Your Redlands bankruptcy lawyer — right here on Orange Tree Lane. Chapter 7 & 13 bankruptcy, tax debt relief, foreclosure defense, and wage garnishment protection. 2,500+ families helped across Southern California. Hablamos Español.
Edgar P. Lombera
Bankruptcy Attorney · 15+ Years
When you're facing debt, tax problems, or foreclosure, you want a bankruptcy lawyer who is part of your community. At Lombera Law, our office is right here in Redlands at 2068 Orange Tree Lane, Suite 220 — not across Los Angeles County or somewhere outside the Inland Empire. Walk in, sit down, and talk with a lawyer licensed by the State Bar of California who knows Redlands and understands the financial pressures families face throughout San Bernardino County and Southern California.
With a 4.9-star rating from 230+ Google reviews, our law firm has earned the trust of Redlands residents through honest legal advice, skilled negotiation with creditors, and proven results. Attorney Edgar P. Lombera is licensed by the State Bar of California and brings 15+ years of experience to every consultation. Our bilingual team has helped 2,500+ debtors across the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area and Southern California file for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, negotiate debt settlements, and stop wage garnishment and foreclosure.
Redlands is a historic city known for the University of Redlands, Esri headquarters, and proximity to Loma Linda University Medical Center. But even professionals and homeowners here face serious financial hardship — from rising real estate costs and property tax bills to overwhelming medical debt, credit card debt, and insurance obligations. Whether you're an Esri professional, a medical worker from Loma Linda, or a retiree dealing with tax debt, our Redlands bankruptcy lawyer provides the personal attention and tax law expertise you need.
Our practice extends beyond bankruptcy law. As a full-service firm, we handle personal injury cases — including car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, and dog bite injury claims — This means we can evaluate your financial situation holistically and provide comprehensive legal advice.
Housing costs across the Inland Empire have risen sharply, pushing many Redlands homeowners toward foreclosure. Property tax bills climb alongside real estate values, while medical debt from Redlands Community Hospital and Loma Linda University Medical Center drives many residents toward bankruptcy. Consumer debt from credit card spending, personal loans, auto loan payments, and insurance premiums compounds these challenges. IRS tax debt and California state tax obligations — where tax law and bankruptcy law intersect — represent another major source of financial distress for Redlands debtors.
Our Redlands clients commonly face: IRS tax debt and state tax liens requiring tax law expertise, credit card and unsecured consumer debt, medical debt and healthcare costs, mortgage arrears, real estate tax law issues, and foreclosure risk, wage garnishment from judgment creditors, student loan debt, car repossession threats, and small business debt with personal guarantees. Our bankruptcy lawyer team handles all these issues — the U.S. Bankruptcy Court (Central District of California, Riverside Division) and San Bernardino County Superior Court are both a short drive from our office.
Struggling with debt or tax problems in Redlands? Schedule your free bankruptcy lawyer consultation today.
Call (909) 915-0181Tax debt is among the most stressful financial burdens Redlands residents face. Whether you owe the IRS for unpaid income tax, have state tax debt with the California Franchise Tax Board, or are dealing with property tax liens on your Redlands home, understanding how tax law intersects with bankruptcy law is essential for every debtor considering tax law relief. Our bankruptcy lawyer specializes in tax law analysis to help debtors navigate complex tax obligations through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings.
Not all tax debt is treated equally under bankruptcy law. Federal and California tax law establish specific rules — the "3-2-240 rule" — for when income tax debt becomes dischargeable: the tax return was due 3+ years before filing, was actually filed 2+ years before filing, and the tax was assessed 240+ days prior. Chapter 7 bankruptcy can eliminate qualifying income tax debt entirely alongside credit card debt and medical debt. When tax debt doesn't qualify for discharge, Chapter 13 restructures priority tax debt — including recent IRS tax obligations — into manageable monthly payments over 3-5 years, often stopping interest and penalties. Our tax law analysis during your free consultation determines exactly which tax debts qualify for relief. Understanding tax law is critical — every debtor's tax situation requires individualized tax law review.
Redlands homeowners dealing with property tax arrears face potential tax lien sales. Chapter 13 allows you to cure delinquent property tax through your repayment plan while protecting your real estate. Federal tax liens filed before bankruptcy survive but may be managed through the plan. Many debtors also worry about losing their tax refund — the bankruptcy trustee can claim tax refunds as assets, but California exemptions and careful filing timing can protect your tax refund. Our law firm advises on optimal timing to maximize tax refund protection, especially for earned income tax credit and child tax credit recipients.
