Alliance Legal Group

Alliance Legal Group Our mission is to operate a Christ-centered law practice, emphasizing and relying on biblical princi

07/10/2026

What Does Life Look Like After Bankruptcy Is Discharged?

https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j | (757) 482-5705

What Does Life Look Like After Bankruptcy Is Discharged?

The Discharge Came Through — Now What? Here Is the Honest Road Map for Life After Bankruptcy

We have had thousands of clients call us after their discharge came through. The emotion in those calls is something that never gets old. Relief. Real, physical relief. Like they have been holding their breath for two years and finally got to exhale.

But then comes the question: now what? Here is the honest, experience-based road map.

The first thing to do is check your credit reports. Federal law gives you the right to free reports from each of the three major credit bureaus annually through https://bit.ly/3hmk6jx After a bankruptcy discharge, you want to verify that the discharged accounts are being reported correctly — showing a zero balance and "discharged in bankruptcy," not still showing as delinquent or open with balances. Errors are common and must be disputed.

Next, start rebuilding credit intentionally and carefully. A secured credit card — where you deposit money as collateral for a small credit limit — is typically the first step. Use it for small, regular purchases. Pay the full balance each month. Never carry a balance. This begins demonstrating positive payment history to the credit bureaus.

According to research from the Urban Institute, access to credit after bankruptcy improves significantly for most filers within 18 to 24 months. By year three, many former bankruptcy filers are qualifying for unsecured credit cards and auto loans. By year four or five, FHA mortgage eligibility after Chapter 7 becomes possible for many people who maintain clean credit post-discharge.

Here is something that very few people discuss: the financial habits that lead to a successful life after bankruptcy are the same ones that would have prevented the crisis in the first place — a budget, an emergency fund, controlled credit use. Bankruptcy gives you the clean slate. What you build on it is up to you. And our experience is that the vast majority of people use it wisely.

We are proud of every client who has rebuilt after filing with our team. If you are ready for a fresh start, call us.

For More Information and a FREE Consultation please call (757) 482-5705 or visit us online at https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j

What Does Life Look Like After Bankruptcy Is Discharged?

"Nothing in this video, or in links provided in the description of this video, constitutes legal advice or the practice of law. Nor does viewing this page form an attorney/client relationship between you and any Lawyer at our law firm. All visitors should consult with a qualified legal professional regarding their individual questions, needs, or issues that may be of concern. We are not responsible for any action taken by a reader based upon any information in this video. All of the content in this video is for general informational and educational purposes only."

07/09/2026

Can Bankruptcy Stop a Vehicle Repossession and Help You Keep Your Car?

https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j | (757) 482-5705

Can Bankruptcy Stop a Vehicle Repossession and Help You Keep Your Car?

The Repo Man Came Last Night — Here Is What You Can Actually Do About It Today

Vehicle repossession happens fast. In most situations, a lender can repossess a vehicle the day after a payment is missed — without going to court, without advance notice, without giving you any chance to catch up first. You can wake up one morning and your car is simply gone.

For most people, losing their car does not just mean losing transportation. It means losing their job. Their ability to get their kids to school. Their independence. The consequences cascade rapidly.

Bankruptcy can help — but the timing matters enormously.

If you file bankruptcy before a repossession occurs, the automatic stay stops the lender from taking the vehicle at all. In Chapter 13, you can then set up a repayment plan that catches up on the missed payments and keeps the car.

If the vehicle has already been repossessed but not yet sold at auction, Chapter 13 bankruptcy may force the lender to return the vehicle. This is a powerful and underused remedy — but it requires acting extremely quickly, because once the vehicle is sold, that option is gone.

Chapter 13 also offers something called a "cramdown" on vehicle loans. If you have had the car for more than 910 days and owe more than it is worth, you may be able to reduce the loan balance to the vehicle's actual fair market value — potentially saving thousands of dollars on an underwater car loan.

According to Cox Automotive, vehicle repossession volumes in the United States have been rising as auto loan delinquencies increase. Experian's automotive finance data has shown rising rates of serious delinquency on auto loans, particularly among borrowers with subprime credit.

Our team has helped people in Virginia save their vehicles through bankruptcy for decades across our four locations. If your car is at risk or has already been taken, please call us immediately. Every hour can matter in a repossession situation.

