Stop the Foreclosure. Save Your Home. Chapter 13 Gives You Time to Catch Up.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy lets you reorganize your debt into one manageable monthly payment — while keeping your home, your car, and your paycheck. Arey & Cross, P.C. has helped thousands of Georgia families restructure their debt and get back on track. Your free consultation starts here.
Free Consultation
Serving GA Since 1994
Stop Foreclosure Fast
Keep Your Home & Car
Attorney Fees in Plan
Get Your Free Chapter 13 Consultation
Keep your home. Stop the calls. One monthly payment.
Attorney fees can be included in your repayment plan — no large upfront costs.
One Monthly Payment. Three to Five Years. Then You're Free.
Chapter 13 puts a court-approved plan in place that your creditors are legally required to accept. Here's exactly how it works.
01
Free Consultation
We review your income, debts, and assets. You’ll know immediately whether Chapter 13 is your best option — and whether you also qualify for Chapter 7 as an alternative.
02
We Build Your Plan
We calculate your repayment plan based on your income and necessary living expenses. Creditors receive only what the plan requires — often pennies on the dollar for unsecured debts.
03
Automatic Stay Goes Into Effect
The moment we file, all creditor calls stop, foreclosure halts, garnishments end, and lawsuits pause. This happens the same day we file — before any hearing.
04
Court Confirms Your Plan
Your repayment plan goes before a bankruptcy judge for confirmation. We handle all court appearances. You typically do not need to appear in court.
05
Complete Plan, Get Discharged
After 3–5 years of plan payments, remaining eligible debts are discharged. Your home is current. Your car is secure. You walk away with a clean financial slate.
Chapter 13 Was Built for People Exactly Like You
If you have steady income but feel like you’re drowning in debt — behind on your mortgage, chasing a car payment, watching your wages get garnished — Chapter 13 was designed to give you a structured way out.
Behind on Mortgage
Chapter 13 immediately stops foreclosure and lets you spread missed payments over 3–5 years while staying current going forward.
About to Lose Your Car
If your car is being repossessed or you're behind on payments, Chapter 13 can save it — and in some cases even reduce what you owe on it.
Wages Being Garnished
The automatic stay stops wage garnishment immediately upon filing — usually the same day. You get your full paycheck back.
Have Regular Income
You must have a regular source of income — employment, self-employment, Social Security, or pension — to fund the repayment plan.
Over the Chapter 7 Income Limit
If your income is above Georgia's median and you don't qualify for Chapter 7, Chapter 13 is often the ideal alternative.
Debts That Survived Ch. 7
Chapter 13 can handle student loans, recent taxes, and other debts that cannot be discharged in Chapter 7 — by incorporating them into a structured plan.
Chapter 13 Debt Limits (2024)
Secured debt must be under $1,395,875 and unsecured debt under $465,275 to file Chapter 13. Most consumer debtors qualify comfortably within these limits. We’ll confirm eligibility in your free consultation.
One Repayment Plan. All Your Debts. One Monthly Payment.
Chapter 13 reorganizes virtually all your debts into a single, court-supervised payment plan — so you know exactly what you owe, what you'll pay, and when it ends.
| Priority Debts — Paid in Full | Secured Debts — Caught Up Over Time | Unsecured Debts — Often Paid Cents on Dollar |
|---|---|---|
| Back taxes (recent) | Mortgage arrears — stop foreclosure | Credit card debt |
| Child support arrears | Car loan arrears — stop repossession | Medical bills |
| Alimony arrears | Tax liens on property | Personal loans |
| HOA fees | Some contracts renegotiated | Payday loans |
| Student loans (managed, not discharged) |
Important: You Keep Everything
Unlike Chapter 7, Chapter 13 does not liquidate your assets. You keep your home, your car, your retirement accounts, your personal property — while reorganizing what you owe. This is the defining advantage of Chapter 13 over Chapter 7 for people with assets worth protecting.
Trusted Chapter 13 Attorneys in Columbus, GA — We've Guided Thousands Through This Exact Process
Arey & Cross, P.C. has been helping Columbus and surrounding counties navigate bankruptcy since 1994. We know Georgia’s courts, trustees, and bankruptcy process inside and out. You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Serving Georgia Since 1994
Decades of local bankruptcy experience. We know the Middle District of Georgia courts, trustees, and process — no learning curve.
Attorney Fees in Your Plan
In Chapter 13, attorney fees are paid through your court-approved plan — not upfront. This removes one of the biggest barriers to getting legal help.
We Stay With You 3–5 Years
Chapter 13 is a multi-year commitment. Our attorneys are with you through every plan payment, every trustee communication, every step until discharge.
Immediate Foreclosure Relief
We file fast when foreclosure is imminent. The automatic stay halts the process immediately — giving you time to save your home.
No Judgment. Ever.
Financial hardship happens to good people. Our team treats every client with dignity and respect — no lectures, no shame, just solutions.
Federally Designated Debt Relief Agency
Arey & Cross, P.C. is a federally designated Debt Relief Agency helping people file for relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
Your Chapter 13 Questions — Answered Directly
Will I really keep my home?
Yes — stopping foreclosure is one of Chapter 13's primary purposes. As long as you make your plan payments AND your ongoing mortgage payments going forward, you keep your home. The missed payments are spread out over the plan period.
How much will my monthly payment be?
Your payment is based on your disposable income — what's left after your necessary monthly expenses. For most clients, it's manageable and far less than the total of all minimum payments they were making. We calculate it precisely in your free consultation.
What if I miss a plan payment?
Life happens. If you fall behind on plan payments, we can file a motion to modify the plan or work with the trustee to address the situation. It's important to communicate with us quickly — missing payments without addressing them can lead to case dismissal.
Can I include my student loans?
Student loans are generally not dischargeable, but they CAN be included in your Chapter 13 plan. This means you make reduced payments toward them through the plan, and any remaining balance at discharge stays — but you've had 3–5 years of manageable, structured payments.
How does Chapter 13 affect my credit?
Chapter 13 stays on your credit report for 7 years (compared to 10 for Chapter 7). Most clients see credit improvement begin during the plan as they make consistent, on-time payments. Completing the plan is viewed favorably by lenders.
Can I reduce what I owe on my car?
Yes, in some cases. If your car loan was taken out more than 910 days before filing and the vehicle is worth less than what you owe, you may be able to 'cram down' the loan to the vehicle's current value. We'll analyze this in your consultation.
What if my income changes during the plan?
If your income drops significantly, we can petition the court to modify your plan. If it increases, the trustee may seek to increase your payments. Chapter 13 is a living plan — it can adapt to your circumstances.
Do I need to go to court?
You'll attend one 341 Meeting of Creditors — typically 5–10 minutes, your attorney is with you. The plan confirmation hearing is usually handled by your attorney without you needing to appear. Most clients attend only one brief hearing over the entire 3–5 year plan.
Your Home. Your Car. Your Paycheck. Let's Protect Them.
A free, confidential conversation about Chapter 13 costs you nothing — and could save everything. No judgment. No pressure. Just answers.
- Free
- Confidential
- No Pressure
Arey & Cross, P.C. is a federally designated Debt Relief Agency helping people file for relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.