Tax law and bankruptcy law are complex. Attempting to handle IRS tax debt or property tax issues without expert legal advice and skilled negotiation can cost you money. Call our Redlands law office at (909) 915-0181 for a free consultation about your tax situation.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy — sometimes called "liquidation" bankruptcy — gives honest debtors a financial fresh start. When you file Chapter 7 in Redlands, most unsecured debts are discharged within 3-6 months. The moment you file, an automatic stay stops wage garnishment, creditor lawsuits, debt collection calls, insurance company collection efforts, and foreclosure proceedings immediately. A bankruptcy trustee reviews your assets, but California law exemptions protect significant equity in your home, vehicle, retirement accounts, and personal property. Most Redlands Chapter 7 cases are "no-asset" — meaning the debtor keeps everything.
Chapter 7 does not discharge child support, alimony, student loans (except in rare cases), recent tax obligations, criminal fines, or debts arising from fraud. Our Redlands bankruptcy lawyer reviews each debt to confirm what can be eliminated and advises on negotiation strategies for non-dischargeable obligations. The court filing fee is $335, and our law firm offers flat-fee attorney services with payment plans. Schedule your free consultation at our Redlands office — no hidden fees.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy creates a structured repayment plan lasting 3-5 years, allowing Redlands homeowners to save their homes, protect vehicles from repossession, and reorganize debt into manageable monthly payments. If you have regular income and want to keep your property, Chapter 13 is often the best option. With Redlands real estate prices and property values continuing to rise, protecting your home equity matters more than ever — Chapter 13's automatic stay halts foreclosure immediately, and your plan allows you to cure mortgage arrears over time.
The bankruptcy trustee distributes your monthly payment to creditors according to the court-approved plan. Unsecured creditors — including credit card companies and medical debt collectors — often receive a fraction of what they're owed, and the remainder is discharged upon plan completion. Each debtor's plan is based on income, expenses, and total debt. Our bankruptcy lawyer handles all negotiation with creditors and the trustee on your behalf.
| Factor | Chapter 7 Bankruptcy | Chapter 13 Bankruptcy |
|---|---|---|
| Timeline | 3-6 months from filing to discharge | 3-5 year repayment plan, then discharge |
| Income Requirement | Must pass the means test below median income | Regular income needed for plan payments |
| Debt Discharge | Most unsecured debts eliminated for the debtor | Unsecured debts reduced; remainder discharged |
| Tax Debt | Qualifying tax debt discharged under tax law rules | Priority tax debt restructured per tax law into plan |
| Property Protection | Non-exempt assets may face liquidation | All real estate and personal property protected — debtor keeps everything |
| Foreclosure | Automatic stay stops foreclosure temporarily | Automatic stay + repayment plan saves your home |
| Repossession | Automatic stay stops repossession temporarily | Stop repossession; cramdown may reduce car loan |
| Insurance & Costs | Filing fee $335 + attorney flat fee | Filing fee $310 + attorney fee in plan payments |
| Credit Report | Stays 10 years on credit report | Stays 7 years on credit report |
Not sure which chapter is right for your situation? Our Redlands bankruptcy lawyer reviews your income, debts, assets, and goals during a free consultation. We explain every option — from Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 to debt negotiation and settlement alternatives. Call (909) 915-0181 or visit our law office at 2068 Orange Tree Lane.
Ready to explore your bankruptcy options? Free consultations available seven days a week at our Redlands office.
Schedule Your Free ConsultationWhen creditors are garnishing your wages, threatening to foreclose on your Redlands home, or about to repossess your vehicle, you need immediate legal action. Filing bankruptcy activates the automatic stay — a powerful court order that stops all creditor collection activity the moment your case is filed. Our bankruptcy lawyer files emergency petitions when garnishment, foreclosure, or repossession is imminent.
