Meet the Team

 

Our team has extensive experience handling bankruptcy cases in Washington state, as well as bankruptcy protection and have counseled people from all walks of life.

Haley Owens has been an Associate Attorney at Skelton Law Firm since July 2023, specializing in Chapter 7 Bankruptcies and Wills/Estates.  Her attention to detail, hard work, and empathy has garnered frequent praise from our clients.  Haley enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and dog, Padmé, when she isn’t at the office, and she also enjoys traveling and being around the ocean.
Haley OwensAssociate Attorney

Owen Henry has been a paralegal since 2013, working with attorneys practicing in Social Security Disability, Criminal Defense, Bankruptcy, Probate, and Estate Law. He joined the Skelton Law Firm in 2019 and is often the first point of contact for our clients, helping guide them through legal processes that are often daunting or faced during difficult times. He is grateful to be working at a small firm with a hands-on, personal approach to its clients and enjoys spending time with his family when he isn’t at the office.

Owen HenryParalegal

Steven Skelton has been assisting and managing law firms since 2003. He has extensive experience in consulting and provides excellent service to clients.

Steven SkeltonClient Relations Manager

Susan E. Skelton
“A Lawyer you can talk to.”

Practicing Law in Everett and Snohomish, WA

I graduated law school in 2003 in St. Louis, MO and opened my own firm, where I focused on personal bankruptcy (Chapters 7 and 13), debtor defense/consumer law, and estate planning, including wills, trusts, durable power of attorneys and probate matters. I had a very successful law firm for over 10 years in St. Louis, prior to moving to Washington.

My family and I moved to Snohomish in September 2013. For several years, I stayed at home with my young children and was extremely active in non-profit work and volunteering in the community. My husband and I run a community dinner twice a month through our church and I am involved with our church’s free clothing closet and as well as the church’s teen drop-in center.

Although I plan to continue to volunteer in the community, now that my children are older and are now in school full time, I have begun practicing law again in the areas of personal bankruptcy (Chapters 7 and 13), and estate planning, including wills, trusts, durable power of attorneys, and probate matters. I am very passionate about helping families take care of important legal issues and I work very hard to keep my fees affordable.

I offer a free conversation with anyone that may have questions about the areas of law I practice and work on a flat fee basis, so you know up front what your costs will be. Feel free to call me at (360) 822-7224 to discuss your legal issue.

Education:
Juris Doctorate · Law, Saint Louis University, 2003

Bachelor of Science, University of Evansville, Indiana, 2000

Admitted:

Washington State Bar, #47154

United States Western District of Washington, Bankruptcy Court

Missouri State Bar, #55027

United States Eastern District of Missouri, Bankruptcy Court

Contact Susan For A Free Consultation

She will go over your complete situation and offer advice, at no charge to you.
Contact Susan
Susan SkeltonAttorney at Law

What People Say About Us

You don’t have to take our word for it. We have hundreds of happy clients. Even people that were able to avoid bankruptcy have plenty of positive words they are willing to share about their experience.

Highly Recommended

I have dealt with a few attorneys in the past, and they generally live up to their stereotypes. Sue Skelton has changed my mind about that. She and her associates make you feel that your problems are genuine, and communication is excellent. You are treated with the utmost respect, and never feel intimidated, and you are made to feel comfortable. I cannot recommend this law firm highly enough. It was such a non-stressful experience that I almost wish I had more work for her. I will ask her advice in the future for other areas of law, as needed.

Source: Avvo Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Many people are embarrassed to ask questions when it comes to bankruptcy, but there is no reason that somebody should go into making a decision about their financial future blindly. We have compiled here our most common FAQ’s. Click Here to see videos and more.

What Happens In A Bankruptcy Consultation?

My consultations are probably a little bit different than most attorneys. I offer a free one-hour consultation. I recommend that you bring as much information on your paycheck stubs and what you owe and your monthly budget. We'll go over that when you call in and we'll figure out what you need to bring with you.

We sit down and we talk about what the problem is and what your goals are for filing bankruptcy and then we go through your income and your expenses. We go over what you owe...

How Soon Can I Start Building My Credit?

Basically, in a chapter seven bankruptcy, the day after you file bankruptcy it goes back to that "18 Again." You can start building credit as soon as possible. You will absolutely get credit card offers in the mail the same week that you're going to your court date with me. I typically recommend that you be responsible.

If you want to start rebuilding slowly, you do things like get a gas card and pay it off every month. We also enroll all of our chapter seven clients in a program...

