STOP WAGE GARNISHMENT & CREDITOR LAWSUITS & FORECLOSURE WITH BANKRUPTCY IN FLORIDA
Serving Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero, and Lehigh Acres.
Assisting clients throughout Florida through remote consultations.
If your paycheck is being garnished or you’ve been sued by a creditor, bankruptcy can often stop collection activity immediately through a federal protection called the automatic stay.
At Lynn Law Group, our bankruptcy attorneys help people in:
- Fort Myers
- Cape Coral
- Naples
- Lehigh Acres
- Southwest Florida
stop garnishments, stop lawsuits, and regain control of their income.
Filing for bankruptcy is not a failure. It’s a decision to protect your family and take control of your future. Whether through Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or Subchapter V for small businesses, bankruptcy laws are designed to stop creditor harassment, halt foreclosures, help with loan modification, and either eliminate or restructure overwhelming debt.
Our Fort Myers bankruptcy attorneys guide clients through every step of the process with flat, straightforward, reasonable fees, direct communication with an attorney — not a call center — and bilingual services for Spanish-speaking clients. We help individuals and businesses across Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, and throughout Florida use the exemptions and strategies that fit their unique situation.
Bankruptcy isn’t the end. It’s your opportunity for a fresh financial start- and we would love to be a part of it!
Can Bankruptcy Stop Wage Garnishment in Florida?
YES. Filing a bankruptcy case can immediately stop:
- Wage garnishments
- Bank account levies
- Collection lawsuits
- Judgments
- Creditor phone calls
The automatic stay goes into effect the moment your case is filed, requiring creditors to stop collection actions right away.
In many situations, relief can begin within days.
In many situations, employers receive notice quickly and garnishments stop within the next pay cycle.
This protection applies whether the debt comes from credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, or debt buyers.
For many people in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Naples, bankruptcy is the fastest legal way to stop the financial bleeding and regain control of their income before more money is taken.
Can Bankruptcy Stop a Credit Card or Debt Collector Lawsuit in Florida?
YES. Filing bankruptcy can often pause or stop a creditor lawsuit immediately through the automatic stay.
Once the bankruptcy case is filed, federal law requires most creditors and their attorneys to stop collection activity, including active lawsuits in state court.
This protection can apply to cases filed by:
- Credit card companies
- Debt buyers and collection agencies
- Personal loan lenders
- Medical creditors
- Other unsecured creditors
The court action is typically paused, which can prevent a default judgment, stop scheduled hearings, and halt further collection efforts while your case is pending.
For many people in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Naples, this immediate pause creates critical breathing room to evaluate their options and move forward with a structured plan instead of reacting under pressure.
If you have recently been served with a summons or complaint, acting quickly can help protect your rights and prevent the situation from escalating.
After a bankruptcy case is filed, the creditor’s attorney is typically notified through the court’s electronic system, and the lawsuit is placed on hold while the bankruptcy is pending. In many cases, scheduled hearings are cancelled and deadlines are paused. This gives you time to evaluate whether the debt will be discharged or handled through a repayment plan.
Can Bankruptcy Stop Foreclosure in Florida? | Fort Myers Bankruptcy Attorneys
YES. Filing bankruptcy can often stop a foreclosure sale immediately through the automatic stay.
When a bankruptcy case is filed, the automatic stay requires most lenders and foreclosure attorneys to pause collection activity, including scheduled foreclosure sales.
This protection can provide immediate relief for homeowners who are:
- Behind on mortgage payments
- Facing a foreclosure lawsuit
- Trying to sell their home before a sale date
- Attempting to negotiate better loan terms
In many cases, a pending foreclosure action is placed on hold while the bankruptcy is active, giving the homeowner time to evaluate long-term solutions.
In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, past-due mortgage payments (arrearages) can often be spread out and paid back over time through a court-approved repayment plan while regular monthly payments resume going forward. This structure can allow homeowners to catch up without losing their property.
Homeowners in the Middle District of Florida may also have access to the Mortgage Modification Mediation (MMM) program, which can provide a formal process for working with the lender to explore loan modification options under court supervision. No more excuses like they did not receive documents etc. Documents are time stamped and uploaded into a portal.
For many families in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Naples, bankruptcy creates breathing room to stop the foreclosure process, stabilize finances, and pursue options that may help preserve equity or transition out of the property in a more controlled way.
The earlier action is taken before a scheduled sale date, the more options are typically available.
How Fast Can Bankruptcy Stop Garnishment, Lawsuits, or Foreclosure in Florida?
YES. Really fast- in many situations, a bankruptcy case can be filed quickly to trigger the automatic stay and stop collection activity.
In urgent situations, bankruptcy can sometimes be filed on an expedited basis to activate the automatic stay and stop actions such as wage garnishment, active lawsuits, bank levies, or a scheduled foreclosure sale.
An initial filing does not always require every document to be completed the same day. In many cases, a basic petition can be filed to obtain immediate protection, with additional schedules and financial information submitted shortly afterward as required by the court.
This process is often referred to as an emergency or skeleton filing.
Emergency filings may be appropriate when:
- A foreclosure sale date is approaching
- Wages are actively being garnished
- A bank account has been frozen
- A creditor lawsuit is about to result in a default judgment
In the Middle District of Florida, timing and prior filings can affect how long the automatic stay remains in place, which is why acting early and having an experienced attorney, is usually the safest strategy.
For many individuals and families in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Naples, speaking with a bankruptcy attorney as soon as a legal notice or court date is received can dramatically expand the options available.
I Was Just Served With a Debt Lawsuit in Florida- What Should I Do?
If you have been served with a summons or complaint from a creditor, you may still have time to respond and explore options that may stop the case from moving forward.
Being served with a debt lawsuit can feel overwhelming, but it does not automatically mean you will lose the case or that your wages will be taken immediately.
A creditor lawsuit usually begins when a credit card company, debt buyer, personal loan lender, or collection agency files a complaint in state court. After you are served, there is typically a limited window to respond before a default judgment may be entered.
Filing bankruptcy can often pause the lawsuit through the automatic stay, which requires creditors and their attorneys to stop collection activity while your case is pending.
Taking action early can help:
- Prevent a default judgment
- Stop the case from moving forward
- Reduce the risk of future wage garnishment or bank levies
- Create time to evaluate discharge or repayment options
For many individuals and families in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Naples, speaking with a bankruptcy attorney soon after being served can dramatically expand the number of available solutions and reduce the pressure of court deadlines.
Ignoring court papers is one of the most common reasons creditors obtain default judgments, which can then lead to garnishment or frozen bank accounts. We get it- it is scary to get served with a lawsuit.
The sooner you respond to a lawsuit, the more options you usually have to protect your income and assets.
If you’re tired of the stress and ready to move forward, our team is here to guide you with compassion, honesty, and real solutions that work for families and small businesses throughout Southwest Florida.
