Kenneth L. Sheppard Jr.
Ohio Bankruptcy Attorney and Tax LawyerKenneth L. Sheppard, Jr. is the President and Owner of Sheppard Law Offices, Co., L.P.A.
Kenneth graduated from Ohio Northern University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History. While at Ohio Northern, Ken was a member of three honor societies and two national mock trial teams. He then entered Ohio Northern University Law School and graduated in 1999 with a Juris Doctor degree. After law school, Mr. Sheppard earned his LL.M. (Master's Degree) in Taxation from the University of Denver in 2000.
Attorney Sheppard is admitted to practice law in Ohio. He is also licensed in U.S. Tax Court as well as both U.S. District Courts of Ohio (Northern and Southern). He is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, Akron Bar Association, and Stark County Bar Association. Kenneth is also a member of the Credit Education Coalition and the Better Business Bureau. Mr. Sheppard is a referral attorney for both Hyatt Legal Services and ARAG.
Prior to opening Sheppard Law Offices, Kenneth was the Director of Advanced Planning for a prestigious national wealth management firm. Mr. Sheppard opened his law practice in 2005. Ken's law practice is concentrated primarily in the areas of bankruptcy and taxation. Mr. Sheppard has handled many Chapter 7 and 13 consumer bankruptcy cases, providing financial relief to individuals and small business owners in central and northeast Ohio. Throughout the entire state of Ohio and across the country, Mr. Sheppard has helped his tax clients resolve their federal and state income, employment, and sales tax problems.
Sheppard Law Offices' mission is to provide the highest quality of legal and tax services to its clients and the community while upholding an exceptional standard of ethical and professional conduct.
Kenneth also enjoys the outdoors. Ken and his father travel to various fishing hot spots across the country annually.
- Bankruptcy
- Tax Law
- Foreclosure Defense
- Chapter 7 & Chapter 13
- Free Consultation
Bankruptcy and Tax Lawyer Ken Sheppard provides free initial consultations. - Credit Cards Accepted
We accept cash, checks, and money orders from all clients. We accept credit cards from all clients except bankruptcy clients. We accept debit cards from all clients. - Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
All cases - initial retainer - $300 (which is part of the overall attorney fees) Chapter 7 Bankruptcy - Fixed Fee + $335 filing fee, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy - Fixed Fee + $310 filing fee (portion of attorney fees are deferred and included as part of the payment plan) Debtor Education - per debtor - $25 - paid directly to service provider, not Attorney Sheppard. Hourly Rate - non-tax cases: $225.00 Hourly Rate - tax cases: $275.00. Mr. Sheppard will fully discuss all costs and expenses with you at the free initial consultation.
- Ohio
- English: Spoken, Written
- President & Owner
- Sheppard Law Offices, Co., L.P.A.
- - Current
- Practice concentrated in bankruptcy and taxation. Discusses prospective clients debt and tax issues at free initial consultation. Provides legal advice and recommendations regarding filing Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies and steps to take to resolve IRS tax problems.
- University of Denver
- LL.M. | Taxation
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- Honors: 4.0 GPA - Spring Quarter
- Ohio Northern University
- J.D. | Law
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- Honors: Poverty Law Book Award
- Activities: Student Bar Association President
- Ohio Northern University
- B.A. | Political Science & History
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- Honors: 3 Honoraries: Hisotry, Political Science, and Criminal Justice
- Activities: Outstanding Attorney Award Member of 2 National Mock Trial Teams
- Licking County Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
- Knox County Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
- Credit Education Coalition
- Member
- - Current
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
- Website
- Website
- Website
- Columbus Ohio Bankruptcy Attorney Kenneth Sheppard, Jr.
- Blog
- columbusfilebankruptcyattorney.com
Ohio Bankruptcy & Income Tax RefundsColumbus, Ohio bankruptcy lawyer Ken Sheppard, Jr. discusses how income tax refunds are handled in a bankruptcy, and what you can do to protect your refund.
Lawsuits, Judgments, and Filing Bankruptcy in OhioBankruptcy Attorney Kenneth L. Sheppard, Jr. discusses the handling of lawsuits in Ohio and the treatment of lawsuits and judgments in a bankruptcy
- Q. Are you legally required to continue paying charges on a credit card if the cardholder files bankruptcy?
