What Does a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorney Do?

August 20, 2025
Gavel, calculator, and pen on bankruptcy petition form.

If you're struggling with debt but want to protect your assets, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney may be exactly what you need. Chapter 13 bankruptcy offers a way to reorganize your debt and keep your home, vehicle, and other important property. At McManus & Associates, we guide clients in Carmel, IN, through the process with personalized legal support. Contact us today at 317-841-0315 to find out how we can help you get back on your feet.

Understanding Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Filing for Chapter 13 is not the same as wiping your debt clean. Instead, it involves creating a repayment plan to manage your financial obligations over time.

How Chapter 13 Differs From Chapter 7

Unlike Chapter 7, which liquidates assets to pay creditors, Chapter 13 allows you to keep what you own while catching up on overdue payments. That’s why a Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney focuses on protecting your income and assets while helping you create a realistic plan to manage debt.

Who Typically Files for Chapter 13?

Chapter 13 is ideal for people who have a steady income but are behind on mortgage, car payments, or taxes. It's also helpful for those who want to stop foreclosure or repossession and need time to catch up financially.

What a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorney Actually Does

A qualified Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney does more than just file paperwork. They provide crucial legal strategy, negotiation skills, and courtroom experience to help you successfully complete your repayment plan.

Evaluating Your Financial Situation

The first step is a complete financial review. Your attorney will examine your income, expenses, debts, and assets to determine if Chapter 13 is right for you. This evaluation helps build the foundation of your case.

Creating a Repayment Plan

One of the most important services offered by a Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney is crafting a repayment plan that fits your budget. The plan typically lasts three to five years and must be approved by the bankruptcy court.

Negotiating With Creditors

Your attorney communicates directly with your creditors to restructure payments and ensure your plan is fair and manageable. This is where experience and understanding of Chapter 13 bankruptcy law services really matter.

Guiding You Through the Court Process

From filing the initial petition to representing you at the confirmation hearing, your attorney will be by your side every step of the way. The process can be stressful, but professional legal support makes it much easier to handle.

When You Need Legal Help vs. Filing on Your Own

While it's possible to file Chapter 13 without an attorney, it's not recommended for most people.

Risks of Filing Without an Attorney

Bankruptcy law is complex. Missing a single step or misunderstanding a requirement can result in your case being dismissed. A bankruptcy law office ensures all documents are filed correctly and deadlines are met.

How Attorneys Simplify the Process

With a Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney, you don’t have to navigate confusing legal terms, court appearances, and creditor negotiations alone. You’ll save time, reduce stress, and improve your chances of completing your plan successfully.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy document with pen and partial text.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Law Services at McManus & Associates

Choosing the right legal team is one of the most important steps in your bankruptcy journey. At McManus & Associates, we provide dedicated Chapter 13 bankruptcy law services tailored to each client’s situation.


Why Choose Our Bankruptcy Law Office?

We’ve helped hundreds of families across Carmel, IN, get out from under overwhelming debt. Our bankruptcy law office takes a hands-on approach, ensuring you understand your options and feel confident in your decisions.


What to Expect in Your First Consultation

During your initial visit, we’ll walk you through the Chapter 13 process, explain the pros and cons, and answer all your questions. There’s no pressure, just helpful, honest guidance. Contact us today at 317-841-0315 to schedule yours.

Additional Help With Debt Negotiation

In some cases, Chapter 13 isn’t the only option. We also offer debt negotiation services to help reduce or restructure your debt outside of court. Our team will help you explore all possible paths to financial stability.

Hiring a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorney

Working with a Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney gives you the best chance at building a more secure financial future. From designing a repayment plan to protecting your assets and guiding you through the court system, experienced legal support makes all the difference.


If you're ready to take control of your debt, reach out to the trusted team at McManus & Associates. We're proud to serve individuals and families in Carmel, IN, with honest, affordable, and effective bankruptcy help.


Call us at 317-841-0315 now for a free quote or click here to get started today in Carmel, IN.

Hand striking wooden gavel on miniature house, representing chapter 7 bankruptcy.

5 Differences Between Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

May 14, 2025
Discover the 5 key differences between Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Indianapolis, IN, and Chapter 13. Learn more with McManus & Associates clicking here!
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Debunking Myths About Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: What You Need to Know from a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney in Indianapolis, IN

By admin • January 21, 2025
Discover the truth about Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Indianapolis, IN. Get insights from a Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney at McManus and Associates. Call today!

