Tag: deciding

Deciding whether to file bankruptcy, and articles which can help decide whether you should file bankruptcy or not.

California bankruptcy exemptions can save your house.

New! 2026 California Homestead Exemption Increased by Inflation

Posted by Hale Andrew Antico on

2026 California Homestead Exemption, increased by inflation

Brand new! The maximum 2026 California Homestead Exemption amounts

The 2026 California homestead exemption numbers are already available, and different from last year, and even the original range of $300,000 to $600,000. In fact, in 2026, they top out way higher than $600,000, which helps you save more of your home from creditors than the homestead exemption could in 2023. Why? Because of inflation. The new California homestead exemption is tied to the CPI, or consumer price index.  And everyone knows things lately aren’t cheap.

January 2026 update: The inflation-adjusted 2026 California homestead exemption should be out any time. See below what it will be for cases filed after Jan 1, 2026.

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chapter 7 bankruptcy los angeles

The Ultimate Guide to Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Explained

Posted by Hale Andrew Antico on

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy – The Ultimate Guide

What is Chapter 7 bankruptcy? Glad you asked. It’s for someone who can’t repay their debts, because their income is low enough that they can’t afford to. However, not everyone qualifies for this out of the different chapters of bankruptcy, and even if you did qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you could lose assets. There’s always some element of risk in a Chapter 7, which is why I put together this: the ultimate Chapter 7 bankruptcy guide.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is where you don’t pay back your debts because you can’t, but the bankruptcy trustee may be able to go after some of your stuff. This guide was written in an attempt to be an ultimate Chapter 7 bankruptcy guide. There are a few on the internet, but this one was written by Los Angeles bankruptcy attorney Hale Andrew Antico.

I try to use plain language and not talk over your head. I prefer to take something complicated like bankruptcy law and explain it in simple terms. And that’s what I try to do here.

Continue reading “The Ultimate Guide to Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Explained” →

bankruptcy myths busted

Bankruptcy Myths BUSTED: Separating Fact From Fiction

Posted by Hale Andrew Antico on

Bankruptcy Myths BUSTED: Separating Fact From Fiction About Financial Fresh Starts

Don’t let misconceptions hold you back. Discover the truth about bankruptcy and how it can help you regain control of your finances.

Debt. It’s a four-letter word that evokes feelings of stress, anxiety, and maybe even a little bit of shame. And when people feel overwhelmed by debt, they often turn to bankruptcy as a potential solution. But…bankruptcy is also shrouded in myth. You’ve likely heard stories—maybe from well-meaning friends, relatives, or even outdated sources online—that paint a grim picture of ruin and devastation.

But are those stories accurate? Probably not. In this article, we’re taking aim at the most common bankruptcy myths, armed with facts, clarity, and a healthy dose of skepticism. Prepare to have your assumptions… BUSTED!

Continue reading “Bankruptcy Myths BUSTED: Separating Fact From Fiction” →

Bankruptcy as a pirate ship on the sunrise and nautical theme

Debt Relief Ahoy: A Pirate’s Guide to Bankruptcy

Posted by Hale Andrew Antico on

Debt Relief Ahoy: A Pirate’s Guide to Bankruptcy

Navigatin’ the Choppy Waters of Debt: A Pirate’s Guide to Bankruptcy & Financial Freedom

Avast, ye landlubbers! Are ye findin’ yourself in over yer head with debt? Feelin’ like yer ship is takin’ on more water than ye can bail out? Meet Debt Relief Ahoy, your trusty map to navigating bankruptcy and finding financial freedom. Fear not, for we be here to help ye chart a course through these treacherous financial waters. So, grab yer spyglass and let’s take a look at what lies ahead!

