What To Expect

From Barton Law Firm

Barton Law Firm is proud of its good working relationship with its clients and strives for the following:

1. The client will receive copies of all correspondence sent by the Firm and all pleadings and orders entered in the case;
2. The client will participate actively in determining the strategies involved, including an evaluation of possible settlement proposals to be made;
3. The client will review, to the extent possible, all pleadings before they are filed;
4. The client will be advised of any and all settlement overtures that are received and the advantages and disadvantages of the proposals and possible responses;
5. Any calls from the client will be returned promptly, and in any event, within 24 hours;
6. The Firm will expect the client to be responsible concerning information requested, issues raised by the Court or the US Trustee and preparation for hearings.

From the Bankruptcy System

An efficient and effective bankruptcy system is so critical to the operation of a civilized country that the founding fathers provided for it in the United States Constitution.  Over the years, the laws controlling bankruptcy have been modified many times, including the changes which occurred most recently as a result of the Bankruptcy Abuse and Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.  While BAPCPA had its most dramatic impact on consumer bankruptcies, it also contained new and different provisions with regard to commercial cases as well.  Because the laws are ever changing and because they are interpreted by case law which also changes frequently, it is vital that any attorney handling bankruptcy matters be a specialist in this area of the law.

Unlike most states, South Carolina has only one federal bankruptcy district which covers the entire state.  The main office of the bankruptcy court is in Columbia, South Carolina, but there is another smaller office in Spartanburg, S.C.  The Firm’s practice is state wide, covering all of the South Carolina bankruptcy area and the Firm travels beyond the borders of South Carolina to provide representation in other states.

In South Carolina, there are three bankruptcy judges with the Honorable John Waites as the Chief Bankruptcy Judge.  The Court conducts hearings in Columbia, Spartanburg and Charleston, and cases are assigned to these areas based upon the county in which the debtor is located.