Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorney in Marrero

Regain Control Of Debt With A Realistic Plan

Falling behind on your mortgage, car note, or credit cards can quickly feel unmanageable. You might be doing your best every month, yet collection letters, lawsuits, and past due notices keep coming. If you live in Marrero or elsewhere in Jefferson Parish, you may be looking for a way to catch up without losing your home or vehicle.

I, Christopher Sisk, am a bankruptcy attorney based in Metairie and regularly help individuals and families in Marrero use Chapter 13 to bring structure to chaos. Since 2012, I have resolved thousands of debt-related problems for clients across this area. When you contact Sisk Law Firm, you speak directly with me, and your initial consultation is free.

If you are considering whether to call a chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney in Marrero, this page is meant to give you clear, straightforward information and a sense of how I work with clients facing situations like yours.

How Chapter 13 Helps Protect You

Chapter 13 is often called a reorganization or repayment plan bankruptcy. Instead of wiping out qualifying debts quickly like Chapter 7, Chapter 13 lets you repay some or all of what you owe over three to five years. The plan is based on your regular income, reasonable living expenses, and the types of debts you have.

One of the most important protections in Chapter 13 is the automatic stay. In many cases, when a case is filed, the automatic stay prevents creditors from continuing collection activity. This can include foreclosure efforts on a Jefferson Parish home, repossession attempts on a car, and many types of lawsuits or wage garnishments. How these protections apply in a specific case depends on timing and prior filings, which is why it is important to talk through your situation in detail.

For homeowners, Chapter 13 can be a way to catch up on mortgage arrears over time while you keep making your ongoing payments. For someone with a car that is vital for work, the plan can allow you to spread out missed payments and sometimes adjust the repayment terms, depending on when you bought the vehicle and other factors.

In some cases, Chapter 13 offers advantages over Chapter 7, such as the ability to protect nonexempt assets, handle certain tax debts, or manage domestic support arrears in an organized way. During a consultation, I review your income, property, and goals so we can discuss whether Chapter 13, Chapter 7, or a different strategy may fit you best.

Many of my clients from Marrero come to me facing an upcoming foreclosure date or repeated calls from creditors. We look at the calendar together, review the status of any lawsuits, and talk through how Chapter 13 may provide breathing room and a path forward.

Take control of your financial future. Call (504) 499-5919 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation with a Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney in Marrero.

Is Chapter 13 Right For Your Situation

Not everyone needs or benefits from the same approach to debt. Chapter 13 is usually intended for people who have a consistent source of income but are behind on important obligations. If you want to keep your home, car, or other key property and are willing to commit to a structured payment plan, it is worth a serious look.

Many people I meet from Marrero are in one or more of these situations. They are behind on a mortgage but want to remain in the home. They have a car that is at risk of repossession. They may have tax debts, domestic support obligations, or multiple lawsuits, making it impossible to catch up all at once. Regular income is coming in, but the timing and size of past due balances make it feel like there is no way out.

Signs it is time to talk about Chapter 13:

• You are behind on your home loan and worry about a sheriff’s sale date.
• Your car lender has threatened repossession or has already tried to pick up the vehicle.
• Collection suits have been filed inthe  Jefferson Parish court, and you fear wage garnishment.
• You owe past due taxes or support that you cannot clear quickly on your own.
• You havea steady income, but your minimum payments barely touch the balances.

In every consultation, I make it a point to review more than one path. Sometimes clients qualify for Chapter 7 instead of Chapter 13. Other times, a negotiated workout or targeted settlement may be a better fit. My role is to explain your options clearly so you can decide what lines up with your income, family needs, and long-term plans.

If you are comparing options and thinking about calling a Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer in Marrero, know that our conversation will focus on your specific numbers, not on one-size-fits-all advice.

Working With A Local Bankruptcy Lawyer

Bankruptcy is federal law, but the way cases are handled has a very local feel. If you live in Marrero, your case will typically be filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, which sits in New Orleans. Trustees connected with this court review your documents, oversee your Chapter 13 plan, and conduct your meeting of creditors.

My office is in Metairie, a short drive from Marrero, and I regularly represent Jefferson Parish residents in Chapter 13 cases before the Eastern District of Louisiana. Because I appear in this court often, I understand the usual expectations regarding paperwork, plan structure, and communication with trustees. This familiarity helps me prepare clients for what to expect at each stage.

