Practice Areas and Legal Definitions

Every year, more than 1,000,000 Americans file for protection under Federal bankruptcy laws. Although some bankruptcy claimants are deemed as credit abusers and/or considered financially irresponsible, many hardworking individuals and businesses can succumb to financial difficulty, and face irreparable economic crisis. Bankruptcy is designed as a legal option to help resolve such a crisis, and act as a financial life preserver for those drowning in debt. To discuss your bankruptcy options, or other areas of recourse that might be available to you, contact a qualified bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of your legal rights as stated under Bankruptcy Law and federal Bankruptcy courts.

Bankruptcy Laws:
Bankruptcy is a federal court process designed to help individuals and businesses eliminate their debts or repay them under the protection of the bankruptcy court. Bankruptcies can generally be described as liquidation or reorganization. Under a liquidation bankruptcy (Chapter 7), a claimant files to eliminate debt through the bankruptcy court. Under a reorganization bankruptcy (Chapter 13), a claimant files a plan with the bankruptcy court proposing how to repay creditors.

In 2005, the requirements under which a debtor could file Chapter 7 bankruptcy changed with the passage of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act.  Debtors are now required to seek budget and credit counseling within six months of filing, financial “testing” is required to determine the debtor’s capacity for debt repayment, Chapter 7 cannot be filed if the household income is greater than the median household income as deemed by the state, and state exemptions cannot be applied unless the debtor has resided at current residence for over two years.

Due to the imposed requirements for Chapter 7 bankruptcy as set forth by the new laws, debtors who were eligible to file under Chapter 7 now have to file under Chapter 13 bankruptcy instead, in which individuals and creditors agree to a court-imposed plan that requires some or all debts be repaid over five years, with an appointed trustee assigned to monitor the repayment process. Bankruptcy filings will continue to be recorded on an individual’s credit report for seven years in the case of Chapter 13, and up to ten years for Chapter 7.

Chapter 7:
Chapter 7 cases are commonly referred to as straight bankruptcy or liquidation cases, and may be filed by an individual, corporation, or a partnership. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy case does not involve the filing of a plan of repayment as in Chapter 13. Instead, the bankruptcy trustee gathers and sells the debtor's nonexempt assets and uses the proceeds of such assets to pay holders of claims (creditors) in accordance with the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. Part of the debtor's property may be subject to liens and mortgages that pledge the property to other creditors. In addition, the Bankruptcy Code will allow the debtor to keep certain "exempt" property; but a trustee will liquidate the debtor's remaining assets. Accordingly, potential debtors should realize that the filing of a petition under Chapter 7 may result in the loss of property.

Chapter 13:
A Chapter 13 bankruptcy is also called a wage earner's plan. It enables individuals with regular income to develop a plan to repay all or part of their debts. Under this chapter, debtors propose a repayment plan to make installments to creditors over three to five years. Chapter 13 permits individuals to keep their property by repaying creditors out of their future income.  It is not available to corporations or partnerships. After completion of payments under the plan, Chapter 13 debtors receive a discharge of most debts.

Foreclosure:
Foreclosure is the legal proceeding in which a bank or other secured creditor sells or repossesses a parcel of real property (immovable property) due to the owner's failure to comply with an agreement between the lender and borrower called a "mortgage" or "deed of trust". Commonly, the violation of the mortgage is a default in payment of a promissory note, secured by a lien on the property. When the process is complete, it is typically said that "the lender has foreclosed its mortgage or lien".

A Foreclosure by Sale ends in the posting of a sign advertising the auction of your home on the sale date. The only ways to stop a foreclosure are full payment of the arrearage, or the filing of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Full Payment: If you are able to obtain and tender the full amount of your arrearage, including fees and costs, you can stop the foreclosure of a standard residential mortgage. Most people lack the money to make full payment. This process stops the foreclosure and allows you to repay your arrearage over a three-to-five year period. The arrearage is paid through a court-appointed official, while you resume your regular monthly payments to the bank in order to keep your home. A Chapter 13 can be filed at any time prior to the law day or sale date, and it is often the only avenue to save your home.

