John C. Colwell - National Bankruptcy Forum

About John C. Colwell

Law Firm: Debt Relief Legal Clinic
Address: 121 Broadway, Suite 533, San Diego, California, 92101

Website: http://www.sandiegodebtclinic.com
Phone: 619-238-1500

Biography:

San Diego bankruptcy attorney John Colwell is the President and owner of the Debt Relief Legal Clinic. The Debt Relief Legal Clinic is recognized as San Diego's original and premier consumer and small business Ch. 7 and Ch. 13 law firm. Established by George Ritner (retired, 1993) in 1975, the Debt Relief Legal Clinic has literally helped thousands of San Diegans who have been in financial pain. Mr. Colwell joined the firm in 1989, and took over ownership and control as the 3d managing attorney in July, 2000. Attorney Reed V. Langlois (also retired) was the 2d owner and managing attorney from 1994 to July, 2000. Attorney Colwell is a Certified Legal Specialist in Bankruptcy Law, certification by the CA Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California. He is a 3d term Board Member and Secretary for the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA). He is rated A-V (highest rating) by Martindale-Hubbell.

License:

California

Education:

California Western School of Law

Associations:

Board Member, Secretary, National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA)

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Entries by John C. Colwell

How do I choose my bankruptcy attorney? Cheaper is better, right?

February 23, 2014 /in Bankruptcy Lawyers, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy /by John C. Colwell

Price Shopping Legal Services is Not Always a Great Idea Well, the first question, first! Choosing your Bankruptcy attorney is an important task, so treat it as such. Many times, bankruptcy attorneys are the only attorneys that our clients have ever seen, so it’s a new experience, on top of the financial stress. This can […]

Will a Chapter 13 plan look better on my credit report than chapter 7?

January 25, 2014 /0 Comments/in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy /by John C. Colwell

Probably not, and that’s the unfortunate truth of our credit system today. Does “doing the right thing” help credit? Many of our prospective clients come into our office with a need and desire to ‘do the right thing’, which translates into making an effort to pay back their debts in a Chapter 13 Plan. They are […]

The Bankruptcy Discharge is the Key to Rebuilding Your Credit

January 23, 2014 /0 Comments/in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy /by John C. Colwell

The Goal of Bankruptcy is to Rebuild Anyone filing for Bankruptcy is in financial pain, and the need to rehabilitate financially, to return to a viable financial life, is the ultimate goal. How best to accomplish this specific rehabilitation goal, though? Many of our clients come in with the preconceived notion that paying something back […]

Are there limits to how much or how little debt a debtor can owe in bankruptcy? Sometimes.

October 30, 2013 /0 Comments/in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy /by John C. Colwell

Are there limits to how much or how little debt a Debtor can owe in Bankruptcy? Sometimes. Remember, for the general consumer case, there are two choices for bankruptcy. Ch. 7 ‘straight’ bankruptcy and Ch. 13 ‘reorganization’ payment plan. For Chapter 7, there is no limit to the amount of debt owing. This is true […]

Income Taxes Cannot be Included in Bankruptcy, Right?

October 29, 2013 /0 Comments/in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Consumer Debt /by John C. Colwell

Including Income Taxes in Bankruptcy Wrong, income taxes must be included in bankruptcy regardless of whether they’re capable of being eliminated. Because all debts and assets must be disclosed when you file for bankruptcy, back taxes are a debt owing and are automatically included upon the filing of the bankruptcy petition. They are “included” when […]

What documents do I need to bring when I first meet with my bankruptcy attorney?

October 29, 2013 /0 Comments/in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy /by John C. Colwell

What documents do I need to bring when I first meet with my bankruptcy attorney? One of the biggest burdens, under the “new” bankruptcy law, that was forced upon debtors and their attorneys in 2005, was the requirement to produce volumes and volumes of documents. In addition to the formal schedules and statement of affairs, you’ll […]

I can’t afford a bankruptcy attorney, right?

October 29, 2013 /0 Comments/in Bankruptcy Lawyers, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy /by John C. Colwell

You Can Afford a Bankruptcy Lawyer You can afford a bankruptcy lawyer. Myths to the contrary are WRONG! And, as has been posted previously, to fail to hire an attorney to help prepare and file your bankruptcy petition, may expose you to all sorts of negative consequences. The worst of which could be dismissal of […]

Filing Bankruptcy Without a Lawyer? Know The Risks

October 19, 2013 /0 Comments/in Bankruptcy Basics, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy /by John C. Colwell

Yes, you can file bankruptcy without the help of a lawyer. Is it advisable? Definitely NOT! There is an old adage: “he who represents himself has a fool for a client.” Perhaps nowhere is this more true than in the bankruptcy court. Bankruptcy is much more than just filling out some forms. If things aren’t […]