Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Most likely. It depends on the type of judgment entered against the Debtor and the assets that secure the judgment if a certified copy has been recorded. Yes, you can wipe out or reorganize most credit cards and medical bills.

It depends on several factors including, the type of tax owed, the date the return was filed, if the return was filed on time, whether a lien has been recorded, and several other factors. Typically, federal income taxes that are at least 3 years old and were filed on time may be subject to the bankruptcy discharge.

In most instances, yes, you can file for bankruptcy protection to save your property from a foreclosure sale.

Yes.

If a Debtor wishes to keep their car, there are options that may lower the car payments or overall out-of-pocket expenses in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. If it has been at least 910 days (2.5 years) since a vehicle loan was made before a bankruptcy is filed, the loan balance may be able to be reduced to the current value of the vehicle. This is called a cramdown. Cramdowns depend on several factors including the date the loan was taken, the terms of the original loan, the value of the vehicle, and the prime interest rate on the date of the bankruptcy filing. If the auto loan was taken less than 910 days prior to filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, there may be other options to lower the monthly loan payment or overall out of pocket expenses.

No, but bankruptcy may eliminate other debt, which may make catching up on past-due child support easier. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, child support arrearages are repaid over a five-year plan term while potentially repaying only a small portion of other unsecured debt.

In most cases, Debtor(s) are only required to attend one Bankruptcy hearing called a 341 Meeting of the Creditors. This meeting usually takes place between 30-60 days after a Bankruptcy is filed and is held by the Chapter 13 Trustee. Generally, no judge is present at a 341 Meeting of Creditors.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, also phrased as a reorganization, is a legal process by which a Debtor can catch up on past due debts, reinstate mortgage, auto, and other secured loans, and/or if they qualify, repay a portion of their unsecured debt without the worry of losing any assets. Chapter 13 is also often an alternative bankruptcy option for a Debtor who is unable to qualify for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. In a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Debtors are required to make monthly payments to the Chapter 13 Trustee for a period of 36-60 months. The amount of the monthly payment and number of monthly payments required depends on the Debtor’s specific circumstances.

Bankruptcy is an excellent option for Debtors who are experiencing hardships that result in falling behind on monthly mortgage loan payment(s), homeowner’s association payments, auto loan payments and/or secured debts.

1. If a Debtor cannot afford to keep their property or does not want to keep their property, they may qualify for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and be able to Surrender the property and eliminate all their debts while eliminating the chance for the Bank to obtain a deficiency judgment after a foreclosure/repossession occurs. Debtors still must qualify to be able to file a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Debtors can also surrender their property in a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.

2. If a Debtor wishes to keep their property and can afford to make payments sufficient to reinstate their loan(s) over a 60-month term, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is a powerful tool. A Bankruptcy plan in which a mortgage is reinstated, consist of monthly mortgage payments plus the mortgage arrearage spread out over a 60-month period. Additionally, plan payments will include any other secured debt the Debtor wishes to reorganize, tax, child support arrearage, and other priority claims, trustee fees and often a pro-rata dividend to the allowed unsecured creditors.

Depending on certain factors, it may also be possible to cramdown (reduce) or entirely wipe out homeowner’s association arrearages, mortgages on investment properties, under-secured liens, certain auto loans, non-purchase money security debts, judicial liens, and various other secured debts.

Unless the Debtor has extreme mitigating circumstances and has tendered their first payment to the trustee (in a Chapter 13 case), their case will likely be dismissed if they do not attend the 341 Meeting of Creditors.

The 341 Meeting of the Creditors takes place before the Bankruptcy Trustee and allows the Trustee and the Debtor’s Creditors the opportunity to meet with the Debtor(s) and their attorney and ask questions about the circumstances surrounding the Bankruptcy filing. Typically, if the Debtor is truthful when completing their paperwork, provides all necessary documentation to the Court, and no extenuating circumstances exist, then Creditors will rarely come to the 341 Meeting.

A Debtor is a person or entity who owes a person or institution money. The person or institution that a Debtor owes money to is a Creditor. When you have a car loan you are the Debtor and your auto loan lender is the creditor. If you have credit card debt, mortgage debt, personal loans, or any other type of debt, even if you are current with your payments, you are a Debtor, as are more than 80% of Americans, who has a debt owed to a Creditor(s).

After filing Bankruptcy, a Debtor’s Credit Score will likely decrease. Bankruptcy is a legal right to wipe the slate clean, eliminate debt, and get a fresh start on your credit. A Bankruptcy filing will start the clock ticking for removing negative items from your credit report and allow you to begin working on reestablishing good credit.

Results vary but we recommend opening a Secured Credit Card at a local Bank or Credit Union immediately after obtaining a discharge in Bankruptcy. Use it often to pay bills and make sure that the balances are paid on time. After 3-6 months, begin applying for regular unsecured Credit Cards. Using a credit card to pay normal living expenses and making payments on time will help to reestablish good credit.