Maryland Only · Chapter 7 & Chapter 13
Not sure if bankruptcy is right for you? That is exactly what the free 15 minutes is for.
I am Sheereen E. McNair, a Maryland consumer bankruptcy attorney. It starts with a free 15-minute consult to look at your situation. If bankruptcy is a fit, you and I speak to confirm your eligibility. No cost to find out where you stand.
Every county in Maryland. The whole process is handled remotely, by phone and video, so where you live in the state does not matter.
Most people who call are asking one of these
Do I even qualify for Chapter 7?
The means test decides it, and most people have never had it run correctly. Plenty of working people qualify, and finding out is free.
You have been sued.
A creditor lawsuit heading toward judgment. There is usually still room to act.
Will I lose my house or car?
Usually no. Maryland exemptions protect a great deal, and Chapter 13 exists specifically to let you keep property and catch up.
You are behind on the house or car.
Chapter 13 can let you catch up arrears over time while you keep the property.
What will it do to my credit?
A fair question people are afraid to ask. You get the honest version, including how people rebuild afterward.
Our bank account froze.
A levy can empty an account with no warning. Timing matters, so do not wait to call.
What actually happens in the 15 minutes
No sales pitch. No pressure. If bankruptcy is not the right fit, you will be told so plainly.
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You share what is happening. Income, what you owe, what is being taken, and what you are trying to protect. Rough numbers are fine.
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You hear where you stand. Whether you likely qualify for Chapter 7, whether Chapter 13 fits better, and what happens to your house, car, and wages.
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You decide. You leave knowing your options and what each one costs. If you qualify and want to move forward, you speak with attorney McNair to confirm, also free.
Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, in plain English
Chapter 7 is a liquidation.
Qualifying unsecured debt, such as credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans, can be discharged. You have to pass the means test, and Maryland exemptions protect a meaningful amount of what you own. Cases typically move in months.
Chapter 13 is a repayment plan.
You keep what you have and pay back a portion over three to five years on a court-approved plan. It is the tool that cures mortgage arrears and stops a repossession while you catch up.