Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorney in Arlington, TX

30+ Years of Bankruptcy Experience, Working Directly with You

Chapter 13 bankruptcy, sometimes called a wage earner’s plan, lets individuals with regular income repay all or part of their debts over three to five years under court supervision. Unlike Chapter 7, it doesn’t require liquidating your property. You keep your assets and work through a structured repayment plan instead. At Law Office of Marilyn D. Garner, we handle Chapter 13 cases for individuals throughout the Arlington area, guided by more than 30 years of bankruptcy experience.

If you’re considering Chapter 13, schedule a free, confidential consultation today. Call (817) 381-9292 to speak directly with Attorney Marilyn D. Garner.

What Chapter 13 Can Do for You

Filing a Chapter 13 petition triggers an automatic stay, a court order that can immediately halt most creditor collection actions. Wage garnishment can stop. Creditor calls can stop. Pending lawsuits can be paused. For homeowners facing foreclosure, the automatic stay can halt that process and give you time to catch up on missed mortgage payments through your repayment plan.

Chapter 13 can also stop vehicle repossession and allow past-due car loan payments to be restructured into the plan. Once you complete all plan payments, remaining eligible unsecured debts, such as credit card balances and medical bills, may be discharged. Certain obligations can’t be discharged through Chapter 13, including most student loans, past-due child support, and most tax debts. We have dedicated pages on the automatic stay and foreclosure defense for readers who want to explore those topics in depth.

Who Qualifies for Chapter 13 in Texas

Chapter 13 requires a regular source of income sufficient to fund a repayment plan. Wages, Social Security, retirement benefits, and disability income can all satisfy this requirement. The means test compares your income to the Texas state median for your household size and helps determine whether Chapter 13 may be appropriate or necessary. Filers who earn above the median and can’t pass the Chapter 7 means test are often directed toward Chapter 13 instead.

Chapter 13 also has statutory debt limits for both secured and unsecured obligations. These figures are adjusted periodically by the federal government, so we confirm current limits with every client during the consultation rather than relying on outdated numbers. Before filing, you’ll need to complete an approved credit counseling course. Chapter 13 can also be the better choice even for those who qualify for Chapter 7, particularly when you have significant equity in a home, are behind on a mortgage, or want to protect non-exempt assets. We evaluate both options with you at the initial consultation.

The Chapter 13 Process: From Filing to Discharge

Chapter 13 cases for Arlington residents are filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, which has jurisdiction over Tarrant County. The process begins with a petition and supporting schedules covering your income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. You then propose a repayment plan that categorizes debts as priority, secured, or unsecured and outlines how each will be handled over three to five years.

Here’s how the key stages unfold:

• Plan proposal: Priority debts such as certain taxes and domestic support obligations must be paid in full; secured debts like mortgages and car loans are addressed within the plan; unsecured debts may receive partial payment.
• 341 meeting of creditors: Typically scheduled 20 to 40 days after filing, this brief hearing lets the Chapter 13 trustee and any creditors ask questions about your finances.
• Plan confirmation and payments: Once the court confirms your plan, you make regular monthly payments to the trustee, who distributes funds to creditors.
• Modifications and discharge: If your circumstances change, you may petition to modify the plan or, in some cases, convert to Chapter 7. After all plan payments are complete, remaining eligible unsecured debts may be discharged, and the case closes.

Why Arlington Clients Choose Our Firm

Attorney Marilyn D. Garner has been practicing law since 1983 and has represented thousands of individuals and businesses across Chapters 7, 11, and 13. That depth of experience shapes how we approach every Chapter 13 case, from evaluating whether reorganization is the right path to preparing a plan for court review and confirmation. She holds the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a widely recognized peer-review rating in the profession, reflecting both legal ability and ethical standards.

When you retain our firm, you work directly with Attorney Garner, not a paralegal or legal assistant. Every client’s financial situation is different, and we don’t apply a one-size-fits-all approach. Our clients consistently describe the experience as attentive and straightforward, with complex legal options explained in plain language. For Arlington residents weighing Chapter 13 bankruptcy, that kind of direct, individualized guidance can make a real difference.

Start with a Free Consultation

A single conversation can clarify whether Chapter 13 is the right tool for your situation, and it costs nothing to have it. We offer free, confidential consultations for bankruptcy matters, and you’ll speak directly with Attorney Garner from the start.

Contact Law Office of Marilyn D. Garner to schedule your free consultation. Call (817) 381-9292 or reach us through our online contact form.