Chesterfield & Richmond, Virginia
You can get through this. We'll show you how.
Chesterfield Bankruptcy Law helps people across central Virginia stop creditor calls and protect their home and car. We guide you through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 with a clear, flat-fee plan, start to finish.
Stop harassing creditor calls
Avoid foreclosure on your home
Block an eviction in progress
Prevent car repossession
Bankruptcy in Virginia
What bankruptcy can — and can't — do for you
Bankruptcy in Virginia is a powerful legal tool. It can erase debt, stop collection action, and give you room to breathe. Despite what you might have heard, it doesn't mean losing everything. The bankruptcy code is built to leave you with what you need to start over: a roof over your head, a way to get to work, and the basics for your family.
Every situation is different. Bankruptcy isn't always the right next step. Our job is to lay out every option honestly, including the ones that don't involve filing, so you can choose with a clear head instead of out of fear.
See common questionsBankruptcy myths we hear every week
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Myth "I'll lose my house."Fact Most filers keep their home, especially under Chapter 13.
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Myth "Everyone will find out."Fact Bankruptcy is public record, but it rarely makes its way to neighbors, employers, or friends.
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Myth "I make too much money."Fact Income limits apply to Chapter 7, but Chapter 13 has no income cap at all.
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Myth "I can't afford a lawyer."Fact Our flat-fee structure is built around what Chesterfield families can actually pay.
Practice Areas
Bankruptcy. It's all we do.
We focus only on Virginia bankruptcy law. That means we go deeper into your options than a general practice firm can.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Wipe out unsecured debt and stop collection calls in as little as six months.
Learn about Chapter 7 →Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Catch up on your mortgage and keep your home and car with a manageable repayment plan.
Learn about Chapter 13 →Foreclosure & Eviction Defense
An automatic stay can pause foreclosure and eviction the moment your case is filed.
See your options →Why Chesterfield Bankruptcy Law
Straightforward help from people who answer the phone
Nearly 30 years of Virginia bankruptcy experience
You work directly with an attorney, not a call center. She has guided thousands of Virginia families through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, start to finish.
Personal attention
An attorney — not a paralegal — talks through your intake and your goals, so nothing about your case gets lost in translation.
A clear, flat fee
Our flat-fee structure covers nearly every cost tied to your case. Once we quote you, that's the number — no surprise charges.
A free, honest consultation
We'll walk through your options, the pros and cons of each, and the real costs — with zero obligation to file.
Laser focus on Virginia law
Virginia bankruptcy law is the only thing we do. That focus means we often spot options other attorneys miss.
Your path forward
Four steps from overwhelmed to a fresh start
Free consultation
We listen to your situation in person, by phone, or online. Then we explain every option you have.
Choose your path
Together we decide whether Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or another approach fits your income, assets, and goals.
File & protect
Once your petition is filed, the automatic stay stops most creditor calls, wage garnishment, and foreclosure.
Move forward
You complete your case with debts discharged or restructured, and a clear plan for rebuilding credit.
Meet your attorney
Jeanne Hovenden
Bankruptcy Attorney, Chesterfield Bankruptcy Law
Jeanne has helped thousands of people across central Virginia move forward by filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy since 1994. Before law school at the University of Virginia, she worked in banking and bank regulation. That gives her a rare, insider's view of how creditors evaluate a case.
She and her team don't keep a fancy office or wear high-end suits, which is exactly how they keep fees reasonable. You'll get a returned phone call, a straight answer, and steady updates on where your case stands.
In their own words
What clients say after working with Jeanne
Summarized from verified client reviews on Avvo.
One couple had started a Chapter 13 filing on their own and gotten in over their heads. After Jeanne stepped in to fix course and saw them through to their final discharge, they called it "the best decision we could have made."
Andrew & Juanita S. · Avvo review
Feeling overwhelmed by her finances, this client says Jeanne knew right away what needed to be done and stayed available to answer her questions throughout. Her review sums it up simply: "She gets 5 stars from me!"
June · Avvo review
Where we practice
Proudly serving Chesterfield County and the greater Richmond area
We represent clients across central Virginia. We regularly appear before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Richmond. Meet with us in our Chesterfield office, by phone, or virtually, whichever feels right for you.
Frequently asked questions
Real questions Virginia families ask us every week
Usually not. The bankruptcy code includes exemptions designed to protect your home. Under Chapter 13, you can typically keep your house while catching up on missed payments through a structured plan. Chapter 7 can also work if you're current on your mortgage and your equity falls within Virginia's exemption limits.
Chapter 7 wipes out qualifying unsecured debts, usually within about six months. But first you have to pass a means test. Chapter 13 reorganizes your debt into a 3-to-5-year repayment plan. It has no income cap, and lets you catch up on a mortgage or car loan while keeping the property. We'll help you figure out which one actually fits your numbers.
Filing for bankruptcy puts an automatic stay in place right away. It stops most wage garnishment right away too. In some cases, we can even recover funds that were already garnished. The sooner you call, the more options you typically have.
Bankruptcy filings are public record, but in practice they rarely come up. Your employer isn't notified, and neighbors and friends generally never find out unless you tell them. Courts and bankruptcy law also prohibit most forms of discrimination based on a filing.
This is one of the most common concerns we hear. Our flat-fee structure is built with that in mind, and we'll lay out the full cost upfront during your free consultation, along with payment options, before you commit to anything.
In most cases, yes. Virginia law protects part of your car's value. Chapter 13 in particular is often used to catch up on a car loan while you keep the car. We'll look at your loan, your equity, and your goals to map out the safest route.