COVID-19 NOTICE: Wike Law is open. For everyone's safety, we are conducting all appointments by telephone. Trustee and court hearings are also conducted by telephone. We use safe procedures for document exchange and other transactions.
Our Practice Areas
Thousands helped. Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Worth of Debt Discharged.
Bankruptcy
If you’re drowning under financial obligations, we may be able to help you. At Wike Law, we will explain your rights, outline your options, and work closely with you throughout the bankruptcy process.
Foreclosure Assistance
The prospect of foreclosure leaves many homeowners feeling frightened, helpless, and alone. Law Office of Sidney Wike, LLC understands how devastating going through a foreclosure can be.
Mortgage Modification
These days, there are many people who, despite their best efforts, simply can’t keep up with their mortgage payments. But at Law Office of Sidney Wike, LLC, we’re here to help homeowners across the Upstate.
Tax Assistance
Few areas of law are more confusing than tax law. Violations of tax law, whether intentional or not, can lead to serious consequences, including massive fines and even jail time. For this reason, when entering into a complex tax situation, it’s in your best interest to engage the services of a tax attorney.
Workers Compensation Law
It’s a sad reality that some employers knowingly or unknowingly subject their employees to unsafe working conditions. Unfortunately, when this happens, workers can suffer in more ways than one. From life-altering injuries that demand ongoing medical treatment to lost wages, workplace accidents can hurt employees physically, financially, and emotionally.
Personal Injury Law
In life, accidents and injuries can happen at any time. Whether you're at work or driving to the store, there is always a chance that you may be involved in an accident that can change your life in an instant. If you were recently involved in an accident that left you with painful injuries or emotional distress, you may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit.
We Can Help
Thousands helped. Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Worth of Debt Discharged.
Explain your rights
We have over 20 years of experience in the field, and we don't charge for the initial consultation. Our goal is to help you regain control of your finances and enjoy a fresh start.
Outline your options
We know that you’re under a great deal of stress right now, but we’ll work hard to make this time easier on you.
Work closely with you
We’ll handle all aspects of your bankruptcy from the initial petition and negotiations with creditors to filing the final paperwork.
Traps & Pitfalls to Avoid
-
−
Improperly Paying Creditors Prior to Filing Bankruptcy
Answer is: The bankruptcy system is designed to ensure the full disclosure of what are called “preferential payments”. Preferential payments are payments to any one creditor exceeding $600 in the 90 days before you filed bankruptcy. For relatives and business partners, the look- back period is longer.
The concept of the “preferential payment” is that a person “on the eve” of bankruptcy should no longer be free to chose which of their creditors to repay. Otherwise, people would pay their family and business partners to the detriment of the other creditors that didn’t get paid.
To “right the wrong”, the Code authorizes the Chapter 7 trustee to demand that the creditor cough-up the money and put it back on the table to be distributed fairly among all the creditors.
Many people – often those who are not represented by experienced bankruptcy attorneys, fall into a trap by failing to disclose a preferential payment or understand its different consequences in Chapter 7 and in Chapter 13. Part of your attorney’s job is to keep you out of trouble by identifying preferential payments and understanding how the Chapter 7 trustee and Chapter 13 trustee might react.
-
−
Improperly Transferring Assets Prior to Filing Bankruptcy
You must disclose any asset that you have sold, given away, or otherwise transferred prior to the filing of the bankruptcy. Transfers to family members and business partners receive the closest scrutiny.
Selling assets to friends or family members before you file bankruptcy is generally allowed so long as you receive fair value in exchange. But simply “putting an asset in someone else’s name” while you go through bankruptcy is considered a fraud, and trustees have ways of discovering such things. An experienced bankruptcy attorney will counsel you against fraudulent transfers and will have experience to predict how the various trustees are likely to respond to the situation.
-
−
Failing to Disclose an Asset
Many people think that they don’t need to disclose all their assets – especially those that they received as gifts or assets that are titled in someone else’s name. Intentionally failing to disclose an asset is bankruptcy fraud. It could easily disqualify you from receiving a discharge and could result in criminal prosecution. All assets must be listed.