Debt Consolidation:
Contrary to popular belief, debt consolidation is not a loan. Debt consolidation is a process in which debt is restructured into one low monthly payment. It further enables a consumer to reduce the amount owed and thereby eliminate interest. Very often a consumer can detect warning signs of being in too much debt long before any collection notices are received. If more than two of the following signs apply to you, you are probably in too much debt:

• You have begun charging to your credit card essential expenses like food and daily expenditures
• You are making only the minimum payments on your credit cards each month
• You are near the limit of your credit cards
• You have too many credit cards
• You are unsure how much money you owe creditors

If you or someone you know needs the assistance of an experienced Atlanta Bankruptcy lawyer, call The Sandberg Law Firm today at 866-927-6022, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule a free consultation. The Sandberg Law Firm provides services throughout Northern Georgia, Atlanta, and surrounding Middle District.

Professional Profile

If you or someone you know needs the assistance of an experienced Atlanta Bankruptcy lawyer, call The Sandberg Law Firm today at 866-927-6022, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule a free consultation.

ADDRESS OF THE FIRM:
The Sandberg Law Firm
229 Peachtree Street, Suite 705
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 866-927-6022
Hours: M-F, 8:00AM-5:00PM

MEMBERS OF THE FIRM:

  Anthony (Tony) Sandberg

Anthony Sandberg received his B.S. Degree from Arizona State University, his Master of Arts Degree from Ottawa University, and his J.D. from John Marshall Law School in Atlanta. He is an Associate Public Defender for Glynn County, and practiced as a Bankruptcy Attorney with two of the largest bankruptcy firms in Georgia.

Anthony has been admitted to the United States District Court in the Northern Middle and Southern Districts of Georgia, the Georgia Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of Georgia. He is a Member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy of Attorneys and was recognized by the State Bar of Georgia Pro-Bono Project in 2005-2007. He has taught courses in Labor Law, Collective Bargaining, Human Resources, and Telecommunications Law.

Anthony is a former member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, former Union President, Account Executive with AT&T, Contract Manager with Lucent Technologies

Deborah E. Keefe

Deborah Keefe has practiced with the Sandberg Law Firm since 2008. She received a B.A. from the University of Minnesota in 1978, her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1984. Immediately after law school, she practiced in the areas of real estate, family law, and estate planning in Minnesota, moving to Atlanta in 1987. From 1987 to 1988, Deborah worked for the law firm of Paul C. Parker & Associates as a consumer bankruptcy debtor's attorney. She then practiced with the law firm of Judge William L. Norton from 1989 to 1992, specializing in the areas of creditor's rights and managing the Consumer Bankruptcy Department of that firm. She then became the managing attorney of her own creditor's bankruptcy law firm, practicing in State Courts of Georgia and the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia for the next eight years. Deborah served as a staff attorney for the Atlanta branch of UAW Legal Services Plan from 2001 to 2008, where she was in charge of real estate and estate planning for UAW workers and their families.

She is a member of the Georgia and Minnesota State Bar Associations; Served a two year term on the Board of Directors of the Bankruptcy Section of the Georgia State Bar Association; Past President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Atlanta Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers Group; Served on panels and faculty for bankruptcy seminars and workshops of the National Collection and Recovery Association.

Colleen Golden

Colleen graduated from Virginia Tech and worked for Blue Cross, Blue Shield while attending Woodrow Wilson College of Law in Atlanta. She has worked in Bankruptcy since 1980 with the Chapter 13 Trustee from 1980 until 1988; in the creditor firm, Jones, Morrison and Womack from 1988 until 1996; and was self-employed from 1996 until 2001. From 2001 until 2003, she worked for Attorney Bob Dunn, and from 2003 until 2007 for the United Auto Workers. She became an associate with The Sandberg Law Firm in September 2007. She loves animals, antiques,and the country life.

She has a lot of sympathy for the regular person who is struggling and believes that Corporate America is taking people down with unscrupulous tactics. 

Stacey L. Butler

Stacey received her BA in English degree from Florida A&M University in 1990, Masters of Education with emphasis in Guidance & Counseling from Florida A&M University in 1994 and her JD from Florida A&M University College of Law in 2005.

She has been admitted to practice in Georgia and the Northern District of Georgia.

She has been a staff attorney at The Sandberg Law Firm since 2006 practicing in all areas of consumer bankruptcy. Stacey is a former assistant Public Defender in DeKalb County, Georgia. Prior to law school, she was a capital, post-conviction mitigation specialist for the Capital Collateral Regional Counsel and a Victims' Advocate in the Domestic Violence Unit of the Broward County State Attorney's Office in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Stacey is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, FAMU National Alumni Association, the Metro Atlanta Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney's Group, the National Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the American Bankruptcy Institute.

