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What is Board Certified in Bankruptcy Law & What are the Requirements?

The State Bar of Georgia exists to foster among the members of the Bar of this state the principles of duty and service to the public; to improve the administration of justice; and to advance the science of law. All persons authorized to practice law in this state are required to be members.

The Bar has strict codes of ethics and discipline that are enforced by the Supreme Court of Georgia through the State Bar's Office of the General Counsel. Membership dues and other contributions help the Bar provide programs that are mutually beneficial to its members and the general public.

As of June, 2011, there were almost 34,000 active members of the Georgia State Bar. Georgia lawyers are bound by strict rules of ethics in all of their professional dealings. The Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct help define a lawyer's obligations to clients, to the judicial system, and to the public.

Although the Supreme Court of Georgia retains ultimate authority to regulate the legal profession, the State Bar of Georgia's Office of the General Counsel serves as the Court's arm to investigate and prosecute claims that a lawyer has violated the ethics rules.

The Rules of Professional Conduct are found at Part IV, Chapter 1 of the Bar Rules. When it comes to advertising, lawyers and the public should be aware of the below Rules:

RULE 7.1 COMMUNICATIONS CONCERNING A LAWYER'S SERVICES

(a) A lawyer may advertise through all forms of public media and through written communication not involving personal contact so long as the communication is not false, fraudulent, deceptive or misleading. By way of illustration, but not limitation, a communication is false, fraudulent, deceptive or misleading if it:

(1) contains a material misrepresentation of fact or law or omits a fact necessary to make the statement considered as a whole not materially misleading;
(2) is likely to create an unjustified expectation about results the lawyer can achieve, or states or implies that the lawyer can achieve results by means that violate the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct or other law;
(3) compares the lawyer's services with other lawyers' services unless the comparison can be factually substantiated;
(4) fails to include the name of at least one lawyer responsible for its content; or
(5) contains any information regarding contingent fees, and fails to conspicuously present the following disclaimer:

"Contingent attorneys' fees refers only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Such fees are not permitted in all types of cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client."

(6) contains the language 'no fee unless you win or collect' or any similar phrase and fails to conspicuously present the following disclaimer:

"No fee unless you win or collect" [or insert the similar language used in the communication] refers only to fees charged by the attorney. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client. Contingent fees are not permitted in all types of cases.

(b) A public communication for which a lawyer has given value must be identified as such unless it is apparent from the context that it is such a communication.

(c) A lawyer retains ultimate responsibility to insure that all communications concerning the lawyer or the lawyer's services comply with the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct.

The maximum penalty for a violation of this Rule is disbarment.

Then, the Georgia Bar has a specific Rule specifically pertaining to advertising. It is:

RULE 7.2 ADVERTISING

(a) Subject to the requirements of Rules 7.1 and 7.3, a lawyer may advertise services through:

(1) public media, such as a telephone directory, legal directory, newspaper or other periodical;
(2) outdoor advertising;
(3) radio or television;
(4) written, electronic or recorded communication.

(b) A copy or recording of an advertisement or communication shall be kept for two years after its last dissemination along with a record of when and where it was used.

The maximum penalty for a violation of this Rule is a public reprimand.

Though many states have certification programs or specialization programs in various areas of law, Georgia has elected not to offer specialization programs to its members. However, Georgia, like other jurisdictions that do not have specialization programs, does recognize that there are organizations that do offer programs that offer a specialization recognition. If a lawyer licensed in Georgia wishes to apply for such a specialization and obtains it, that is permissible. However, if that lawyer wishes to advertise or place that specialization where the public can be exposed to it, that lawyer must adhere to the requirements of:

State Bar Rules and Regulations, Rule 4-102, RPC Rule 7.4
RULE 7.4 COMMUNICATION OF FIELDS OF PRACTICE

A lawyer may communicate the fact that the lawyer does or does not practice in particular fields of law. A lawyer who is a specialist in a particular field of law by experience, specialized training or education, or is certified by a recognized and bona fide professional entity, may communicate such specialty or certification so long as the statement is not false or misleading.

The maximum penalty for a violation of this Rule is a public reprimand.

The Georgia bar states this about bankruptcy:

What is bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy is a legal proceeding under federal law that allows a debtor who is having serious financial difficulties to obtain financial relief. Bankruptcy allows debtors to either eliminate their debts or repay them under the protection of the bankruptcy court.

A debt may be either secured or unsecured. Secured debts are those that have collateral attached to them such as your house or car. For example, if you obtain a mortgage on your house, your house is considered collateral for your mortgage. In the event your loan is not paid back, the lender may foreclose or repossess your property (the collateral) to recover the owed money. Examples of unsecured debts are credit cards, medical bills or anything else that is not attached/secured by collateral. Bankruptcy cases are administered by the federal bankruptcy court system.

