Bossier City continues to grow, with more businesses and neighborhoods adding to a robust Bossier Parish, in addition to the Barksdale Air Force Base. But that growth can sometimes be stymied – good people caught up in debt who aren’t sure where to turn. Although there are negative associations with bankruptcy, sometimes it’s the best solution available to reduce your stress. If you need help with bankruptcy, you should call Simon Fitzgerald LLC.
Our firm has spent over 40 years supporting military and civilian families alike through tough financial challenges with compassion and proven results. Our attorneys are ready to help if you’re considering bankruptcy. Visit our Shreveport office today to see how a bankruptcy lawyer near Bossier City can guide you toward lasting relief.
Bossier City’s Unique Financial Landscape: Military, Gaming, and Growth
Bossier City’s economy differs dramatically from other Louisiana communities due to three major factors: Barksdale Air Force Base, the casino corridor, and rapid suburban growth. These create specific financial challenges we see repeatedly in our Bossier Parish clients.
Military Family Financial Pressures
With over 15,000 military personnel and dependents connected to Barksdale, deployment cycles, PCS moves, and BAH changes create unique debt situations. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides protections that interact with bankruptcy law in complex ways – something our firm navigates regularly for military families.
Casino Employment Volatility
The six riverboat casinos employ thousands but with irregular schedules, tip-based income, and seasonal fluctuations. When Louisiana gaming revenue drops (down 4.3% in 2024), these workers feel it first through reduced hours and lower tip income.
Suburban Debt Patterns
Bossier City’s growth from 52,000 to 68,000 residents since 2000 brought suburban debt patterns – high mortgages relative to income, multiple vehicle loans for commuting families, and retail credit dependency from proximity to Louisiana Boardwalk and Pierre Bossier Mall.
Local Economic Factors We Track
- Barksdale deployment schedules affecting dual-income families
- Louisiana gaming revenue reports (monthly from the Gaming Control Board)
- Bossier Parish home foreclosure filings (currently 40% above 2019 levels)
- Cyber Innovation Center employment levels affecting tech worker stability
Call our Shreveport office at 318-868-2600 – Free Bankruptcy Consultation Today
Most clients can start with a telephone consultation if travel is inconvenient.
Local Bankruptcy Support for Bossier City Residents
When bills rise, stress grows. When collectors call, relief feels out of reach. In Bossier City, we have all kinds of families, including service members, retail workers, and commuters. Homeowners are balancing their high housing costs and dealing with everyday expenses. No matter your background, our firm offers judgment-free bankruptcy support designed to help you get back on track.
Common financial challenges in Bossier City include:
- Credit card debt that just keeps piling up
- High housing costs that strain monthly budgets
- Vehicle repossession threats after missed payments
Convenient Access From Bossier City – In Person or From Home
Less than 15 minutes away on I-20 West, our Shreveport office provides easy access for Bossier City residents who prefer face-to-face meetings. However, after 40 years serving Louisiana, we’ve discovered something important: most Bossier Parish clients achieve better outcomes through our remote-first approach, avoiding the awkward waiting room encounters common in smaller communities where everyone knows everyone.
Your Choice of Service – Designed Around Your Life
Barksdale’s irregular schedules and casino shift work require flexibility traditional firms can’t provide. Our system accommodates deployment cycles, PCS moves, and swing shifts:
Start From Home or In-Person, Your Choice
Begin with a 45–60-minute telephone or in-person consultation scheduled around YOUR availability – evenings, weekends, even lunch breaks. No lost wages, no parking hassles, no running into neighbors in a waiting room. You’ll speak confidentially from your own space, leading to more honest financial discussions and better case outcomes.
Submit Documents Your Way
After consultation, choose between our secure online portal (accessible 24/7 from any device) or drop documents at our Shreveport office. The portal creates automatic backups and lets you upload at midnight if that’s when you have time. Many clients complete everything using their phone’s camera.
Sign Where You’re Comfortable
Our paralegal emails the full packet for you to print and review. Your attorney meets with you by Zoom video to go through the paperwork on-screen. After the Zoom review, you sign the originals (wet ink) and either mail them to us or drop them at our Shreveport office so we can file your case.
