Why Ohio Trusts Our Westerville Bankruptcy Attorneys
- No-cost consultations before you decide on anything
- One-on-one access to Matthew or Laura throughout your entire case, start to finish
- Same-day and next-day emergency filings when a sheriff sale, foreclosure, or garnishment is closing in
- Convenient scheduling, including phone consultations and in-person meetings at our Columbus location
- Clear, upfront fee quotes with nothing tacked on after the fact
What Makes Our Law Firm Different
Choosing Between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 in Westerville
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Explained
Chapter 7 is designed to clear away unsecured debt — think credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans — in a matter of months rather than years. Most clients see their case move from filing to discharge in roughly three to four months, and in the majority of filings, no property changes hands.
To find out whether you’re eligible, you’ll need to pass Ohio’s Means Test, which weighs your household income against the state median for a household your size. Even if your income runs higher than that threshold, deductions for allowable expenses may still open the door to Chapter 7. Our Westerville Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorneys will run these numbers with you during your free consultation.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Explained
Chapter 13 works differently than Chapter 7. Rather than wiping out debt outright, it consolidates what you owe into a single, court-supervised monthly payment stretched across three to five years. It’s often the better fit if you’re behind on your mortgage but want to keep your house, need to protect a vehicle from repossession, or simply earn too much to qualify under Chapter 7’s Means Test.
Filing also triggers an automatic stay the moment your petition is submitted, which halts foreclosure timelines, sheriff sales, and most collection activity immediately. Our team will map out a repayment structure that lines up with what you actually bring home each month.
Hear From Doyaga Law's Clients
Frequently Asked Questions About Bankruptcy in Westerville
The moment your petition hits the court, an automatic stay kicks in. Creditors are legally barred from calling, mailing collection notices, filing suit, or garnishing your paycheck from that point forward.
Eligibility is determined by the Means Test, which compares your income to Ohio’s median for your household size. If you’re under that line, you likely qualify — but even if you’re over the threshold, allowable expense deductions could still make you eligible. As a Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer in Westerville, we review the Means Test with every client for free.
For most filers, no. The only mandatory appearance is the 341 Meeting of Creditors, a short session (typically five to ten minutes) conducted over Zoom and overseen by a trustee rather than a judge. We prepare you fully before that meeting so nothing catches you off guard.
It depends largely on your income and what you’re trying to protect. Chapter 13 is suitable for steady earners who want to hold onto their property, such as their house or car, while catching up on payments. Chapter 7, on the other hand, tends to suit filers with limited income and mostly unsecured debt. Our Westerville Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorneys will help you decide based on your specific numbers.
There’s no flat rate. Instead, you’ll get a personalized quote that reflects the specifics of your case after we’ve talked through your finances. What stays consistent is the promise of no hidden add-ons: the number you’re quoted covers your entire case, including filing, trustee communication, required credit counseling courses, and unlimited access to us by phone or email.
Yes. We offer expedited, emergency filings for situations where time is critical, and in urgent cases we can often get a petition filed within 24 hours to put the automatic stay into effect before further damage is done.Yes. We offer expedited, emergency filings for situations where time is critical, and in urgent cases we can often get a petition filed within 24 hours to put the automatic stay into effect before further damage is done.
Contact Doyaga Law
If debt has you feeling boxed in, let’s talk through what your options look like. Whether you need a Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer in Westerville to help structure a repayment plan or want to explore whether Chapter 7 makes more sense for you, Doyaga Law is proud to serve Westerville and the surrounding Central Ohio communities, including New Albany, Gahanna, and Worthington.