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Filing for a Chapter 7 personal bankruptcy claim can feel overwhelming, but knowing what assets are protected helps you understand what you can keep while eliminating debt. Not all property is at risk, and certain types of belongings, income, and retirement accounts are typically safeguarded under federal and Oregon state exemptions.

Wage garnishment can significantly affect an individual’s financial stability. Over the years, I’ve worked with clients in Portland, Oregon, who have faced challenges related to garnishment from both state and federal creditors.

When debt starts piling up and creditors begin calling, the stress can feel overwhelming. One common and particularly stressful consequence is wage garnishment, where creditors legally take money directly from your paycheck. For many people facing financial difficulties in Oregon, bankruptcy offers a way to stop garnishment and protect themselves from aggressive creditor actions.

Wage garnishment can be stressful, overwhelming, and even humiliating. When you're already struggling to make ends meet, watching your paycheck shrink before it even hits your account can feel like you're losing control of your life.

When you’re injured on someone else's property, it can be a stressful and confusing experience. Whether it happens at a store, restaurant, or private home, a premises liability claim may be your path to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Multi-car accidents are some of the most confusing and chaotic situations anyone can be involved in on the road. Unlike a straightforward two-vehicle collision, these pileups often involve multiple points of impact, inconsistent witness statements, and tangled chains of events.

If you're struggling with debt, you're not alone. Many Oregonians face financial challenges due to job loss, unexpected medical expenses, or economic hardship, leading to overdue bills and mounting pressure from creditors.

Consumer protection laws in the United States aim to safeguard individuals from unfair, deceptive, or harmful business practices. These laws, primarily enforced at the federal level by agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), establish a baseline of rights for consumers nationwide, including residents of Oregon.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by debt, you're not alone. Many individuals and families in the Portland Metropolitan Area face financial hardship due to medical bills, credit card balances, or sudden income loss. When it becomes difficult to make minimum payments, it's time to consider serious debt relief solutions. Two of the most common are debt settlement and bankruptcy.

As a bankruptcy attorney practicing in Oregon, I, Rodrick A. Ruhnke, frequently guide clients through the difficulties of Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Many people who come to me are struggling with overwhelming debt but want to avoid liquidation and keep their assets, such as their home or car.