Judgment creditors can garnish up to 25% of your gross wages under California law — devastating your ability to pay rent, mortgage, and insurance premiums. The automatic stay stops garnishment immediately. For Redlands homeowners, Chapter 13 bankruptcy provides the strongest foreclosure defense: the automatic stay halts the sale, and your repayment plan cures mortgage arrears over 3-5 years. If you've fallen behind on car payments, filing bankruptcy stops repossession through the automatic stay. Chapter 13's "cramdown" provision — available when auto loans are 910+ days old — can reduce your car loan balance to the vehicle's fair market value, saving you thousands through court-supervised negotiation.
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the automatic stay, creditors cannot call, levy your bank account, or continue lawsuits once bankruptcy is filed. Judgment liens on property may be avoided through the bankruptcy process. Our law firm handles all creditor negotiation and communication, ending harassment from debt collection agencies, credit card companies, insurance companies, and medical debt collectors. As a firm also handling personal injury claims, we protect your interests across all legal fronts.
Don't wait — creditor actions escalate quickly. Call our Redlands law office at (909) 915-0181 for immediate debt relief help.
Many Redlands debtors consider debt settlement or debt consolidation before exploring bankruptcy. While negotiation-based settlement may help some debtors, bankruptcy often provides stronger, faster, and more complete relief. Key advantages of bankruptcy: the automatic stay immediately stops all creditor actions (debt settlement offers no legal enforcement), Chapter 7 eliminates most unsecured debt in 3-6 months, settled debt may create taxable income under tax law (a critical tax law distinction) while discharged bankruptcy debt has no tax law consequences, and bankruptcy legally protects your home equity, vehicle, and wages. Debt consolidation through personal loans simply restructures debt with new terms — if you're already facing garnishment, lawsuits, or tax liens, consolidation and negotiation alone cannot provide the legal protection bankruptcy offers.
Our bankruptcy lawyer provides honest advice about whether bankruptcy, debt settlement, negotiation, or another strategy best fits your situation. As attorneys licensed by the State Bar of California, we never pressure debtors into filing — the goal is finding the right solution for your financial future.
"I walked into the Lombera Law office on Orange Tree Lane feeling hopeless. Edgar sat me down, reviewed my tax debt and credit card debt, and explained how Chapter 7 could give me a fresh start. Within four months, my debts were discharged. I recommend this law firm to every Redlands resident struggling with finances."
"As a medical worker at Loma Linda, I accumulated $45,000 in credit card and medical debt after a family emergency. Edgar's team explained my options clearly in both English and Spanish. Chapter 7 eliminated everything. I only wish I had called this bankruptcy lawyer sooner."
"My home was about to go into foreclosure and I was terrified of repossession on my car too. Edgar filed Chapter 13 and stopped everything with the automatic stay. Now I have a manageable repayment plan, my home is safe, and I kept my vehicle. This law office changed my family's life."
Our Redlands office is our home base — right in the heart of the community we serve. We also maintain a Palm Springs office for Coachella Valley clients. Both offices provide full bankruptcy lawyer services and personal injury representation throughout Southern California.
Address: 2068 Orange Tree Lane, Suite 220, Redlands, CA 92374 | Phone: (909) 915-0181
Address: 1276 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Suite 107, Palm Springs, CA 92262 | Phone: (760) 835-9353
If your city isn't listed, call our law office at (909) 915-0181 or (760) 835-9353 — we serve communities throughout San Bernardino County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, and all of Southern California.
En Lombera Law entendemos que el proceso de quiebra puede ser abrumador, especialmente en un idioma que no es el tuyo. Nuestro abogado de bancarrota en Redlands ofrece servicios completos en español, incluyendo:
Llama ahora: (909) 915-0181 o (760) 835-9353
Our Redlands law firm offers free initial consultations — visit us at 2068 Orange Tree Lane to discuss your situation with a bankruptcy lawyer. Court filing fees are $335 for Chapter 7 and $310 for Chapter 13. Our attorney fees are a flat fee with payment plans available. During your free consultation, we explain the total cost with no hidden fees — no debtor should avoid filing due to cost concerns.
Yes, in some cases. Under federal and California tax law, income tax debt may be dischargeable in Chapter 7 if specific timing rules are met (the 3-2-240 rule). Priority tax debt that doesn't qualify can be restructured in a Chapter 13 repayment plan. Payroll tax, tax fraud penalties, and trust fund taxes are generally not dischargeable under current tax law. Our bankruptcy lawyer analyzes every tax year to determine your eligibility for tax debt relief under applicable tax law provisions.
