New Iberia Chapter 13 Lawyer

Chapter 13 Attorney in New Iberia, LA

When debt becomes unmanageable, it can prevent you from meeting your basic living expenses or even threaten your home. If you earn a regular income but don’t make enough to pay off the debts you owe, you may be eligible to file for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This can allow you to lower the debt you owe and give you time to breathe during repayment. A New Iberia Chapter 13 lawyer can help you determine if a Chapter 13 is right for your financial circumstances.

Reliable Legal Support for Your Bankruptcy Case in New Iberia

Financial hardship can impact any individual or family at any time. Sudden job loss, new medical bills, a divorce, court cases, or other financial difficulties can pile up unexpectedly, limiting your financial ability while also adding to your debt. Many individuals face difficult situations like this without knowing there are options.

Bankruptcy can provide you with a fresh start, and Wiley & Jowers can help you secure that new beginning. Our team is reliable, punctual, dedicated, and experienced in bankruptcy law. We have helped many individuals, families, and businesses navigate complicated bankruptcy proceedings and secure a satisfactory resolution.

We have a history of successful bankruptcy cases and more than 15 years of experience. New Iberia is served by the 16th Judicial District Court. Our firm has professional experience with local courts in Lafayette and throughout the Western District of the state. When you have a complex financial situation, we can help you.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Filings in Lafayette and the Western District

There were more than 199,000 Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases filed in the U.S. from March 2024 to March 2025. 4,607 of these cases were filed in the Western District of Louisiana.

While there were more Chapter 7 cases filed nationally than Chapter 13 cases, that was not true in the Western District. While Chapter 13 cases made up 37.6% of total bankruptcy cases nationally, they made up 80.5% of cases filed in Louisiana’s western district.

There were 97 Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases filed in Iberia Parish, all of which were for nonbusiness debts. Many people have benefited from filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy and getting a much-needed fresh start. You may also be able to achieve a fresh start and get rid of a lot of your debt.

What Is Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

A Chapter 13 bankruptcy enables you to create a repayment plan for the debts that you owe. If you earn a regular income, you may be able to use this form of bankruptcy to pay installment amounts each month to pay off creditors. This repayment plan extends for three to five years after filing the bankruptcy petition. There are no situations where a Chapter 13 repayment plan would be longer than five years.

• Three-year repayment plan: If your current monthly income is lower than the median income in the state, which is currently approximately $58,229 per year or $4,852.42 per month, then the plan will usually last for three years. There may be some cases where a longer period is court-approved if there is cause to do so.

• Five-year repayment plan: If your current monthly income is higher than the median income in the state, the plan will usually last for five years.

Collection actions by creditors are barred for the entire repayment plan period. Once you reach the end of the repayment plan, your remaining debts may be fully or partially discharged, assuming you have met the legal requirements. An attorney can help you determine if you are likely to qualify for a discharge in a Chapter 13 case.

When Do You Qualify for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

You as an individual may qualify for Chapter 13 bankruptcy relief if, at the date of filing the bankruptcy petition:

• Your unsecured debts, which include medical bills and credit card debt, total less than $526,000
• Your secured debts, such as vehicle loans and mortgages, total less than $1,580,125

You are also required to complete credit counseling by a court-approved agency within 180 days before filing the petition. You may be disqualified from filing for Chapter 13 or any other type of bankruptcy if, in the prior 180 days, a bankruptcy petition was dismissed for one of the following reasons:

• You willfully failed to appear in court
• You willfully failed to follow court orders
• The petition was voluntarily ended when creditors petitioned the court to recover property to which they had liens.

The court must see evidence that you have sufficient disposable income beyond your basic living expenses to reasonably be able to enter into a repayment plan.

The Benefits of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

There are several advantages to a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This includes:

• You avoid the liquidation of your assets to repay your debts.
• You have a longer period of time to repay your debts, rather than having immediate deadlines.
• There is an automatic stay on existing and future collection actions, including foreclosures and wage garnishments, which continues throughout the repayment plan.
• The automatic stay also prevents creditors from contacting you.
• You can address nearly all of your debts through one monthly payment, which is then distributed by your trustee.
• The amount you pay each month is fixed and reliable
• Most of your unsecured debts will be fully or partially discharged at the end of repayment, leaving you with a much smaller amount of debt, or no debt at all.
• You have more financial resources to address existing debt when the majority of your debt has been addressed.

An experienced attorney can review your unique case to decide if Chapter 13 bankruptcy is right for you.

Why Should I Hire a Chapter 13 Lawyer in New Iberia?

You should hire a Chapter 13 lawyer in New Iberia because they can help you with these complex cases and help you reach a more beneficial resolution. An attorney can determine what a fair payment plan is based on your assets and expenses and negotiate with creditors and other parties to secure that plan.

Your attorney can provide financial advice unique to your situation and help you gather relevant financial information to file your petition. An attorney helps protect your rights, including your right to be free from harassment by creditors.

Protecting Your Financial Future With Wiley & Jowers

When you are unsure how to manage your consumer and other debts, contact Wiley & Jowers in New Iberia. Our firm can determine the right method for reducing or settling your debt and help you secure the new start that you deserve.