Bankruptcy & Divorce Law Firm in Big Bear Lake, California

Arlene M. Tokarz, Attorney at Law

41945 Big Bear Blvd. Suite 223 Big Bear Lake, California 92315 USA

 (909) 866-5007 or (866) 732-8618

www.tokarz-law.com
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Law Firm Overview Free Consultation

The Law Offices of Arlene Tokarz has 30 years of experience helping clients through bankruptcy and family law dilemmas. Attorney Arlene Tokarz has extensive experience of helping people file for bankruptcy and deal with all types of family law issues including divorce, child support, child custody and spousal support. We are honest, compassionate yet aggressive when necessary. Our goal is now and has always been to complete your bankruptcy or divorce quickly and efficiently for you, at a truly competitive fee for the Southern California area.

We take pride in educating our clients regarding all issues surrounding their bankruptcy and divorce. We understand the frustration and confusion individuals contemplating bankruptcy or divorce may feel and we strive to ensure our clients are fully informed, their questions answered, and their fears alleviated as we guide them through the bankruptcy and divorce proceedings. Principles that guide us include honesty, integrity and compassion. Our existing and past clients appreciate our attention to detail as well as our affordable fees.

95% of our business is generated through former satisfied client referrals. Our clients have repeatedly indicated that they appreciate our honesty and the realistic assessment we provide them regarding bankruptcy and divorce issues. We take as much time as necessary to educate our clients in the bankruptcy and divorce process, as well as challenges they might face during their bankruptcy or divorce.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Chapter 7 Bankruptcy; Chapter 13 Bankruptcy; Property and Debt Division; Post-judgment Modifications; Support Enforcement

Practice Areas Description

We provide legal advice and representation to residents of all Southern California communities. Some of the areas on which you may have questions include the following:

- Chapter 7 bankruptcy

We take care in educating our clients on the process, benefits and challenges involved in filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Chapter 7 bankruptcies include: How long does it take to complete a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy? Typically, a Chapter 7 filing will take about four months from start to finish; Do I continue to pay on my debt? Chapter 7 is a debt elimination program; there will be no need to continue paying on unsecured debts such as credit cards, personal loans or medical bills; Will I be able to keep my assets? Several exemptions exist to allow individuals to keep their assets, such as their house, car, retirements, etc. While a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing is a relatively guaranteed process, it still must be prepared correctly. Our experience in these matters gives our clients peace of mind.

- Chapter 13 bankruptcy

Typically, Chapter 13 is an option for people who either do not qualify for Chapter 7, because of higher income, have assets which a Chapter 7 might not protect, or have a home in foreclosure or an automobile about to be repossessed. There are several factors of Chapter 13 that we feel individuals should be aware of, including the following: Chapter 13 is a debt reorganization and repayment plan; The repayment period will last from three to five years; It is a plan to repay some of your debt or buy back some of the assets that might not have been available for protection under Chapter 7; In certain situations, you can eliminate your second mortgage; Chapter 13 is a percentage repayment plan, meaning you will pay back a percentage of your debt based on your disposable income; At the end of the repayment plan, if all payments are made, any unsecured debt will be eliminated.

- Debt Negotiation

We understand the social stigma and negative associations bankruptcy has had in the past. Faced with such a challenging economy, seeking credit repair through bankruptcy is a much more common and accepted practice. A bankruptcy filing can have several positive effects on your life, including: Elimination of unsecured debt; Elimination of stress and worry; A chance to start over; A chance to build a stable financial future. Many clients have told us the filing of their bankruptcy, and the discharge of their financial obligations has saved their marriage, and their health.

- Property Repossession

California has many exemptions that allow an individual to protect assets throughout the bankruptcy process. If exemptions are properly claimed, they cannot be liquidated or repossessed. There are different rules and regulations that govern exemptions. It is our responsibility as your bankruptcy attorney to examine your finances in detail, and to protect your assets as you enter bankruptcy. Typically, automobiles, houses, retirement accounts, furniture, personal property, checking and savings accounts, as well as tools of the trade are able to be claimed as exempt as you enter the bankruptcy proceedings. Unfortunately, even though the exemption paperwork is relatively straightforward, a less experienced lawyer might miss your right to claim these exemptions. Trust our experienced staff to guide you through accurately and promptly.

- Divorce

Divorce can take one of two forms: Uncontested divorce - Both parties have taken the time to discuss issues and have reached an agreement on child custody, visitation, child support (if there are minor children), spousal support, and the division of property and debt. If parties do not agree on ALL issues, the divorce is necessarily contested; Contested divorce - The parties dispute all or some aspect of the divorce. Often, success can be reached through mediation. In the instances when the parties cannot agree even through mediation, the matter continues to trial before a family law judge. Our goal through any divorce is to ensure our clients receive the best possible result in their specific situations. Clients rely on us to be practical, honest and realistic in our assessment of the strengths and challenges inherent in their divorces. We strive to reach a resolution in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

- Child Support

In California, child support is determined by software programs authorized and used by the Family Law Courts. Even though software is used by the courts, it is important to enter the correct information to ensure accurate results. As an experienced Southern California child support attorney, you can be assured all information provided will assist you in obtaining a fair and accurate support order. At the law office of Arlene M. Tokarz, we have 30 years of experience helping clients through the process of divorce and child support determination. Child support payments are calculated using computer software. The process can seem straightforward, but an experienced lawyer understands the different variables, and how they affect the overall outcome.

- Child Custody and Visitation

A divorce can be an emotionally charged and complicated series of disputes. When there are children involved, the disputes can become that much more complex. An experienced child custody attorney can guide you through the process. At the law office of Arlene M. Tokarz, we have 30 years of experience in a wide range of practice areas related to family law. We understand how emotional and difficult a divorce concerning your children may be, and we are here to assist you with these most difficult issues. If the parties cannot agree about child custody or visitation, the court may order a forensic expert appointed to conduct a child custody examination. It is a lengthy, expensive process which ultimately leaves these issues in the hands of a third person. We believe, very strongly, the parents should understand this should be their joint decision not that of a stranger.

- Spousal Support

As opposed to child support, spousal support has no strict software formulas to determine a final support number. The process is the product of either an agreement between the parties or an order from the court. As experienced Southern California spousal support attorneys, we can guide you through the process. We understand the emotions that can surround divorce proceedings. It is our goal in every case to help our clients toward a successful resolution in an efficient and cost-effective manner. There are several guidelines that can be used to determine spousal support, including: Length of the marriage; Age of the parties; Health of the parties; Each party's actual income; If either party does not work, what is the earning capacity? As far as employment goes, if there is no clear evidence available regarding earning capacity, we may request the court to appoint a vocational counselor to determine what the party's earnings might be. If parties cannot agree on a spousal support number, the case will need to be decided by a judge.

More Information on Arlene M. Tokarz, Attorney at Law

Big Bear Lake, California Bankruptcy Lawyer
Divorce Law Firm in Big Bear Lake, California
Spousal Support Law Firm in Big Bear Lake, CA
Big Bear Lake, California Child Support Attorney
Child Custody Lawyer in Big Bear Lake, California
Big Bear Lake, CA Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyer
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer in Big Bear Lake, CA
Big Bear Lake, CA Property Repossession Law Firm
Arlene M. Tokarz, Attorney at Law News and Publications
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