Chapter 13 representation
Chapter 13 lawyer in Sacramento
Chapter 13 lets eligible individuals with regular income repay debts through a court-approved plan, usually over three to five years. It may help you catch up a mortgage and retain property if the full budget is affordable. Our attorney fee is $2,400; the upfront portion is quoted at your free consultation.
How are Chapter 13 monthly payments calculated?
There is no useful universal average. The calculation considers income, allowed expenses, debts that must be paid, nonexempt property value and plan length. Arrears divided by months is only one component.
Over 36 months, the same arrears component would be $500 per month.
Those amounts exclude trustee charges, attorney fees paid through the plan, other required debt payments and the continuing mortgage. The proposed plan must satisfy the applicable legal tests.
A household catching up an $18,000 mortgage arrearage
| Monthly component | Illustration |
|---|---|
| Arrears principal alone | $300 |
| Continuing mortgage | $2,000, assumed for this example |
| Subtotal for those two obligations | $2,300 before other plan costs and living expenses |
| Still to calculate | Trustee charges, attorney-fee balance, other required debt payments, insurance, taxes and household expenses without double-counting escrow. |
Can I keep my house in Chapter 13 in Sacramento?
Often that is the goal, but keeping a house requires more than pausing a sale. Review the property's equity, the missed payments, continuing mortgage obligations and the amount the plan must pay other creditors.
If there is enough income for the full budget
Using the example above, a household must fund the $2,300 subtotal plus the remaining obligations. A workable budget may support curing arrears over time while staying current on housing costs.
If the ongoing mortgage is already unaffordable
Spreading the arrears does not reduce that mortgage by itself. Consider whether a servicer workout or another approach is feasible before relying on a plan. Bring the sale notice and current mortgage statement to a foreclosure-options review.
What could prevent a Chapter 13 filing or plan?
Regular income, debt limits, prior cases and an achievable payment all matter. As checked October 1, 2026, the U.S. Courts guide lists limits of less than $526,700 in unsecured debt and less than $1,580,125 in secured debt. The applicable classification and filing-date limits require review.
What if I cannot afford my Chapter 13 payment?
Contact your attorney promptly after a job loss or other material change. A modification, conversion or another response may be available, but none is automatic. Waiting while payments accumulate can jeopardize the case.
How much does a Chapter 13 lawyer cost?
Our listed attorney fee is $2,400. The agreed balance may be paid through the plan. The $313 court filing fee and course charges are separate. Your written agreement states the pre-filing amount and the scope of representation; see the full cost comparison.
When do plan payments begin?
Payments generally begin within 30 days after filing, before confirmation. The trustee reviews the proposal and the court determines confirmation. Follow the deadlines in your case even while changes to the plan are being considered.
Legal overview and limits checked October 1, 2026: U.S. Courts Chapter 13 guide. Examples above are original illustrations, not client outcomes.