Robert Russell Law Office

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Robert Russell Law Office Law Firm - Consumer Bankruptcy, Foreclosure Prevention, Collection Defense, Wills/Estate Planning.

The Robert Russell Law Office has more than 25 years in providing consumer and small business bankruptcy services in Vancouver, Clark County, and SW Washington. We also offer legal services for Foreclosure Prevention, Credit Report Repair/Disputes, Estate Planning (Wills, DNR, POA, etc), Consumer Protection and General Civil Matters. Robert Russell is a member of the Washington State Bar Association. NOTE: The use of the Internet/Facebook for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this forum.

Foreclosure Defense and the Power of the Automatic Stay 🏠 Facing potential home foreclosure creates immense pressure for...
10/16/2026

Foreclosure Defense and the Power of the Automatic Stay 🏠
Facing potential home foreclosure creates immense pressure for any household. The moment a bankruptcy petition is officially filed, federal law imposes an immediate "Automatic Stay." This order legally halts foreclosure sales, trustee proceedings, and lender collection actions instantly, giving you time to evaluate structured repayment options or loan modifications.

The Robert Russell Law Office assists Vancouver homeowners in using legal protections to preserve their property and regain stability.

Contact Robert Russell Law Office for a confidential discussion about protecting your home.

Listing a debt in bankruptcy doesn't automatically eliminate it.As bankruptcy expert Cathy Moran notes, you must list al...
10/13/2026

Listing a debt in bankruptcy doesn't automatically eliminate it.

As bankruptcy expert Cathy Moran notes, you must list all debts on your petition—qualifying or not—so the court gets a complete financial snapshot. Including a secured debt (like a car loan or mortgage) doesn't mean you lose the asset; it simply satisfies disclosure rules. While credit cards and medical bills are wiped out, non-dischargeable debts (like recent taxes and child support) remain. Leaving a creditor off your forms risks your entire discharge.

For a complete and accurate filing, contact the Robert Russell Law Office for a confidential consultation. Read the full breakdown here: https://www.bankruptcysoapbox.com/included-in-bankruptcy/

A common misconception in estate planning is that a single Power of Attorney covers everything. In practice, a Medical P...
10/08/2026

A common misconception in estate planning is that a single Power of Attorney covers everything. In practice, a Medical Power of Attorney authorizes a trusted person to make healthcare decisions on your behalf, while a Financial Power of Attorney grants them authority over bank accounts and legal matters. Having both in place provides complete coverage if an emergency strikes.

The Robert Russell Law Office assists Southwest Washington families in creating comprehensive legal protections for life's unexpected turns.

Contact Robert Russell Law Office for a confidential discussion about your estate planning needs.

Many people believe that reaffirming an auto loan is the fastest ticket to a higher credit score after filing. But as ba...
10/05/2026

Many people believe that reaffirming an auto loan is the fastest ticket to a higher credit score after filing. But as bankruptcy authority Cathy Moran reveals on The Bankruptcy Soapbox, credit experts and bankruptcy court rulings show that reaffirming a car loan has little to no impact on your post-bankruptcy credit score.

Here is what you need to weigh before reaffirming:
→ The Massive Risk: Reaffirmation waives your legal discharge on that specific debt. If you miss payments later, the lender can repossess the vehicle and sue you personally for the remaining loan balance.
→ Zero Score Benefit: Court testimony from credit industry experts confirms that reaffirming does not meaningfully boost your credit score compared to other safer, post-discharge credit-rebuilding methods.
→ Better Alternatives: You can rebuild your credit safely through secured cards or new credit lines without putting yourself on the hook for thousands of dollars in deficiency debt.

Reaffirming a car loan forces you to take on heavy personal liability for very little reward. Don't trade away the protection of your fresh start for a credit myth.
The Robert Russell Law Office helps Vancouver neighbors weigh asset decisions carefully so you can rebuild your financial future safely.

Read the full analysis on reaffirmation and credit scores: https://www.bankruptcysoapbox.com/reaffirmation-credit-score/

Contact Robert Russell Law Office for a confidential discussion about your debt relief options.

Many people assume tax debt can never be wiped out in a bankruptcy filing, but that isn't always true. Older income tax ...
10/01/2026

Many people assume tax debt can never be wiped out in a bankruptcy filing, but that isn't always true. Older income tax debts that meet specific federal rules—such as being over three years old and filed on time—may qualify for a full discharge. Understanding the strict age and filing requirements is key to determining if your tax obligations can be eliminated.

The Robert Russell Law Office helps Vancouver residents analyze their historical tax debts to find realistic paths to relief.

Contact Robert Russell Law Office for a confidential discussion about your debt relief options.

