How I help
Real options, in plain English — for real people.
Below is an overview of what I do day to day. The right path for your situation depends on your story, which is why every engagement begins with a free, unhurried conversation.
Bankruptcy
A fresh start, written into the law itself.
Bankruptcy isn't failure — it's a tool the law created for moments exactly like this one. There are two main paths, and the right one depends on your life, not a formula. Together we'll figure out which fits.
A reassurance
Most people qualify for protections they never knew existed. You won't lose everything. We'll talk through every detail before anything is filed.
Who it's for
- People drowning in credit card or medical debt
- Homeowners trying to stop a foreclosure
- Anyone facing wage garnishment or constant collection calls
- Small business owners winding down or starting over
What it can solve
- Chapter 7 — wipes out most unsecured debt in just a few months. You usually keep your home, car, and retirement.
- Chapter 13 — a 3- to 5-year plan that lets you catch up on missed payments and save what matters.
- An automatic stay that stops calls, lawsuits, and garnishment the day we file.
Tax debt help
When the back taxes have piled up.
Owing the IRS can feel like the walls are closing in — but tax debt is one of the most negotiable kinds of debt there is. The earlier we look at it together, the more options you have.
A reassurance
There is no tax problem so old or so big that it can't be addressed. Ignoring it makes it worse; opening it up almost always brings relief.
Who it's for
- Anyone who owes the IRS or state more than feels payable
- Self-employed folks with years of unfiled returns
- People who got a surprise bill they didn't see coming
- Couples where one spouse handled the taxes alone
What it can solve
- Installment agreements that fit your real budget
- Penalty abatement when life genuinely got in the way
- Currently-not-collectible status if you truly can't pay right now
- Catching up on unfiled returns, gently and in the right order
IRS negotiation & resolution
The agent's letter is scarier than the conversation.
If the IRS is already taking action — audits, levies, garnishments, or an Offer in Compromise opportunity — you don't have to face them yourself. I sit between you and the agency, and I speak their language.
A reassurance
The IRS is not unbeatable. It's a process — one I've walked through hundreds of times. After our first call, it stops being a mystery.
Who it's for
- Anyone being audited or under examination
- People with active wage garnishments or bank levies
- Taxpayers who may qualify for an Offer in Compromise
- Spouses seeking innocent-spouse relief
What it can solve
- Audit representation — you don't attend, I do
- Stopping wage garnishments and releasing bank levies
- Realistic Offer in Compromise assessment and negotiation
- Tax court petitions and innocent-spouse claims when needed
Financial relief guidance
Sometimes bankruptcy isn't the answer.
Not every financial struggle calls for a court filing. Part of my job is to honestly tell you when there's a simpler path — debt negotiation, budgeting strategy, or just understanding your rights when collectors call.
A reassurance
If a simpler, cheaper path exists, I'll point you to it. I'd rather you leave my office with the right answer than the most expensive one.
Who it's for
- People unsure whether bankruptcy is the right step
- Anyone harassed by debt collectors or third-party agencies
- Folks weighing debt settlement vs. consolidation vs. filing
- Families wanting a clear-eyed second opinion
What it can solve
- Honest second opinions — even if I'm not the right fit
- Help understanding your protections under the FDCPA
- Guidance on debt negotiation and settlement timing
- A written plan you can actually follow
Common questions
The things people ask before our first call.
Not seeing your question? Ask me directly — I read every message and call back personally.
Ask CatherineIn most Chapter 7 cases, no — California's exemptions protect equity in a primary home, a vehicle, retirement accounts, and household goods. In Chapter 13, you can actively save a home from foreclosure. We'll review your specific situation together.
A free consultation
Still not sure which path is yours?
That's exactly what the first conversation is for. Tell me a little about your situation and I'll tell you honestly whether — and how — I can help.