What happens to my non-exempt property in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy? What if I want to keep it?

If you have any non-exempt property, the trustee (the person assigned to manage your bankruptcy) will decide whether it's worth selling. You may be able to negotiate to keep certain non-exempt property by giving up exempt property instead.

If you have a non-exempt, secured loan, you must give the property back, pay it off, or reaffirm the debt.

A secured loan is a loan in which the borrower pledges some asset as collateral, such as a car loan or mortgage loan.

To “reaffirm” means that you agree that you will still owe it after your bankruptcy case is over.

Free Help with Landlord-Tenant Issues

Are you a Hillsborough County renter having housing problems? Help is available!

The Hillsborough County Housing Stability Program provides Hillsborough tenants the knowledge, resources, and services to effectively, efficiently, and amicably solve their disputes with their landlords outside the court system.

Learn More & Apply

Need information about available Family Law forms and the legal process?

The Legal Information Center is a free program to provide information to people who are representing themselves in Family Law cases in Hillsborough County. Get the information you need to make an informed decision about your case.

Learn More

Upcoming Legal Clinics

See All Clinics

Medical-Legal Partnership with Bay Pines VA (5 Locations)

Various days and times

Location

Virtual,

Hillsborough,

Pasco,

Pinellas,

Manatee,

Sarasota

The Medical-Legal Partnership with Bay Pines VA provides free legal assistance to veterans, and spouses or adult children of a veteran, who receive medical care at the Bay Pines VA or live in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota counties

Medical-Legal Partnership with James A. Haley VA (2 Locations)

Various days and times

Location

Virtual,

Hillsborough,

Pasco

The Medical-Legal Partnership provides veterans enrolled for care at Haley with access to free legal advice, intervention, and representation when they cannot otherwise afford a lawyer.

The Prosperity Center at Sligh Magnet Middle School

Typically, the first Tuesday of every month.

08:00 am - 11:00 am

Location

Hillsborough

At the Prosperity Center, Bay Area Legal Services will provide free, open legal intakes and legal education trainings.

Apply for Services

Apply by phone Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., or apply online anytime for non-emergency legal matters. Language interpreters are available to you at no cost.

How do I apply? Am I eligible?

Bay Area Legal Services

If you live or have a case in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, or Sarasota counties, we may be able to help.

Call (800) 625-2257 to apply for service.

Or complete our online application and we will call you back.

Statewide Legal Helplines

If you live or have a case in Florida, we may be able to help.

Senior Legal Helpline: (888) 895-7873

Veterans Legal Helpline: (866) 486-6161

Disaster Legal Helpline: (833) 514-2940

TTY: (800) 955-8771