Tracie Wynn

Tracie is an Atlanta native. She received a B.S. degree from Florida A&M University and J.D. from the Florida State University College of Law. Ms. Wynn was a Florida Supreme Court Intern Law Clerk for Justice Charles T. Wells. She is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia. Her law practice focuses primarily on Consumer Bankruptcies.

Prior to becoming an associate with The Sandberg Law Firm, Ms. Wynn managed real estate closing offices specializing in title clearance and contract review. She also practiced in the area of Creditor's Rights representing mortgage lenders in Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy matters. Ms. Wynn has been a member of the State Bar of Georgia since 2001 and is a member of the Bankruptcy Section.

Barbara Scott McClellan

Barbara is a fully converted Yankee, a preacher's kid from Ohio who received her B.A. Degree from Milligan College in East Tennessee, and her J.D. by attending night school at Woodrow Wilson College of Law in Atlanta. She has been (as she says) a “proud member” of the State Bar of Georgia since 1980.

Between the B.A. and the J.D., she enjoyed her first life career in reservations, City Ticket Office and Marketing in the Southeast for Pan American Airways. Her career change to the practice of law was made on her desire to get into a career that would let her retire when she wants to, not when the calendar mandates it. She has achieved that goal and more.

After 25 years of law practice that includes a five year career as an Administrative Law Judge for the State of Georgia, Barbara made her choice to retire. The retirement didn't “take”. In January 2008, Barbara brought her history of over 10 years of experience working in Consumer Bankruptcy to The Sandberg Law Firm and found a perfect fit.

Lureece D. Lewis

Lureece received her BBA in Administrative Systems from the University of West Georgia in 1992 and her JD from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 2000.

She has been admitted to practice in Georgia, the Northern District of Georgia, the Court of Appeals of Georgia, and the Supreme Court of Georgia.

Lureece is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and the Metro Atlanta Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney's Group and has been involved with Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, NCCU School of Law Alumni Association, the Booker T. Washington High Alumni Association and Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Lureece was formerly in a private practice concentrating in the areas of Wills & Probate and Adoptions, a partner in the firm of Green & Lewis, LLC and an associate of Sanders Legal Services, LLC and Clark & Washington, PC practicing in the area of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Consumer Bankruptcy.

Talitha Fleming

Talitha S. Fleming has been practicing in the area of bankruptcy for the past 9 years. Her knowledge and background includes both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 work, Chapter 11, and Creditor’s Right Advocacy.

Ms. Fleming received her B.A., Magna Cum Laude, from Indiana University -Bloomington, double majoring in both Sociology and Criminal Justice with minors in Psychology and African American Studies. Ms Fleming graduated in 1996 where she immediately went on to Indiana University School of Law with a full academic scholarship to pursue her desire to become an attorney. While an undergraduate student, Ms. Fleming joined the Sisterhood of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, as well as was inducted into the National Honor Society, Phi Beta Kappa.

Ms. Fleming is barred in both Indiana and in Georgia. She also taught at the collegiate level in the areas of bankruptcy, criminal justice, criminal law and procedure and business law. Ms Fleming is the lead attorney overseeing the administrative responsibilities in the Douglasville, Rome, Cartersville, and Gainesville satellite offices.  

Neena Gulley

Neena received her B.A.s in German Studies and International Studies from Emory University in 1998 and her J.D. from Georgia State University in 2005. She has been admitted to practice in Georgia and the Northern District of Georgia. 

Neena is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the Bankruptcy Section of the State Bar of Georgia, and the Metro Atlanta Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney's Group.

Neena practiced consumer bankruptcy in a small, boutique firm, as well as one of the largest bankruptcy filers in the State of Georgia before finding the perfect fit at The Sandberg Law Firm early in 2009.

Randall S. Carver 

Randy received his A.B. in Economics from the University of Georgia in 2005 and his J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 2008. He has been admitted to practice in Georgia and the Northern District of Georgia.

Randy is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the Metro Atlanta Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys Group, the American Bar Association and the Stonewall Bar Association.

Stephen Minsk

Stphen is a native of Atlanta and spent over 20 years as a closing Attorney until downsized in September 2007.  Stephen's Real Estate experience allows him to travel throughout Grorgia from the Northern Georgia mountains to the Okeefanokee Swamp. 

Stephen received his undergrad degree in Psychology at Georgia State University, training in Crisis Intervention and served as Director of a student-run crisis intervention center. 

Having this experience, has helped him listen to clients, accessed their needs and formulates a strategy that best suits their situation. 

In his spare time, he follows his son's Ice Hockey career.

Cynthia L. McKenzie - bio and photo coming soon