JPPLAW is local, and we’re here to help!
We understand that most people want to pay their bills. Unfortunately, life doesn’t always go according to plan. A sudden job loss, layoff, divorce, serious illness, or the death of a spouse or loved one can quickly make financial obligations overwhelming — and even impossible — to manage.
If you’re facing creditor pressure or debt collectors because of circumstances beyond your control, you’re not alone — and you do have options.
Let’s fix it today!
Bankruptcy is designed to give individuals and families a true fresh start — a chance to reset and move forward. It immediately stops harassing calls from creditors and debt collectors, puts an end to collection letters and lawsuits, and provides a lawful path toward lasting financial relief and stability.
Most people associate bankruptcy with shame or loss and fear they will lose everything they own. Those concerns are understandable—but they are often based on common myths and misconceptions that are absolutely false.
The truth is that bankruptcy can actually do the following for you:
Bankruptcy is a legal process designed to help individuals and families manage debt when it becomes overwhelming. You may be searching online for a “bankruptcy lawyer near me” or “bankruptcy attorney near me,” and while searching you might have learn that there are two different types of bankruptcy for individuals, each serving a different purpose.
Two types of bankruptcy filed by individuals are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Depending on your circumstances, bankruptcy may allow you to eliminate debt entirely through Chapter 7 or restructure and repay debt in a more manageable way through Chapter 13.
Filing for bankruptcy can also provide immediate relief by stopping creditor harassment, wage garnishments, repossessions, foreclosure proceedings, and other collection actions through the automatic stay.
An experienced Wilkes-Barre bankruptcy attorney can help you understand your options, determine whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 is right for you, and guide you through the process from start to finish.
If you are a business owner searching for a business bankruptcy attorney, help is available as well. Bankruptcy can be a powerful tool for both individuals and businesses seeking financial relief and a fresh start.
Let’s take a closer look at the two most common types of personal bankruptcy: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy eliminates most of your debt very quickly and efficiently. From the time your case is filed to the time you receive a discharge, it usually takes about four months.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows you to develop a manageable repayment plan over a period of either thirty-six or sixty months.
Attorney Jason P. Provinzano of JPPLAW has helped thousands of clients achieve financial freedom and security by filing for bankruptcy.
And even though we are based in Wilkes-Barre, we help people from all over Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. If you have been looking for a Scranton bankruptcy attorney or were searching for a bankruptcy attorney near me, we will be there for you! We want all our clients to think, “I am working with the best bankruptcy attorney near me.”
We also offer virtual meetings, if that is most convenient for you.
Call us today – 570-822-5771 – for a free and confidential consultation. You’ll be glad that you did!
Serving Scranton and Lackawanna County: if you live in the Scranton area, our bankruptcy attorney in Scranton page explains how filing works for Lackawanna County residents — from Zoom 341 meetings to stopping a sheriff’s sale or tax sale.
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It depends on the chapter you file and how complicated your situation is. There’s a court filing fee, and most people also hire an attorney so the paperwork is done right the first time. In a Chapter 13, much of the legal fee is usually paid through the monthly plan rather than all upfront. At your free consultation, we’ll look at your numbers and tell you exactly what your case would cost before you commit to anything.
In most cases, yes — the moment your case is filed, something called the automatic stay stops foreclosure, sheriff’s sales, and most collection activity. Timing matters, though. If a sale date is already set, you need to file before the sale happens; once the house is sold, bankruptcy usually can’t undo it. If you’re staring at a sale date, don’t wait — call us and we’ll tell you honestly whether filing in time can save the house.
Often, yes. Bankruptcy law gives you exemptions that protect a certain amount of equity in your home, your car, and your household belongings, and most people who file keep everything they own. The risk comes when you have more equity than the law protects, and that number depends on your facts. We’ll run your numbers before you file, so there are no surprises about what you can protect.
Sometimes. Older income tax debt can be discharged if it meets certain timing and filing rules — the return was due at least three years ago, you actually filed it, and the IRS assessed it a while back, among other conditions. Newer tax debt, payroll taxes, and tax debt tied to a fraudulent return generally don’t go away. Tax cases are fact-specific, so bring your notices and we’ll sort out what’s dischargeable and what isn’t.
Probably not. A filing is technically a public court record, but in practice nobody goes looking. Your creditors and co-signers get official notice, and that’s usually who finds out. Most employers are never told, and your name isn’t published in the newspaper for a standard consumer case. The people who filed years ago and moved on with their lives are all around you — you just never heard about it, and that’s the point.
A typical Chapter 7 case runs about four months from filing to discharge. Chapter 13 is different by design — it’s a repayment plan that lasts three to five years, and your discharge comes when the plan is complete. Either way, the protection from creditors starts the day you file, not the day you finish. We’ll map out the timeline for your chapter at your consultation, so you know what to expect at each step.
Questions about your situation? Call 570-822-5771 for a free consultation.
Many people feel anxious, embarrassed, or overwhelmed when they first start thinking about bankruptcy. There is a lot of misinformation out there, and it can be difficult to know who or what to believe. You are not alone in feeling this way.
Attorney Jason P. Provinzano will take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and explain the process in clear, plain language. From the very first conversation, our goal is to help you feel informed, supported, and at ease.
You will quickly understand that you are not trapped and that there is a way forward. Together, we will review your options, create a plan that fits your situation, and begin working toward real financial relief. Most clients tell us they feel a sense of relief and hope after speaking with Attorney Provinzano.
16 W. Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
Phone: 570-822-5771 · Toll-free: 888-JPPLAW-1
Email: MyLawyer@JPPLaw.com
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · After-hours and weekend appointments available
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