By Jeff Field | Published September 12, 2023 | Posted in Bankruptcy | Tagged Tags: credit card debt, unsecured consumer debt | Leave a comment
People with unmanageable debt loads often turn to bankruptcy for relief. Most of them proceed using either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 of the bankruptcy code, which set out different paths for discharging the individual’s debt. One notable difference is that Chapter 13 requires partial repayment of outstanding debt. However, an advantage of Chapter 13 Read More
Read MoreBankruptcy provides a fresh financial start for people faced with insurmountable debt. Although the bankruptcy trustee has authority to seize and sell the debtor’s assets to pay off creditors, there are federal and state laws that allow debtors to keep certain property or its equivalent value. These are called exemptions, and one of the most Read More
Read MoreChapter 7 is often the preferred form of bankruptcy relief for individuals, but not everyone qualifies. Most debtors must satisfy the “means test,” which is used to demonstrate that they have insufficient income to repay any portion of their debt. However, debtors who hold a large amount of business debt are exempt from the Chapter Read More
Read MoreIf you fall behind in paying debts, you may be subject to a wage garnishment. A creditor might obtain a court order requiring your employer to impound a portion of your wages or salary each pay period and to send it to the creditor. Garnishments can be devastating as they can leave you with insufficient Read More
Read MoreMany people in financial distress are behind on their home mortgages. Debtors who have missed payments are at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure. One of the most effective strategies for saving a home from foreclosure is a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This type of bankruptcy is also called a wage earner’s plan, because it Read More
Read MoreBankruptcy law generally allows debtors to discharge obligations that accrued prior to the filing of the bankruptcy petition. There are, however, exceptions, such as when a debt is obtained by fraud. Though this is generally understood to mean fraud by the debtor, the United States Supreme Court recently ruled that actions by other people can Read More
Read MorePeople who have difficulty borrowing money often get a friend or relative to be a co-signer on a loan. The co-signer is in effect a guarantor who is secondarily liable for the debt until it is paid in full. However, the situation changes if the co-signer files for bankruptcy. When a co-signer declares bankruptcy, it Read More
Read MoreBankruptcy cases can be dismissed by courts for a variety of reasons. The reasons for the dismissal have a direct bearing on the debtor’s prospects for filing a new petition. A dismissal without prejudice allows the debtor to file a new case right away. A dismissal with prejudice generally requires the debtor to wait a Read More
Read MoreAlthough people may fear that they’ll lose much of their property if they file for bankruptcy, the reality is that debtors who opt for this remedy usually keep most of their assets. That’s because federal and state laws allow debtors to claim exemptions — namely, categories of property that are shielded from creditors. However, the Read More
Read MorePeople serving the armed forces sacrifice a great deal for their country, often at their own expense. Provisions of the bankruptcy code as well as other federal laws are in place to assist veterans and active service members with getting through tough financial times. The U.S. Bankruptcy Code includes special exceptions, some of which apply Read More
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