Titusville Bankruptcy Attorney | Chapter 7 and Foreclosure Defense for North Brevard Families
Bowin Law Group provides expert Chapter 7 bankruptcy and foreclosure defense for Titusville, Mims, and North Brevard families. Led by Beau Bowin, the firm helps residents navigate the Florida means test, protect homestead assets, and stop creditor actions via the automatic stay.
Beau Bowin has counseled more than 10,000 Brevard County clients in Chapter 7 bankruptcy and foreclosure defense. He began his career clerking for a federal bankruptcy judge, then practiced at Akerman, then at Steel Hector and Davis and finally at Smith Hulsey and Busey, before founding Bowin Law Group. He is a member in good standing of the Florida Bar 792551, earned a 10.0 AVVO rating, and was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014, a distinction extended to fewer than 2.5% of Florida attorneys. Bowin Law Group serves Titusville and North Brevard from its Melbourne office. Kennedy Space Center workers, Parrish Medical Center patients, and families across the US-1 corridor turn to this firm when debt becomes unmanageable.
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Call (321) 821-7440 to discuss your specific financial situation directly with Beau Bowin and determine if Chapter 7 or foreclosure litigation is your best path forward.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy for Titusville Residents
When a Kennedy Space Center contract ends or a hospitalization at Parrish generates bills a family cannot absorb, Chapter 7 provides a federal remedy. It permanently discharges most unsecured debts, including credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans, through a court-supervised process that concludes in approximately four months for most Titusville filers.
The automatic stay takes effect the moment your case is filed. 11 U.S.C. § 362 immediately halts wage garnishments, bank levies, collection calls, and pending lawsuits.
Who Qualifies?
Eligibility requires passing the means test under 11 U.S.C. § 707(b), which compares your household income to Florida's state median. Filers who exceed the median may still qualify based on allowable expense deductions.
Household Size | Florida Median Income (Annual) |
1 Person | $68,085 |
2 People | $84,305 |
3 People | $95,039 |
4 People | $111,819 |
5 People | $122,919 |
6 People | $134,019 |
Source: U.S. Trustee Program, cases filed on or after November 1, 2025. Add $11,100 per person beyond 6.
Florida's bankruptcy exemptions protect key assets in Chapter 7:
- Florida's homestead exemption under Art. X, Sec. 4 of the Florida Constitution protects your primary residence regardless of value, subject to acreage limits and the 1,215-day rule
- Up to $5,000 in motor vehicle equity under Fla. Stat. § 222.25(1) (2026)
- Up to $1,000 in personal property, and a $4,000 wildcard exemption under Fla. Stat. § 222.25(4) if no homestead exemption is claimed.
- Wages, Social Security, pension payments, and life insurance proceeds carry additional protections
- Income & Benefits: Wages, Social Security, and pensions carry robust protections.
The Step-by-Step Chapter 7 Process for Titusville
- The Automatic Stay: The moment we file your case, 11 U.S.C. § 362 immediately halts all wage garnishments, bank levies, and collection lawsuits.
- Middle District Filing: Your case is filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida.
- The 341 Meeting of Creditors: Currently held via Zoom, this brief meeting is where the Trustee verifies your identity and paperwork.
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Preparing for Your 341 (Trustee) Meeting of Creditors
The "Meeting of Creditors" is a mandatory federal requirement under 11 U.S.C. § 341. While the word "meeting" can be intimidating, for most Titusville filers, this is a brief procedural step lasting less than 10 minutes. Because cases in the Middle District of Florida are currently conducted via Zoom or teleconference, you can typically attend from your home or office.
What to Expect During the Meeting
The meeting is presided over by a Chapter 7 Trustee, not a judge. The Trustee’s primary role is to verify your identity and ensure the accuracy of your bankruptcy petition. Creditors are permitted to attend and ask questions, though they rarely do in consumer Chapter 7 cases. You will be placed under oath and asked a series of standard questions regarding your assets, debts, and financial history.
Key Steps to Prepare
To ensure your meeting concludes quickly and without a "continued" status, follow these three requirements:
- Provide Identification: You must provide the Trustee with clear copies of your photo ID (Driver’s License or Passport) and proof of your Social Security number at least seven days before the meeting.
- Submit Financial Documents: Under "Financial Records" requirements, you must provide your most recent federal tax returns and 60 days of pay stubs to the Trustee prior to the hearing.
- Review Your Petition: Carefully re-read your bankruptcy schedules before the call. The Trustee will ask if you have listed all your assets and if the information provided is "true and correct to the best of your knowledge."
Common Trustee Questions
Be prepared to answer "Yes" or "No" to the following standard inquiries:
- Did you sign the petition and schedules?
- Did you list all of your assets and all of your creditors?
- Have you lived in Florida for the last two years?
- Does anyone owe you money (such as a pending personal injury claim or tax refund)?