How is bankruptcy a fresh start?

A lot of people ask if bankruptcy will fix my credit (that's my favorite question). Bankruptcy doesn't fix your credit per se, but it does give you that fresh start because it stops collections. I used to call it the "18 Again Effect." Your credit starts back where it is when you file bankruptcy (like you're 18 again), but you are able to rebuild it going forward.

So the creditors that you owed before can't continue to report that negative collection on there anymore. So it starts...

How Did Susan Skelton Get Started In Law And Why?

"I went to law school for not necessarily the noblest of reasons at first. I wanted to make sure that I would not be poor—that I wouldn't have to depend on anyone else as far as making money—that I could always have an education and go. It went back to the way I was raised.

I had a stay at home mom and my mom didn't necessarily have the confidence to do much else besides be a mom. And when my dad got sick they recognized that she didn't have a driver's license. She didn't know how...

Can I Keep My Car Through Bankruptcy?

You can. A lot of people call me asking that question and sometimes they want to get rid of their car, and that is possible. It can definitely get included in the bankruptcy. If you're current on your car in a chapter seven, it is safe. We do obviously have to make sure that you don't have too much equity in your car. Equity is when your car is worth $10,000, for example, and you only owe $2,000 on it. In this hypothetical scenario, you would have $8,000 of equity in it. There are...

Can I Do A No Money Down Bankruptcy?

That's always a complicated question. There are ways that we can work it out so that you can do a no money down bankruptcy. I typically try not to do them that way. The number one question is how much does bankruptcy cost? Most people ask that and it's important—we know how much a shirt costs when we go into a store. We want to know how much it costs to file a bankruptcy.

Anybody can look up the filing fees. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is $335 and a chapter 13 is $310. That's how much the...

Can Bankruptcy Stop a Garnishment?

Bankruptcy can stop a garnishment. A lot of times in Washington you will get a judgment against you and you won't even realize it. They do not have to take you to court per se. They send you documents that start the lawsuit process and you might not recognize that you've just been sued.

If you don't respond to that, they take out what's called a default judgment against you and they start a garnishment process where they go into your employer and they show this judgment and they say,...

What is the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

Chapter seven is what most people think of is bankruptcy; when you list your debts, credit card debts, medical bills, collections, that type of thing—and you ask the government to forgive them and to erase them from your credit. It does not get rid of most taxes or student loans, but it will get rid of all of your other unsecured debt (things that you owe).

Typically, how you qualify for that is based on your income and on what you own. There are assets that we can protect with what...

Are There Exemptions In A Bankruptcy?

Exemptions:  When you file for bankruptcy, you are allowed to protect a certain amount of “stuff” from liquidation under a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, or from being counted as an asset available to pay back creditors in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.  Washington allows you to choose from either the federal or state exemptions.  Always speak with an attorney regarding the best choice for claiming exemptions in a bankruptcy.

What Is Chapter 12 Bankruptcy?

Chapter 12: Family Farmer or Fisherman. This section of the Code allows family farmers and fishermen to enter into a repayment plan similar to a Chapter 13 Wage Earner Plan.

Services

We specialize in areas of law that pertain to financial matters when it matters most to you. When it comes to finding a good bankruptcy attorney who can also help you with your overall estate planning, trusts, wills, and Power of Attorneys, go no further.

Personal Bankruptcy Chapter 13

Personal Bankruptcy Chapter 13

Snohomish County Expert Bankruptcy Attorney Skelton Law Firm offers free consultations for those needing assistance with filing Personal Bankruptcy Chapter 13.

Chapter 13...

Everett Probate Attorneys

Probate Attorneys in Everett, Washington

What is Probate? Probate is the legal process that determines how property, assets, and debt are allocated after the passing of a family member. This process is typically initiated by the executor of the estate, who is either designated in the will, appointed by the close family of the deceased or is appointed by the probate court.

Durable Power Of Attorney Health Care Everett Washington

Power of Attorney

Another important document that is oftentimes overlooked is the Durable Power of Attorney (POA).  There are two types of POA’s—a financial power of attorney and a healthcare power of attorney.  If you become disabled or otherwise...

Will or Living Trust Everett Attorney

Estate Planning

We specialize in setting up wills and trusts in Washington State. Do you have a Will? Preparing for death, or for a time when you may not be able to take care of all of your affairs, is not something people want to do; it is definitely not what...

