Chapter 7
Chapter 7 is the most common type of bankruptcy where you can wipe out most of your debts and in most cases, you can keep all of your property. Learn more.
Chapter 13
Chapter 13 will wipe out most of your debts like chapter 7. However, it also allows you to repay certain debts over time that cannot be wiped out such as recent income taxes. Chapter 13 can also stop a foreclosure and give you time to catch up on your missed home payments. In some cases, you can strip your second mortgage from your property. Learn more.
Chapter 11
Chapter 11 is a reorganization for businesses or individuals who do not qualify for chapter 13. Chapter 11 can allow you to keep all of your assets, continue operating your business and work out a plan to repay your creditors over time. Learn more.
Chapter 12
Chapter 12 is a bankruptcy just for farmers and fishermen. Chapter 12 allows you to lower the interest on your mortgage and stretch out your payments over time while you keep all of your assets and continue to operate your business. Learn more.
Foreclosure Defense
If you find yourself in foreclosure and do not want to file bankruptcy we can assist you in keeping your home. Foreclosures in Oregon are done either judicially when the bank files a lawsuit to foreclose or non-judicially where the bank serves a 120 day notice of a sale of your home. In either case, we can create a plan to save your home. Learn more.
Loan Workouts
Many small businesses and individuals can avoid bankruptcy by working with us to negotiate a loan workout with your creditors Often, creditors will want to avoid bankruptcy because it slows down their ability to collect and can often leave them with no money. By offering loan workouts you can make affordable payments on your debts. Learn more.
Tax Defense
If you have the IRS or Oregon Department of Revenue garnishing your wages or bank accounts, we can often negotiate a deal with them to stop collecting while we settle your tax debts. We can help you prepare unfiled returns, stop garnishments and levies, and often settle your taxes for a small percentage of what the IRS or ODR is attempting to collect. Learn More.
Consumer Litigation
If you are the victim of identity theft, collection harassment, or inaccurate credit reporting we can help. In most cases we can take your case on a contingent fee, meaning we won’t be paid unless we recover money for you. If you are having problems with a bank, credit union, debt collector, or credit reporting agency, contact us for a free consultation. Learn more.
Keith Karnes is an attorney with over a decade of experience resolving financial challenges for his clients. He represents individuals and small businesses in bankruptcy, loan workouts, tax settlements, foreclosure defense, and consumer litigation. He handles cases ranging from multi-million dollar reorganizations to simple no asset bankruptcy cases.
Keith has lectured extensively on bankruptcy, foreclosure, and consumer litigation. He has spoken multiple times at the Northwest Bankruptcy Institute, Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Annual Meeting, State of Oregon Hope for Homeowners, National Association of Consumer Advocates Foreclosure trainings and other local organizations. Keith has trained attorneys, housing counselors, and other professionals.
Keith has authored many articles on a variety of topics. These include the Fair Debt Collection chapter of the Consumer Law manual published by the Oregon State Bar and legislative updates for the Oregon State Bar. He has also published articles on collection harassment, bankruptcy, and similar topics.
Keith has served on several committees and work groups that relate to his practice. He is past chair of the Consumer Law Section of the Oregon State Bar and is currently serving on the Executive Committees of the Consumer Law Section and Debtor-Creditor Sections of the Oregon State Bar. He has volunteered as the chair of the legislative committee of the Consumer Law Section and has also served on the Governor’s Foreclosure Prevention Workgroup and other consumer related workgroups.
Keith has successfully tried cases in Bankruptcy Court in Oregon and Washington, Federal District Court and the Circuit Courts in Oregon. Keith is admitted to practice in Oregon State Courts; Washington State Courts; Oregon and Washington Federal District Courts; Oregon and Washington Bankruptcy Courts; Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.