When you work with Sisk Law Firm, you work directly with me. I do not hand your case off to a case manager or associate. I meet with you at the start, review your income and expenses, help you gather necessary documents, and walk you through the schedules and plan that must be filed. I also attend your required hearings, such as the meeting of creditors in New Orleans, and help you prepare for questions that may come up.

Many of my clients balance work in New Orleans or Metairie with family responsibilities in Marrero and nearby communities. I understand the need for clear communication and realistic scheduling. I strive to respond promptly to questions, explain what each letter from the court means, and adjust our approach as your income or expenses change over the life of the plan.

Chapter 13 is more than a set of forms. It is a long-term financial plan under the supervision of the court. My focus is on helping you propose a plan that fits within your budget and gives you a genuine chance to finish successfully, not just to get a case number.

Steps To Take If You Are Behind

If you are already behind on payments, timing matters. Mortgage lenders schedule foreclosure activity according to specific procedures. Car lenders may repossess a vehicle after certain defaults. Lawsuits in state court can lead to judgments and potential garnishments. The earlier we talk, the more options we usually have to work with.

Before a consultation, it can help to gather recent pay stubs, tax returns, mortgage and car loan statements, and any court or collection letters you have received. If you do not have everything, do not let that stop you from calling. We can talk through what is missing and how to obtain it. What you should avoid is ignoring certified mail, throwing away legal notices, or promising payments you know you cannot make.

Helpful steps before and during your consultation:

• Make a simple list of your monthly income and basic living expenses.
• Bring or upload copies of foreclosure, repossession, or lawsuit documents.
• Write down your main goals, such as saving a home in Marrero or keeping a work vehicle.
• Prepare any questions about how Chapter 13 might affect your credit or property.

When you contact my office, we schedule your free consultation to go over your situation in detail. I will ask about your income, debts, and assets, and we will discuss how Chapter 13 might work in your case, along with other options. I also explain how attorneys’ fees are handled in Chapter 13, including typical arrangements where a portion of the fee is paid through the plan. My goal is to reduce your stress, not add to it, so we will talk openly about costs and payment options.

These conversations are confidential and nonjudgmental. My focus is on where you are now and how we can move forward, not on criticizing past decisions. If you need guidance from a Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney in Marrero, taking this first step can give you a clearer picture of your choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Chapter 13 Stop Foreclosure On My House?

Filing a Chapter 13 case usually triggers an automatic stay, which can pause most foreclosure activity. How this applies depends on timing, past filings, and the status of your case in Jefferson Parish. In our consultation, we review your sale date and discuss what protection Chapter 13 may offer.

How Much Will My Chapter 13 Payment Be?

Your monthly plan payment depends on your income, reasonable living expenses, the kinds of debts you have, and what you are trying to keep. I review these details carefully with you and work to propose a payment that the court may accept and that you can realistically afford.

Will I Have To Go To Court In New Orleans?

Most Chapter 13 clients attend at least one meeting of creditors, which is typically held in New Orleans for residents of Marrero. There can also be hearings related to plan confirmation. I prepare you for these appearances and attend with you so you understand what to expect.

Can I Keep My Car If I File Chapter 13?

Many people use Chapter 13 to catch up on missed car payments and keep a vehicle they need for work or family. The exact treatment depends on when you bought the car, how much you owe, and its value. We review these details and discuss how your plan might handle the loan.

What Happens At The Free Consultation With You?

During the free consultation, I listen to your situation, review your income and debts, and explain how Chapter 13 or other options may apply. You meet directly with me, not a case manager. I answer your questions and outline possible next steps so you can decide how to move forward.

Talk With Me About Your Options

If you live in Marrero or elsewhere in Jefferson Parish and are overwhelmed by mortgage arrears, car notes, or other debt, you do not have to sort through Chapter 13 on your own. A conversation can help you understand how a structured repayment plan might protect your property and give you a path toward stability.

When you contact Sisk Law Firm, you meet with me personally. I bring more than a decade of focused bankruptcy practice, thousands of resolved debt matters, and a commitment to practical financial planning. Your consultation is free, and we will talk openly about fees and payment options so you can make an informed choice.

Start building a manageable repayment plan today. Call (504) 499-5919 or reach out online to speak with a Marrero Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney.