FAQ

What’s bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy allows individuals or businesses (debtors) who owe others (creditors) more money than they’re able to pay to either work out a plan to repay the money over time or completely eliminate (discharge) most of the bills.

 

What’s the difference between secured and unsecured debt?

Secured debt is a claim that’s secured by some type of property, either by an agreement or involuntarily with a court judgment or taxes. Creditors can generally claim the property that secures the debt in the event of bankruptcy. Unsecured debt is not tied to any type of property, and the creditor doesn’t have a claim to their property. A mortgage is a secured debt on you property.

 

Which kind of bankruptcy should I file?

Consumers typically file Chapter 13 bankruptcy, where repayment is made to creditors, or Chapter 7 where the debts are dismissed. Each chapter of bankruptcy spells out:
What bills can be eliminated
How long payments can be stretched out
What possessions you can keep
Additional information
The type depends on your circumstances and if you have assets available to repay all or part of the your debts. Bankruptcy laws can be tricky and involved, so determining if, when and which type of bankruptcy you need should be made with careful thought or the input of a bankruptcy lawyer.

 

Can I change from one chapter of bankruptcy to another?

Generally, you can convert a case one time to any other chapter you’re eligible for. The request to convert can be a simple one-sentence document. Watch out for issues, such as moving from a Chapter 13 to a Chapter 7, you’ll need to review whether you have acquired items that are now be considered property of the estate under Chapter 7 that weren’t part of the previous filing. Ask the trustee or a bankruptcy lawyer for additional issues.

 

Who can file bankruptcy?

With few exceptions, any person or business owing money to a creditor can file a bankruptcy petition.

 

How often can you file for bankruptcy?

Filing bankruptcy can adversely affect your ability to obtain future credit, rent housing and even negatively impact a job application. Any decision to file must be carefully considered. Chapter 7: Can be filed every 8 years from a previous chapter 7 filing or 6 years from a prior chapter 13 filing. Chapter 13: Can be filed 4 years from a prior Chapter 7 filing or 2 years from a prior Chapter 13 filing.

 

What do I need to begin the bankruptcy process?

Prepare a list of past and present debts as well as all assets and liabilities. You will also be required to bring a statement of financial affairs to file with the bankruptcy court in addition to your filing fee.

 

Do you have to have a certain amount of debt to file?

No. However, some situations may not warrant filing for bankruptcy. If you have little property or money, filing bankruptcy may not be necessary, as the creditor may not be able to collect the debt.

 

What can occur if one spouse files for bankruptcy and the othe doesn’t?

If one spouse files and the other doesn’t, the one who doesn’t file could be responsible for the debts. Please consider this and speak to me about it before filing for bankruptcy.

 

Can a co-signor of a loan be responsible for a debt if the other person has declared bankruptcy?

Yes. The lender can require the co-signor to make payments on a loan once the principal has declared bankruptcy on the credit. This makes it extremely important when considering co-signing a loan: Be ready, and able, to pay the loan in the event that the principal signor defaults.

 

Can all types of debt be discharged?

No. The debts that can’t be discharged vary slightly between the different chapters of bankruptcy. Generally, the following cannot be discharged:
Debts for taxes owed to local, state or federal agencies
Debts for money, property, services, or an extension, renewal, or refinancing of credit, which was obtained fraudulently Debts that weren’t in the initial list of debts or that the debtor waived being cancelled
Debts owed to a spouse, former spouse, or child, for alimony, maintenance, or support of a spouse or child, with a separation agreement, divorce decree or other order of a court of record Debts owed for injury to another person or property owned by another (as in a court judgment) Debts for government-sponsored educational loans, unless it can be shown that repayment will cause an undue hardship Debts for death or personal injury caused by the debtor’s drunk driving or from driving while under the influence of drugs or other substances (as in a court judgment) Debts incurred after a bankruptcy was filed
Any type of legal judgment

 

What can I keep, if anything, if I file bankruptcy?

Exemptions allow an individual to “exempt”, or keep, certain kinds of property. State law defines what assets are considered “exempt,” but typically include:
Jewelry Vehicles up to a certain amount Equity in a home up to a certain amount
“Tools of the trade” or tools and equipment necessary to allow the individual to continue working

 

Do I have to file bankruptcy on all the accounts I owe, or can I keep some?

You must include all the debts you owe in your petition and schedules. You may opt to keep some debts by “reaffirming” the specific debt.

 

Will I lose my retirement accounts or payments from social security?

Generally, no. Retirement accounts that are ERISA-qualified aren’t considered property of an estate and aren’t taken into consideration as assets. Social Security benefits are protected from assignment, or garnishment for debts in bankruptcy. Once paid, the benefits continue to be protected only as long as they can be identified as Social Security benefits. For example, money in a bank account where the “only” deposits into the account are direct deposits of Social Security benefits are identifiable and generally protected.

 

Will I lose my home if I file for bankruptcy?

Possibly. The factors that impact your ability to keep your home are:
The state you’re in and the exemptions allowed
The status of your loan (current or in foreclosure)
The type of bankruptcy you’re filing (Chapter 13 provides more protection than Chapter 7 as long as payments are current)

 

How long does a bankruptcy stay on my record?

Bankruptcies remain on credit reports anywhere from 7 up to 10 years.