Exploring Your Bankruptcy and Debt Relief Options in Bossier City
Debt looks different for every family in Bossier City. The right solution depends on your income and property, as well as what you hope to protect moving forward. Our firm reviews your situation and bankruptcy eligibility to explain the choices that fit, always focusing on practical steps you can take right away. Options available in Bossier City include:
- Debt settlement
- Debt consolidation
- Chapter 13 bankruptcy
- Foreclosure defense
- Addressing student loans
- Wage garnishment relief
- Chapter 11 for businesses
- Repossession defense
- Chapter 7 bankruptcy
Find Out If You Qualify — Schedule a Telephone Consultation
Debt Settlement in Bossier City
Sometimes debt can be resolved without going through the bankruptcy courts. Debt settlement involves negotiating directly with creditors to reduce what you owe and create a manageable repayment plan. For families in Bossier City, debt settlement may provide relief if you have steady income and want to resolve debt outside of bankruptcy. Debt settlement may help when you:
- Have unsecured debts like credit cards or medical bills
- Want to avoid filing bankruptcy
- Need creditors to accept less than the full balance
Chapter 13 Repayment Options for Bossier Families
If you bring home a steady paycheck but have fallen behind on bills, Chapter 13 may give you the breathing room you need. This option, outlined in 11 U.S.C. § 1322, allows you to roll overdue balances into a repayment plan that stretches over three to five years. While the plan is active, you keep your property and make manageable payments under the court’s supervision.
With Chapter 13, Bossier families often find relief by:
- Stopping foreclosure so you can stay in your home
- Adjusting car loans to avoid repossession
- Pausing garnishment that takes money from your paycheck
- Including back taxes in a structured repayment plan
Foreclosure Protection in Louisiana
Facing foreclosure is one of the most stressful situations a homeowner can experience. Bankruptcy puts an automatic stay in place, halting foreclosure immediately and giving you a chance to protect the roof over your head. Filing for bankruptcy may give you time to catch up on payments or reorganize debts.
Bankruptcy helps homeowners by:
- Stopping foreclosure proceedings
- Creating time to bring mortgage payments current
- Blocking creditor pressure while a plan is made
- Providing legal protection for your home
Stopping Wage Garnishment in Bossier City
Tired of shrinking paychecks? Bankruptcy stops wage garnishment and lets you access your full income again. Filing immediately ends deductions and gives you the chance to rebuild a budget that covers your family’s needs. With wage garnishment relief, you control your paycheck instead of creditors. Debts that often lead to garnishment include:
- Credit card judgments
- Court fines
- Medical bills
- Old payday advances
- Personal loans
- Income tax debts
Chapter 11 for Complex Debt
Chapter 11 bankruptcy, per 11 U.S.C. § 1129, is often used by businesses or high-debt individuals who need more flexibility than Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 can provide. It allows operations to continue while debts are restructured under court supervision. Filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy can help stabilize cash flow and protect assets that keep a business running.
Here is who may benefit from Chapter 11:
- Small business owners
- Landlords with multiple properties
- Entrepreneurs managing complex debt
Preventing Repossessions in Bossier Parish
In Bossier Parish, reliable transportation is often a necessity. Bankruptcy buys you time to keep your car when repossessions are looming. Filing can stop lenders from taking your vehicle and create space to repay overdue amounts through a court-approved plan. Bankruptcy can help you retain possession of your car by:
- Stopping repossessions immediately
- Allowing repayment of missed car payments
- Giving you time to catch up without losing the vehicle
- Reducing lender pressure
- Protecting equity you may have built in the vehicle
Understanding Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 bankruptcy is often called liquidation, but it rarely means losing everything. For many families in Bossier City, it offers the chance to erase unsecured debts while keeping essential property. Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy under 11 U.S.C. § 727 can stop collection calls and lawsuits, giving you the space to steady your finances.
Debts that can often be erased in Chapter 7 include:
- Medical bills
- Credit card balances
- Payday loans
- Personal loans
- Old utility accounts
- Certain judgments
Why Bossier City Residents Trust Our Shreveport Team
Located just 7 minutes from downtown Bossier City via the Texas Street Bridge, our Shreveport office has served Bossier Parish for over four decades. What makes us different isn’t just proximity – it’s understanding the unique pressures facing Bossier families, from Barksdale deployments to casino employment volatility.
Our attorneys bring deep local knowledge to every case.
L. Laban Levy has become known throughout Bossier Parish for his approachable style and ability to make the bankruptcy process feel less intimidating – he listens closely, explains options in plain language, and ensures clients feel supported at every step.
J. Lee Dunford, an associate attorney and lifelong resident of the Shreveport-Bossier area, graduated from Airline High School in Bossier City. His family still lives in the Stockwell area, giving him firsthand understanding of the community’s challenges.
The full team serving Bossier City includes Keith M. Welch, a respected advocate with decades guiding Louisiana families through financial difficulties; Kevin R. Molloy, valued for his meticulous attention to detail; David K. Welch, known for responsive service and protecting clients’ futures; and the attorneys mentioned above who bring specific Bossier connections.
Local Bankruptcy Officials
Our team regularly appears before Judge John S. Hodge in the Shreveport Division, where all Bossier Parish bankruptcy cases are filed. We know the local trustees – John W. Luster for Chapter 7 and Daryl J. Smith for Chapter 13 – and understand their specific requirements and preferences, helping your case proceed smoothly. We maintain relationships with Barksdale’s Armed Forces Financial Counselors and frequently coordinate with the Airman & Family Readiness Center to ensure military families receive all available support alongside bankruptcy protection.
