Bridgeport Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer

Bridgeport Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney

Chapter 7 bankruptcy can be a frightening and stressful time. There is plenty of paperwork, specific laws and statutes, and aspects of the bankruptcy process that most people are not familiar with. Consult with a Bridgeport Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer to ease the process. They will have the insight and skills required to assist in all Chapter 7 bankruptcy matters. Bankruptcy of any sort is difficult, but you don’t have to go through it alone.

An Experienced Legal Team

Attorney Tim Pletter and our firm, Ambrogio, Pletter & Associates, LLC, have been helping the people of Greater Bridgeport with their financial and legal problems for decades. Attorney Tim Pletter is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and is rated “AV Preeminent,” the highest rating possible by international legal network Martindale Hubbell.

We will find a practical solution for your debts when you hire a Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer from our firm.

Bridgeport Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a legal process in which certain applicable debts are discharged, with a court-appointed trustee selling some of your possessions. Discharge eliminates all applicable debt with no repayment plan required.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the most common type of bankruptcy filed each year. In 2024, 310,631 Chapter 7 cases were filed nationwide, making up 60% of all bankruptcies. It is faster than other types of bankruptcy, taking a matter of months to process rather than years. Chapter 7 cannot remove debts like child support or student loans, but most other debts are eligible. These include:

• Credit card debt
• Personal loans
• Medical debt
• Older tax debts
• SBA loans

Chapter 7 Process

Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases follow a well-established process. The timeline can vary, with the average case length for consumer cases being 188 days in 2023. Before a Chapter 7 bankruptcy can proceed, a means test is conducted to determine if you qualify to file.

Means Test

The first part of going through Chapter 7 bankruptcy is to establish whether you qualify. Unlike other bankruptcy chapters, like Chapter 13, Chapter 7 requires the household income to be below the median income for the state. In 2025, the Department of Justice updated the median income for Connecticut households, therefore setting the limits at the following:

• A household of one has a limit of $82,341
• A household of two has a limit of $102,414
• A household of three has a limit of $126,343
• A household of four has a limit of $159,767
• Households with more than four members have $11,100 added per additional person

If you are a high-income household, you may still be able to file under Chapter 7 if you have little to no disposable income available after your allowable expenses.

Credit Counseling Course

Before filing a bankruptcy petition in Bridgeport, CT, you are legally required to receive a certificate of completion of a credit counseling course through a federally approved agency. These courses can be done online or over the phone. This step must be completed within 180 days before filing your petition.

File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Petition

After receiving the certificate of completion for the credit counseling course, you can file your petition. The petition will include information on your household, your income, your debts, your financial history for the last two years, and a full list of all assets. You will submit it to the Bridgeport U.S. Bankruptcy Court downtown on the corner of State Street and Lafayette Boulevard.

After this is submitted, an automatic stay will begin that stops creditors from pursuing any legal actions or garnishing income.

Meeting of Creditors & End

Between 21 and 40 days after filing your petition, the appointed trustee will hold a meeting of creditors. You will answer a variety of questions, affirming under oath that you provided truthful documents representing your financial situation.

After the meeting of creditors, you are required to attend a debtor education course. Once you have completed the course, your trustee will give a final review. Non-exempt assets may be sold off, and with a final confirmation by the trustee, your debts may be wiped away.

FAQs About Bridgeport, CT Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Laws

Speak to Attorney Tim Pletter to Hire a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer

Each step of the process can be stressful to go through alone. Speak to Attorney Tim Pletter and our team at Ambrogio, Pletter & Associates, LLC, to get the help you deserve. Our experience and knowledge will aid you at this time, particularly when it comes to the initial petition filing.

Contact us today for a free consultation so we can learn your story and begin assisting with your Chapter 7 bankruptcy case. You may also visit our Stratford office, located on Main Street, a few blocks away from downtown Stratford.