What are the different types of bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy consists of several types of chapters that contain different mechanisms for addressing financial problems. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy, also known as a liquidation, allows a debtor to eliminate or discharge (forgive) all or some of his or her unsecured debts. Anyone, even a corporation, can file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case. A Chapter 7 case will also allow a debtor to surrender secured property back to the creditor if the debtor can no longer afford to keep it. On the other hand, if a debtor can afford to keep his or her property and that property does not have excessive equity, then it can be retained by reaffirming the debt with the creditor.

Once a secured debt is reaffirmed, payments on secured debt will continue pursuant to the terms of the contract. Upon the filing of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a trustee is appointed to preside over the case and determine whether there are any nonexempt assets to liquidate for the benefit of creditors. Thus, if a trustee determines that your asset (for example your car or home) has equity and you cannot exempt this equity under Georgia law, then the trustee can sell your asset and pay your unsecured creditors with the proceeds from this sale.

For debtors with disposable income that do not qualify for filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy can be filed. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy, known as a "Wage Earners Plan," allows a debtor to protect valuable assets and also assist a debtor who has fallen behind on his or her mortgage or car payment to catch up on those payments through a reorganization plan. In this plan, a debtor proposes to pay back his or her creditors over a period of time. The plan is presented to a bankruptcy judge for approval and upon approval is administered by a Chapter 13 trustee. The Chapter 13 trustee collects and distributes funds paid by the debtor to all of his or her creditors based on the plan approved by the Bankruptcy Court. Payments on long-term debt (for example, a mortgage on a home being retained) must continue at their contract rate after the filing, in addition to the Chapter 13 plan payment.

This type of bankruptcy has certain financial limits and can only be filed by individuals having the income to fund a case as well as secured debt not exceeding $1,010,650 and unsecured debt not exceeding $336,900 (these figures are adjusted every three years). If a debtor exceeds these limits, then he or she must look to a Chapter 11 case should this type of protection from creditors be desired. A Chapter 12 bankruptcy is similar in nature to a Chapter 13, but is restricted to those individuals who earn their living from farming or fishing.

Should I file?

Filing for bankruptcy is not a decision to be made lightly or without thorough investigation. This is a decision greatly influenced by the amount of debt you owe and your ability to make payments to your creditors. Anyone considering filing for bankruptcy protection should investigate all possible options that may be available before deciding on bankruptcy. This pamphlet is only an overview and will not provide all of the answers a debtor may need or want when considering bankruptcy as an option. However, it may provide answers to some general questions regarding the bankruptcy process. Anyone considering bankruptcy should speak with an attorney who is familiar with or specializes in bankruptcy for specifics and a greater explanation of the law.

Are there alternatives to bankruptcy?

The short answer is yes. A debtor should always investigate other methods of solving his or her financial problems prior to deciding to file for bankruptcy relief. Bankruptcy is typically considered a last resort measure. A debtor has some options available other than bankruptcy such as credit counseling, negotiating settlements with creditors with or without the assistance of an attorney or some form of out-of-court settlement.

Each debtor's financial circumstances are unique and deciding whether one option is better than another is determined on a case-by-case basis. It is always a good idea for those experiencing financial difficulties to seek out assistance from professionals who handle such matters.

What is a discharge of debts?

Basically a discharge of debts is the elimination of a debtor's personal obligation to pay the debt. There are some debts that generally cannot be eliminated such as student loans, domestic support obligations, child support and alimony and some taxes, but a discharge will give the debtor a chance to start over financially.

Can bankruptcy solve all my financial problems?
In short, no. There are certain types of debts that are considered non-dischargeable. Some of the types of debts that cannot be discharged are: recent income taxes, any type of payroll tax, student loans, domestic support obligations, child support and alimony, DUI claims and any type of criminal fines or penalties.

Will I lose a valuable asset such as my home or car if I file for bankruptcy?

Depending on the type of bankruptcy a debtor files and their financial circumstances, they may or may not lose their home. If a debtor files a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case and has a home with equity, then there is the possibility that he or she could lose that home. It depends on how much equity the debtor has in the home. Georgia allows a certain dollar amount of any equity in a home to be exempt from the bankruptcy. If a debtor files an individual case, he or she may exempt up to $10,600 of equity and if a married couple files, then the amount doubles. If the debtor's equity falls between these figures then no, they may not lose their home, however if the equity is higher, then the possibility exists. Equity in a vehicle works the same way with the figures being $3,500 for an individual filer and $7,000 for a joint filing of husband and wife.

If on the other hand, a debtor files a Chapter 13 case and has equity over the exemption amount, then he or she can keep the home provided they pay their unsecured creditors an amount equal to the nonexempt equity. If the debtor believes he or she cannot afford to keep the collaterized property because of the financial situation, there is an option to surrender the property back to the creditor.

Do I have to do anything before filing for bankruptcy relief?