 

Can I do anything to remove a bankruptcy from my credit report?

No. Although at your option, you can file an explanation with the credit reporting agencies briefly describing the events resulting in your bankruptcy. If an account is reported inaccurately, you can request the record be updated to reflect the actual situation.

 

When can I apply for credit again?

The decision whether to grant you credit in the future is strictly up to the creditor and varies from creditor to creditor. There’s no law that prevents anyone from extending credit to you immediately after the filing of a bankruptcy, but creditors aren’t required to extend you credit.

 

Can a “credit repair” company really save me from bankruptcy?

Most consumers can be just as effective as a credit repair company in dealing with credit reporting agencies and improving their credit ratings, it simply takes time and patience. While there are non-profit companies in each state that offer credit guidance for a small fee, credit repair companies offer very little relative to the fees they charge.

 

Can a creditor continue to contact me after I’ve filed for bankruptcy?

During the time the debtor is working out a plan or the trustee is gathering and preparing the assets to sell, the bankruptcy code dictates that creditors must stop all collection efforts against the debtor. As soon as the bankruptcy petition is stamped “Relief Ordered” upon filing, you’re immediately protected from your creditors. This is called an automatic stay. After that time, if a creditor attempts to collect a debt, immediately notify the creditor in writing that you have filed bankruptcy, and provide them with either the case name number and filing date, or a copy of the petition that shows it was filed. If the creditor still continues to collect, you may be entitled to take legal action against them.

 

Who lets my creditors know I’ve filed for bankruptcy?

A: The bankruptcy court notifies, by mail, all creditors advising them of:
The filing of the bankruptcy
The case number
The automatic stay
The name of the trustee assigned to the case (if filed under chapters 7 or 13)
The date set for the meeting of creditors
The deadline, if any, set for filing objections to the dismissal of debts
Whether and where to file claims
The exact information in the notice may be slightly different depending on the chapter under which the case is filed.

 

What does a trustee do?

The trustee’s job is to:
Administer the bankruptcy
Make sure creditors get as much money as possible
Run the first meeting of creditors (also called the “section 341 meeting”).
Collect and sell non-exempt property (in a chapter 7 case) or collect and pay out money on a repayment plan (in a chapter 13 case)
Obtain information from you and documents related to your bankruptcy United States Trustees are appointed by the bankruptcy court, but aren’t necessarily lawyers. Their fees are covered by the bankruptcy filing fee or are a set percentage of the money distributed in the bankruptcy.

 

Can creditors object to a bankruptcy filing or plan?

Yes. Bankruptcy filings allow creditors to object to specific debts in the plan or the repayment or cancellation in its entirety.

 

What happens at a creditors meeting?

The debtor must attend the creditors’ meeting conducted by the trustee appointed to their case. The debtor must answer questions concerning:
How the situation evolved
Any actions taken with the property Debts listed in the petition or any other financial information requested by the trustee Failure respond untruthfully can result in the petition being dismissed or, in extreme cases, a charge of perjury. Creditors may attend and question the debtor about the assets or any other matter relevant to the bankruptcy. A creditor doesn’t waive any rights by not attending the creditors meeting.

 

What if I’ve forgotten to include a debt on my schedule? Can I add it later?

After filing the petition, if you discover that an entry is inaccurate or missing, you may typically file an amendment to correct it. Remember, you’re submitting the petition under the penalty of perjury, so take care with the initial filing. Also, any debt that isn’t on the list can’t be discharged and you’ll be responsible for it.

 

When do I have to stop using my credit cards if I’m planning on filing for bankruptcy?

As soon as you anticipate filing bankruptcy, stop using your credit cards. Bankruptcy law allows the review of questionable purchases for potential fraud. If purchases are made 40 days prior to filing or cash advances taken within 20 days of filing, the debt may possibly be excluded from the bankruptcy and it can be dismissed.

 

What’s a reaffirmation agreement?

When you “reaffirm” to pay off a debt, you’re legally obligated to pay all or a portion of an otherwise cancellable debt. This is voluntary and not required by bankruptcy codes. You may voluntarily repay any debt instead of signing a reaffirmation agreement, but there may be valid legal reasons for wanting to reaffirm a specific debt, such as a vehicle loan or student loan.

 

Can a bankruptcy be reopened?

Yes. Typically, a bankruptcy case is reopened by the trustee when questions arise concerning what was included or possibly omitted, or any other irregularities that surface.

 

How’s an inheritance treated in a bankruptcy case?

How an inheritance is treated in bankruptcy depends on when you become entitled to receive it and what type of bankruptcy relief you’re seeking. If you’ve filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and you become entitled to an inheritance within 180 days of your filing date, the inheritance will be a part of your bankruptcy estate, and can be used to pay your debts. The important date is when your right to the inheritance is fixed, typically on the date of a person’s death. You might not receive property or money from someone’s estate for many months.

 


If you’ve filed a Chapter 13 case, your inheritance can be used in determining how much you have available to pay creditors under your repayment plan, and the 180-day limit doesn’t apply. In either type of bankruptcy, you must inform the bankruptcy trustee about the inheritance. If you’re thinking about filing for bankruptcy, ask a bankruptcy lawyer how an expected inheritance might factor into your plans.

 

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