Are You a Good Candidate for Bankruptcy or Debt Negotiation?

June 16, 2023
Two of the most common options to get out of debt are bankruptcy and debt negotiation. Which is right for you? Here's what you need to know to decide.
Sad couple — Indianapolis, IN — McManus & Associates

Help!  My Creditors are Harassing Me!

By websitebuilder • March 8, 2019
My creditorsare calling me non-stop. They evenstarted calling me at work! Can they dothis? Let meexplain the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or FDCPA. The FDCPA makes it illegal for debt collectorsto use abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices when they collect debts. Some examples that are prohibited by theFDCPA are: Repeatedly calling on the phone to harass . Debt collectors can’t contact you at inconvenient times or places. The can’t contact you before 8am or after9pm, unless you agree to it. They alsocan’t contact you at work if they are told you are not allowed to get callsthere. Use profane or obscene language. Threaten you with violence or harm. They cannot lie. They can’t misrepresent the amountyou owe, lie about being attorneys or government representatives, or falselyclaim you’ll be arrested, or claim legal action will be taken against you if itis not true. Contact you if you have retained a bankruptcy attorney. If you have retained an attorney to represent you in a bankruptcy, yourcreditors need to contact the attorney. If you are currently in a bankruptcy and a creditor calls that is listedin the case, let them know you have filed, give them your case number and yourattorney’s phone number. If theycontinue to contact you directly, let your attorney know because the creditoris now in violation of the bankruptcy stay. Our firmunderstands how stressful it is to be worried all the time about who is on theother end of a phone call. We arecommitted to helping relieve you of that stress and getting you a freshstart! Give us a call for a freeconsultation to know all your options!
Woman reading — Indianapolis, IN — McManus & Associates

DON’T Use Retirement Savings to Pay off Debt!

March 22, 2018
When you are receiving letters from collection companies and are getting harassing phone calls from creditors you are probably feeling desperate to make it all stop. You may even feel tempted to dip into your retirement savings to pay off your debt and just make it go away! DON’T DO IT! Reasons to leave your Retirement alone… You need to realize all the potential implications of moving forward with raiding your IRA or 401k. Taking money out of your retirement fund in order to pay down debt can lead to negative consequences. For example, withdrawing money out of your retirement account may bring about tax penalties and other fees you aren’t expecting. This may put you in a worse situation than you were before. Secondly, taking away from your future to deal with your present issues is short-sighted. You have spent years building up your retirement and that is not easily replaced. You may think paying off your debt with you retirement money is giving you the fresh start you desire, but you will still be behind because you will have to start your savings all over. Finally, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, retirement funds are almost always protected in a bankruptcy . This means, if you file bankruptcy and get rid of your debts, your retirement funds will stay intact, giving you peace of mind that you will have access to those funds in the future. This option will truly give you the fresh start you desire!
Money next to calculator — Indianapolis, IN — McManus & Associates

Problem Solving…Shouldn’t You Know All Your Options First?

February 22, 2018
You have financial problems. Life happens! I get it. You may be in a situation you never dreamed would happen to you. I see it every day! Unexpected medical bills are piling up. Your spouse loses their job and hasn’t been able to find work. These things cause you to fall behind on your mortgage or car payments. What should you do? Before solving any problem, shouldn’t you look at all of your options before trying one over another? How Most People Seek Relief from Debt…. 1. Borrow Money from one credit card to make payments on another card **people think they will do this for one month until they are caught up, but often they are never able to catch up 2. Borrow Money from friends and family ***what will this do to your relationship if you are unable to pay them back 3. Sign up with a Debt Consolidation company, which promises they will eliminate your debts. Unfortunately, this is almost never the case and more often than not you spend thousands of dollars before you realize it isn’t working. ***I have yet to hear of a success story with Debt Consolidating companies from someone I have spoken to 4. Raid your Retirement accounts to try and pay down your debt ***this option leaves you with nothing for retirement 5. Schedule a consultation with an Attorney specializing in dealing with consumer debt ***This should be your first option! Most people exhaust every possible option before coming to talk with me. I applaud them for trying to repay their debts. However , they often waste months, sometimes years, spinning their wheels and getting nowhere. This is time that could have been spent rebuilding credit and getting life back on track. I can present to you all possible options for your unique situation allowing you to make an informed decision on the best course of action. Stop banging your head against the wall! You have options!