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Meet Your Legal Team

Dedicated advocate committed to guiding you through every step of the bankruptcy process

Timothy A. Rowe

Timothy A. Rowe is an experienced Indiana bankruptcy attorney and partner at Rowe & Hamilton with nearly 40 years of legal experience. He is committed to helping individuals and families eliminate overwhelming debt, protect their assets, and achieve a fresh financial start.

Tim provides compassionate, personalized guidance throughout the bankruptcy process, giving every client the honest advice and dedicated representation they deserve. He is also an author and speaker who is passionate about helping others both professionally and personally.

Frequently Asked Questions?

What is Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a reorganization process that allows individuals with regular income to repay all or a portion of their debts through a structured payment plan lasting three to five years. Instead of liquidating assets, Chapter 13 helps you catch up on missed payments, protect your property, and often pay unsecured debts—such as credit cards and medical bills—at a reduced amount.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves liquidation and is sometimes called straight bankruptcy. For most people, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing is a fairly simple and quick proceeding. In most cases, it takes less than three months after filing for an individual to receive a discharge of debts.

Most individuals and businesses can file for bankruptcy if they meet certain requirements, which depend on the type of bankruptcy. An attorney can evaluate your specific financial situation to determine your eligibility and the most appropriate chapter to file.
Married couples have the option to file a joint bankruptcy petition, which is often more efficient and cost-effective than filing separately. It combines your debts and assets into a single case, but it is not required. You can discuss the pros and cons of joint versus individual filing with your attorney.

The duration of a bankruptcy case varies by chapter. A typical Chapter 7 case is completed in about three months. A Chapter 13 case, which involves a repayment plan, generally lasts between three to five years from the date the plan is confirmed by the court.

Bankruptcy laws are federal, but Indiana exemptions protect certain assets like equity in your home, a vehicle, and personal belongings. The immediate impact is an automatic stay that stops collection actions, providing relief. In the long term, it can offer a fresh start while allowing you to retain essential property under Indiana law.
Yes, but there are waiting periods between filings. The length of time depends on the chapter you previously filed and the chapter you wish to file now. For example, you must typically wait eight years after a prior Chapter 7 discharge to file another Chapter 7 case. An attorney can advise you on your specific timing.
Not necessarily. In a Chapter 7 case, many assets are protected by state and federal exemption laws. In Indiana, exemptions can shield your home, car, retirement accounts, and household goods. In a Chapter 13 case, you typically keep all your assets while repaying a portion of your debts through a court-approved plan.