Bankruptcy Protection in Everett Washington

Bankruptcy Protection

We have been helping clients with bankruptcy protection since 2003. If you are considering (or fearing) bankruptcy in Everett, WA or the surrounding area, then you need a specialist who can help you navigate the...

Practice Areas

We specialize in Bankruptcy Law, Estate Planning, Trusts, Wills, Probate and Power of Attorney. Many times, these are interrelated areas of practice, as life is often full of complex situations that all have legal ramifications.

Skelton Law Firm Everett Bankruptcy Attorney

Estate Planning in Everett, WA

Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorney and your overall strategy for leaving a healthy financial legacy are critical when it comes to planning for your future.

Skelton Law Firm Everett Bankruptcy Attorney

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney in Everett, WA

We specialize in the process of bankruptcy protection. There are four chapters under which a Debtor may seek bankruptcy protection; Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13. A good bankruptcy attorney serving Everett, Snohomish, and the surrounding areas should be a key player on your team.

Why Choose Us

When choosing someone to help you with a potential bankruptcy filing or any financial crisis that needs legal help, it is important to consider all of the facts of your individual situation. Everyone has different particulars when it comes to financial solvency, as well as estate planning in general. We at Skelton Law are Debt Relief Agents, and we assist people in filing for Bankruptcy Relief under the Bankruptcy Code, as well as help with credit repair and the aftermath of a bankruptcy filing.

Skelton Law Firm Everett Bankruptcy Attorney

Experience

Our Everett and Snohomish Bankruptcy Lawyers have been helping people since 2003 and have completed hundreds of cases successfully.

Skelton Law Firm Everett Bankruptcy Attorney

Honesty

We will give you an honest, caring, and diligent analysis of your situation to determine if bankruptcy is right for you. We are very careful to be fair and always strive to keep our fees...

Skelton Law Firm Everett Bankruptcy Attorney

Diligence

We treat your case very seriously. We always strive for careful and persistent work and effort toward getting the resolution that best meets your individual needs. When you are under pressure, we...

99

Bankruptcy Cases Filed

99

Wills Created

99

Trusts Established

99

Powers of Attorney Created

99

Probate

About Us

Skelton Law Firm has been helping clients with bankruptcy law and estate planning since 2003. Founded by Susan Skelton, attorney at law, the team members at Skelton Law have a passion for helping people in difficult financial times. As Susan’s clients like to describe her, Susan Skelton is: “A Lawyer you can talk to.”

 

Mission

Our dedicated professionals are here to help you with your bankruptcy and estate planning needs. The Skelton family has worked with many individuals struggling financially, and make it a mission to give back to their community.

Contact Us

 

Directions to Skelton Law Firm

These directions are for planning purposes only. You may find that construction projects, traffic, weather, or other events may cause conditions to differ from the map results, and you should plan your route accordingly. You must obey all signs or notices regarding your route.

Skelton Law Firm is just west of Xfinity Community Ice Rink and three blocks east of Bank of America.

From Snohomish, Washington:

17 min (9.3 miles) via WA-9 N and US-2 W

Get on WA-9 N from 2nd St – 2 min (0.7 mi)

Follow WA-9 N and US-2 W to Maple St in Everett. Take the I-5 S exit from US-2 W – 9 min (7.7 mi)

Take Hewitt Ave to your destination – 4 min (0.9 mi)

Skelton Law Firm
1812 Hewitt Ave # 210
Everett, WA 98201

From Marysville, Washington:

12 min (5.6 miles) via WA-529 S and Broadway

Head east on 4th St toward State Ave – 23 ft

Turn right onto WA-529 S/State Ave. Continue to follow WA-529 S – 2.9 mi

Keep left to continue on Pacific Hwy. Pass by Starbucks (on the right in 0.7 mi) – 0.8 mi

Merge onto Broadway. Pass by Burger King (on the right in 1.2 mi) – 1.7 mi

Turn right onto Wall St – 0.2 mi

Destination will be on the right (see map) – 381 ft

Skelton Law Firm
1812 Hewitt Ave # 210
Everett, WA 98201

From Lynnwood, Washington

24 min (14.4 miles) via I-5 N

Get on I-5 N from 196th St SW – 6 min (2.2 mi)

Follow I-5 N to Broadway in Everett. Take exit 192 from I-5 N – 11 min (11.1 mi)

Continue on Broadway to your destination (see map for detailed view) – 4 min (1.1 mi)

Skelton Law Firm
1812 Hewitt Ave # 210
Everett, WA 98201