Need Help? Schedule Your Initial Consultation.
Schedule a ConsultationWhere to File Your Bankruptcy Petition in Bossier City
When you file bankruptcy in Bossier City, your case goes through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Western District of Louisiana, Shreveport Division, which serves all of Bossier Parish. Judge John S. Hodge presides over bankruptcy matters, with Chapter 7 cases administered by Trustee John W. Luster and Chapter 13 repayment plans managed by Trustee Daryl J. Smith. Our attorneys practice regularly before these officials, helping you avoid delays and plan objections.Our attorneys appear in this court regularly, giving us deep insight into timelines, procedures, and what to expect at each stage. We’ll ensure you’re fully prepared and confident throughout your case. The typical bankruptcy process includes:
- Submitting your paperwork to get the case started
- Sitting down with the trustee during a brief meeting to answer questions
- Taking the required financial education sessions before discharge
- Following court directions that apply to your type of bankruptcy
- Closing the case with a discharge that erases qualifying debts
Could Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Work in Your Situation?
Chapter 13 may give you the breathing space you need if income is steady but debts keep piling up. Your debt-to-income ratio and the results of the bankruptcy means test help determine if this type of repayment plan is available. During credit counseling, our team reviews your budget with you and explains how Chapter 13 could provide stability.
You may find Chapter 13 helpful if:
- Regular income makes repayment realistic over three to five years
- Mortgage arrears are building and you need to stop foreclosure
- A vehicle is at risk of repossession and you want to keep it
- Unpaid taxes need to be addressed over time
Meeting with us first can prevent missteps and show you how Chapter 13 may fit your circumstances. We walk you through what the plan involves and how it can protect your home, wages, and peace of mind.
How We Have Stood Beside Bossier Families
For decades, our firm has been here for people in Bossier Parish when debt started to feel unbearable. We have helped families in Bossier City and small business owners across the parish find a way forward when bills and creditor pressure made life stressful.
What has never changed is the way we treat the people who walk through our doors. We listen first, we never judge, and we focus on giving you options that make sense for your situation. The values that guide our work include:
- Experience built from years of handling bankruptcy cases across Louisiana
- Compassion for neighbors going through financial struggles
- Honest guidance that is always centered on your needs
- A steady commitment to helping local families get back on their feet
Understanding the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act in Bossier City Bankruptcies
Military families at Barksdale face unique challenges and receive special protections under federal law. The interaction between the SCRA and bankruptcy code creates opportunities and complications our firm handles regularly.
Key Protections for Barksdale Military Families
- Interest rate reductions to 6% on pre-service debts remain in effect during bankruptcy
- Deployment can toll bankruptcy deadlines and extend automatic stay protections
- Military housing allowance (BAH) receives special treatment in means testing
- PCS orders may allow case conversion or dismissal without prejudice
Coordinating Military Bankruptcy Cases Remotely
Military families face unique bankruptcy challenges that many civilian attorneys don’t fully understand. PCS orders, deployment schedules, and BAH fluctuations require specialized knowledge we’ve developed through years of serving Barksdale families. Our remote service model actually works better for military clients than traditional representation.
Consider deployment scenarios: When a service member deploys, their spouse often handles bankruptcy proceedings alone. Our telephone consultation and digital document systems mean that deployed service members can participate in consultations from anywhere with phone or internet access. We’ve conducted three-way calls with deployed airmen in Qatar, Germany, and Japan – impossible with traditional in-person-only representation.
For dual-military families juggling opposing shift schedules, our evening and weekend telephone availability means both spouses can participate without coordinating leave.
Local Example: If the 2nd Bomb Wing deployed 300 airmen in, multiple families could face sudden income changes. Our established relationships and knowledge ensure smooth coordination between military obligations and bankruptcy protections.
The Shreveport Division bankruptcy court, serving Bossier Parish, processes more military bankruptcy cases than any other Louisiana court outside of New Orleans. Judge John S. Hodge has established specific procedures for military debtors that our attorneys know well.
How Can a Skilled Bankruptcy Attorney From Simon Fitzgerald Help?
For decades, our firm has worked side by side with Louisiana families to find real solutions when debt becomes unmanageable. Instead of offering one answer for everyone, we look at your finances, discuss your concerns, and explain the bankruptcy benefits that apply to your situation. Sometimes that means debt settlement negotiation outside of court, while other times bankruptcy provides stronger protections against lawsuits, garnishments, or sheriff sales.
Creditor pressure rarely waits, so we move quickly to give you breathing room. Our attorneys step in to stop collection calls, defend property, and work toward repayment terms that fit. Every decision is explained clearly, so you know what each choice means for you and your household.