For More Information and a FREE Consultation please call (757) 482-5705 or visit us online at https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j

Can Bankruptcy Stop a Vehicle Repossession and Help You Keep Your Car?

"Nothing in this video, or in links provided in the description of this video, constitutes legal advice or the practice of law. Nor does viewing this page form an attorney/client relationship between you and any Lawyer at our law firm. All visitors should consult with a qualified legal professional regarding their individual questions, needs, or issues that may be of concern. We are not responsible for any action taken by a reader based upon any information in this video. All of the content in this video is for general informational and educational purposes only."

07/04/2026

What Happens to a Personal Guarantee When a Small Business Files for Bankruptcy?

https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j | (757) 482-5705

What Happens to a Personal Guarantee When a Small Business Files for Bankruptcy?

You Signed a Personal Guarantee for Your Business Loan — Here Is What That Means If the Business Goes Under

Personal guarantees are one of the most consequential — and least understood — documents that small business owners sign. When a bank or creditor requires a personal guarantee, they are saying: if the business cannot pay this debt, we can come after you personally. Your savings. Your home. Your personal assets.

Most small business owners sign personal guarantees without fully understanding what they are agreeing to. And when the business runs into trouble, the personal guarantee becomes one of the most urgent issues to address.

Here is what bankruptcy can do: if a small business owner files personal bankruptcy, debts owed under personal guarantees are generally treated as personal debts — and if they are unsecured (not backed by collateral), they can be discharged in Chapter 7 just like any other unsecured debt. This can wipe out tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal liability that resulted from guaranteeing business loans, equipment leases, or commercial property leases.

According to the Federal Reserve's Small Business Credit Survey, a significant majority of small business owners who apply for financing are required to provide a personal guarantee. For businesses that eventually fail, those guarantees become a direct personal financial crisis.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) reports that approximately 20 percent of small businesses fail within their first year, and roughly 50 percent fail within five years. For the owners of those businesses who signed personal guarantees, business failure can quickly become a personal financial emergency.

There are strategic decisions to be made about whether to file business bankruptcy, personal bankruptcy, or both — and in what order. These decisions have significant consequences and require experienced guidance.

Our team has handled both business and personal bankruptcy cases involving personal guarantees for decades. If your business is in trouble and you signed guarantees, please call us. We can help you understand all your options.

For More Information and a FREE Consultation please call (757) 482-5705 or visit us online at https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j

What Happens to a Personal Guarantee When a Small Business Files for Bankruptcy?

"Nothing in this video, or in links provided in the description of this video, constitutes legal advice or the practice of law. Nor does viewing this page form an attorney/client relationship between you and any Lawyer at our law firm. All visitors should consult with a qualified legal professional regarding their individual questions, needs, or issues that may be of concern. We are not responsible for any action taken by a reader based upon any information in this video. All of the content in this video is for general informational and educational purposes only."

07/01/2026

Should You File for Bankruptcy Before or After Your Divorce?

https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j | (757) 482-5705

Should You File for Bankruptcy Before or After Your Divorce?

Divorce and Bankruptcy at the Same Time — Here Is the Question That Changes Everything

Divorce and bankruptcy are two of the most financially disruptive events in a person's life. When they happen together — or close together — the decisions you make about sequencing them can have enormous consequences for both outcomes.

This is a question our firm gets asked regularly, and there is not a one-size-fits-all answer. But there are principles that apply broadly.

If a married couple files Chapter 7 together before divorcing, they can discharge joint debts together — meaning both spouses are free from those debts after the discharge. This can dramatically simplify the divorce process because there is far less marital debt to divide. It can also be more cost-effective since filing jointly means paying one set of court fees and attorney costs rather than two.

However, filing jointly requires both spouses to cooperate and both to meet the means test. If the divorce is acrimonious, joint filing may not be realistic. And if the couple's combined income pushes them over the means test threshold for Chapter 7, they may only qualify for Chapter 13 together.

Filing bankruptcy after divorce has its own considerations. Each person files individually as a single filer, which may actually make it easier to qualify for Chapter 7 on income grounds. But joint debts that were assigned to one spouse in the divorce decree remain the problem of that spouse — if the other fails to pay a joint debt, creditors can still pursue the original joint account holder.

