Steven C. Fraser files Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida, Ocala Division. Stop wage garnishment, save your home with the Florida homestead exemption, and discharge credit card & medical debt. Flat $1,500 attorney fee + $338 court filing fee.
Quick answer: If you live in The Villages or any of the surrounding counties (Sumter, Lake, Marion), your bankruptcy case is filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida, Ocala Division (207 NW 2nd St., Ocala). Attorney Steven C. Fraser (Florida Bar #625825) is admitted in M.D. Fla. and files Chapter 7 ($1,500 flat + $338 filing fee) and Chapter 13 ($313 filing fee + plan-based attorney fee) cases for The Villages residents. Most consultations are virtual; the 341 Meeting of Creditors is conducted by Zoom.
The moment your case is filed in M.D. Fla., the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362 freezes most collection activity. Notice typically reaches your The Villages employer or creditor within 24-48 hours of filing.
Stops the next pay period. Florida's head-of-household exemption (Fla. Stat. § 222.11) may also fully protect your wages outside bankruptcy if you provide >50% of household support. Learn more →
The stay halts the foreclosure sale. Chapter 13 lets you cure mortgage arrears over 3-5 years while keeping the home. Florida's unlimited homestead exemption (Art. X, § 4) protects all home equity for owners who have lived in the home 1,215+ days.
Filing stops the tow. In Chapter 13 you may be able to cram down a non-purchase-money vehicle loan to fair market value if the loan is more than 910 days old.
Lawsuits are stayed. Bank levies are released. Most IRS collection actions are halted (some priority taxes remain non-dischargeable). Creditor harassment phone calls must stop under 11 U.S.C. § 362(a)(6).
Get a clear answer to two questions: do you qualify for Chapter 7, and what will it cost? Most consultations take 30 minutes and are conducted by phone or Zoom.