Bankruptcy Attorney Serving Gardendale, Fultondale & North Birmingham
Debt problems don’t announce themselves. They show up as a garnishment on a paycheck, a certified letter about a foreclosure sale, or an empty spot in the driveway.
The Law Office of Stephen Bulgarella, LLC represents individuals and families along the I-65 corridor north of Birmingham — Gardendale, Fultondale, Tarrant, Pinson, Center Point, and the surrounding communities.
Where Your Case Is Filed
Bankruptcy cases from Gardendale, Fultondale, and the rest of Jefferson County are filed in the Southern Division of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama, located in Birmingham at 1800 5th Avenue North.
From Gardendale or Fultondale that’s a straight run down I-65 — typically 15 to 25 minutes depending on traffic. But in most cases you won’t need to make it.
Your meeting of creditors is held by video. The Northern District of Alabama has conducted § 341 meetings remotely since 2020. You’ll receive a link with your case paperwork and attend from home. It’s not a trial, there’s no judge, and it usually takes a few minutes.
Consultations and document gathering can be handled by phone, email, and video as well — or you’re welcome at the office downtown if you’d rather meet in person.
A note for people near the county line: Jefferson County’s northern edge runs close to Blount County, and which county you actually live in determines where some matters are handled. For bankruptcy it makes little practical difference — both Jefferson and Blount County cases go to the Birmingham division — but for other legal matters it can matter quite a bit. If you’re not sure, call and we’ll figure it out.
Communities We Serve North of Birmingham
All of these are in Jefferson County, which means bankruptcy cases from any of them are filed in the same court.
- Gardendale
- Fultondale
- Tarrant
- Pinson
- Center Point
- Mount Olive
- Morris
- Kimberly
- Warrior
- Graysville
- Adamsville
- Fountain Heights
- Druid Hills
How We Help
Stopping Wage Garnishment
Once a creditor gets a judgment, Alabama Code § 6-10-7 allows them to garnish up to 25% of your wages each pay period until the debt is satisfied. For a household already stretched, that’s often the difference between making rent and not.
Filing bankruptcy triggers the automatic stay, which legally requires most creditors to stop garnishing — typically within days of filing.
Stopping Foreclosure
Alabama’s non-judicial foreclosure process moves faster than most people expect, because the lender generally doesn’t have to sue you first.
A Chapter 13 case filed before the sale date stops the foreclosure and lets you cure the past-due balance over the life of your plan while resuming normal payments. Once the sale happens, options narrow substantially. If you have a date, call now.
Stopping Vehicle Repossession
Alabama permits repossession without a court order once you’re in default, and often without notice. For a corridor where most people commute into Birmingham for work, losing the car has a way of turning one problem into three.
Filing stops a pending repossession. If the vehicle has already been taken, recovery depends heavily on how recently — call the same day if you can.
Chapter 7 and Chapter 13
Chapter 7 discharges qualifying unsecured debt in a matter of months. Chapter 13 restructures what you owe into a three-to-five-year plan and is generally the right tool if you’re behind on a mortgage or car you want to keep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you handle bankruptcy cases for clients in Gardendale and Fultondale?
Yes. Both are in Jefferson County, and cases from either are filed in the Birmingham division of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama.
How far is the bankruptcy court from Gardendale?
The federal courthouse is in downtown Birmingham at 1800 5th Avenue North — roughly a 20-minute drive south on I-65 from Gardendale, and slightly less from Fultondale.
I live near the Blount County line and I'm not sure which county I'm in. Does it matter?
For bankruptcy, not much — Jefferson and Blount County cases are both filed in the Birmingham division. For other matters, including probate and state court cases, it matters a great deal. If you’re unsure, call and we’ll sort it out before it becomes a problem.
Do you serve Pinson, Tarrant, and Center Point?
Yes. We represent clients throughout northern and northeastern Jefferson County.
Can I handle this without driving downtown?
Mostly, yes. Your meeting of creditors is conducted by video, and consultations, document gathering, and signatures can be handled by phone, email, and video. In-person meetings are available if you prefer them, but they’re optional.
How fast can filing stop a garnishment?
The automatic stay is effective immediately upon filing. The practical stop comes when your employer’s payroll department processes the notice, usually within days.