- Have you transferred any property or money to friends or family members in the last four years?
Bowin Law Group attends every 341 meeting with our clients. We ensure your documents are submitted correctly to the Trustee in advance so your appearance is as stress-free and efficient as possible.
Foreclosure Defense for Titusville Homeowners
If your property is in Brevard County, Florida, the lender must file a lawsuit in the 18th Judicial Circuit and obtain a court judgment before your home can be sold. Bowin Law Group represents Titusville homeowners at every stage of that litigation, reviewing servicer compliance with federal regulations, payment history accuracy, chain of title, and pre-suit notice requirements under Fla. Stat. § 702.015.
Special Protections for FHA and VA Homeowners
If your home is financed through an FHA or VA-backed loan, your lender must follow strict federal pre-suit notice and loss mitigation requirements before filing a foreclosure in the 18th Judicial Circuit.
- FHA Loans: Under 24 CFR § 203.604, lenders must generally conduct a face-to-face meeting with the borrower (or make a verifiable effort to do so) before three full monthly installments go unpaid.
- VA Loans: Servicers are required under 38 CFR § 36.4350 to establish contact with delinquent veterans by telephone and letter, and in some cases, provide a face-to-face interview to explore repayment plans.
Failure to strictly comply with these federal regulations can provide a powerful defense in your foreclosure case. Bowin Law Group is proud to support those who serve. We provide dedicated legal discounts for all active-duty military and veterans.
How Bankruptcy Intersects with Foreclosure
Homeowners behind on mortgage payments who also carry significant unsecured debt often benefit from Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which allows arrears to be cured over a three-to-five-year repayment plan while the automatic stay halts the foreclosure immediately.
Chapter 7 does not cure arrears but eliminates unsecured debts that strain cash flow, which can make resuming mortgage payments feasible. The right chapter depends on your income, the amount of arrears, and your goals for the property.
Why North Brevard Residents Choose Bowin Law Group
Bowin Law Group focuses exclusively on bankruptcy and foreclosure defense. Beau Bowin handles every case personally and has litigated foreclosure cases in the 18th Judicial Circuit to verdict. The firm serves Titusville, Mims, Scottsmoor, Port St. John, and surrounding North Brevard communities from its Melbourne office at 1819 Riverview Drive.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Titusville Bankruptcy & Foreclosure
Will filing bankruptcy affect my security clearance at Kennedy Space Center?
In most cases, filing bankruptcy is actually viewed more favorably than having unresolved, delinquent debt. Under federal law, government and private employers are prohibited from discriminating against current employees solely because of a bankruptcy filing. For contractors and civil servants, resolving debt through the legal system demonstrates financial responsibility and reduces the risk of being targeted for financial coercion.
Can medical bills from Parrish Medical Center be completely wiped out?
Yes. Medical debt is classified as general unsecured debt. Whether you are dealing with bills from Parrish Medical Center, Holmes Regional, or a third-party collection agency, these debts are fully dischargeable in Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Once your discharge is entered, these providers permanently lose the legal right to collect.
I was served a foreclosure summons by the Brevard County Clerk. How long do I have?
You have exactly 20 calendar days from the date you were served to file a formal written "Answer" with the Brevard County Clerk. If you miss this deadline, the bank can move for a "Default Judgment," which fast-tracks the sale of your home and prevents you from presenting defenses like lack of standing or improper notice.
Where are Titusville bankruptcy hearings held?
Bankruptcy cases for Titusville residents are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida (Orlando Division). However, most procedural requirements, including the mandatory 341 Meeting of Creditors, are currently conducted virtually via Zoom, meaning you can often attend without traveling to Orlando.
How does the "Automatic Stay" stop a foreclosure auction in Brevard County?
The moment your bankruptcy petition is filed, an "Automatic Stay" goes into effect. This is a federal injunction that legally halts the Brevard County Clerk from proceeding with a scheduled foreclosure sale, even if the auction is set for the very next day. This provides the critical "breathing room" needed to reorganize your finances or transition to a Chapter 13 repayment plan.
Can I keep my car if I work at a distant site like Cape Canaveral or Viera?
Florida law allows you to exempt up to $5,000 in equity in a single motor vehicle. If your car is worth more, we can often apply a "wildcard" exemption of up to $4,000 to protect that additional equity. As long as you stay current on your auto loan payments and the equity falls within these limits, you can keep your vehicle to ensure you can continue commuting to work.
Does Bowin Law Group serve Titusville?
Yes. Bowin Law Group represents clients throughout North Brevard, including Titusville, Mims, Scottsmoor, and Port St. John. Bankruptcy cases are filed in the Middle District of Florida. Foreclosure cases are litigated in the 18th Judicial Circuit.
Bowin Law Group | 1819 Riverview Drive, Melbourne, FL 32901