According to research from the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts, debt issues are among the most significant financial complications in divorce proceedings. How those debts are handled — especially in the context of a potential bankruptcy — directly impacts how long the divorce drags on and how much it costs.

Our team has navigated this intersection for decades. If divorce and debt are both part of your situation, call us. The order of operations really does matter.

For More Information and a FREE Consultation please call (757) 482-5705 or visit us online at https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j

Should You File for Bankruptcy Before or After Your Divorce?

"Nothing in this video, or in links provided in the description of this video, constitutes legal advice or the practice of law. Nor does viewing this page form an attorney/client relationship between you and any Lawyer at our law firm. All visitors should consult with a qualified legal professional regarding their individual questions, needs, or issues that may be of concern. We are not responsible for any action taken by a reader based upon any information in this video. All of the content in this video is for general informational and educational purposes only."

06/22/2026

What Are the Biggest Myths About Filing for Bankruptcy?

https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j | (757) 482-5705

What Are the Biggest Myths About Filing for Bankruptcy?

Five Things You Have Been Told About Bankruptcy That Are Simply Not True

In over three decades of practicing bankruptcy law, we have heard the same misconceptions so many times that we decided to address them directly. Because these myths are keeping real people from getting real help.

Myth number one: You will lose everything you own. We addressed this in a previous post, but it bears repeating. Federal court data consistently shows that over 90 percent of Chapter 7 cases are no-asset cases — the trustee finds nothing to take and distribute. Retirement accounts, basic household goods, a vehicle up to certain values, your home equity up to certain levels — most of what people actually need is protected.

Myth number two: Only irresponsible people file bankruptcy. Research from academic institutions including Harvard has found that job loss, medical crises, and divorce are the three leading causes of personal bankruptcy. These are not recklessness. These are life.

Myth number three: You will never get credit again. Federal Reserve research has found that credit scores begin recovering within 12 to 18 months of a discharge for most filers, and many people qualify for new credit cards, car loans, and eventually mortgages within two to four years.

Myth number four: Your employer will find out. Bankruptcy cases are public record, technically — but employers almost never search bankruptcy court records. There is no automatic notification to your employer when you file.

Myth number five: Bankruptcy is shameful. Abraham Lincoln filed for bankruptcy. Walt Disney's first company went bankrupt. Henry Ford's first auto company failed financially. Bankruptcy is a legal, constitutional tool. It was designed for exactly the situations real people face.

We have been helping Virginians through bankruptcy for decades from our four office locations. If myths have been keeping you from getting help, please call us. We will give you the honest truth about your situation.

For More Information and a FREE Consultation please call (757) 482-5705 or visit us online at https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j

What Are the Biggest Myths About Filing for Bankruptcy?

06/21/2026

What Is Chapter 12 Bankruptcy and Who Is It Designed to Help?

https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j | (757) 482-5705

What Is Chapter 12 Bankruptcy and Who Is It Designed to Help?

Farmers and Fishermen Have Their Own Special Type of Bankruptcy — and Almost Nobody Talks About It

If you are a family farmer or a family fisherman, there is a chapter of the bankruptcy code written specifically for you — and it is one of the least-discussed and most underutilized tools available.

Chapter 12 bankruptcy was created by Congress in 1986 in direct response to the farm debt crisis of the 1980s, when tens of thousands of family farms across America were being lost to foreclosure. Congress recognized that the existing bankruptcy chapters did not work well for the seasonal, cash-flow-dependent nature of agricultural and fishing operations. So they created a new chapter specifically designed to address those realities.

Chapter 12 works similarly to Chapter 13 — a debtor proposes a three-to-five-year repayment plan — but it has several features that make it far more favorable for agricultural and fishing families. The debt limits are much higher than Chapter 13. The rules around disposable income calculation account for the seasonal variability of farm income. The ability to modify secured farm loans — including farm real estate mortgages — is significantly broader than under other chapters.

According to USDA Economic Research Service data, farm debt in the United States has grown substantially over recent decades, and farm income volatility remains a persistent challenge. Unpredictable crop prices, weather events, equipment costs, and input costs create financial stress that can turn a profitable operation into a distressed one very quickly.

Here is something almost nobody talks about: under Chapter 12, a family farmer may be able to reduce a farm mortgage to the current fair market value of the land — called a "cram down" — rather than paying the full original loan balance. In a period when land values have fluctuated significantly, this can be enormously valuable.

