Call David and Carey Ebert at 866-775-6381 to discuss your situation now!

The selection of legal representation for bankruptcy cases is one of the most important decisions you can make. You've come to the right place. We are a family firm with over 32 years of combined experience in helping Fort Worth area consumers and small businesses get a fresh financial start.

As experienced Forth Worth Bankruptcy Attorneys, we represent individuals and small business in bankruptcy court. We will actively represent clients from the time they are retained through the completion of their bankruptcy. We will also actively pursue and litigate violations of the Order of Discharge.

We'll give you straight answers to your questions regarding your financial issues and concerns, such as:

• Too much credit card debt
• Late home mortgage and car payments
• Lawsuits and eviction
• Tax debts and liens
• Auto repossession
• Creditors calling at all hours of the day and night

We provide the welcoming familiarity of a small firm combined with the legal ability of well-known bankruptcy professionals. We believe that Ebert Law Offices, P.C. is your best choice for the following reasons:

• Bankruptcy Experience: As skilled Fort Worth Bankruptcy Attorneys, bankruptcy is what we do, and we do it well. Over the last 20 years, we have helped thousands of individuals, families and and small businesses from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex get a fresh financial start.
  
• Debt Problems: Success.We have an outstanding record of success in achieving positive outcomes for our clients. We will explore all options available to get you relief from your debts, even those to the IRS, and to help you keep your house and car.
  
• Attorney representation: You will work directly with David or Carey Ebert, who are experienced professionals with a demonstrated record of success in helping their clients solve their financial problems. Carey is Board Certified in Consumer Bankruptcy by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
  
• Free Initial Bankruptcy Consultation: Your consultation enables us to help you evaluate all your options before you commit to file. Because you are working with a small firm, your experience with us will be personal.
  
• Debt Relief For A Fresh Start: We'll relieve you and your family of the enormous stress of financial difficulties and help you get a fresh financial start.

Testimonials

"All [your] staff members and attorneys provided much-needed reassurance throughout this process.  I don't know why I waited so long to get that burden off me and have a fresh start.  THANKS!"
-- S. A.

"We would like to thank you and your team (especially Suzanne) for all your assistance during our bankruptcy ordeal. To have a skilled attorney who we were comfortable talking with really helped. I think having you and your firm represent us was a major factor in our receiving a discharge."
-- P. H. & C. H.

"I would commend you on your staff and law firm. In circumstances like this it would be easy to make people feel guilty of a decision like bankruptcy. That was never a feeling I got from any of your staff. I would recommend your firm to anybody."
-- R.S & N.S.

"[I am] very pleased with the overall service of your office. Can't believe it's finally done and over with! Thank you!"
-- R.L.

If you or someone you know needs the assistance of an experienced Fort Worth Bankruptcy Attorney, call Ebert Law Offices, P.C. today at 866-775-6381, or use the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.

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 irreperable 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.

New 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.

As of October 17, 2005, the requirements under which a debtor may 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 will 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.

Bankruptcy Fraud:
Bankruptcy fraud is a business crime of filing for bankruptcy with criminal intent, that is with the intention of evading payment for goods even though the buyer has funds that could be used to pay for them, or accepting payment for goods or services but not supplying them. Common types of bankruptcy fraud include petition mills, false oath, concealment of assets, and fraudulent conveyance. Multiple filings are not per se fraudulent; as with all things in the law, it depends on the circumstances. Bankruptcy fraud should be distinguished from strategic bankruptcy, which is not a criminal act (but may prejudice a judge against the filer if there is evidence that bankruptcy is being used strategically).

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

Chapter 11:
Chapter 11 is typically used for business bankruptcies and restructuring. It is not commonly used by individual consumers since it is far more complex and expensive to pursue. It allows businesses to reorganize themselves, giving them an opportunity to restructure debt and get out from under certain burdensome leases and contracts. Typically a business is allowed to continue to operate while it is in Chapter 11, although it does so under the supervision of the Bankruptcy Court and its appointees.

