David E. Phillips, Attorney at Law logo

David E. Phillips, Attorney at Law in Nashville, TN

4.4/5

Board-certified bankruptcy attorney in Nashville, TN with 38+ years of experience helping individuals file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases across Middle Tennessee.

Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology

David E. Phillips, Attorney at Law Review

David E. Phillips is an established bankruptcy law practice based in Nashville, Tennessee, serving the Middle District of Tennessee Bankruptcy Court jurisdiction. The firm has accumulated nearly four decades of experience in consumer bankruptcy representation, positioning itself as a long-standing resource in the Nashville metropolitan area and surrounding counties.

The firm specializes in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing services. They provide guidance on bankruptcy eligibility, debt relief options, and representation through the court process. Services include free initial consultations, legal analysis of whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 is preferable for individual circumstances, assistance with bankruptcy petitions, and representation before the bankruptcy court. The firm operates as a debt relief agency certified to help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

Key distinguishing factors include board certification in consumer bankruptcy law by the American Board of Certification, extensive geographic coverage across 14 counties in Middle Tennessee, and substantial experience handling secured creditor negotiations and Chapter 13 repayment plan structuring. The firm's website provides detailed FAQ content explaining Chapter 13 mechanics, comparisons with private debt consolidation, and guidance on debt handling strategies—indicating educational approach to client service.

The practice appears legitimate and qualified, though the website contains minor inconsistencies (39 vs. 38 years of experience cited in different locations). As with any bankruptcy service, outcomes depend heavily on individual financial circumstances, and the free consultation is appropriate for evaluating fit before engaging representation.

Services & Features

Bankruptcy court representation and filing services
Bankruptcy eligibility assessment
Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing and representation
Chapter 13 repayment plan development and structuring
Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing and representation
Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 comparative analysis
Collateral and property protection analysis
Creditor harassment protection guidance
Debt relief strategy consultation
Free initial bankruptcy consultation
Non-incorporated business owner bankruptcy assistance
Secured creditor negotiation and lien handling

Feature Checklist

Mobile App
Online Portal
Score Tracking
Credit Education
Personal Advisor
Identity Theft Protection

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Board Certified in Consumer Bankruptcy Law by American Board of Certification
  • 38+ years of legal experience in bankruptcy representation
  • Offers free initial consultation to evaluate case suitability
  • Covers 14 counties across Middle Tennessee jurisdiction with detailed geographic service area
  • Provides educational FAQ content explaining Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 distinctions and strategy
  • Direct experience handling secured creditor negotiations and lien retention structures
  • Can assist self-employed individuals filing Chapter 13 with non-incorporated businesses

Cons

  • Website contains minor inconsistencies in stated experience (38 vs. 39 years)
  • Limited online information about fee structure or payment plans for legal services
  • No client testimonials or case results published on website to verify outcomes
  • Geographic service limited to Middle Tennessee bankruptcy court jurisdiction only
  • No information provided about alternative bankruptcy solutions or debt management options

Rating Breakdown

Value
5.0
Effectiveness
4.7
Customer Service
3.9
Transparency
3.5
Ease of Use
4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Is David E. Phillips, Attorney at Law legitimate?

Yes. David E. Phillips, Attorney at Law is a registered company, headquartered in Nashville, TN.

How long does David E. Phillips, Attorney at Law take to show results?

Results vary by individual situation. Contact the provider to discuss expected timelines for your specific needs.

Quick Facts

Headquarters
Nashville, TN
BBB Accredited
No
Starting Price
Contact provider
Setup Fee
None
Money-Back Guarantee
No
Visit David E. Phillips, Attorney at Law

CreditDoc Diagnosis

Doctor's Verdict on David E. Phillips, Attorney at Law

David E. Phillips is best suited for Tennessee residents in the Middle District bankruptcy court jurisdiction (primarily Nashville area and surrounding 14 counties) who need experienced, board-certified representation for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing. The main caveat is that this is a legal services provider requiring attorney engagement and associated costs—the free consultation should be used to clarify fee structure and timeline before commitment.

Best For

  • Tennessee residents in Middle District counties facing foreclosure or wage garnishment needing Chapter 13 restructuring
  • Self-employed individuals and business owners exploring bankruptcy protection while maintaining operations
  • Debtors with valuable assets they wish to protect rather than liquidate under Chapter 7
  • Individuals comparing bankruptcy relief against informal debt consolidation services
Updated 2026-04-29

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Financial Wellness Guides

Financial Terms Explained (14 terms)

New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.

How Loans Work

Default — Loan Default

When you fail to repay a loan according to the agreed terms — usually after 90-180 days of missed payments. It's the point where the lender gives up on collecting normally.

Why it matters

Default triggers severe consequences: credit score drops 100+ points, the debt may be sent to collections, you could be sued, and your wages or assets could be seized.

Example

You miss 4 consecutive car payments. The lender declares your loan in default, repossesses your car, sells it at auction for $8,000, and you still owe the remaining $5,000 (called a deficiency balance).

Legal Terms

CFPB — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

A federal agency created in 2010 to protect consumers from unfair financial practices. They write rules, supervise financial companies, and handle consumer complaints.

Why it matters

The CFPB is your most powerful ally against predatory lenders. Filing a complaint with them gets a response from the company within 15 days — companies take CFPB complaints seriously.

Example

A debt collector calls your workplace after you told them to stop. You file a CFPB complaint online. Within 15 days, the collection agency responds and agrees to stop. The CFPB tracks complaint patterns across all companies.

FDCPA — Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

A federal law that limits what debt collectors can do. They can't call before 8am or after 9pm, can't harass you, can't lie, and must stop contacting you if you request in writing.