Our team has handled agricultural bankruptcy cases across Virginia for decades. If you are a farmer or fisherman facing debt you cannot manage, please call us.

For More Information and a FREE Consultation please call (757) 482-5705 or visit us online at https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j

What Is Chapter 12 Bankruptcy and Who Is It Designed to Help?

06/19/2026

Can Bankruptcy Eliminate Credit Card Debt Completely?

https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j | (757) 482-5705

Can Bankruptcy Eliminate Credit Card Debt Completely?

The Credit Card Company Added $3,000 in Interest and Fees This Year Alone — Here Is the Legal Way Out

Credit card debt is a machine designed to keep people trapped. The interest rates are brutal — the Federal Reserve reported that the average credit card interest rate climbed above 20 percent in recent years, the highest level recorded in the Federal Reserve's data series going back to 1994. At 20 percent interest on a $15,000 balance, you are paying $3,000 a year in interest alone, before you pay down a single dollar of principal.

And that is just one card.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported that total credit card debt in the United States surpassed $1.1 trillion recently — an all-time high. Delinquency rates have been rising. Millions of Americans are paying the minimum each month, watching the balance barely move, or watching it grow despite consistent payments.

Here is the number that should be in every credit card conversation: a 2023 report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that credit card companies collected over $105 billion in interest and fees from consumers in a single year. That is $105 billion taken directly out of household budgets — disproportionately from people who could least afford it.

Credit card debt is dischargeable in bankruptcy. All of it. The principal, the accumulated interest, the late fees, the over-limit fees, the penalty APR charges — when you receive a Chapter 7 discharge, the legal obligation to pay those debts is gone. Creditors cannot call you. Cannot sue you. Cannot garnish your wages over that debt. It is done.

The one exception: if a creditor can prove that you ran up charges knowing you intended to file bankruptcy, those specific charges may not be dischargeable. But for the vast majority of people with ordinary credit card debt, there is no issue.

Our team has been helping people in Virginia escape credit card debt through bankruptcy for decades. Call us. Let us show you what a fresh start actually looks like.

For More Information and a FREE Consultation please call (757) 482-5705 or visit us online at https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j

Can Bankruptcy Eliminate Credit Card Debt Completely?

06/19/2026

How Can Bankruptcy Stop Foreclosure and Help You Save Your Home?

https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j | (757) 482-5705

How Can Bankruptcy Stop Foreclosure and Help You Save Your Home?

The Bank Set a Foreclosure Sale Date — Here Is the One Legal Tool That Can Stop It Cold

Losing your home to foreclosure is one of the most frightening things that can happen to a family. The timeline feels fast, the letters feel threatening, and the whole process can feel completely out of your control. We want to tell you something important: it is not.

You have legal options — and one of the most powerful is bankruptcy.

When you file for bankruptcy, the automatic stay immediately halts the foreclosure process. The sale cannot go forward. The proceedings pause. This happens automatically, by operation of federal law, the moment your petition is filed with the bankruptcy court.

In Chapter 7, the stay typically provides temporary relief — weeks or months — during which you may be able to negotiate a loan modification with your lender, explore a short sale or deed in lieu, or simply organize your finances before a transition. Chapter 7 does not provide a long-term mechanism for catching up on missed payments.

Chapter 13, by contrast, is specifically designed to save homes. Through a three-to-five-year repayment plan, you can pay back the mortgage arrears — all the missed payments — while also maintaining your regular ongoing mortgage payment. Complete the plan, and your mortgage is current and your home is saved.

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, foreclosure start rates fluctuate with economic conditions and have risen from historically low pandemic-era lows. Homeowners who fall behind on payments frequently do not seek help until the foreclosure is already underway — by which point the timeline is compressed and every day counts.

Here is what very few people know: it is possible to file Chapter 13 even with a foreclosure sale scheduled for the same day — and have that sale stopped. But the closer you wait, the more risk there is that something goes wrong with the timing. Please do not wait.

Our team has helped Virginia homeowners stop foreclosure through bankruptcy for decades. If you are behind on your mortgage, call us right now.