- A: I think an issue arises in their bankruptcy that they needed to have reported you as someone who owes them money or property. Their bankruptcy trustee would have an interest in the money you owe them. It appears you have some form of a contract with the debtor(s). The credit card creditor has a relationship with the debtor(s) and your contract may be predicated upon that relationship. In any event, a bankruptcy trustee should be aware of your relationship with the debtor(s).
- Q. husband filing chapter 7 in Ohio. Son wants to buy a car for himself but he's only 16. Can i put the car in my name?
- A: Yes. the bankruptcy involves only your husband's assets and debts. You (as a non-filer) are permitted to purchase a vehicle both before or after your husband files bankruptcy.
- Q. How do I know if I qualify to file chapter 7 bankruptcy? What kind of questions will a judge ask me about my debt?
- A: To qualify for a chapter 7, the primary test you must pass is the means test. There are other tests, such as the residency test, etc. The means test examines the size of your household and applies a certain annual gross income threshold figure to see if you qualify. The judge doesn't ask you questions; it is a trustee who you go before. He or she will ask basic yes/no type questions such as "Have you paid any one creditor more than $600 total in the 90 days before you filed bankruptcy?" Also, "Have you paid back any relatives in the past year?" Also, "Has someone passed away where you may be entitled to inherit?" Your bankruptcy attorney can answer all these questions more fully as well. I hope this helps you.
- Q. My mother died last year. My dad added me to the deed to keep everything out of probate if anything happens to him.
- A: It doesn't sound as if the house is your primary residence, so the homestead exemption does not apply. Therefore, if you filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, one half of the value of the home is subject to liquidation. On the other hand, if the residence is your primary residence, then the homestead exemption would apply to your one-half interest. Value of the residence would need to be determined to answer the question of whether there is any unprotected equity of your interest.
- Q. I spoke to a lawyer about qualifying for bankruptcy and she said we made too much to try back in a couple of months when
- A: Here's your possible negative ramification: Be aware of the following 30 day rule if a car loan is obtained on a vehicle right before you file bankruptcy. If your new car lienholder does not properly perfect its lien within 30 days of you taking delivery of the vehicle, then the Chapter 7 Trustee can void the lienholder’s lien and that allows the Trustee to sell your car. You will get nothing, and you lose any money you had put down and/or the trade in value of your old vehicle. Lien date controls not issue date.
- Q. I have a car that I just got out of repo. Made a few months pay on it. Can I file chapter 7 and not make this payment
- A: With vehicles in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you must inform your creditor of your intent to either keep or surrender the vehicle. That document is called a Statement of Intention. If you are not current at the time you file or if you later become delinquent on the vehicle during the bankruptcy, the creditor may seek to recover the vehicle by filing a motion for relief from stay. You probably just need to be clear with what you wish to do and then your attorney can handle the matter from there. Thank you. Ken Sheppard, Jr.
- Q. I Live In Ohio. I Filed For Bankruptcy 20 And 10 Years Ago. Can I Do It Again. Got A Divorce. Now Behind On Bills.
- A: Yes, the time period between filing Chapter 7 bankruptcies is 8 years. There are other requirements and things to consider to make sure your situation is handled correctly, but yes you are ok to file based upon the time period.
- Q. I'm over 30,000 in debt i own my mobile home out right just had my 2014 car repo. can i file bankrupcy.
- A: Your question is very broad, but I'll try to share some general information with you. Filing a bankruptcy has several requirements or components to it. The first question would be which type of bankruptcy may be appropriate given your overall situation. A Chapter 7 involves qualifying you and determining whether your assets are protected. A Chapter 13 deals with feasibility. Your debt has to be classified as unsecured or secured, and if unsecured, then whether it is to be given priority. The homestead exemption in Ohio would be applicable to your mobile home as long as it is your primary residence. The debt related to your repossessed vehicle would be dischargeable. You should speak with a knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney as he or she can evaluate your issues in greater detail and give you more specific advice.
