Tampa Chapter 7 Lawyer
Blick Law Firm

We are here to help those in need. Our Mission Statement is "Help the Hurting." Please call us today to set up your free consultation whether in person or by phone! If you can not come to us we will come to you. With over 25 years legal experience, let our experience work for you! Think quick call Blick at 813-961-6960!

Blick Law Firm is a local Tampa Bay legal firm specializing in personal injury and real estate laws all across the state of Florida. The owner, Michael C. Blickensderfer has been in practice for nearly 25 years legal experience in Florida, New York and New Jersey.

Mr. Blickensderfer is admitted to practice law in Florida, New York, and New Jersey, being admitted in New York and New Jersey in 1986 and Florida in 1987. He attended Seton Hall University School of Law, receiving his law degree in 1985.

Practice Areas:

Blick Law Firm practice area includes:

• real estate transactions
• loan modifications
• short sales
• foreclosure defense
• title insurance and real estate litigation

We also serve clients in:

• traffic law
• criminal defense
• bankruptcy
• personal injury - including automobile accidents, slip and falls, premises liability, dog bites, marine and aviation accidents, motorcycle accidents and wrongful death

Tampa Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Many people in Tampa, Florida struggle to pay their bills. They may lose hope that they'll ever be able to cover their debt. One option they may turn to is bankruptcy.

There's no magic formula for deciding when bankruptcy is the right choice. It's an option you might consider if you:

• Are paying only minimum amounts on your bills
• Can't budget yourself out of debt within five years
• Are getting notices that your mortgage or loans are being foreclosed
• Have had a severe financial setback, such as losing your job or a major client, a divorce or a costly illness

Bankruptcy does not get rid of all debts. You're still responsible for:

• Alimony
• Child support
• Most recent back taxes
• Most student loans
• Recent large purchases of more than $550 for luxury goods bought within 90 days of filing
• Fines or penalties of government agencies
• Fraudulent debts
• Cash advances of $825 within 70 days of filing

As a Tampa consumer, you can file for bankruptcy in Florida under either:

• Chapter 7 (Straight Bankruptcy) to wipe out all debts except those listed and get an immediate fresh start or
• Chapter 13 (Wage Earner Bankruptcy) to set up a repayment plan to pay back your debts over several years' time.

Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act

On April 20, 2005, the President signed into law the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, which limits individual access to US bankruptcy courts. Some of the changes, which were effective October 17, 2005, included:

• New bans on Chapter 7
• Increased Chapter 13 payments
• New presumptions against debtors with increased penalties
• The reduction of judicial discretion to balance competing interests

What Can I Keep?

"Exempt" property is property that you are allowed to keep. What property is exempt is determined by state law. The items and amounts in this section may change in the future. Updated information can be found in the state code.

In Tampa, Florida, you may take only state exemptions. You may not take the exemptions provided by federal bankruptcy laws even though the federal exemptions may be more beneficial.