For More Information and a FREE Consultation please call (757) 482-5705 or visit us online at https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j

How Can Bankruptcy Stop Foreclosure and Help You Save Your Home?

Can Bankruptcy Help With Student Loan Debt in 2026? Chesapeake VAhttps://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j | (757) 482-5705Can Bankruptcy H...
06/04/2026

Can Bankruptcy Help With Student Loan Debt in 2026? Chesapeake VA

https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j | (757) 482-5705

Can Bankruptcy Help With Student Loan Debt in 2026? Chesapeake VA

Everyone Says Student Loans Cannot Be Discharged in Bankruptcy — Here Is How That Rule Is Changing Right Now

For decades, the conventional wisdom was simple and harsh: student loans and bankruptcy do not mix. Student loan debt was treated as almost completely non-dischargeable, and the legal standard for getting rid of it in bankruptcy — something called "undue hardship" — was so difficult to prove that most attorneys did not even try.

But something significant has been shifting. And if you have student loan debt, it is worth knowing what is actually happening right now.

The Department of Justice and the Department of Education issued new guidance in November 2022 establishing a more streamlined process for evaluating student loan discharge in bankruptcy — one that makes it meaningfully more accessible than it was before. The guidance established a standardized "attestation form" that borrowers can use to describe their financial situation, and it commits the government to actually evaluating discharge requests seriously rather than automatically opposing them.

According to data from the Federal Reserve, total student loan debt in the United States has exceeded $1.7 trillion. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York has reported that roughly 11 percent of student loan borrowers are more than 90 days delinquent or in default. These are real people in real financial distress.

Here is what very few people are talking about yet: under the revised guidance, factors like age, disability, income relative to debt load, and years of repayment with no meaningful progress toward payoff are being given real weight in the discharge analysis. For some borrowers — particularly older borrowers, those with permanent disabilities, or those with very high debt relative to earning potential — discharge may now be achievable.

This is a rapidly evolving area of law. Our team stays current on every development. If student loan debt is part of your financial crisis, please call us. The answer might be different today than it would have been three years ago.

For More Information and a FREE Consultation please call (757) 482-5705 or visit us online at https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j

Can Bankruptcy Help With Student Loan Debt in 2026? Chesapeake VA

What Is Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and How Does It Help Businesses Survive Financial Crisis? Chesapeake VAhttps://bit.ly/3u5D...
06/03/2026

What Is Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and How Does It Help Businesses Survive Financial Crisis? Chesapeake VA

https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j | (757) 482-5705

What Is Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and How Does It Help Businesses Survive Financial Crisis? Chesapeake VA

Your Business Is Drowning in Debt — Chapter 11 Is How Companies Come Back from the Brink

Chapter 11 bankruptcy is one of the most powerful and flexible legal tools available anywhere in American law. It allows a business — or in some cases an individual with very high debt levels — to reorganize its finances, reduce what it owes, renegotiate contracts, and emerge on the other side as a viable, sustainable operation.

You have seen it work at the largest scale. Airlines, retailers, restaurant chains, hotel companies — major corporations use Chapter 11 to restructure and come back. But Chapter 11 is not just for giant corporations. Small and mid-sized businesses use it regularly, and the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 created a streamlined version specifically designed for small businesses, known as Subchapter V of Chapter 11, which is faster and significantly less expensive than traditional Chapter 11.

According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, business bankruptcy filings including Chapter 11 cases represent a meaningful and consistent portion of total bankruptcy filings each year. During periods of economic stress, business filings spike significantly.

Here is something that rarely gets explained to small business owners: in Chapter 11, the business typically keeps operating during the reorganization process. You are not closing your doors. You are not handing the keys to a trustee. You file as a "debtor in possession" and continue running the company while developing a reorganization plan to present to creditors and the court.

Chapter 11 also allows a business to reject burdensome leases and contracts, "cram down" certain secured debts (reducing them to the actual value of the collateral), and consolidate overwhelming debt into a manageable long-term repayment structure.

Our firm has handled business bankruptcy cases for decades across our four Virginia locations. If your business is facing impossible debt, please call us before you decide to simply close. There may be a way to save what you built.

For More Information and a FREE Consultation please call (757) 482-5705 or visit us online at https://bit.ly/3u5Dx8j

What Is Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and How Does It Help Businesses Survive Financial Crisis? Chesapeake VA

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