Continue reading “Debt Relief Ahoy: A Pirate’s Guide to Bankruptcy” →

steps to filing bankruptcy in California

Essential 11 Steps to Filing Bankruptcy in California

Posted by Hale Andrew Antico on

Essential 11 Steps to Filing Bankruptcy in California

Step-by-Step Guide for filing bankruptcy in California, from a trusted Los Angeles bankruptcy lawyer

Here are 11 steps to filing bankruptcy in California. I’m Hale Andrew Antico, an established Los Angeles bankruptcy attorney, and I have helped thousands of people in Southern California get a fresh start by filing bankruptcy for the past twenty years. You really should at least meet with an attorney for a once-in-a-lifetime process with serious consequences. As an introduction to how all this works, here is a step-by-step guide to file bankruptcy in California in 2026, with 11 steps from filing to discharge.

Continue reading “Essential 11 Steps to Filing Bankruptcy in California” →

time years often between bankruptcy

Definitive Guide on How Often You Can Do Bankruptcy & Years to Wait

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Definitive Guide on How Often You Can Do Bankruptcy & Years to Wait

How often can you file bankruptcy? How many years do you have to wait between filing bankruptcy cases? Is there a limit? It’s not straightforward, and it depends on a couple of factors. Here we take a look at how often you can file bankruptcy, and if you have to wait before filing again.

And what makes this different from all the other “how often can you file bankruptcy” websites is that we’ll include cites to the Bankruptcy Code so you can go check them out for yourself.

Let’s get started.

Continue reading “Definitive Guide on How Often You Can Do Bankruptcy & Years to Wait” →

exceptions to bankruptcy discharge 523

Bankruptcy Discharge Exceptions of 523: Explained in Simple Terms

Posted by Hale Andrew Antico on

Bankruptcy Discharge Exceptions of 523: Explained in Simple Terms

In bankruptcy, debt is discharged unless there’s an exception that makes it nondischargeable. That’s the rule: all unsecured debt is eliminated in bankruptcy unless the exception is in Section 523 of the Bankruptcy Code. What kind of things are listed there? You can guess: recent taxes, most student loans, and so on. Here’s a look at the the bankruptcy discharge exceptions of 11 USC 523.

The statute: 11 USC 523(a)

The rule is all unsecured debt goes away in bankruptcy, and 11 USC 523(a) is the list of exceptions to the rule. In some cases, there are exceptions to the exceptions. That is, the list below is not absolute; sometimes debts in 523a can be discharged in bankruptcy.

Before launching into the long list, Section 523(a) of the Bankruptcy Code says:

A discharge under section 727, 1141, 1192 [1] 1228(a), 1228(b), or 1328(b) of this title does not discharge an individual debtor from any debt:

That’s the preamble. It basically says that a discharge in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, Chapter 13 bankruptcy, Chapter 11 or Chapter 12 bankruptcy doesn’t eliminate the following debts.

Continue reading “Bankruptcy Discharge Exceptions of 523: Explained in Simple Terms” →

Can one person file bankruptcy separately

One Spouse Filing Bankruptcy: Everything You Need to Know

Posted by Hale Andrew Antico on

One Spouse Filing Bankruptcy

All you need to know about one spouse filing bankruptcy individually or separately

Can one spouse file bankruptcy without the other?

Can one spouse file bankruptcy without the other? In consultations, that’s one question I get asked a lot. When we’re married in California, everything is presumed to be joined and shared. So, can a married person claim a bankruptcy? The answer is, “Yes.”

Even though someone is married, they have every right to file bankruptcy without the other spouse. They have their own Social Security number and their own credit history. But just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.

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Guide to pick the Best Los Angeles bankruptcy attorney

Ultimate Guide to Find the Best Los Angeles Bankruptcy Attorney

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Ultimate Guide to Find the Best Los Angeles Bankruptcy Attorney

When you find yourself with debt and trapped, you might find yourself wondering “who is the best bankruptcy attorney near me.” There probably is no one “best bankruptcy attorney” but there are some criteria you can evaluate. Then, maybe you can find who might be the best bankruptcy lawyer for you.

Continue reading “Ultimate Guide to Find the Best Los Angeles Bankruptcy Attorney” →