Here are some of the ways we help Bossier City residents:
- Work directly with creditors through debt settlement negotiation
- Safeguard homes and vehicles that are threatened by foreclosure or repossession
- Stop creditor harassment once a case is filed
- File cases promptly to halt garnishments or sheriff sales
What to Look For in a Bossier City Bankruptcy Lawyer
- When financial pressure threatens your family’s stability, choosing the right bankruptcy attorney becomes one of your most important decisions. The difference between skilled, compassionate representation and inadequate legal help can shape your financial recovery for years to come. Knowing what matters most in this choice helps you move forward with confidence, even in stressful times.Essential qualities to look for in a Bossier City bankruptcy lawyer include:Proven track record in Louisiana’s Western District courts – Your lawyer should regularly appear before bankruptcy judges in the Shreveport Division, where Bossier City cases are filed, and understand trustee expectations so your case moves efficiently.
- Compassion backed by responsiveness – Financial stress affects the whole household. Choose someone who responds quickly to urgent questions and treats you with respect, not judgment.
- Clear explanations and honest guidance – The right attorney translates complex Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 rules into plain language, helping you understand how each option affects your income, assets, and debts,
- Protection of your Louisiana property – Look for experience applying Louisiana’s homestead exemption and other state-specific protections to safeguard your home, vehicle, and work tools.
- Support beyond filing – Comprehensive counsel should include connections to U.S. Trustee-approved credit counseling, myth-busting that reduces worry, and guidance under Louisiana’s credit repair laws (La. R.S. 9:3573.1) to rebuild credit safely.
- Strong community ties – Attorneys rooted in the Shreveport-Bossier area bring trusted relationships with local financial counselors, real estate professionals, and other advisors who can support your recovery.
- Transparent fees and payment flexibility – Expect clear cost explanations with no hidden charges, plus payment plan options that recognize the difficulty of affording bankruptcy help while under financial strain.
- Relevant experience with cases like yours – Whether medical bills, small business debt, or overwhelming credit card balances, your attorney should share examples of helping Bossier City residents achieve fresh starts.
Remember: filing for bankruptcy is a legal right that gives honest debtors a fresh start. The lawyer you choose should be more than a document preparer — they should be your advocate and guide, helping you navigate the process and emerge stronger on the other side.
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FAQs for Bossier City Residents Considering Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy can be a complex process, and having questions is normal. We’ve compiled some of the most often-asked questions from Bossier City residents to help you better understand what to expect:
What do I do if I forget to include a creditor?
Tell your attorney right away. We can usually amend your schedules to add the creditor’s full legal name, mailing address, and account information so they receive notice of the case. There may be a small court/attorney fee for the amendment. Don’t contact the creditor yourself—let us handle it so the court record stays clean and accurate.
What happens if I miss a Chapter 13 payment or fall behind on my Chapter 13 payments? What should I do?
Contact us immediately. Missing payments can lead to a trustee motion to dismiss. We’ll look at options like a plan modification, or a catch-up schedule if appropriate. Keep paying your ongoing mortgage/car notes and insurance if those are due outside the plan—don’t let those fall behind while we get the plan back on track.
How much of my tax refund do I get to keep?
It depends on your chapter and timing. In Chapter 13, when preparing your case and estimating future refunds we will attempt to demonstrate to the Court the need to keep the refunds to help with living expenses. In many cases, our clients can keep the majority if not all of their tax refunds. In Chapter 7, part of a refund earned before filing can be property of the estate if it isn’t exempt, However, any portions that is Child Tax Credit or Earned income credit are protected by the Louisiana Exemptions, so this portion is typically always allowed to be retained. The safest approach is not to spend a refund until you’ve talked with us—we’ll advise what’s allowed in your specific case.
What do I need to do if I need to borrow money for something other than a vehicle while I am in my case (Student Loans, Home Loans, Other Loans)?
In Chapter 13, you usually need court or trustee approval before taking on new debt. Send us the proposed terms (amount, lender, payment, interest, and purpose). We’ll prepare the trustee request and any motion to incur debt for court review. Do not sign any new loan documents until the court approves it.
How does the SCRA work with bankruptcy for Barksdale families?
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) can cap certain interest rates and affect enforcement timelines. We coordinate SCRA protections with your bankruptcy, so creditors comply with both sets of rules, helping reduce payment pressure while your case moves forward.
Call a Bankruptcy Lawyer Serving Bossier City for Trusted Help Today
At Simon Fitzgerald LLC, Louisiana’s oldest bankruptcy law firm, our Shreveport team has guided thousands of families through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. We know how stressful creditor calls and lawsuits can be, and we make it simple to take the next step.
Call our Shreveport office at 318-868-2600 today to schedule your free consultation.
Most clients can start from home by telephone, and same-day consults are available when urgent action is needed.
