pending.

What Bankruptcy Can Stop & Resolve

Financial pressure rarely comes from a single direction. Filing through our firm can address several problems at once:

• Creditor harassment and collection calls generally stop once the automatic stay goes into effect
• Wage garnishment and new IRS collection actions, such as levies, are generally halted by the automatic stay, though a tax lien the IRS already filed against your property typically remains in place
• Foreclosure and repossession proceedings are generally paused, giving you time to assess your options
• Qualifying unsecured debts may be discharged, releasing you from personal liability for those balances
• Co-signer protections on certain debts may be available depending on the chapter filed

Serving Livingston, Polk County, & the Eastern District of Texas

Livingston is the county seat of Polk County, and the Polk County Courthouse sits at the center of local legal activity. Bankruptcy filings for Polk County residents fall within the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas, with proceedings handled through the Lufkin Division. We file and manage cases through that court regularly, so Livingston-area clients aren’t working with a firm that has to learn the jurisdiction.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

We offer free consultations to Livingston and Polk County residents who want to understand their options before committing to any course of action. There’s no obligation, and payment plans are available if you decide to move forward.

Call Law Offices of W. David Stephens at (936) 298-5388 to speak directly with our office and set up a time to review your situation.