Fortunately, however, most assets are protected by exemption laws that allow you to keep the assets provided that you properly assert the exemption. Exemptions are why only about one person in twenty has to forfeit an asset to a trustee. Part of you’re your attorney’s job is to navigate you through the legal complexities and identify assets of interest to the trustee and take steps to protect them.
-
−
Failure to Disclose a Debt
Some people believe that they can simply keep any credit cards not listed in the bankruptcy. They figure they will just keep on paying it. This, however, is incorrect. All debts must be listed. You are free to repay any debt after the bankruptcy, but intentional failure to list a debt is illegal. Pull your own credit report and bring it to your appointment – this will not necessarily contain all your debts but it’s a great start.
-
−
Running-up a credit card shortly before you file.
Anytime you borrow money with no intention or ability to repay it’s considered a fraud. This means that once you have decided to file bankruptcy, stop using the credit cards. Cash advances and luxury purchases within 70 days prior to filing bankruptcy send up red flags and create a legal presumption of fraud. For this reason, we often recommend delaying the bankruptcy filing until after the 70 day period expires. The timing of the bankruptcy is often quite important.
Get Your Free Consultation
We have over 20 years of experience in the field, and we don't charge for the initial consultation. Our goal is to help you regain control of your finances and enjoy a fresh start. Our top concern is for your satisfaction and protecting your rights.
A Case Like Yours
Thousands helped. Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Worth of Debt Discharged.
STEVE
Eliminated $10,165 in debt, lowered his monthly payments by $418 per month. He also lowered the interest rate on about $33,188 of debt to about 3%. Was able to keep all the property he owned.
CHARLES & EMILY
Eliminated $97,513 in debt, lowered their monthly payments by $1,905 per month. Eliminated ALL the interest that would have accrued on that debt. Were able to keep all the property they owned.
ROBERT
Eliminated $30,507 in debt, lowered his monthly payments by $439 per month. Eliminated ALL the interest that would have accrued on that debt. Was able to keep all the property he owned.
THOMAS & SALLY
Eliminated $42,781 in debt, lowered their monthly payments by $1,057 per month. Eliminated ALL the interest that would have accrued on that debt. Were able to keep all the property they owned.
NICK & LORI
Eliminated $65,104 in debt, lowered their monthly payments by $1,356 per month. Eliminated ALL the interest that would have accrued on that debt. Got rid of a substantial vehicle repossession claim. Were able to keep all property they owned.
Testimonials
-
"A wonderful, friendly staff who worked great to get my needs met. I am forever grateful to you all."
G.C.
-
"Sidney Wike is a highly skilled and extremely personable attorney. Him and his staff are super helpful, friendly, professional, reachable, efficient, and organized. They were very gracious, prompt, and thorough in responding to all of our concerns. After having met and worked with several other attorneys in the area we were confident that Mr. Wike was without question the most competent by far of all the rest. We were absolutely correct, and couldn't be more grateful for all the support we received."
Travis W.
-
"I could not have asked for a more friendly and helpful staff and attorney. Mr. Wike and his team were so pleasant and kind that it literally felt like family. They had all the answers to my questions and walked me through every step of the bankruptcy process. I will definitely be referring others who need help to their office!"
Brodie H.
-
"Wike Law was very friendly and professional. They listened to my problems, offered a good solution and followed through with competent and complete instructions and follow through. They were able to handle my problem and I am happy with the solution we obtained through the courts. I highly recommend this practice to anyone in a similar situation."
Gary K.
Why Choose Us?
- Turn to a local lawyer when you need help with bankruptcy, modification assistance, personal injury, or social security. At Wike Law, we have over 20 years of experience, and are looking forward to helping you in any way we can. Our staff is committed to protecting our clients' rights and helping them reach their goals.
Proudly Serving The Counties Of: Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, Union and York.
- We offer payment plans along with reasonable fees to help you save money, and you’ll appreciate our flexible business hours - we don't close for lunch! Our dedicated staff has been with the office for years and we take pride in giving clients personal service.
- As a client, you’ll appreciate our quick responses and respectful demeanor. You can count on us to explain your different options and help you move through the legal process.
Wike Law
Our Team
Thousands helped. Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Worth of Debt Discharged.
Sidney Wike
Peggy-Sue Hogg
Sandy Diaz
