July 25, 2025
Wipe Out Debt. Keep Your Property. Start Fresh.
Serving Clients in San Bernardino, Riverside, Redlands, and Palm Springs.
Schedule Your Free Means Test Evaluation: 909-915-0181
Chapter 7 is the most common form of bankruptcy in California. It is designed to completely wipe out unsecured debts such as:
Once your case is filed, the Automatic Stay goes into effect immediately. This stops wage garnishments, bank levies, and harassing creditor calls instantly.
This is the #1 question we hear. The answer is usually NO.
California has generous Exemption Laws (System 1 and System 2) that allow us to protect your assets. Most Chapter 7 clients in the Inland Empire keep:
We analyze your specific assets before we file to ensure you don't lose anything you didn't expect to.
To file Chapter 7, your household income must generally be below the California Median Income for your family size.
If you earn more than the median, don't panic. We can often still qualify you by deducting allowable expenses like mortgage payments, taxes, and healthcare costs. If you still don't qualify, we can file Chapter 13, which offers a repayment plan.
Filing in the Riverside Division (which covers San Bernardino and Riverside Counties) generally takes about 90–120 days from start to finish.
We review your last 6 months of income (pay stubs) and your last 2 years of tax returns to determine the best strategy.
You take a mandatory short online class (about 1 hour) before we file. We provide the link.
We file your forms electronically with the Riverside Bankruptcy Court. The Automatic Stay begins immediately. Creditors must stop calling you.
About 30 days after filing, you attend a meeting with the Trustee.
Note: Currently, most meetings in the Inland Empire are conducted remotely via Zoom or Phone, meaning you likely won't have to go to the courthouse.
Approximately 60 days after your meeting, you receive your official Discharge Order from the court. Your eligible debts are gone forever.
Bankruptcy is not just about filling out forms; it's about strategy. We know the specific trustees in the Riverside Division and how they view asset values. We serve clients throughout the Inland Empire, including Redlands, Palm Springs, Fontana, and Rancho Cucamonga.
Edgar Lombera is a lead bankruptcy attorney serving the Inland Empire for over 15 years. He specializes in Chapter 7 and 13 cases in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. He is fluent in Spanish and focuses on using the Means Test to help families maximize their debt relief.
Last Updated: January 2026.
📞 Call us today at 909-915-0181 (Redlands) or 760-835-9353 (Palm Springs) for a free consultation.
Your case matters. Your recovery matters. Let us help.