Chapter 7 is a liquidation process that discharges most unsecured debts in 3-6 months — the debtor must pass the means test. Chapter 13 creates a 3-5 year repayment plan that restructures debt while protecting your home and assets. Chapter 13 requires regular income for plan payments. Our Redlands bankruptcy lawyer evaluates your specific income, debts, insurance obligations, and goals to recommend the right chapter.
Yes. The automatic stay takes effect the moment your bankruptcy petition is filed, immediately stopping wage garnishment by judgment creditors. This protection covers bank levies, creditor lawsuits, insurance collection efforts, and debt collection harassment. Our bankruptcy lawyer files emergency petitions for debtors facing immediate garnishment — contact our law office at (909) 915-0181 for urgent help.
Absolutely. Chapter 13 provides the strongest foreclosure defense under law. The automatic stay stops the foreclosure sale immediately, and your repayment plan lets you cure missed mortgage payments over 3-5 years while you keep your home. With Redlands real estate values and real estate tax obligations rising, protecting your home equity is critical. Our attorney assesses your mortgage arrears, equity, and income to build a plan through negotiation with your mortgage lender that works for your budget.
Yes. Filing bankruptcy activates the automatic stay, stopping repossession immediately. Chapter 13 cramdown — available when auto loans are 910+ days old — can reduce the loan balance to your car's fair market value. Our lawyer determines if cramdown applies and builds a repayment plan with affordable monthly payments, protecting every debtor's essential transportation. If you also have a personal injury claim, our attorneys protect your personal injury settlement from creditor claims.
If you have both a personal injury claim and overwhelming debt, Lombera Law handles both under one roof. Personal injury insurance settlements are generally protected in bankruptcy, but timing matters. Our attorneys coordinate between personal injury negotiation and bankruptcy filing to maximize your recovery while protecting settlements from creditors. We handle car accident personal injury, truck accident personal injury, motorcycle accident personal injury, and dog bite personal injury claims on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.
The statute of limitations on most consumer debt in California is 4 years from the last payment. After expiration, creditors cannot file lawsuits to collect. However, the debt still exists and can appear on your credit report. Our legal team advises whether the statute of limitations protects you or whether filing bankruptcy provides better debt relief for your situation as a debtor.
Redlands residents file at the United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, Riverside Division (3420 Twelfth Street, Riverside). Our law office at 2068 Orange Tree Lane handles all document preparation, filing, and court appearances. We serve debtors throughout Los Angeles County, the greater Los Angeles area, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County from our Redlands and Palm Springs offices.
No. En Lombera Law ofrecemos servicios completos de abogado de quiebra en español. Toda la comunicación, documentos de bancarrota, y representación en la corte de quiebras se proporciona en español. Visite nuestra oficina en Redlands — 2068 Orange Tree Lane, Suite 220 — para una consulta gratuita.
Edgar P. Lombera founded Lombera Law right here in Redlands with a mission: provide compassionate, expert legal representation to families facing financial hardship. With 15+ years of experience in bankruptcy law, tax law, and personal injury, Edgar has helped 2,500+ debtors and clients across the Los Angeles area and Southern California achieve fresh financial starts through Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and comprehensive debt relief strategies including creditor negotiation .
Why Redlands clients trust Edgar:
Whether you need help with wage garnishment, foreclosure, tax debt, credit card debt, repossession, personal injury claims, or any financial challenge, Edgar and the team at Lombera Law — licensed by the State Bar of California — provide skilled legal representation, expert negotiation, and personal attention throughout the Los Angeles area and Southern California.
Your free consultation is completely confidential. We'll review your situation, explain your options, and give you honest advice — with no pressure and no obligation. Consultas disponibles en español.
Call (909) 915-0181Law Offices of Edgar P. Lombera
2068 Orange Tree Lane, Suite 220
Redlands, CA 92374
Phone: (909) 915-0181
Available 24/7 · Free Parking · Hablamos Español
Law Offices of Edgar P. Lombera
1276 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Suite 107
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Phone: (760) 835-9353
Coachella Valley Location
📞 Call: (909) 915-0181
📱 Available 24/7
✉️ Email: lomberalaw@gmail.com
🗣️ English & Spanish
Debt Relief Disclosure: We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Every situation is different. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. An attorney-client relationship is not formed until a written agreement is signed. Free consultations are available for potential clients to evaluate their legal options.