Yes. The current bankruptcy law requires that a debtor wanting to file for bankruptcy protection must obtain credit counseling prior to filing a case. The credit counseling must be completed within six months prior to the date the case is filed. Debtors must receive the credit counseling only from those agencies that have been approved by their regional U.S. trustee. For a list of those agencies approved for the state of Georgia, go to www.usdoj.gov/ust/ and under Bankruptcy Reform, click on credit counseling and debtor education. After filing, debtors are required to complete a debtor education course before receiving a discharge of debts. This course is in addition to the pre-filing credit counseling. Certificates are received upon the completion of each course, and they must be filed with the Bankruptcy Court.

Will I have to appear in court?

Yes. When a debtor files a bankruptcy case, he or she is required to attend a hearing titled Section 341, First Meeting of Creditors. This hearing is scheduled approximately 30 days following the filing of the case. A debtor filing a Chapter 13 case may also be required to attend his or her confirmation hearing. The confirmation hearing is when the judge assigned to the case approves the repayment plan filed by the debtor. Further, a debtor may be required to attend additional hearings depending on the circumstances of his or her case.

Can I file by myself or does my spouse have to file with me?

A debtor can file an individual case or a joint case depending on the advantages or disadvantages of each. In order to determine which is better for you, it is advised that you consult with a bankruptcy attorney.

Will filing bankruptcy affect my credit report?

Yes. In most cases, you will see a reduction in your credit score once a bankruptcy case is filed. How much that score will drop depends on a debtor's individual financial circumstances.

What if I have a co-signer on a debt?

If someone co-signs a debt with you, that person could be affected by the bankruptcy filing. If the debtor files a Chapter 13, under Section 1301 of the Bankruptcy Code, the co-debtor is protected from actions by the creditor until the creditor gets Bankruptcy Court approval to pursue that co-debtor. In addition, the co-signer may find a notation on their credit report indicating that the debt they co-signed is in bankruptcy.

What if I have been sued or a foreclosure is pending before I file?

Outside of a bankruptcy, if a creditor files a lawsuit against a debtor and receives a judgment, that creditor may collect on that judgment by either attaching liens against the debtor's property or garnishing wages. When a debtor files for bankruptcy protection, any garnishment is automatically stopped. Further, any pending litigation, foreclosure sale or repossession by a secured creditor must be stopped when the case is filed and remains stopped unless the Bankruptcy Court gives the creditor permission to proceed (on a first bankruptcy filing).

Will I ever be able to own a home after filing bankruptcy?

Yes. The filing of a bankruptcy case does not prevent a person from ever owning property again. It may take some time before you rebuild your credit enough to borrow funds at a reasonable interest rate for the purchase of a house or car.

How long does it take to file?

If a debtor decides to hire an attorney to help them file a bankruptcy, the time needed to file is not that long as most attorneys now file electronically. If debtors elect to file a case by themselves, then it could take longer. Most of the time necessary to file a case is used in gathering all the pertinent information so that a petition can be completed properly. This requires a thorough disclosure of the debtor's debts, assets, income and expenses along with disclosures about transfers, payments and gifts made in the past one to two years.

What does it cost to file bankruptcy?

The current court filing fees are $274 for a Chapter 13 case, $299 for a Chapter 7 and $239 for a Chapter 12. If your financial situation does not allow you to pay the entire fee, then the court may allow you to pay this fee in installments or may waive the filing fee completely. If you hire an attorney to help you file, you will also have to pay their fee.

In Georgia, and in the area of Bankruptcy, an entity that Savannah Georgia lawyers are able to publicly discuss their certification is if it is with a company called the:

American Board of Certification (ABC)
101 Second Street SE, Suite 904
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
(319) 365-2222
www.abcworld.org

They offer a certification in Business Bankruptcy and Consumer Bankruptcy.

It is not essential that an attorney be "Board Certified" or Specialized" in bankruptcy law to excellently represent you, or a family member. However, as law practices develop each area gets more and more detailed. It is very hard for a practitioner to constantly stay on top of each and every legal intricacy if they practice many different practice areas. If a lawyer is certified in Bankruptcy by ABC, this means that they have a level of proficiency to be able to handle your bankruptcy needs. If you are unclear if  a banruptcy lawyer in Savannah is certified you can simply ask them.

Savannah debt relief lawyers are experienced attorneys who serve the entire Savannah, Georgia Area

Savannah Bankruptcy Attorneys May Choose to Become Board Certified in Savannah Georgia.

Serving clients throughout Southeastern Georgia, including Barnwell Island, Bloomingdale, Burroughs, Cockspur Island, Dutch Island, Elba Island, Garden City, Green Island, Harveys Island, Hunter Army Airfield, Isle Of Hope, Lamarville, Little Wassaw Island, Long Island, Middle March Island, Montgomery, Mount Herman, Myrtle Grove, Oatland Island, Onslow Island, Ossabaw Island, Pooler, Port Wentworth, Raccoon Key, Riverside, Rush Creek, Savannah, Skidaway Island, Sylvan Island, Thunderbolt, Tybee Island, Ursla Island, Vernonburg, Wassaw Island, Whitemarsh Island, Wilmington Island, areas in the vicinity of Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, and other communities in Chatham County.