From offices in Thousand Oaks and Ventura, California, attorneys at the full-service family law firm Van Sickle & Associates, PC handle divorce, custody, modifications, estate planning and business matters for clients in Ventura County and Los Angeles County. We counsel and represent people from communities such as Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Calabasas, Malibu, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Camarillo, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Moorpark and Ojai.

Ventura Office

789 S. Victoria Avenue, Suite 208

Ventura, California 93003

Phone: 805-642-7070

Fax: 805-642-7272

Van Sickle & Associates, PC

Attorneys at Law

171 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd, Suite 100

Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Phone: 805-777-8959

Fax: 805-777-8929

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Family Law Practice Areas

Thousand Oaks: 805-777-8959

Ventura: 805-642-7070

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Thousand Oaks Divorce and Bankruptcy Lawyers

Relationships and Finances Can Get Complicated - Filing Options

Financial stress is often cited as a primary contributing factor to marital stress leading to divorce. As the current recession continues to take a toll on families and individuals, couples seeking a divorce with either or both persons in deep financial debt must strongly consider how bankruptcy will affect their divorce.

We understand how difficult it is to navigate the complexities of both a divorce and bankruptcy at the same time. When you step into our offices, you will meet directly with your attorney. In years of experience, we have seen practically every family law situation. Our Attorneys do not judge our clients - we will listen to your concerns and work to tailor a plan that fits for you and your family. With the appropriate legal counsel, you can take care of your bankruptcy issues and your divorce at the same time.

Bankruptcy Before Divorce

In most cases an individual or couple will be advised by an attorney to file for bankruptcy before starting legal divorce proceedings. Filing bankruptcy before divorce proceedings simplifies the clearing out of debt and the negotiating of how remaining debt should be dividend after the marriage ends. It also provides protection from an independent bankruptcy filing by you partner, saving you from the future responsibility of having to pay your former partner’s debt. Filing a joint bankruptcy claim is also more cost effective than filing two separate claims. To further prevent a creditor from collecting debt from you instead of your former spouse, a wise precaution would be to have a “hold harmless” or “indemnity” clause stated in the divorce decree that will require your former spouse to pay certain debts or repay you if a creditor makes you pay debt that your ex-spouse should have paid.

Bankruptcy After Divorce

If you are filing for bankruptcy after your divorce, it can be complicated when you are discharging joint debt. We are familiar with the issues of property division and other issues that arise from divorces and are related to bankruptcy – we can advise you how to best proceed. Every case is different, so we will take the time to listen to your unique concerns and plan a proper course of action to discharge debt and get a fresh start after your divorce.

Contact Ventura Lawyers About Bankruptcy and Divorce

Whatever your current financial situation is, we can answer questions about your divorce and bankruptcy concerns. You can contact our full-service family law firm and schedule a free-consultation at our one of our offices in Thousand Oaks or Ventura.