Attorney Patricia S. Depew understands that financial problems can happen to good families who work hard, and her Firm is dedicated to helping people get back on their feet by offering solutions, not just a quick fix.
 
With offices conveniently located in Los Angeles, California, Patricia S. Depew specializes in consumer financial problems. She provides successful solutions to financial difficulties by offering a personal, hands-on approach with complete dedication to this area of law. 
 
For more than 12 years, Southern California bankruptcy Attorney Patricia Depew has provided superior, cost-efficient legal services in a compassionate and respectful manner to thousands of clients within the following areas:

• Financial Workouts
• New Bankruptcy Laws
• Foreclosure
• Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
• Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
• Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
• Debt Consolidation
• Debt Negotiation
• Budget Counseling
• Bankruptcy Fraud
• Court Protection

The Law Offices of Patricia S. Depew provides the highest quality representation to clients in Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings. Attorney Depew dedicates much energy to keeping abreast of the latest developments in this complex area of law. She knows the stress and pressure that clients feel when they are being hounded by bill collectors. Patricia Depew also knows the reward of seeing good, honest people get the chance to start over and build a financially secure future.

The Firm's bankruptcy practice specializes in providing comprehensive and practical bankruptcy advice to individuals, families and small businesses. Working closely with her clients, Attorney Depew seeks solutions that are in her clients' long-term best interests for achieving their goals. Sometimes this involves filing a bankruptcy or reorganization petition. However, in some cases, she works with clients and discovers that bankruptcy is not in their best interests, and that loan workouts are better options.

“I believe that the key to successfully representing clients is to educate them about the law, make sure they are fully informed and then work closely with them so that they can make sound decisions that are in their long-term best interest.”

-Los Angeles, California Bankruptcy Attorney Patricia S. Depew

Clients of the Law Offices of Patricia S. Depew are not passed off to paralegals or associates. They work directly with Attorney Depew on their legal matters. Satisfied current and former clients continue to be her greatest source of new clients and cases.

“To anyone looking for an attorney:  If you want someone who will fight to the finish for you, Patricia DePew is the one. She is the toughest, most informed attorney I have ever met. Her staff is amazing. I hear friends constantly saying that their attorney never returns calls. Ms. DePew has called me at all hours. She is the most competent attorney you could find. My case was so involved that I think another attorney would have given up, but not this law office. Do yourself a favor and get the best there is.”

-M. H. a  Former Client

If you or someone you know needs the assistance of an experienced Los Angeles, California debt consolidation and bankruptcy lawyer, contact Attorney Patricia Depew today at 866-435-6067, or use the contact form provided on this site to schedule for your initial 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 Los Angeles, California debt consolidation and bankruptcy lawyer, contact Attorney Patricia Depew today at 866-435-6067, or use the contact form provided on this site to schedule for your initial consultation.

Professional Profile

Los Angeles, California bankruptcy Attorney Patricia S. Depew understands that the process of bankruptcy can be a stressful and frustrating experience. The Law Offices of Patricia S. Depew provides a comfortable yet professional atmosphere; Attorney Depew meets personally with each client and strives to make the bankruptcy and/or debt consolidation process as smooth and as stress-free as possible.  Each client is important to Patricia Depew, and is provided with respectful and effective legal advice and representation.

If you or someone you know needs the assistance of an experienced Los Angeles, California debt consolidation and bankruptcy lawyer, contact Attorney Patricia Depew today at 866-435-6067, or use the contact form provided on this site to schedule for your initial consultation.

FIRM ADDRESS:
Law Offices of Patricia S. Depew
1801 Century Park East, 24th Floor
Los Angeles, CA. 90067
Telephone: 866-435-6067
Hours: M-F, 8:00AM-5:00PM

MEMBERS OF THE FIRM:
Patricia S. Depew

EDUCATION:

• Southwestern University School of Law, Los Angeles, J.D., 1994
• University of Southern California, M.S., Sociology
• San Diego State University, B.S., cum laude

COURTS ADMITTED:

• California, 1994

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

• Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member
• Consumer Attorney's Association of Los Angeles, Member
• American Immigration Lawyer's Association, Member
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Member
• Beverly Hills Bar Association, Member
• Public Counsel, Pro Bono Political Asylum and Deportation Advocate
• Director's Guild of America, Former Member

PRACTICE AREAS:

• Bankruptcy
• Immigration and Naturalization
• Environmental Law
• Insurance Law