If you or someone you know needs the assistance of an experienced Fort Worth Bankruptcy Attorney, call Ebert Law Offices, P.C. today at 866-775-6381, or use the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.

If you or someone you know needs the assistance of an experienced Fort Worth Bankruptcy Attorney, call Ebert Law Offices, P.C. today at 866-775-6381, or use the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.

FIRM ADDRESS:
1726 Chadwick Ct., Ste 100
Hurst, TX 76054
Phone: 866-775-6381
Hours: M-F, 8:00AM-5:00PM

MEMBERS OF THE FIRM:

David B. Ebert

EDUCATION:

• JD, Southern Methodist University, 1994
• BBA, Texas Tech University, 1982

JURISDICTIONS LICENSED IN:

• Texas
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

• “AV” Martindale Hubbell rating, The highest rating an attorney can achieve under the Nation Peer-Reporting System.
• Outstanding bankruptcy attorney Tarrant County Debtors Bar Assn. 2003
• President Debtor’s Bar Association, 2002-2006
• President of the Tarrant County Bankruptcy Bar Assn., 1996 -97
• Member John C. Ford Inn of Court 2001-2002
• Member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
• Speaker, Advanced Consumer Bankruptcy Seminar, State Bar of Texas 1999
• Speaker at National Convention of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys 1999, 2002 & 2005
• Speaker at D/FW area Chapter 13 Seminar 1995
• Member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
• Member, Tarrant County Bar Assoc.
• Member, Northeast Tarrant County Bar Assoc.
• Member, Tarrant County Debtors Bar.

Carey D. Ebert

EDUCATION:

• JD, Texas Tech University School of Law, 1985
• BA, Newcomb College, Tulane University, 1982

JURISDICTIONS LICENSED IN:

• Texas
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

• "AV" Martindale Hubbell rating, the highest rating an attorney can achieve under the National Peer-Reporting System
• Outstanding Bankruptcy Attorney, Tarrant County Debtors Bar Assoc. 2001
• Vice President of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys 2005 & 2006
• President Northeast Tarrant County Bar Assoc. 1997
• Vice-President, Northeast Tarrant County Bar Assoc. 1996
• Treasurer, Northeast Tarrant County Bar Assoc. 1995
• Secretary, National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys 2004
• Member of Planning Committee, State Bar of Texas  Advanced Consumer Bankruptcy Seminar 2002 & 2006
• Member of Planning Committee, DFW Area Chapter 13 Trustee Bankruptcy Conference 2000-2003
• Member of the Board of Directors, National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys 1999-2003
• Convention Chairperson, National Assoc. of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys 1999, 2003 & 2006
• Speaker Advanced Consumer Bankruptcy Seminar, State Bar of Texas, 2006
• Speaker at National Convention of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys 1999-2006
• Speaker at Bankruptcy Reform National Workshops 2005
• Speaker at National Assoc. of Bankruptcy Trustees Convention 2005
• Speaker at Southeaster Bankruptcy Institute 2005
• Member National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
• Member of Tarrant County Bar Assoc.
• Member, Northeast Tarrant County Bar Assoc.
• Member, Tarrant County Debtor Bar
• Panel Trustee, Northern District of Texas
• Board Certified in Consumer Bankruptcy by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and by the ABBC.

 

Legally Speaking

David and Carey Ebert regularly provide bankruptcy advice in a column entitled "Legally Speaking" that appears in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Please note that materials in this website are provided for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice, nor imply an attorney-client relationship.   Disclaimer.

1. Status of New Bankruptcy Legislation
2. Bankruptcy and Credit
3. Planning for Bankruptcy
4. Dealing with Reduced Income
5. Back Taxes Due
6. Dealing with Unemployment
7. Business Ownership
8. Using Home Equity for Debt Relief
9. Protecting Your Home
10. Bankruptcy and Assets in Marriage
11. Debt Consolidation
12. Getting Out of a Mortgage
13. Bankruptcy vs. Credit Counseling
14. Bankruptcy and New Credit
15. Managing Reduced Income
16. Creditors in Bankruptcy