When filing for debt relief, personal vehicle leases require special attention. Under bankruptcy law, you have the choic...
09/19/2026

When filing for debt relief, personal vehicle leases require special attention. Under bankruptcy law, you have the choice to "assume" the lease and keep making regular payments, or "reject" the lease and return the car without owing anything for early termination fees or remaining balances. Evaluating your transportation needs upfront ensures you aren't stuck with an unmanageable contract.

The Robert Russell Law Office helps local drivers make informed decisions about their auto loans and leases.

Contact Robert Russell Law Office for a confidential discussion about protecting your household assets.

How to screw up your bankruptcy? It's easier than you think—and it usually starts with trying to outsmart the system. 🛑F...
09/08/2026

How to screw up your bankruptcy? It's easier than you think—and it usually starts with trying to outsmart the system. 🛑

Filing for debt relief is a powerful fresh start, but taking wrong moves beforehand can jeopardize your entire discharge. As bankruptcy authority Cathy Moran warns on The Bankruptcy Soapbox, avoiding a few critical mistakes can keep your case moving smoothly.

Here are the biggest ways people unintentionally ruin their bankruptcy:
→ Transferring Assets: Giving your car, cash, or home equity to friends or family right before filing is viewed as fraud by the court.
→ Paying Off Preferred Creditors: Wiping out a debt to a relative while ignoring your credit cards right before filing can trigger legal action by the trustee.
→ Hiding Income or Debt: Trying to leave a credit card off your petition or underreporting cash income can result in a denied discharge.

The court expects total honesty in exchange for wiping out your debt. Following the rules upfront ensures your fresh start is legally protected.

The Robert Russell Law Office helps Vancouver neighbors prepare clean, accurate filings so you don't fall into common legal traps.

Read the full list of bankruptcy missteps to avoid: https://www.bankruptcysoapbox.com/how-to-screw-up-your-bankruptcy/

Contact Robert Russell Law Office for a confidential discussion about your debt relief options.

Think you’ve waited too long to file for bankruptcy? Think again. ⏰Even if a debt collector has escalated their tactics,...
08/28/2026

Think you’ve waited too long to file for bankruptcy? Think again. ⏰

Even if a debt collector has escalated their tactics, bankruptcy can almost always step in to halt the damage. As bankruptcy authority Cathy Moran explains on The Bankruptcy Soapbox, it is rarely "too late" to seek legal relief.

Here is how bankruptcy helps at every stage:
→ After You’re Sued: Filing triggers an Automatic Stay that stops lawsuit proceedings in their tracks.
→ After a Judgment is Entered: Court judgments can still be discharged, wiping out your personal liability for the debt.
→ During Wage Garnishment: Filing stops ongoing garnishments immediately and may even help you recover funds taken within the last 90 days.

While waiting can limit some options or cause unnecessary financial loss, taking action today can stop the bleeding.

The Robert Russell Law Office helps Vancouver residents intervene at any stage to protect their income and secure a fresh start.

Read the full breakdown on timing your bankruptcy filing: https://www.bankruptcysoapbox.com/too-late-for-bankruptcy/
Contact Robert Russell Law Office for a confidential discussion about your debt relief options.

A Durable Power of Attorney allows a trusted person to handle your financial and legal affairs if you are temporarily in...
08/25/2026

A Durable Power of Attorney allows a trusted person to handle your financial and legal affairs if you are temporarily incapacitated due to illness or injury. Without this legal document in place, your family members might have to petition a court for guardianship just to pay your monthly bills or manage your accounts.

The Robert Russell Law Office assists individuals in establishing vital legal protections before unexpected life events happen.

Contact Robert Russell Law Office for a confidential discussion about estate planning protections.

Listing a debt on your bankruptcy paperwork doesn't mean it automatically disappears. 🚫As bankruptcy authority Cathy Mor...
08/20/2026

Listing a debt on your bankruptcy paperwork doesn't mean it automatically disappears. 🚫

As bankruptcy authority Cathy Moran explains on The Bankruptcy Soapbox, being "included" in a bankruptcy filing is not the same thing as being "discharged."

Here is the difference:
→ Inclusion: You are legally required to list all your debts on your petition—even those you know you can't wipe out.
→ Discharge: Only legally eligible debts (like credit cards and medical bills) are eliminated at the end of your case.

Debts like child support, recent taxes, or most student loans must be included on your forms, but they will survive the filing intact.

The Robert Russell Law Office helps Vancouver neighbors review their debts upfront so there are no surprises about what gets wiped out.

Read the full explanation here: https://www.bankruptcysoapbox.com/included-in-bankruptcy/

Contact Robert Russell Law Office for a confidential discussion about your debt relief options.

Address

1010 Esther Street
Vancouver, WA
98660

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

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