Bankruptcy / Ohio / Shaker Heights

Filing Bankruptcy in Shaker Heights: 7 Things You Need to Know

Written by Ben Tejes
Updated Apr 16th, 2024

You are considering filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Shaker Heights. Bankruptcy is a common debt relief choice. In fact, many people in Ohio have received bankruptcy relief, and Shaker Heights is no different. In fact, there were 22,623 bankruptcies filed in Ohio in the year ending June 30, 2021 (Source). With a population of 27027, I’d estimate a fair number of those were in Shaker Heights.

The purpose of this article is to provide an extensive list of filing bankruptcy in Shaker Heights including:

  1. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Shaker Heights
  2. Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Shaker Heights
  3. Shaker Heights Bankruptcy Attorney Fees
  4. Finding a Reputable Bankruptcy Lawyer in Shaker Heights
  5. Estimating Loss of Belonging (i.e.
  6. Getting Bankruptcy Help in Shaker Heights
  7. Bankruptcy Alternatives and Conclusion

Without further ado, let’s get started with Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Shaker Heights

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the most common consumer bankruptcy in the United States. People appreciate the simplicity of Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the cost of the Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and the speed of debt relief. For example, in Shaker Heights, you could get debt relief in about 120 days with a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

One of the challenges of Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Shaker Heights is that you have to qualify. In order to qualify in Shaker Heights, you often have to pass the Ohio bankruptcy means test. You can estimate that qualification below in Shaker Heights. Let’s cover how you can qualify.

Chapter 7 Qualification

The first part of the means test is to understand your income in relation to the median income levels for Ohio. It considers the average family size and income.

To estimate your qualification, you can take the Shaker Heights Chapter 7 qualification calculator below that is specific to Shaker Heights.

Finally, the most recent Ohio median income levels is for cases filed on or after April 1, 2024, and can be found below. 

# of PeopleAnnual Income
1$61,617
2$77,816
3$94,913
4$113,435
5$123,335
6$133,235
7$143,135
8$153,035
9$162,935

If your income exceeds the median, you can move on to the second part of the means test to estimate qualification. The second part of the means test is to understand your actual expenses. You can check out our guide covering trying to qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy above the median.

For example, the average median rent amount in Shaker Heights is $1026, but let's say your rent is almost double that amount. Could you potentially still qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy because of those additional expenses? What you are able to state as ab expense is limited, and you can refer to the current national standard for the maximum amounts, but you may want to speak with your attorney about this situation.

Which Could Would You File In If You Live In Shaker Heights?

Shaker Heights is located in the Ohio Northern district, so our understanding is that you would be filing your bankruptcy in the Cleveland bankruptcy court. Here's the estimated information we have for your court:

Cleveland Bankruptcy Court
Address: 201 Superior Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone: (216) 615-4300

Does that mean you would have to drive to court?

Not necessarily. 

Please note that main meeting for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the 341 meeting of creditors, which is often online via Zoom or another teleconference after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is known as a wage-earner bankruptcy. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a voluntary reorganization of debt.  In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the individual has debt that they can no longer manage and often own assets that exceed state and/or federal relief. Folks file Chapter 13 bankruptcy often when they do not qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  

Most individuals in Shaker Heights will qualify for Chapter 13 bankruptcy as long as they are below the debt limits.

Compared to Chapter 7, there is no liquidation in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. Although, the discharge won’t be until around 3 to 5 years. The Chapter 13 bankruptcy will stay on your credit report for 7 years.

Shaker Heights Bankruptcy Attorney Fees

When looking for a bankruptcy attorney, we recommend that you look for these 5 attributes: Rate, Reliability, Referrals, Reviews, and Relevancy. You can check our guide to find a top bankruptcy attorney in Shaker Heights.

The estimated Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer fee in Shaker Heights is: $900 - $1500.

The estimated Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer fee in Shaker Heights is: $3500 - $4000. The Chapter 13 attorney fee is often set across the district, meaning that all Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorneys in a district may charge around the same fee.

Shaker Heights Bankruptcy Attorneys

One of the most important things to do is to find a reputable bankruptcy attorney in Shaker Heights if you decide to hire one. This is legal advice related to finances that are going to affect your future. For example, making sure you are in the right bankruptcy chapter (Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13) could cost you thousands more and take you years longer.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer

As stated above, Shaker Heights has a population of 27027. In many cases, individuals in larger cities such as Columbus or Cleveland would like a bankruptcy lawyer close by. In smaller cities, I have found that individuals have questions about whether the bankruptcy will show up in the newspaper or whether friends will hear about it. This is a valid question.

