Are bills piling up?  Have you had a significant change in life circumstances that left you in debt without a way out?  Did you experience a catastrophic medical event?  Did you lose your job and struggle to pay bills until you found a new one, leaving you with unanticipated debt?

If so, you are not alone. Nationwide bankruptcy filings rose 11.9 percent during the 12-month period ending March 31, 2026. Unmanageable debt impacts people across all income levels, occupations, and neighborhoods.

Life happens.  Individuals and families can find themselves in a situation with an unsustainable debt-to-income ratio.  When this occurs, only minimum payments are made on credit cards, medical bills and unsecured loans.  If it continues, the principal balance never decreases and debts accumulate.

Some people begin borrowing just to get by, relying on high-interest payday loans or credit cards to cover basic living expenses. This pattern is unsustainable and can quickly lead to growing debt.

Although you may worry about the potential stigma of bankruptcy, it can be the most responsible option when debt becomes unmanageable. Bankruptcy can help you regain control of your finances, stop creditor harassment, complete credit counseling, and either create a repayment plan or eliminate eligible debts for a fresh start.

When you file, an automatic stay goes into effect.  This means creditors are legally barred from contacting you, filing lawsuits or garnishing your wages.  It also temporarily stops home foreclosures and vehicle repossessions to give you time to address the debt and plan a financial path forward.

You do not have to handle this alone. Evans Law Group can help. Call 318.746.7467 to learn more.

Evans Law Group attorneys, John W. “Johnny” Evans, Jr. and Sarah Evans Rushing, are a father and daughter team who share the desire to help people navigate our complicated legal system. They serve clients in a laid-back atmosphere grounded in compassion and respect.

Johnny has practiced law for over 35 years. He was contemplating retirement when Sarah received her master’s in business administration and expressed interest in pursuing a law degree as her next career step. “Sarah’s always been someone who can do just about anything she sets her mind to, so I knew then that I would be delaying retirement to form a partnership and help her build a practice,” shared Johnny. “Together, we bring the best of both worlds --- my longevity with years of hands-on experience coupled with her high energy and most up-to-date legal knowledge and technology applications.”

He believes in family first and enjoys helping other families remedy legal issues. “My wife, Geneva, is a retired Bossier Parish teacher who works with us as a part-time office administrator and is the glue that holds our firm together.” Our family is passionate about helping others build brighter futures.”

Both attorneys focus on client relationships and outcomes. “My first goal with clients is to develop a rapport that makes them feel at ease,” says Johnny. “I try to explain everything in terms they understand. We help guide them through the process and serve as strong advocates who protect their interests. A win for our clients is a win for us because we care about those we serve. Most of the time, we can help clients achieve desired results. However, there are times when the outcome they want can’t be achieved, or the type of case could be better serviced by another attorney, and we let them know that too. Honesty and integrity are at the core of our practice.”

Sarah agrees. “I was inspired to enter the legal field because I saw people drowning in paperwork they didn’t understand,” explains Sarah. “They may be in a nursing home and don’t know how to defend themselves, or creditors might be taking advantage of them because they don’t know how to manage their finances. I want to let people know that we are here to help, and there are steps they can take to get their lives back. Don’t let circumstances overwhelm you. For example, bankruptcy is not a life sentence. If you are ready to make changes, it can be a new beginning and a fresh start. My greatest career reward is when a client we have worked with reaches the other side of their legal issue and is armed with the tools and the confidence to truly move forward.”