Why it matters

Knowing your FDCPA rights stops abusive collection tactics. If a collector violates the law, you can sue for up to $1,000 per violation plus attorney fees.

Example

A collector calls your workplace 3 times after you told them not to. That's 3 FDCPA violations. You hire a consumer attorney (free — they get paid by the collector). The collector settles for $3,000.

Garnishment — Wage Garnishment

A court order that requires your employer to withhold part of your paycheck and send it directly to a creditor. Usually happens after a creditor sues you and wins a judgment.

Why it matters

Federal law limits garnishment to 25% of disposable income. Some states have lower limits. Student loans and taxes can be garnished without a court order.

Example

You owe $8,000 on a defaulted credit card. The bank sues, gets a judgment, and garnishes your wages. On a $3,000/month net paycheck, they take $750/month until the debt is paid.

Statute of Limitations — Statute of Limitations (Debt)

A time limit (typically 3-6 years, varies by state) after which a creditor can no longer sue you to collect a debt. The debt still exists, but they lose the legal power to force payment.

Why it matters

Knowing your state's statute of limitations prevents you from being tricked into paying debts that are legally uncollectable. Beware: making a payment can restart the clock.

Example

You have a $3,000 credit card debt from 2019. Your state has a 4-year statute of limitations. In 2024, a collector calls demanding payment. The statute has expired — they cannot sue you.

Debt & Recovery

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy — Chapter 13 Bankruptcy (Reorganization)

A type of bankruptcy where you keep your assets but follow a court-approved 3-5 year repayment plan to pay back some or all of your debts. Stays on credit for 7 years.

Why it matters

Chapter 13 is better than Chapter 7 if you have a home or assets you want to keep. It can stop foreclosure and let you catch up on mortgage payments over 3-5 years.

Example

You're 3 months behind on your mortgage and have $30,000 in credit card debt. Chapter 13 stops foreclosure and puts you on a 5-year plan: you pay $600/month to catch up on the mortgage and pay 40% of the credit card debt.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy — Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (Liquidation)

A type of bankruptcy that wipes out most unsecured debts (credit cards, medical bills) by liquidating non-exempt assets. It stays on your credit for 10 years.

Why it matters

Chapter 7 gives you a fresh start but at a steep cost: 10 years on your credit, difficulty getting loans, and you may lose assets. Income must be below your state's median to qualify.

Example

You have $45,000 in credit card debt and earn $35,000/year. Chapter 7 erases the debt. You keep exempt property (basic car, household items). Your score drops to ~500 but you're debt-free.

Charge-Off

When a creditor declares your debt a loss after 180 days of nonpayment and removes it from their books. But you still owe the money — they just stop expecting to collect it themselves.

Why it matters

A charge-off is one of the most damaging entries on your credit report and stays for 7 years. The debt is usually sold to a collection agency who will pursue you for it.

Example

You stop paying your $4,000 credit card. After 180 days, the bank charges it off and sells the debt to a collector for $800. The collector now contacts you demanding the full $4,000 (they profit from what they collect above $800).

Collections — Debt Collections

When an unpaid debt is transferred or sold to a third-party collection agency that specializes in recovering the money. Collection accounts appear on your credit report for 7 years.

Why it matters

Even a $50 collection account can drop your score 50-100 points. Some newer FICO models (FICO 9) ignore paid collections, but many lenders still use older models.

Example

An old $200 gym bill goes to collections. It appears on all 3 credit reports and drops your 720 score to 640. Paying it helps with newer scoring models but under FICO 8 (still widely used), a paid collection still hurts.

Debt Consolidation

Combining multiple debts into one single loan with one monthly payment, ideally at a lower interest rate. It simplifies repayment and can reduce total interest.

Why it matters

Consolidation works best when you get a lower rate than your existing debts. But it doesn't reduce what you owe — and extending the term can mean paying more total interest.

Example

You have: $5,000 at 22% (credit card), $3,000 at 18% (store card), $2,000 at 25% (payday loan). A $10,000 consolidation loan at 11% saves you ~$2,100 in interest over 3 years.

Debt Settlement — Debt Settlement / Negotiation

Negotiating with creditors to accept less than the full amount you owe — typically 40-60 cents on the dollar. Usually done after you've already fallen behind on payments.

Why it matters

Settlement can save thousands, but it severely damages your credit (settled accounts show for 7 years) and the IRS may tax the forgiven amount as income.

Example

You owe $15,000 on a credit card and negotiate a settlement of $7,500 (50%). You save $7,500 but: your credit drops 100+ points, the account shows 'settled' for 7 years, and you may owe taxes on the $7,500 forgiven.

DTI Ratio — Debt-to-Income Ratio

The percentage of your monthly gross income that goes toward paying debts. Lenders use it to judge whether you can afford another loan payment.

Why it matters

Most lenders want DTI below 36% for personal loans and below 43% for mortgages. Above that, you're considered overextended and likely to be denied.

Example

You earn $5,000/month gross. Your debts: $1,200 mortgage + $300 car + $200 student loans = $1,700/month. DTI = 34%. A new $400/month loan would push you to 42% — risky for lenders.

Judgment — Court Judgment (Debt)

A court ruling that says you legally owe a specific amount to a creditor. It gives the creditor power to garnish wages, freeze bank accounts, or place liens on your property.

Why it matters

Judgments are enforceable for 10-20 years (varies by state) and can be renewed. They give creditors far more collection power than a simple unpaid debt.

Example

A credit card company sues you for $8,000 and wins a judgment. They can now garnish 25% of your paycheck ($750/month on a $3,000 net salary) and freeze your bank account.

Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.

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