Regardless, you can check the Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyers in or near Shaker Heights using the table below. You just need to input your zip code, and voila, you can choose which Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer you would like to speak to near or far away from Shaker Heights in a free bankruptcy lawyer consultation

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyer

Filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Shaker Heights may be a bit more intensive, so you may consider a Chapter 13 bankruptcy that is closer to you. That said, with the internet and the pandemic, many of the meetings are now online and you can generally submit your documentation online as well.

How much a Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney often charges is based on what's called a no-look fee. We do our best to track the Chapter 13 attorney fee in Shaker Heights.

Bankruptcy Exemptions in Ohio

As you live in Shaker Heights, you are often able to use the Ohio bankruptcy exemptions to help you keep your belongings.

One of the biggest questions people have is whether they are able to keep their homes in bankruptcy. This is where bankruptcy exemptions come into play. As Shaker Heights has a home ownership % of 63.1% and an estimated estimated home value of $228223, you can understand that many people want to keep this asset. You can often keep your assets using bankruptcy exemptions.

Here are the Ohio bankruptcy exemptions. The exemptions are revised on different occasions, so you may wish to check the most current information on exemptions. Also, as a reference, Ohio is a place that does not allow you to use federal bankruptcy exemptions. You often have to choose which one to use, so a bankruptcy attorney can help you with that option.

Homestead Exemption

The homestead exemption is often broken down by age and whether you are married. 

  • Single and under 65: $145,425
  • Single is 65 or older: $145,425
  • Married and under 65: $145,425
  • Married is 65 or older: $145,425

Ohio specific homestead bankruptcy exemption text: "Real or personal property used as residence to $145,425 (adjusted for inflation every 3 years, April 1, 2019)" (Source)

Automobile Exemption

The automobile bankruptcy exemption in Ohio is $4,000.

Jewelry Exemption

The jewelry bankruptcy exemption in Ohio is $1,700.

Wildcard Exemption

The wildcard bankruptcy exemption in Ohio is $1,325.

Cash Exemption

The cash bankruptcy exemption in Ohio is $500.

Personal Property Exemption

The personal property bankruptcy exemption in Ohio is $13,400.

Special Exemption Handling for Ohio

Below is specific special handling of bankruptcy exemptions in Ohio.

Bankruptcy Help in Shaker Heights

Unemployment can cause both frustration and angst about options. The most recent statistic I found is that the Shaker Heights unemployment rate is 6.2%. There may be resources available to help. In addition to the unemployment rate, Shaker Heights has a disability rate of 9.9%. As such, if you are truly in need and don’t have income, there are resources that may be available that can help you.

Check out the legal aid and free resources that may be available in Shaker Heights.

Legal Aid and Free Resources

Here are some legal aid resources that may be helpful to you in Shaker Heights.

The bankruptcy court and district may have free resources that are available to you. I have included the information below. 

Lastly, Shaker Heights also has a limited English rate of 1.4% and a poverty rate of 8.5%. If you have limited English, you may check out the court websites for Ohio for additional information on how you can be served. You can also see how filing bankruptcy without an attorney can work if you cannot afford a bankruptcy lawyer.

Courts and Districts in Ohio

Northern District

  • 2 South Main Street
    Akron, Ohio 44308
  • 801 West Superior Avenue
    Cleveland, Ohio 44113
  • 1716 Spielbusch Avenue
    Toledo, Ohio 43604
  • 125 Market Street
    Youngstown, Ohio 44503

Southern

  • Room 103
    100 East Fifth Street
    Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
  • Room 121
    85 Marconi Boulevard
    Columbus, Ohio 43215
  • Room 712
    200 W. Second Street
    Dayton, Ohio 45402

Debt Settlement in Shaker Heights

One of the most common alternatives to bankruptcy is debt settlement. A debt settlement firm would negotiate for a lower amount due on your debt in the case of financial hardship. The goal would be to reduce your debt in half. In this case, you would have a lower monthly payment.

If you are looking at debt settlement in Shaker Heights, you may want to consider a national debt settlement firm to a local one in Shaker Heights. For example, most of your creditors are probably national banks instead of local Shaker Heights banks. As such, you can potentially get lower fees by using a national firm. You should strongly consider the pros and cons and credit score impact before taking the plunge as Ascend only recommends 2 debt settlement firms nationwide that both offer free phone evaluations.

Conclusion

Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Shaker Heights can provide debt relief. That said, you may want to consider the cost of bankruptcy in Shaker Heights, the different bankruptcy chapters, reputable attorneys in Shaker Heights and alternatives to help you make the most informed decision. 

You can also take our Chapter 7 vs Chapter calculator below to help you estimate the cost and qualification of Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Shaker Heights.