Our Practice Areas
Financial, marital, and other legal troubles create some of the most stressful times in our lives.
The right attorney can put your mind at ease and provide a plan to overcome your stress.
Jason Ward Law always offers free consultations so it won't cost you anything to start solving your problems now.
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy can provide you a much needed financial fresh start. It can save homes from foreclosure and stop car repossessions. If you are having a hard time making ends meet then you may want to explore your debt relief options. Jason Ward Law also assists in debt litigation and debt settlements.
Personal Injury
If you or a loved one are injured in a motor vehicle accident or other type of accident it may be impossible to get your life back, but it is important to be compensated fairly. Insurance companies and at-fault parties rarely feel obligated to pay for the true cost of ones injuries so its important to have an attorney fight for you.
Divorces
Not all divorces need to be lengthy, expensive, or messy. If you and your spouse know a divorce is needed and only need a assistance working out the terms of the divorce and managing the divorce process, then we are here to help. Jason Ward Law prides ourselves in our ability to deliver inexpensive divorces that result in mutually beneficial outcomes for both parties.
Estate Planning
A will and a power of attorney can be a simple and effective tool to protect assets. This is important because when your assets are protected, your family is provided for. Most estate planning includes a will, a financial power of attorney, and a healthcare power of attorney. We can usually prepare the necessary estate planning documents after a few short appointments (sometimes even telephone appointments).
We Can Help
Explain your rights
We have years of experience in the field, and we don't charge for the initial consultation. Our goal is to help you regain control of your finances and enjoy a fresh start.
Outline your options
We know that you’re under a great deal of stress right now, but we’ll work hard to make this time easier on you.
Work closely with you
We’ll handle all aspects of your case from the consultation to filing the final paperwork.
Bankruptcy Traps & Pitfalls to Avoid
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Improperly Paying Creditors Prior to Filing Bankruptcy
Answer is: The bankruptcy system is designed to ensure the full disclosure of what are called “preferential payments”. Preferential payments are payments to any one creditor exceeding $600 in the 90 days before you filed bankruptcy. For relatives and business partners, the look- back period is longer.
The concept of the “preferential payment” is that a person “on the eve” of bankruptcy should no longer be free to chose which of their creditors to repay. Otherwise, people would pay their family and business partners to the detriment of the other creditors that didn’t get paid.
To “right the wrong”, the Code authorizes the Chapter 7 trustee to demand that the creditor cough-up the money and put it back on the table to be distributed fairly among all the creditors.
Many people – often those who are not represented by experienced bankruptcy attorneys, fall into a trap by failing to disclose a preferential payment or understand its different consequences in Chapter 7 and in Chapter 13. Part of your attorney’s job is to keep you out of trouble by identifying preferential payments and understanding how the Chapter 7 trustee and Chapter 13 trustee might react.
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Improperly Transferring Assets Prior to Filing Bankruptcy
You must disclose any asset that you have sold, given away, or otherwise transferred prior to the filing of the bankruptcy. Transfers to family members and business partners receive the closest scrutiny.
Selling assets to friends or family members before you file bankruptcy is generally allowed so long as you receive fair value in exchange. But simply “putting an asset in someone else’s name” while you go through bankruptcy is considered a fraud, and trustees have ways of discovering such things. An experienced bankruptcy attorney will counsel you against fraudulent transfers and will have experience to predict how the various trustees are likely to respond to the situation.
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Failing to Disclose an Asset
Many people think that they don’t need to disclose all their assets – especially those that they received as gifts or assets that are titled in someone else’s name. Intentionally failing to disclose an asset is bankruptcy fraud. It could easily disqualify you from receiving a discharge and could result in criminal prosecution. All assets must be listed.
Fortunately, however, most assets are protected by exemption laws that allow you to keep the assets provided that you properly assert the exemption. Exemptions are why only about one person in twenty has to forfeit an asset to a trustee. Part of you’re your attorney’s job is to navigate you through the legal complexities and identify assets of interest to the trustee and take steps to protect them.
