For nearly 20 years, Snable Stevenson & Silva has been one of the leading consumer bankruptcy law practices in the South, advocating on behalf of consumers throughout Alabama and Tennessee. Banks and lending institutions have their lawyers to see to it that their rights are protected. However, who protects your interests in the event that something unfortunate and unplanned happens to you or your family? Our law firm has helped thousands of consumers successfully resolve their financial issues and get back on the road to enjoying their lives. We strive to make the bankruptcy process understandable for our clients by explaining all available options and detailing how the process works, helping to reduce the anxiety and fear experienced during financial hardship. Snable Stevenson & Silva offers a variety of consumer protection services that can assist you in your time of financial hardship, including several consumer bankruptcy options, assistance with credit reporting errors, protection from abusive debt collection, and management of student loan debt.

Contact our law office today to schedule a free, no obligation case assessment with our law firm's Consumer Advocacy practice group. We can assist you with a variety of legal services, including Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, student debt loan assistance, help with credit reporting errors, and protection from debt collection abuse.

In a world where your credit report can mean the difference between getting a job, getting proper insurance coverage, or even obtaining trivial things like a gym membership, you need to know what is on your credit report. Statistics show that a large number of Americans have errors on their credit reports, damaging their score without their knowledge. 

Your credit report, and the accuracy of it, determine your ability to obtain everything from loans and mortgages, to employment and insurance coverage, and even utility service. It is of utmost importance that you ensure that your report is accurate. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) was enacted in 1970 as a means to ensure reliability and accuracy of one's credit report. The FCRA governs the collection, use, and dissemination of a consumer's credit information. You can obtain a free credit report by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) also has useful information regarding your credit report on its website, www.consumer.ftc.gov.

Credit reporting errors, including identity theft, are a common occurrence, and one of which you need to be aware of and attend to correcting immediately. If you suspect you may have experienced either an error or identity theft, our law firm can assist you. For more information, see our Credit Reporting Errors page.

Federal laws have been enacted to protect you, the consumer, from unscrupulous actions of debt collectors. Don’t get bullied, threatened or be afraid to answer the phone. Creditors will continue to take advantage of you until and/or unless you know your rights. The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) governs creditors' behaviors in their attempts and subsequent actions to collect a debt. The law is aimed at preventing “abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices by many debt collectors.” The FDCPA addresses such things as when creditors may call you, to whom they may speak with concerning a particular debt, and what information and disclosures must be given to the consumer.

It is not uncommon for creditors to shun the FDCPA and its regulatory functions. If you feel that you are being harassed by a creditor and their attempts to collect on an alleged debt, then our firm can see to it that your rights are protected. For more information, see our Debt Collection Abuse page.

Federal student loan debt is at an all-time high. Student loan debt now exceeds all other consumer debt, other than mortgage loans. You do have options when it comes to managing your student loan debt, but negotiating proactively is key to keeping the debt under control and preventing negative credit reporting. Our firm is available to speak with you regarding your student loan debt. For more information, see our Student Loan Debt page.

In a Chapter 7, or "straight" bankruptcy case, an individual or married couple requests the Bankruptcy Court to “discharge” or eliminate particular debts. The most likely and most often pursued goal in a Chapter 7 is to eliminate unsecured debt, e.g., credit cards, medical bills, payday loans. Debtors can also choose to surrender vehicles and mobile homes, and eliminate the risk of being “under water” in regards to this certain collateral. Should you wish to retain your secured collateral, e.g., vehicles, primary residence, you can do so by reaffirming the debt, or entering into a voluntary repayment plan, with each creditor. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is oftentimes an effective way for debtors to get the “fresh start” that they so desperately seek. For more information, see our Chapter 7 Bankruptcy page.

Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code generally provides for reorganization, usually involving a corporation or partnership. A Chapter 11 debtor usually proposes a plan of reorganization to keep its business alive and pay creditors over time. The Small Business Reorganization Act created a new Chapter 11 subdivision that offers protection for small business owners. The new subdivision was enacted in August of 2019. The new chapter will allow small business to survive bankruptcy, avoid Chapter 7 liquidation, and reorganize and retain control of its operations, at much lower cost and less oversight than a normal Chapter 11. This is a streamlined process aimed at protecting America’s small business owners who wish to retain control and stay in business while restructuring debt service to creditors. 

People in business or individuals can also seek relief in Chapter 11. Chapter 11 is frequently referred to as a “reorganization” bankruptcy. A Chapter 11 can sometimes be used as an effective way to allow the debtor to remain in business as a viable entity, while getting better repayment terms than were offered prior by the creditors outside of bankruptcy. For more information, see our Chapter 11 Bankruptcy page.

Chapter 13, or "Debtor's Court," can be a useful way for an individual or married couple to consolidate their bills and repay their debts while being protected by the Court. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case, unsecured creditors (e.g., credit cards, medical bills) receive no interest or late charges while you are repaying your debt through your plan. Your secured debt (e.g., mortgage arrearages and car notes) is also paid through your Chapter 13, often at reduced interest rates and monthly fixed payments. Chapter 13 is effective means at stopping garnishments, repossessions, and even foreclosures on property. For more information, see our Chapter 13 Bankruptcy page.