New Orleans Bankruptcy Lawyer
Clear guidance for debt, creditor pressure, and financial uncertainty.
Serious financial pressure can affect your home, transportation, business, family, and future. Bickham Law helps individuals and businesses evaluate bankruptcy and restructuring options and build a practical path forward.
Attorney Ralph Bickham represents clients in Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 matters throughout Greater New Orleans and across Louisiana.
Schedule a Free ConsultationCall 504-584-5730Talk through your financial situation with an attorney.
Choose a convenient time to speak privately with Attorney Ralph Bickham by telephone or video. The consultation begins with your debts, income, property, immediate risks, and goals.
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Understand the available paths before making a decision.
Bankruptcy is a federal process that may discharge qualifying debts, establish an organized repayment plan, or allow a business or individual to reorganize. The appropriate approach depends on eligibility, income, assets, secured obligations, business circumstances, and the outcome the client needs.
Bickham Law advises people dealing with credit-card balances, medical bills, collection lawsuits, wage garnishment, threatened repossession, mortgage arrears, business debt, tax concerns, and personal guarantees.
Bankruptcy is not the right solution in every situation. A careful review can clarify whether bankruptcy, negotiation, restructuring, or another course should be considered.
Different tools for different financial circumstances.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy
Chapter 7 may allow an eligible debtor to obtain relief from qualifying unsecured obligations. Income, prior filings, property, exemptions, liens, transfers, and the nature of each debt must be reviewed before filing.
The treatment of a home, vehicle, savings, business interest, and other assets is specific to the case. Chapter 7 does not automatically mean that a person will lose everything.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy
Chapter 13 allows an eligible individual with regular income to propose a court-supervised plan, generally lasting three to five years. It may provide a structured way to address mortgage or vehicle arrears while retaining property.
Plan requirements depend on income, reasonable expenses, property, exemptions, secured obligations, and the classification of creditor claims.
Chapter 11 reorganization
Chapter 11 is frequently used by businesses but may also serve individuals who need a more flexible restructuring process. It can provide a framework for addressing debt while an operating business continues its work, subject to court oversight.
Qualifying smaller businesses may be able to use the streamlined Subchapter V process.
Creditor actions and urgent deadlines
A bankruptcy filing ordinarily creates an automatic stay that pauses many collection efforts. It may affect lawsuits, garnishments, foreclosure activity, repossession attempts, and collection communications.
Exceptions and limitations apply. Prompt legal advice is important when a sale, seizure, garnishment, or hearing is approaching.
Advice grounded in the complete financial picture.
For individuals
We evaluate discharge eligibility, property exemptions, secured debt, arrears, creditor claims, prior filings, and the practical consequences of each available chapter.
For business owners
We examine cash flow, secured and unsecured claims, leases, contracts, personal guarantees, operations, and possible restructuring strategies.
For people facing collection pressure
We assess immediate deadlines and explain what a filing may—and may not—change in the client’s specific circumstances.
Direct counsel, careful preparation, and Louisiana experience.
A deliberate process from evaluation through resolution.
1. Understand
We review the debts, income, property, creditor activity, deadlines, and priorities.
2. Evaluate
We discuss available chapters, alternatives, risks, and likely consequences.
3. Prepare
If filing is appropriate, we organize the necessary information and prepare the case carefully.
4. Move forward
Bickham Law guides the client through filing, court requirements, creditor issues, and the stages that follow.
Practical answers to common bankruptcy concerns.
Does bankruptcy eliminate every debt?
No. A discharge applies to certain obligations, while other debts may remain enforceable. The answer depends on the debt and the bankruptcy chapter.
Will I lose my home, vehicle, or personal property?
Not necessarily. Property treatment depends on exemptions, equity, liens, payment status, and the chapter selected. These issues should be examined before a case is filed.
Can bankruptcy affect wage garnishment or collection lawsuits?
The automatic stay ordinarily pauses many collection activities after filing, including numerous garnishments and lawsuits. Exceptions and rules concerning prior cases may apply.
Can a filing affect foreclosure or repossession?
It may temporarily pause certain foreclosure or repossession activity. Whether property can be retained depends on the chapter, payment history, equity, secured-creditor rights, and the proposed strategy.
How are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 different?
Chapter 7 may discharge qualifying obligations for an eligible debtor. Chapter 13 uses a court-supervised repayment plan. The more appropriate option depends on the full financial circumstances.
Is Chapter 11 limited to large corporations?
No. Businesses of different sizes use Chapter 11, and qualifying individuals may also file under that chapter. Some smaller businesses may qualify for Subchapter V.
When should I speak with an attorney?
Early advice is particularly important when a foreclosure sale, repossession, garnishment, lawsuit, utility cutoff, or another deadline is approaching.
Get a clear assessment of your options.
Bickham Law serves Greater New Orleans, the Baton Rouge market, and communities throughout Louisiana.
Schedule a Free ConsultationCall 504-584-5730General information only; not legal advice. Reading this page or scheduling a consultation does not create an attorney-client relationship. Attorney Ralph Bickham is responsible for this content and is licensed to practice in Louisiana. Bickham Law maintains its office in New Orleans, Louisiana. Outcomes depend on the facts and applicable law.