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Failure to Disclose a Debt
Some people believe that they can simply keep any credit cards not listed in the bankruptcy. They figure they will just keep on paying it. This, however, is incorrect. All debts must be listed. You are free to repay any debt after the bankruptcy, but intentional failure to list a debt is illegal. Pull your own credit report and bring it to your appointment – this will not necessarily contain all your debts but it’s a great start.
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Running-up a credit card shortly before you file.
Anytime you borrow money with no intention or ability to repay it’s considered a fraud. This means that once you have decided to file bankruptcy, stop using the credit cards. Cash advances and luxury purchases within 70 days prior to filing bankruptcy send up red flags and create a legal presumption of fraud. For this reason, we often recommend delaying the bankruptcy filing until after the 70 day period expires. The timing of the bankruptcy is often quite important.
Get Your Free Consultation
We have years of experience in the field, and we don't charge for the initial consultation. Our goal is to help you regain control of your finances and enjoy a fresh start. Our top concern is for your satisfaction and protecting your rights.
A Bankruptcy Case Like Yours
Thousands helped. Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Worth of Debt Discharged.
STEVE
Eliminated $10,165 in debt, lowered his monthly payments by $418 per month. He also lowered the interest rate on about $33,188 of debt to about 3%. Was able to keep all the property he owned.
CHARLES & EMILY
Eliminated $97,513 in debt, lowered their monthly payments by $1,905 per month. Eliminated ALL the interest that would have accrued on that debt. Were able to keep all the property they owned.
ROBERT
Eliminated $30,507 in debt, lowered his monthly payments by $439 per month. Eliminated ALL the interest that would have accrued on that debt. Was able to keep all the property he owned.
THOMAS & SALLY
Eliminated $42,781 in debt, lowered their monthly payments by $1,057 per month. Eliminated ALL the interest that would have accrued on that debt. Were able to keep all the property they owned.
NICK & LORI
Eliminated $65,104 in debt, lowered their monthly payments by $1,356 per month. Eliminated ALL the interest that would have accrued on that debt. Got rid of a substantial vehicle repossession claim. Were able to keep all property they owned.
Testimonials
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"A wonderful, friendly staff who worked great to get my needs met. I am forever grateful to you all."
G.C.
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"Jason Ward is a highly skilled and extremely personable attorney. Him and his staff are super helpful, friendly, professional, reachable, efficient, and organized. They were very gracious, prompt, and thorough in responding to all of our concerns. After having met and worked with several other attorneys in the area we were confident that Mr. Ward was without question the most competent by far of all the rest. We were absolutely correct, and couldn't be more grateful for all the support we received."
Travis W.
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"I could not have asked for a more friendly and helpful staff and attorney. Mr. Ward and his team were so pleasant and kind that it literally felt like family. They had all the answers to my questions and walked me through every step of the bankruptcy process. I will definitely be referring others who need help to their office!"
Brodie H.
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"Ward Law was very friendly and professional. They listened to my problems, offered a good solution and followed through with competent and complete instructions and follow through. They were able to handle my problem and I am happy with the solution we obtained through the courts. I highly recommend this practice to anyone in a similar situation."
Gary K.
Why Choose Us?
- Turn to a local lawyer when you need help with bankruptcy, modification assistance, personal injury, or social security. At Ward Law, we have years of experience, and are looking forward to helping you in any way we can. Our staff is committed to protecting our clients' rights and helping them reach their goals.
Proudly Serving The Counties Of: Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, Union and York.
- We offer payment plans along with reasonable fees to help you save money, and you’ll appreciate our flexible business hours - we don't close for lunch! Our dedicated staff has been with the office for years and we take pride in giving clients personal service.
- As a client, you’ll appreciate our quick responses and respectful demeanor. You can count on us to explain your different options and help you move through the legal process.