Los Angeles is the bankruptcy capital of the world. I’m not kidding or being glib. More bankruptcies are filed in Los Angeles County and this overall metropolitan area than any other part of the world or the United States. Our bankruptcy courts are in the Central District of California, which covers Los Angeles County down to Orange County and up to Santa Barbara County and San Bernardino and Riverside Counties to the east.

Yes, it is also the most populous metropolitan area, but the number of bankruptcies filed here is still disproportionate. The reasons are complex and multifaceted. The number one reason is that it is expensive to live here. Housing costs are high and so are transportation costs compared to the rest of the country. We are also the most dynamic economy in the country, which means it is highly competitive, for both jobs and small businesses. Everyone wants to live here with our wonderful climate and cosmopolitan life. But it does exert financial pressure. Without the release valve of bankruptcy, our local economy just wouldn't work.

One of our physical offices is based in Los Angeles. We are happy to meet you in person and we also use the internet to make it convenient and workable to use our services without having to drive down to our offices. We are the only Los Angeles firm we know of that use internet appointments for most of the work. We might only meet face to face once, at the initial consultation. That makes a lot of difference whether you live in Bellflower, Malibu, Baldwin Hills, Rancho, Cucamonga, Rosemead, Venice or any other part of the crazy quilt that is Los Angeles.

You really need to have a professional consultation to figure out whether bankruptcy is right for you. If there were a simple formula where you could determine that yourself, we would publish it because it would make our job easier. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Every case is unique. Many people I consult with will not profit from a bankruptcy whereas others will. We offer free consultations so that there is no barrier to accurately diagnosing your situation.

While we occasionally file Chapter 11 cases for individuals, most of our cases are filed under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Click on the links above to find out more about these chapters of bankruptcy. For now, the main differences are that Chapter 7 is quick and relatively easy and the most often filed chapter, and the Chapter 13 is a reorganization that allows you to catch up on mortgage payments and do some other maneuvers not possible in Chapter 7.

The choice of chapter you file is the next big question you need to answer after you make the determination you need to file a bankruptcy. This should also be done after a full consultation with a professional such as Lever Law. We help you make this decision as objectively as possible with your best interests in mind.

Living in Los Angeles is expensive, but a bankruptcy consultation is not. For a free consultation, call Lever Law today to speak with an experienced bankruptcy attorney. We want to help you get the relief you need and deserve. We will review your cases and offer a flexible payment plan which is customized to your unique situation.