Struggling With Debt in Haughton? You’re Not Alone
Haughton families and individuals face the same financial pressures affecting people across Louisiana—rising bills, medical debt, job loss, or divorce. If you’re overwhelmed, bankruptcy can provide immediate protection and long-term relief. Whether you’re commuting to Shreveport for work, stationed at Barksdale AFB, or raising a family in a rural part of Bossier Parish, you’re not out of options.
Unlike debt settlement companies that may leave you vulnerable to lawsuits, bankruptcy provides legal protection through the automatic stay. At Simon Fitzgerald LLC, our legal team includes board-certified specialists in bankruptcy law who focus exclusively on helping Louisianans regain financial control.
Why Haughton Residents Choose Simon Fitzgerald, LLC
Our firm has been serving clients since 1907, handling over 25,000 cases, and bankruptcy is all we do. From our Shreveport office, just 20 minutes from Haughton, we help clients navigate filings in the Western District of Louisiana with confidence.
- Only bankruptcy law—not distracted by other legal practice areas
- Decades of experience and 25,000+ cases filed
- Board-certified attorneys through the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization
- Local insight into Bossier-Haughton trustees, judges, and court procedures
- Free, no-pressure consultations with actual attorneys
Talk to an experienced Haughton bankruptcy lawyer today—not a case manager or intake specialist.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Haughton: Immediate Relief From Debt
Chapter 7 is a fast, effective option for people with limited income and large unsecured debts. This form of bankruptcy wipes out credit card bills, medical debt, payday loans, and more in 3–4 months.
Filing triggers the automatic stay, which immediately halts:
- Collection calls and lawsuits
- Foreclosure proceedings
- Car repossessions
- Wage garnishments
- Sheriff sales
Louisiana law allows you to keep most essential property through exemptions. Most Haughton filers retain their home, car, household items, and retirement accounts. We will confirm eligibility, calculate exemptions, and manage filing requirements under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Debt Solutions for Haughton Homeowners
Chapter 13 is ideal for Haughton residents who earn a steady income and want to protect their home, vehicle, or non-exempt assets. This option allows you to repay debts via a structured payment plan that lasts three to five years.
Benefits of Chapter 13 include:
- Stop foreclosure and catch up on your mortgage
- Prevent repossession of vehicles
- Pay tax debts and student loans in manageable installments
- Possibly reduce loan balances via cramdowns
- Retain all non-exempt property
We’ll help build a court-approved repayment strategy that fits your income and expenses. When your plan ends, remaining unsecured debts may be discharged.
What Property Can You Keep When Filing Bankruptcy?
One of the biggest fears people have about filing for bankruptcy is losing their belongings. This fear often motivates them to pursue options like debt settlement or debt management plans first. The good news is that Louisiana’s bankruptcy exemption laws let you keep most of the things you need for daily life and work.
Louisiana is an “opt-out” state, which means residents must use Louisiana’s state exemptions rather than federal exemptions, though certain federal non-bankruptcy exemptions can still be used as supplements. These state laws set certain dollar limits on the value of property you can protect. Here’s what Louisiana law typically lets you keep, depending on your circumstances:
- Your Home: Louisiana’s homestead exemption protects up to $35,000 of equity in your primary residence. If you and your spouse own the home together and file bankruptcy jointly, you still only get one $35,000 exemption, not two.
- Vehicles: You can keep your car if the equity (value minus what you owe) falls within Louisiana’s exemption limits. If you’re making payments on your car and want to keep it, you’ll need to stay current on those payments and sign a reaffirmation agreement.
- Household Items: Personal property up to $5,000 in total value can be protected. This includes furniture, appliances, clothing, and other household goods.
- Retirement Accounts: Most retirement accounts, such as 401(k)s, IRAs, and pension plans, are fully protected regardless of value. This is one of the most powerful exemptions in bankruptcy law.
- Tools of Your Trade: You can protect up to $2,500 of tools, equipment, books, and instruments you need for your job or business. This includes a utility trailer if you use one for work.
- Jewelry: You can keep jewelry worth up to $5,000 total.
- Life Insurance: Life insurance policy proceeds up to $35,000 may be protected if the policy was issued within nine months of filing.
- Public Benefits: Social Security, unemployment, veterans’ benefits, and most other public assistance are fully protected.
A clean slate doesn’t mean you have to lose everything. At Simon Fitzgerald LLC, we carefully list all your property and apply every available exemption to protect as much as possible.
Does Bankruptcy Have a Negative Impact on Your Credit?
Many people worry about the impact of credit on filing for bankruptcy. While bankruptcy does have a negative effect, it isn’t always as bad as you might think. If you’ve missed your regular payments, you may have poor credit to begin with, and this is your chance to rebuild.
Chapter 7 stays on your credit report for 10 years, while Chapter 13 remains for seven years. However, many people don’t realize that the negative effect on your credit score lessens over time, even while the bankruptcy still appears on your report. Here’s why:
- Your debt-to-income ratio improves instantly. When current debts are wiped out, this key financial ratio looks much better to lenders.
- You’re often a better credit risk. Once you’ve gone through bankruptcy, creditors know you can’t file again for several years, making you a more stable borrowing risk in some ways.
- Your payment history starts fresh. Since payment history makes up 35% of your credit score, making consistent, on-time payments after bankruptcy is the most powerful way to rebuild your credit.
If they take the right steps, most people see their credit scores begin to improve within 12-18 months after bankruptcy.
Support for Barksdale Military Families and Veterans
Barksdale Air Force Base households often face unique challenges, such as PCS moves, clearance concerns, and an income structure based on military pay. We’re familiar with these realities and offer discreet, respectful guidance.
Military-specific support includes:
- Understanding VA benefits and military pensions
- Guidance on security clearance implications
- Legal protection for service members under bankruptcy law
Close-to-Home Bankruptcy Help for Haughton
You don’t have to travel far to find the bankruptcy support you need. Our Shreveport office is just a short drive away, and we offer remote consultations by phone or video.
We serve Haughton (71037), Greenwood (71033), and the Bossier fringe (71111). Evening and phone appointments are available.
Meet us locally. Or from the comfort of your home.
What Clients Say About Us
“Mr. Levy of Simon Fitzgerald, LLC is the man you want. We just finished our Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and Mr. Levy was professional, knowledgeable, and just plain nice throughout the whole process… If you find yourself there, you want the best to help you. Call Simon Fitzgerald, LLC and ask for Mr. Levy!”
— Less Trigg ★★★★★
Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee future success.
FAQs: Filing Bankruptcy in Haughton
Q: Will I lose my home if I file for bankruptcy?
A: Not necessarily. Louisiana’s homestead exemption protects up to $35,000 in equity, and Chapter 13 can help you catch up on past-due payments.
Q: Can I file from Haughton, or do I have to go to Shreveport?
A: We file in the Shreveport Division of the Western District of Louisiana, which includes Haughton. You may not need to appear in person at all.
Q: What does it cost to file?
A: Our consultations are free. If you move forward, fees vary by case. We’ll explain all costs, and most Chapter 13 fees can be rolled into your repayment plan.
Q: Can bankruptcy stop a car repo this week?
A: Yes. Filing triggers the automatic stay and stops repossessions instantly, even if a tow truck is en route.
Ready for a Fresh Start? Call Today.
Don’t wait until you’re facing foreclosure, garnishment, or a lawsuit. A quick call could change everything.
Call (318) 868-2600 or request your free consultation now.
Office Location (With Schema Markup)
Simon Fitzgerald, LLC
4700 Line Avenue, Suite 200
Shreveport, LA 71106
